Loudoun Now for April 29. 2021

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n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 6, NO. 22

Pg. 6 | n PUBLIC SAFETY

Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 17 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

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APRIL 29, 2021

Supervisors Pass for Now on Changing Gov’t BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Workforce Resource Center Team Leader Shelly Rodriguez talks about the center’s dozens of brochures in the lobby aimed to help customers in their job searches.

Ready for Recovery?

Numbers Look Promising for Local Job Market BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A year ago, Tony Stafford, like many restaurateurs globally, faced the grim reality of empty restaurant tables when stayat-home orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic went into effect. That reality led many restaurant owners, and other busi-

nesses, to lay off or significantly cut back on staff. Now, with restaurant doors again open and consumer confidence returning in part because of the rollout and availability of coronavirus vaccines, Stafford finds himself on a desperate hunt for more employees so he can get those tables filled up with patrons who are ready to get out and enjoy their seafood favorite.

“Last year, we were asking people not to forget about restaurants. Now, I’m telling people to come and work at restaurants,” he said. Stafford has gotten creative in his pursuit, appealing to teachers and first responders who are looking for a second stream of income and in need of flexible

Loudoun supervisors showed little interest in major changes to the way the county government operates after getting a report on the options April 20. Loudoun’s traditional Board of Supervisors-led government, with five countywide constitutional officers, resembles the government that was set up for Virginia counties during Reconstruction in the late 1800s in terms of how power is distributed among elected officials. It has also been modified over time to account for Virginia’s growth and modernization since that era. It is also by far the most common form of county government in Virginia—according to county staff members’ research, 83 of Virginia’s 95 counties use the same system. But Virginia law also offers other a few other ways to organize the county government, which Virginia’s larger counties are using. Loudoun supervisors in July 2020 set county staff to work looking into those governments, and the process for switching, as an outgrowth of a discussion around starting a county police department. After hearing about the options, most supervisors seemed content to let the idea rest for now. “The traditional form of government is malleable enough that we can do what we need to do even as we grow,” said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). They were also dissuaded by the difficulty of getting public authorization to

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APRIL 29, 2021

You are invited to our Virtual Community Meeting Hear from experts about the rebuilding of portions of Dominion Energy’s Belmont to Beaumeade electric transmission line — ensuring our community has access to affordable, reliable energy for years to come.

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Join us live online on Thursday, May 6 at 5 p.m. You can find event details at DominionEnergy.com/belmont

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APRIL 29, 2021

PAGE 3

School Board Adds Free AP Tests in Final Budget Action BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The School Board adopted a revised $1.48 billion Fiscal Year 2022 budget Tuesday night after making one final change to offer students up to four free Advanced Placement tests. That $810,000 budget action came as an alternative to a Board of Supervisors request to eliminate the $75 charged for athletics. That request was made as supervisors cut the School Board’s local funding

request by $28.6 million last month. School Board members said offering free AP tests would have a greater educational impact and pointed out that athletic fees were recently cut in half. Several members said they hoped to have the opportunity to reduce or eliminate sports and other fees during next year’s budget talks. The school division staff made quick work to adjust the budget to reflect the lower inflow of county revenue. That funding gap was largely erased by an $8.7 million increase in state funding and a

determination by the state Department of Education that cleared the way for $7.7 million in federal emergency aid to pay for expanded summer school offerings. Another $4.5 million was offset by a staff proposal to use year-end surplus funds to pay for one-time purchases. To complete the budget rebalancing, board accepted the staff proposals to drop the $1.9 million earmark to begin a collective bargaining program and to not hire six non-mandated health clinic specialists. In addition to the AP test fee waivers, the School Board on Tuesday night dis-

Republicans, Democrats to Pick November Candidates LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Candidates seeking nominations for the November elections are making their closing arguments as decision day approaches for the two major parties. Voting has already begun for Democrats, who are holding a traditional primary election on June 8. Early voting in Loudoun began Friday, April 23. The deadline to register to vote or update a registration is Monday, May 17. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Friday, May 28 at 5 p.m. And the last day of in-person absentee voting at the registrar’s office will be Saturday, June 5 ending at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Republicans will hold an unconventional convention on Saturday, May 8, with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions prompting the establishment of satellite polling places across the state instead of a single central location. In the 10th Congressional District, which includes Loudoun, that will be at the district party’s headquarters at 20098 Ashbrook Place in Ashburn from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Voting will take place the day before, Friday, May 7, for registered delegates unable to vote Saturday for religious reasons, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The deadline to sign up as a delegate has passed. Republicans will also be choosing candidates with ranked-choice voting. As the Republican Party of Virginia has decided that all ballots will be hand-counted at a single central location, it could be up to a week before all the votes are tabulated and certified. The party plans to certify winners by May 15.

cussed a proposal by Beth Barts (Leesburg) to roll back a plan to hire 15 special education deans in elementary schools, in the hopes of keeping the most experienced special education teachers involved with face-to-face instruction rather than lose many to supervisory positions. The proposal was made at the request of the Special Education Advisory Committee. However, other School Board members said that school principals had identified the dean program as a key initiative that would improve the coordination of special education programs. n

Court Upholds $250K Jury Award in Racial Harassment Case LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Two Republican candidates for governor were in Loudoun this week as they make their closing arguments before the convention May 8. Pete Snyder, left, kicked off his “Conservative Outlaw” campaign tour by meeting with supporters Monday night at Lost Rhino Brewing Company in Ashburn. Tuesday morning, Glenn Youngkin brought his campaign to Purcellville at the Purcellville Pub.

Republicans Seek to Reclaim Power Republicans will be looking for candidates to lead them to reclaiming power in the General Assembly for the first time since 2019, and give them their first statewide win since 2009. And the Republican field for that is wide and varied. For governor alone, Republicans will choose from among state Sen. Amanda Chase, state delegate and former Speaker of the House of Delegate Kirk Cox, retired Army colonel and former Trump deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Sergio de la Peña, former think tank executive Peter Doran, former Roanoke Sheriff Octavia Johnson, entrepreneur and longtime party operative Pete Snyder and former private equity CEO Glenn Youngkin. Youngkin, of Great Falls, in Purcellville on Tuesday

claimed to have the most delegates signed up for the convention. For lieutenant governor, they will choose from among Puneet Ahluwalia, Lance Allen, Del. Glenn Davis, former Del. Tim Hugo, Maeve Rigler and former Del. Winsome Sears. And for attorney general, they will choose from among Chesterfield County Supervisor Leslie Haley, Del. Jason Miyares, Chuck Smith and Jack White. And while they are mounting challenges against many incumbent Democrats in the House of Delegates, and Del. Dave A. LaRock (R-33) is seeking reelection, locally none of those Republican hopefuls have a convention challenge.

PRIMARIES continues on page 31

The Virginia Supreme Court has upheld the verdict of a Loudoun County Circuit Court jury requiring a Northern Virginia business owner to pay his former contractor $250,000 in damages for racial harassment and threatening statements. According to court documents, Northern Virginia Kitchen Bath & Basement owner John Powell hired William Ellis, a Black man, in May 2017 as an independent contractor. Ellis began work on a homeowner’s basement bathroom in July that year, but a dispute soon led to Powell and the homeowner terminating the contract. When Ellis continued to work on the homeowner’s bathroom, Powell found out and left Ellis voicemails in which he said Ellis made “a n—er move” and that “we don’t play that sh— down here in Virginia, boy.” According to the court documents, Powell told Ellis he hired him because of his color and said Ellis “pulled the same sh— that f— ing black people around here do” and that he “ruined it for the next black man.” Court documents also indicate Powell told Ellis he had HARASSMENT continues on page 31


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APRIL 29, 2021

Randall, COG Endorse DC Statehood

Loudoun

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Solar panels at New River Farm near Leesburg.

Solar Panel Study Raises Rural Concerns BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

A study on where solar panels should be permitted in Loudoun is raising concerns for the county’s two western supervisors that they could damage the rural landscape. Loudoun landowners have received offers from solar energy operators to lease their land for solar panels, for hefty sums over decades-long agreements. Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) said it became evident that the county has no clear policy on solar arrays, and on April 20 proposed a study to come up with interim guidance while the county works on a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning regulations. Supervisors Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) sought to exclude the county’s Rural Policy Area from that study. “I have great, grave concerns because I think this will ultimately end or have a severe impact not only on the visibility of what we know as western Loudoun potentially, but on the rural economy and everything we’ve worked so hard for so many years to accomplish,” Kershner said. “It could very well do extreme harm to the future of western Loudoun County,” Buffington said. “No one is going to want to go to a brewery or a winery, like Dirt Farm

“No one is going to want to go to a brewery or a winery, like Dirt Farm Brewery and look out and see nothing but glare from solar farms.” —

Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge)

Brewery, and look out and see nothing but glare from solar farms.” But the majority of supervisors said the work could protect western Loudoun. “I would think that if you have concerns about solar showing up in some of these places in western Loudoun, you would actually want this to pass, because it would give you a mechanism for which the county to actually take a position on that,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). And he pointed that it will be the Board of Supervisors that ultimately makes the

decisions on county policy around solar panels. Saines said he does not intend the nearterm work on solar arrays to impact the ongoing work on new county zoning, which will also include a discussion on solar arrays. His initiative calls for an examination that includes siting criteria, agricultural impacts and prime soils protection, viewsheds and visual impacts, wildlife and ecological environmental impacts, property value impacts, tax revenue and economic impacts, and current and future land use and permitting processes. “I think it’s definitely something we need to address now in our county,” Saines said. Supervisors passed Saines’ motion 7-2, with Buffington and Kershner opposed. Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said she sees no problem with views of solar panels from rural attractions. “When I drive past renewable energy sources, windmills, solar farms, I kind of beam with pride knowing that we aren’t killing the environment, but we’re creating energy,” Briskman said. “So, I don’t know that I would be bothered by going to a brewery and seeing a solar farm.” She also expressed concern about involving the county’s Rural Economic Development Council in that work, calling a special interest. n

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) is among the DC region leaders who have endorsed making the District of Columbia the country’s 51st state. The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, of which Randall is part, has unanimously approved a resolution urging Congress to “establish the state of Washington, D.C. without delay.” The board includes elected representatives from 24 area governments across DC, Maryland and Virginia. “I believe D.C. statehood is a fairness issue, an equity issue, and an American issue. Taxation without representation is Un-American and wrong,” Randall stated. While DC residents pay federal taxes, they have no voting representation in Congress. In this they join the residents of the U.S.’s five inhabited territories, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bills currently in the House of Representatives and Senate call for the creation of “the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth,” including all of DC with exceptions for federal buildings. It would be named for Black statesman and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. If DC were to win statehood, it would be the first new state in 62 years—likely more, considering the transition process, which would include writing a state constitution. The bill would establish a Statehood Transition Commission. The most recent new state in the union is Hawaii, which gained statehood on August 21, 1959, months after Alaska, which gained statehood on Jan. 3, 1959. Prior to that, the most recent new states were Arizona and New Mexico in 1912. n


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APRIL 29, 2021

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Loudoun Officials Praise New Greenway Tolls Law BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County leaders have praised a new law designed to curb toll increases, introduced in the General Assembly this year by Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) and Sen. John J. Bell (D-13) and which Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law on March 25. After news that Northam had signed the bill, Loudoun County sent out reactions from state and county officials through the government’s official channels. “This legislation will have a meaningful impact on the people of Loudoun County,” stated County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “This has been about equity and quality of life for our residents, who may now finally be able to afford to pay to use the Greenway, which will help them spend less time in their cars commuting to and from work and more time with their families.” The new law seeks to create measurable standards for evaluating whether proposed toll increases would discourage motorist from taking the road, which is not permitted. It also would allow debt refinancing only when necessary to operate, maintain, or expand the road and would not increase toll rates, seeking to close a loophole that allowed the Greenway to amass around a billion dollars in outstanding debt and count that against its profitability when applying for toll in1503

ply common-sense logic to Greenway toll rate cases,” stated Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “This legislation literally took years of effort, but our determination to provide some relief to our citizens has finally prevailed.” “The legislation signed by Northam provides objective criteria for any future toll increases on the Greenway, which will better protect the interests of the citizens of Loudoun County,” stated County Attorney Leo Rogers. The new legislation takes effect on July 1, 2021, but does not apply to the rate case the SCC is currently deciding. n

creases. solution to stop excessive and unfair toll If the Greenway seeks to stay privately increases,” stated Bell. “This is a huge owned beyond 2056, when it is set to be- win for Loudoun County, and will bring come public property, it must make new much needed relief to our residents and financial disclosures and have at least a commuters.” BBB- bond rating from a major credit ratThe law also allows the Virginia Deings agency, the lowest investment-grade partment of Transportation to inderating. Currently, none of the three major pendently review all traffic-related analybond ratings agencies rate the Greenway ses submitted by the Greenway operator that highly. to argue for higher tolls. And the bill would also limit the Gre“This new law will be an important enway to apply for toll increases one year tool to ensure a level playing field and apat a time. The SCC is currently deliberating a request from the Greenway, filed Discounts Available For Patients before the law, that would see five years of Welcoming allallnew patients! Welcoming new patients! Without Insurance! toll increases. Loudoun County governDr. Brian Cochran and his staff at ment has unsuccessfully fought against Welcoming allallnew patients! Welcoming new patients! Conveniently located Cochran Family Dental are in toll increases at the SCC before; this time, The Village of Leesburg 2020 Welcoming new patients! committed to providing a comprehensive dental Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at office What weall offer FAVORITE 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 the SCC still has not issued a decision, FAVORITE Conveniently located in with aCochran caring andFamily style that will serve most all of Dental are • Cheerful, serene, Cochran state of theLeesburg, artand officehisgentle VA 20175 Dr. Brian staff at more than five months after the last aryour family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance The Village of Leesburg • Digital x-rays (reduces radiation by 90%) to providing a comprehensive dental office committed 703-771-9034 guments. Cochran Family Dental are friendly office offering budget wise payment options. Dr. 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 • We file all dental benefi t claims with a provided caring and gentle style that serve most all of Cochran has trusted dental care to thewill citizens “This bipartisan effort by the Loudoun committed to providing a comprehensive dental office Leesburg, 20175 Dr. Dentistry Brian(veneers, Cochran and hisVA staff at one • Cosmetic whitefamily’s fifor llings, and Zoom Whitening) of Loudoun 13 years. your dental needs under roof. Insurance elected officials and Loudoun residents is HOURS: WHITENING SPECIAL withand a caring gentle style that will serve most all of WHITENING 703-771-9034 • Crowns Bridges, Family alland phases of & Implants, Rootoffering Canals and budget Dentures Conveniently located in FREE Teeth Whitening Kit Cochran Dental are friendly office wise payment options. Dr. Mon. Wed.: 8am 6pm a big step forward for commuters,” stated SPECIAL with every scheduled The Village Leesburg facing your family’stherapy dental needs under one roof. Insurance • We offer periodontal to restore your oral health asUse well as oral cancer screening. Tues. - at Thurs.: 7am - 4pm your benefits before the end Cochran has provided trusted dental care to the office citizens cleaning or procedure. Subramanyam. “We will finally be able between Wegmans a andcomprehensive 1503committed Dodona Terrace Route to 7providing dental of the year and receive8/31/16. a FREE Fri.:Fitness 8am - 1pmwise Offer Expires LA friendly office offering budget payment options. Dr. Teeth Whitening Kit with every Suite 210 Conveniently located in(once/month) the Village of Leesburg of 8am Loudoun for 13 years. to prevent multi-year guaranteed toll inPlease present coupon to Sat.: 1pm Mon & -Wed: 8-6pm HOURS: scheduled cleaning or procedure. WHITENING SPECIAL with a20175 caring and style that will serve Leesburg, receive the offer. Not to bemost all of Cochran hasTerrace provided trusted dental care the citizens TuesEmergency & Thurs: 7-4pm Service 1503VA Dodona #210 •gentle Leesburg, VA 20175 • to 703-771-9034 WHITENING Offer Expires January 1, 2016. 24hr creases and allow for real oversight and Conveniently located in FREE Teeth Whitening Kit Please -present coupon to w/any receive the offer. Mon. &- 4pm Wed.: 8am 6pm combined other Fri: 8-1pm-•Thurs.: Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Mon. & Wed.: 8am 6pm • Tues. 7am • Fri.: CLOSED • 24hr Emergency Service Notfacing to be combined with any other offer. SPECIAL 703-771-9034 with every scheduled The Village at Leesburg 24hr Emergency Service ofyour Loudoun for 13 years. accountability when it comes to price infamily’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance Tues. - Thurs.: 7am - 4pm Use your benefits or before the end cleaning procedure. Route 7 between Wegmans and WHITENING 1503 Dodona Terrace creases. 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Loudoun County continues to hold free, drive-through COVID-19 testing events, with more scheduled through the month of May. The events are scheduled for Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the following locations: April 27: Ray Muth Sr. Memorial Park, 20971 Marblehead Drive, Ashburn May: 4: Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville May 11: Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park, 42405 Claudia Drive, Leesburg May 18: Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls May 25: Dulles South Recreation & Community Center, 24950 Riding

or appointments necessary. A person does not have to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested. A PCR test will be administered with a nasal swab. No antibody or rapid tests will be offered, no COVID-19 vaccine will be available at these events. The county encourages people who plan to attend to complete a registration form in advance to help reduce wait times. The form is available in English and Spanish at loudoun.gov/ COVID19testing. Forms will also be available at the events. n

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APRIL 29, 2021

Leesburg

AROUND town

Town Council Looks to New Plan During Retreat BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Members of the Leesburg Town Council looked to the work ahead on the new town plan, currently in the hands of the town Planning Commission, during a strategic planning retreat Saturday. Town Manager Kaj Dentler said the council expects to get an update on the new town plan at its meeting June 7, and begin its own work on the draft plan in September. Council members intend to adopt the plan by the end of the year. But it’s not too soon for them to start looking at the Planning Commission’s work or thinking about what will need to be in the plan, advised retreat facilitator Kimball Payne during the April 24 session. Councilmember Zach Cummings said the plan should be clear for people looking to invest in the town. “There are some developers who are not unscrupulous, and they try to do the right thing,” Cummings said. “And we want to make sure that they at least un-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Kimball Payne leads the Leesburg Town Council’s strategic retreat Saturday, April 24.

derstand what we’re trying to do.” And Councilmember Suzanne Fox said the most feedback she gets is asking if the plan could be shortened. But Payne advised the council to worry first about what should be in the plan. “My first response to, ‘the public

doesn’t understand,’ is, educate them. Don’t change what you’re doing,” Payne said. “[…] They have a responsibility at some level to understand how their local government works. You have a responsibility to help them understand.” “The biggest concern may end up being about affordable dwellings,” said Councilmember Neil Steinberg. Council members also said environmental sustainability—including encouraging a Property Assessed Clean Energy program, reviewing open space standards, reviewing site plans for environmental impact, and a plastic bag ordinance that will be discussed in April—should feature in the plan. The hours-long forum also touched on the vision and identity for Leesburg going forward, including honoring its history, arts, culture, and diversity, with an eye toward a community that is inclusive, welcoming, and family-oriented. Council members also discussed holding joint meetings with the Board of Supervisors—something that has been done in the past, but rarely. That is hoped for in the fall. n

Town Council Moves Closer to Collective Bargaining BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council has set the negotiating table for collective bargaining in the county seat. The council voted 5-2 at its Tuesday meeting to allow for collective bargaining to begin in Leesburg, but only with groups of employees identified by the council as eligible bargaining units. The subject matter of negotiations would also be limited to wages and benefits. An amendment to the state code passed last spring gave Virginia localities the green light to allow government employees to organize and collectively bargain, although they are still prohibited from going on strike. The new law takes effect May 1. The three groups identified by the council as potential bargaining units were the Leesburg Police Department; the town’s labor and trades staff; and administrative and professional staff, not including the Town Manager’s or Town Attorney’s offices. Those employees were able to participate in a confidential survey to gauge interest

in collective bargaining, and those results were shared with the council at Monday’s work session. Of the 214 eligible town employees within those three groups, 40% responded to the survey. That breakdown of survey respondents included 30 members of the Utilities Department; 29 members of the Leesburg Police Department; 11 public works employees; eight Town Hall staffers; five members of the Parks and Recreation Department; and four other employees who did not identify their departments. Sixty percent of those who responded to the survey expressed an interest in collective bargaining; a little more than 20% said they needed more information; and about 18% said they were not interested. The most interest came from the utilities and police departments. Twelve respondents provided comments on why they were interested in collective bargaining, and about half of those comments mentioned pay and benefits, as well as dissatisfaction with frozen merit increases, which were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the nine com-

ments provided by respondents opposed to collective bargaining, concerns about union dues were cited. Town Attorney Christopher Spera had recommended the council consider a second option, to wait until a group comes in to request collective bargaining. At that point, the council would have four months to determine what they would enact. In his reasoning for supporting that option, Spera cited the relatively small size of the eligible town staff. It also allows “self-determination” by employees, he said. “At this level of [survey] response rate and with the relatively low number of employees we have I don’t know that is an overwhelming mandate one way or the other. To me, if what we were trying to do is determine if this is something employees are interested in, then [option] 2 gives them the greatest amount of self-determination,” Spera said. He also pointed out the costs that could be borne by Leesburg if collective bargaining is enacted. That includes the need for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING continues on page 7

Vote for Your Favorite ArtsPARKs Sculpture The Leesburg Commission on Public Art and Friends of Leesburg Public Arts wants to know which ArtsPARKs sculpture is your favorite. The trail winding through Raflo Park along Harrison Street is home to a new set of five modern artworks that will remain on display until June 2022. Members of the public are invited to tour the exhibit and vote for their favorites to win the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced May 28. All five sculptures are available for purchase. Twenty percent of the proceeds will be invested in the ArtsPARKs program, paving the way for new artists to exhibit their work in subsequent years. To vote for the People’s Choice Best Sculpture Award, go to surveymonkey.com/r/TXH6GZ2. Voting ends at midnight on Saturday, May 22. The ArtsPARKs Sculpture Trail in Raflo Park was created by COPA in collaboration with FOLPA in 2016. Every two years, COPA issues a call to artists. A jury of art professionals selects five sculptures for installation. Once installed, the sculptures remain on display for two years. The next call to artists will be issued in late 2021, for sculptures to be installed in the summer of 2022. For more information about ArtsPARKs and other COPA projects, go to leesburgva.gov/publicartnews.

Research Your House Class Offered Architectural historian Maral S. Kalbian, a historic preservation specialist who has practiced in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont areas for 34 years, will teach “How to Research Your House” on Thursday, May 6 at 10 a.m. The two-hour virtual class, offered by Thomas Balch Library, will walk participants through methods and sources for researching the history and architecture of their AROUND TOWN continues on page 7


APRIL 29, 2021

Collective bargaining continued from page 6 outside legal counsel, experienced in labor law and relations, and potentially the need to add more staff. Some localities, he said, employ staff members whose sole job is to be the go-between for bargaining units and town government. A staff report estimated the fiscal impact of collective bargaining in fiscal year 2022 to be between $50,000 and $200,000. A majority of the council, however, favored the “table-setting” approach to collective bargaining, and said it was important to get in front of any potential negotiations, with determining potential bargaining units, and limiting negotiations to pay and benefits. Councilman Zach Cummings said this issue was “personal” to him, as he hails from a proud union family. “This is not a human resource issue. This is an issue of freedom,” he said. Mayor Kelly Burk said collective bargaining represented a unique opportunity for eligible employees, and noted that because employees would still be prohibited from striking, negotiations between the town and the bargaining units would be more of a discussion. At Monday’s work session, council members Suzanne Fox and Kari Nacy both voiced support for a third option presented

AROUND town continued from page 6 house, with special focus on Loudoun County and Virginia. Pre-registration is required. Call 703737-7195, email balchlib@leesburgva. gov, or register online at leesburgva.gov/ libraryregistration.

Artists Sought for 3 Mural Projects The Commission on Public Art and Friends of Leesburg Public Art are seeking design submissions for three murals that will be installed along the exterior of the Town Hall Parking Garage fronting Lassiter Way. The initial niche mural, a vision provided by the late Gale Waldron, was installed in 2018. This call to artists is to provide murals on the remaining three wall niches. Each niche will be treated as a separate project and artists may submit up to three designs. Each niche will consist of five separate DiBond panels—one single

LOUDOUNNOW.COM to the council to state in advance the town’s intention to not collectively bargain. Tuesday, they were the only two council members to vote against beginning collective bargaining. Nacy said she feared that the change would put an additional fiscal burden on the shoulders of taxpayers, who are already double taxed as town and county residents. “I would hope that instead of unionizing and relying on a third party we would hold ourselves accountable to ensure we’re fairly compensating town staff,” as well as providing adequate and affordable benefits, she said. Fox said she believed Tuesday night’s action was “a solution in search of a problem.” She said the low survey participation did not lead her to believe there was an overwhelming desire for collective bargaining among current staff. She had also expressed concerns that there was no public hearing or input session on the potential change, and said she believed many residents would be blindsided by the council action. “I feel like a change this significant probably shouldn’t be taken lightly without some kind of consensus. I don’t believe there is consensus among residents and taxpayers,” she said. Leesburg’s action follows that of Loudoun County government, which recently voted to write an ordinance that would enable collective bargaining among some of its employees. n panel measuring 5’ wide by 4’ high for the top alcove, and four separate panels measuring 4’ wide by 4’ high for the bottom alcove. The proposed mural designs should complement the Waldron mural. Suggestions include historical annotations, streets scenes and buildings, as well as identifiable imagery that viewers can recognize as relating to Leesburg. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of artists chosen from COPA’s Art Advisory Panel that will consider the originality of the design and the relevance of the theme. The panel will submit its recommendations to COPA prior to the selections being presented to the Town Council for final approval. Each winning artist or artist team will receive an award of $2,000 per niche and up to $250 for supplies. The deadline for submissions is July 15. Submissions can be emailed to lkosin@leesburgva.gov or mailed to: Town of Leesburg, Commission on Public Art, 25 W Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, ATTN: Leah Kosin, COPA liaison. Submission guidelines and details are available at leesburgva.gov/publicartnews.

PAGE 7

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APRIL 29, 2021

Education

Jackson, Simon Lauded as Top Educators Kimberly Jackson, a math teacher at Riverside High School, has been selected as Loudoun County’s Teacher of the Year and Forest Grove Elementary School’s Shontel Simon was named Principal of the Year. The selections were formally introduced during Tuesday’s School Board meeting and the pair were considered for regional accolades as part of The Washington Post’s annual awards program. Jackson has been teaching for 15 years after leaving a career in pharmaceuticals. For the past five years, she has taught at Riverside where she also serves as the school’s equity lead. She also is credited with actively promoting upper-level math to students for whom math has been a barrier. “When I first started teaching 15 years ago, during my very first week, I said to myself, you will never by teacher of the year,” she told the School Board. That was because of the extraordinarily talent educators who were showing her the ropes. “I was just lucky to be in the company of people like this.” In the nomination packet, Jackson’s colleagues noted her compassion for her students is shown by everything from keeping

food in her desk for those who are hungry to finding an immigration attorney for a student seeking to understand their status after becoming housing-insecure. She holds a bachelor’s degree in food/ nutrition science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; a master’s degrees in business administration and health administration from the University of Pittsburgh; and administrative certification from Shenandoah University. Simon worked as a kindergarten and third grade teacher and as the assistant principal at Sully Elementary before moving to the top job at Forest Grove, which had seen two principals leave in two years. She said the award served shine a light on the work she and her staff have done at the Title 1 school. “As a school, we have continued to focus on every student,” she said. “I believe I am driven because my elementary school life paralleled the story of our students. I want to be a representation of what opportunities education can provide for each child at Forest Grove.” Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in soTOP EDUCATORS continues on page 9

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School Board Moves to Interviews in Superintendent Search Following a three-hour closed session Friday night, the School Board is preparing to interview the top candidates to serve as the division’s next superintendent. Interviews of an undisclosed number of finalists will occur at undisclosed locations between April 28 and May 12, according to a motion adopted during Tuesday’s board meeting. Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act permits such secrecy when governing bodies are interviewing chief administrative officer candidates. The superintendent search is being led by a consultant team from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. The interview round follows consultant meetings with School Board members, staff, students and commu-

nity leaders that resulted in the creation of a Leadership Profile Report in February. The criteria and characteristics detailed in that research was used to identify candidates for the board’s consideration. The School Board was briefed on those candidates Friday and the final roster for interviews was set. The board plans to make a selection by the end of May and to have a new superintendent in place by July. Eric Williams, who was hired in July 2014 as the sixth superintendent in Loudoun since the school division was formed in 1917, resigned in January to take a job leading the Clear Creek Independent School District near Houston, TX. n


APRIL 29, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Top educators

SCHOOL notebook Educator Appreciation: Jeans for a Month May is Educator Appreciation Month, and, in Loudoun, teachers are getting special permission to wear jeans to class all month long. Interim Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler announced the program during Tuesday’s School Board meeting. “I know that this is more valuable to some educators than any monetary amount that I could give. And I know it is causing panic among some of our principals, but I think this is a great way to show appreciation without impacting the budget and I know our teachers will love it,” Ziegler said. The allowance is extended to all employees whose job does not require special clothing for safety reasons–from the superintendent on down.

empowers youth to make a difference through innovative environmental stewardship programs—has bestowed the national award, which carries a $1,000 prize, since 2005. Learn more at natgen.org.

Lucketts Elementary Students Exceed Reading Challenge Lucketts Elementary School students exceeded their reading challenge recently

PAGE 9

and, as a reward, turned their principal into a human ice cream sundae. Principal Carolyn Clement had challenged the students to read a certain number of minutes during the school’s read-athon. The students exceeded that number of reading time and were rewarded by having the chance to dump ice cream—with toppings chosen by each classroom—on Clement. The event was live streamed to the students from the school cafeteria.

continued from page 8 cial science and a cross-cultural, language and academic development certificate from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from George Mason University. “Mrs. Simon’s legacy of love, learning and leadership have made Forest Grove Elementary stronger and will be cherished in perpetuity,” wrote Lead School Psychologist Charles Barrett as part of the nomination. n

HCA Students Announce Green Earth Book Awards The Nature Generation, with help from Hillsboro Charter Academy students, announced the youth winners of the 2021 Green Earth Book Award on Earth Day last week. A panel of literary, environmental and educational professionals selected the winners who best conveyed the message of environmental stewardship and inspired youth to grow a deeper appreciation for their natural environment. This year, a record-breaking 183 books were nominated in the categories of picture book, children’s fiction, young adult fiction and young adult non-fiction. On April 22, students from the charter academy announced the winners in a virtual unveiling, along with students from the Ingrid B Lacy Middle School in California. A virtual awards ceremony to honor the winners is scheduled for Oct. 7. “The 2021 winning and honor books represent the best in children’s literature,” stated The Nature Generation Founder/ President and Hillsboro Vice Mayor Amy Maraso. “We encourage librarians, teachers and parents to make these books available for children across the nation to read, enjoy and be inspired.” The Nature Generation—an environmental non-profit that inspires and

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APRIL 29, 2021

Public Safety

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Aaron Williams is honored for interceding in a case of domestic violence by Acting Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Barry Zweig.

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Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj on Friday resurrected a tradition in the office interrupted during 2020: A ceremony celebrating people who serve victims of crime in Loudoun. Held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the April 23 ceremony honored nine people for their acts of heroism and compassion over the past several years. The first awards went to Sheriff ’s Office Sergeant Daniel Clarke and Deputy First Class Hao Lu, who in 2017 were the second deputies on the scene when two fellow officers, Katherine Fischer and Tim Iversen, were shot while arresting Douglas Johnson during a Christmas Eve domestic altercation. Clarke and Lu helped secure the scene and care for Fischer and Iversen until help arrived. Aaron Williams was honored for interceding in a case of domestic violence. According to Acting Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Barry Zweig, Williams heard a loud argument upstairs from his home. Getting closer, he heard the victim crying for help. Williams knocked on the door twice, with the abuser answering twice, and the second time the victim was able to escape. Williams let her use his phone to contact law enforcement, and wait in his empty apartment and until help came. Her abuser had been threatening to kill her. Probation Officer Richard “Ricky” Dukes was honored for his service over the past eight years, where he has made a habit of introducing himself to victims in domestic violence cases and giving them his business card, giving them a way to contact

him if they have trouble with probationers. Chris Brosan, chief of Humane Law Enforcement at Loudoun County Animal Services, was similarly honored for work over his career in Loudoun, including highlighting the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. Josephine Gonzalez, the Loudoun Domestic Violence Abuse Response Team program manager, was honored for her work at the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter since 2011, when she started as a volunteer, offering bilingual services and since then helping more than 700 survivors. Larry Washburn was honored for an incident in 2018 when he saw a woman walking along the road at about 7:30 in the morning, and pulled over to help. Instead, he saw as the car she had gotten out of accelerated and ran her over. He followed the car, calling 911 and providing a license plate number and description, then circled back to the woman. EMTs had already responded, but the woman died of her injuries. A year later, the victim’s brother was convicted of first-degree murder in her death. Timothy Williams was honored for an incident in which he saw a person wrestle an elderly woman’s keys away from her while she was putting her groceries in her car at a parking lot. As he came over, the suspect drove away with the car. Williams provided law enforcement with a license plate number and description, and stayed with the 86-year-old woman while a rescue crew came to check on her. And Detective Sean McCormack was honored for his compassionate treatment of a stabbing victim who had a felonious record and had posted on Facebook about how much he hates the police. He worked “tirelessly” on the case, said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Phillips. n


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

State Police Investigate Fatal Western Loudoun Crash State Police investigators believe a medical emergency may have contributed to a fatal crash that happened near Mountville on Sunday afternoon. Troopers were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Lime Kiln Road and Snickersville Turnpike just before 3 p.m. April 25. A 2012 Bentley GT ran off the road and struck a tree. The driver, Gregory L. Pellegrino, 55, of Middleburg, died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

SAFETY briefs

ty first responders with the post’s annual Public Service Awards during an April 19 ceremony. Firefighter/EMT Patrick Hargrove was awarded the VFW Emergency Medical Technician Public Servant Award for distinguished, life-saving service with the Loudoun Fire and Rescue Department, as well as his previous meritorious service as a U.S. Navy corpsman. Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office 2nd Lieutenant Michael Beatty received VFW Post 1177’s Law Enforcement Public Servant Award for the develop-

agency said. The victim was hospitalized and reported in stable condition. Detectives are working to identify the suspects and are asking any witnesses to contact Det. R. Reed at 703-777-1021.

VFW Honors First Responders Awarded for Service Loudoun VFW Post 1177 Commander Raymond Delpesche and Safety Officer Stephen Hood presented two Loudoun Coun-

Deputies Deescalate Sugarland Run Abduction Case A 21-year-old Sugarland Run man was arrested Monday morning after he threatened his housemates with knives. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, deputies were called to the Wedgedale Drive residences at 6:30 a.m. April 26. They found the suspect outside at the top of the front stairs holding a large butcher knife and another knife. While deputies certified in crisis intervention training talked with the man, other deputies made contact with six other occupants, including four juveniles, at the rear of the home. They borrowed a ladder from a neighbor’s house and removed them through a window. Sometime later, the suspect complied with deputies’ orders to drop the knives and he was taken into custody. Investigators determined that Geraldo E. Martinez was involved in an altercation with a roommate, grabbed a knife and cut the roommate and threatened the other residents. The victim received injuries described as non-life-threatening. Martinez was charged with malicious wounding and six counts of abduction. He was being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

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ment, implementation, and management of the first advanced Crisis Intervention Team Program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beatty’s prior military service as a U.S. Marine was also noted. In March, Lieutenant Barry Dufek of the Purcellville Police Department was presented with VFW Post 1177’s Law Enforcement Public Servant Award for distinguished service in implementing and managing the department’s electronic citation program and serving as a driving instructor at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.

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APRIL 29, 2021

Nonprofit

Antiques...Food & Wine...ART! Make a Day of It in the Village of Millwood

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blesses the food pantry at Catholic Charities’ new Loudoun Regional Office in Sterling.

Bishop Burbidge Blesses Sterling Food Pantry

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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

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington was in Sterling on April 16 to bless Catholic Charities’ new Loudoun Regional Office and food pantry. The office and pantry relocated from its longtime location in Leesburg, which has two other pantries, to fill a service gap in the Sterling area. The office will offer not only food assistance but additional services like emergency rent and utility assistance, adoption support and legal aid for immigrants and refugees. “Saint Augustine said, ‘what does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eye to see misery and wants. It has the ear to hear the sighs and support others. That is what love looks like,’” Burbidge said during the ribbon cutting and blessing. “And I’m confident, dear friends, because of Catholic Charities and the wonderful volunteers and staff and people who will serve in this facility, those who come through these doors will see what love looks like.” Stephen Carattini, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, was also on hand to mark the occasion. The Loudoun Regional Office pro-

vides both perishable and non-perishable food to families Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To maintain COVID-19 protocols, pantry visits are by appointment, via email at LROPantry@ ccda.net. The Sterling pantry is one of three Catholic Charities food pantries providing direct food assistance in the Diocese. Donations come from local parishes and the community at large in addition to contributions to Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project. Last year, the St. Lucy Food Project provided 1.3 million pounds of food to the three Catholic Charities pantries and 85 food distribution locations across the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington “Following its first two months of operation, I am pleased to witness this new food pantry quickly becoming an integral part of the Loudoun community, assisting families across the region at a critical time. Many families are suffering as a result of the ongoing economic impacts of the pandemic, particularly those who were already struggling,” Burbidge stated. “This new pantry is an extension of our unwavering commitment to Our Lord’s mandate that we serve those in most need. May God bless and multiply the work that takes place at the Loudoun Regional Office and deepen the faith of all who serve at, or are served through, this beautiful ministry.” n


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

Community Foundation Offers Online Grant Directory LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has announced a new service for nonprofits: virtual access to Foundation Directory Online, a comprehensive database of local, national, and international funders and grant opportunities. Foundation Directory Online is a product of Candid, an organization that serves as a clearinghouse for nonprofit information through services such as GuideStar and the Foundation Center. The Community Foundation has been recognized by Candid as one of their Funding Information Network partners, enabling nonprofit organizations with access to Foundation Directory Online. The database allows users to research more than 235,000 foundations across the country and the world, helping grant seekers explore potential funding opportunities. There is no cost to use the service through the Community Foundation. There is a 30-minute virtual training available. The Community Foundation Nonprofit Support Specialist Sapna Hencinski will provide one-to-one, customized training to nonprofits using the directory, helping nonprofits get the most out of their research. She was recently certified by Candid as an FDO Expert. In addition, the Community Foundation will continue

offering grant writing and grantor research training using FDO through its Learning Lab workshop series for nonprofits offered annually. “FDO gives nonprofits tools to find more grant opporHencinski tunities for their good work. One goal of the Community Foundation offering this service is to help bring more funding into our community,” Hencinski stated. “I’m looking forward to helping our nonprofits find the resources they need.” The Community Foundation can bring the online directory to the nonprofit community thanks to a sponsorship from Sandy Spring Bank. “Nonprofit organizations are the cornerstones of our communities,” stated Monica Tressler, senior vice president of commercial banking at Sandy Spring Bank. “We’re excited to partner with The Community Foundation to provide this resource that we hope will streamline and simplify the all-too-important funding and grant process these organizations need.” Nonprofits interested in scheduling a training session to access the directory can go to communityfoundationlf.org/fdo for more information. n

Virts, Miller Introduce Napa Valley Wine Line LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Scott Miller and Sharon Virts, owners of the historic Selma Estate, have introduced a wine label raising money for their nonprofit foundation and paying homMiller age to the estate, Amlés Wines. Amlés—Selma, spelled backwards and with an accent mark added—was curated with world-renowned winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky and boasts labels by contemporary artist JD Miller. The first vintage, Amlés 2018 Reflectionist, a Cabernet Sauvignon cuvée from vine-

yards sites in California’s Napa Valley, is available to mailing list members and to select cellars and restaurants. Each bottle features a Reflectionist image of the Selma Estate by Miller. The suggested retail price is $170 per bottle, and they are available in sixpack cases. All proceeds from the Amlés brand wines benefit community organizations and charities through the Virts Miller Foundation. “It’s fairly exceptional to work on such a rare and luxurious object that also provides benefit to others beyond the simple pleasure of its consumption,” Miller stated. “And yet it is what inspires every one of us, every day.” To reserve a Reflectionist allocation, go to amleswines.com. n

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Virtual MiniConference Planned for Small Business Week Although the COVID-19 pandemic means the Loudoun Small Business Development Center is not able to hold its annual in-person conference for Small Business Week this year, the center is still celebrating in a big way with a virtual mini-conference Monday, May 3. The free event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and focuses on economic recovery, featuring experts invited to share programs and insights to help plan ahead, ramp up operations and return to profitability. Choose from two presentations in each morning session designed to help you think beyond the crisis and prepare your business for the ‘new normal’ just around the corner. In the first two sessions, attendees can choose from two options. In the first session, at 9 a.m., one room will go over Small Business Administration Loan Programs to Finance Recovery with Rod Johnson, Loan Specialist from the Washington DC District Office of the SBA. The other will discuss identifying new opportunities for growth with Josh Green, Director of the Virginia Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program. In the 10:15 a.m. session, Robert Brooke, director of Federal Funding Programs at the Center for Innovative Technology, will discuss federal innovation and technology grants to help businesses grow. Meanwhile, Mary Joynt, marketing advisor at the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, will discuss grabbing customer attention in a crowded digital world. And the keynote session, “Pivoting in the Real World - Stories of Change from Three Local Companies,” will feature a conversation about how the pandemic has changed three very different businesses, and how that change is likely to affect their futures. Keynote panelists will be Tony Stafford of Ford’s Fish Shack, Krista Woods of GloveStix, and Justin Dobson of Comfenergy. Learn more and reserve a spot at loudounsbdc.com/mini-conference-2021. n

APRIL 29, 2021

Business

ResQ BBQ is Headed to Leesburg BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

ResQ BBQ owners Chuck and ValPatrick Szabo/Loudoun Now erie Meyer have signed a lease for a 3,100 square-foot space in the Lees- Chuck and Valerie Meyer celebrate plans to move their ResQ BBQ into new space at Leesburg Plaza. burg Plaza shopping center for a new location for their ResQ BBQ restaurant. The Meyers will also run their Walker’s he hopes to open the space by Septem- will continue to operate its grille at the Evergreen Sportsplex south of LeesWaffle House ghost kitchen concept out ber. “We are extremely excited and the burg, and that decision will depend on of the space. reaction from social media has been staffing. Previously the site of a California For more information on ResQ BBQ overwhelming, ” he said. Tortilla restaurant, Chuck Meyer said Once the restaurant is open, Meyer and Walker’s Waffle House, go to resqResQ BBQ will serve lunch and dinner, n said he is unsure whether ResQ BBQ bbq.com. as well as alcoholic beverages. He said

Announcements Ayres Joins IT Cadre Advisor Board

tions to our government agencies and our nation,” Ayres stated.

Ashburn-based IT Cadre has added retired Major General Thomas Ayres to its Board of Advisors. Ayres was previously appointed by the president to serve as the 20th General Counsel of the U.S. Name Air Force. He also led a team to draft and implement the legislation creating the Space Force, simultaneously becoming the first general counsel for the agency. He spent the bulk of his professional career on active duty in the Army, culminating with the recruitment and training of the Army’s 10,000-member Judge Advocate General’s Corps, supporting 1 million soldiers and 200,000 worldwide civilian employees. “I have been the beneficiary of IT Cadre’s unique thought approach and have seen their methodology brought to bear and overcome some of our current challenges. I am incredibly pleased and excited to have the opportunity to team with the extraordinarily talented, skilled, and principled professionals at IT Cadre, and to assist providing unique and critical solu-

Ashburn Brewery Launches Investment Campaign The Craft of Brewing is soliciting investments from the community to fund e-commerce operations and beer distribution. The brewery recently launched a campaign in which people are invited to invest as little as $100. Investments will go along with partial funding from CEO Douglas Travers and CFO Chitra Sivanandam. Under the plan, investors will receive a 1.35 investment multiple. For example, those who invest $100 will see a return of $135 by April 1, 2027. Those who invest $10,000 will see returns of $13,500. The offering is being conducted on an expedited basis in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to temporary SEC regulatory COVID-19 relief. Already, the brewery has collected $52,400, with less than a month left to invest. Learn more about investment opportunities at mainvest.com/b/the-craft-ofbrewing-ashburn. The Craft of Brewing opened in 2018. It features 34 taps, 20 of which are self-service. Customers are also invited to brew their own beer with state-of-the-art, allgrain brew stations. That beer could be in-

cluded on the tap wall and distributed. The 10,000-square-foot brewery space also features pool tables, shuffleboard and more. Learn more at thecraftob.com.

Bernazard Joins Salamander Resort Salamander Hotels & Resorts has expanded its global sales team with the appointment of Stephanie Bernazard as director of Leisure Sales at Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg. Bernazard A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Bernazard joins Salamander after nearly three years with the Boca Raton Resort and Club and Boca Beach Club, both Waldorf Astoria Resorts, where she served as the luxury leisure sales manager. Bernazard is responsible for growing transient revenue, targeting and securing new leisure accounts, and executing new sales strategies. Owned by Sheila Johnson, the 168room resort is located on 340 acres in Middleburg. Learn more at salamanderresort. com.


APRIL X, 29,2021 2021 APRIL

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PAGE PAGE15 1

PERSONAL GARDENER, PART-TIME ADDICTIONS COUNSELOR/ CLINICAL DIRECTOR Insight Recovery Centers is looking for a counselor to complete intakes, facilitate groups, and provide counseling and case management for adults in the program.

Apply to: admin@ insightrecoverycenters.com insightrecoverycenters.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE/REPAIR TECHNICIAN uBreakiFix is seeking problem solvers with repair experience or aptitude to fix mobile and other consumer electronic devices in our Leesburg store.

Apply to: k.terry@ubreakifix.com ubreakifix.com/locations/leesburg

LEARN TO SKATE INSTRUCTOR The Loudoun Ice Center is seeking a learn to skate instructor to teach children and adults during its LTS sessions on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., and to coordinate the enrollment and schedule skaters into appropriate groups.

BOOKKEEPER Loudoun Valley Floors is interviewing qualified, experienced applicants for the full-time position of bookkeeper in its fastpaced retail business.

Apply to: matt@ loudounvalleyfloors.com loudounvalleyfloors.com

Apply to: apply@pecva.org pecva.org

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

LINE COOK Wicket Door Pub is hiring full-time and parttime line cooks for nights and weekends.

Apply to: info@wicketdoorpub.com wicketdoorpub.com

CAMBELL FLANNERY EXPERIENCED BOOKKEEPER Epling Landscaping is seeking a full-time bookkeeper with a minimum of 5 years of experience and 3 years of bookkeeping experience.

Apply to: info@eplinglandscaping.com eplinglandscaping.com

LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT SERVICE MANAGER

Apply to: sharon@helpinthegarden.com

Apply to: loudounice.com/employment loudounice.com

FIELD REPRESENTATIVE POTOMAC WATERSHED The Piedmont Environmental Council is seeking to hire a Field Representative to work with landowners, land managers, and federal, state and local agencies to further PEC’s land conservation priorities and land use policy activities in PEC’s nine county service area.

Help in the Garden, an established personal gardening service business needs an experienced, knowledgeable gardener to manage and maintain gardens for residential customers.

PARALEGAL

Browning Equipment is seeking an experienced lawn and garden equipment service manager.

Campbell Flannery PC is seeking a Paralegal. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office required. Two years’ experience in a law firm or similar organization preferred.

Apply to: sales@browningequipment.com browningequipment.com

Apply to: spowell@campbellflannery.com camflanlaw.com

See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com

The Tiny City Academy is looking for a qualified Preschool Teacher to prepare children ages 3-5 for kindergarten by easing them into organized education.

Apply to: admin@tinycityacademy.com tinycityacademy.com

RECORDS ASSISTANT TEMPORARY - PART-TIME The Piedmont Environmental Council is seeking to hire a part time records assistant to assist the current Records Manager in performing administrative and recordkeeping tasks primarily involving real estate transactions and nonprofit corporate governance.

Apply to: apply@pecva.org pecva.org


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SALES AND SERVICE ASSOCIATE Battery Warehouse is looking for an energetic individual who enjoys working with customers to solve their battery needs. We will teach you all there is to know about batteries through demonstration and in-store experience.

Apply to: batterywarehouse@verizon.net batterywarehouseva.com

SECURITY OFFICER (UNARMED) Securitas Security Services is seeking a security officer to observe and report activities and incidents at an assigned client site, providing for the security and safety of client property and personnel.

Apply to: jeanelle.walker@securitasinc.com

TIRE REPAIR TECHNICIAN Browning Equipment is seeking a tire repair technician.

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Loudoun Now is seeking enthusiastic, positive people to join our sales team.

Apply to: sales@browningequipment.com browningequipment.com

Appy to: sstyer@loudounnow.com Loudounnow.com

APRIL 29, 2021 APRIL X, 2021

TRACTOR & LIGHT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN Browning Equipment is seeking an experienced tractor and light construction equipment technician.

Apply to: sales@browningequipment.com browningequipment.com

VIRGINIA CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Maintenance Worker I

Public Works & Capital Projects

Police Officer Senior Systems Analyst

Apply to: apply@pecva.org pecva.org

CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

Closing Date

$38,075-$65,186 DOQ

Open until filled

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Systems Analyst/Infrastructure & Asset Management

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Utilities Project Manager

Utilities

$76,941-$131,689 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Inspector II

Utilities

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Supervisor

Utilities

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

Open until filled

Summer Position Department

Maintenance Worker

Utilities

WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION COORDINATOR

Apply to: lbaed@hhhunt.com springarborliving.com

Salary Range

Position

Apply to: tinyurl.com/springarbormedtech springarborliving.com/va/ leesburg/spring-arbor-of-leesburg/

HHHunt’s Spring Arbor Senior Living of Leesburg is seeking well qualified part-time Certified Nursing Assistants and Resident Assistants to provide residents with necessary care and comfort in our Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.

Regular Full-Time Positions Department

Spring Arbor of Leesburg is hiring Virginia Certified Med Tech for full time second shift to join its Memory Care team.

The Piedmont Environmental Council is seeking to hire a Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator to further its mission by leading a diverse portfolio of civic engagement and natural resource stewardship projects focusing on the enhancement of wildlife habitat and restoration of land and water resources in PEC’s nine county service area.

Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.

Position

VIRGINIA CERTIFIED MED TECH/MEMORY CARE

Hourly Rate $15.00

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

Closing Date Open until filled

Meridien Group, LLC, is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to provide on-site coordination for all phases of construction projects.

Apply to: khicks@meridiengroupllc.com meridiengroupllc.com

MAIDS NEEDED No evenings or weekends Pay starts at $12/hr Please call 571-291-9746


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APRIL 2021 APRIL 29, X, 2021

PAGE PAGE 3 17

Obituaries Richard Edward Daubenspeck

NOW HIRING Servers / Kitchen / Hosts / Food Runners Full time or Part time Apply online at BRGrill.com or in person between 2:00-5:00 ASHBURN (703) 729-0100 44065 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn VA 20147

BRAMBLETON 703-327-1047 22865 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton VA 20148

LEESBURG 703-669-5505 955 Edwards Ferry Rd. Leesburg VA 20176

Immediate Hire: Experienced Bookkeeper Epling Landscaping seeks a full time team member with RESPONSIBILITIES to include: • • • • • •

Maintain office services in conjunction with management and staff Keep management informed through identifying needs and providing a summarization of reports Understand Microsoft Office and Quickbooks, being familiar with both accrual and cash methodology Responsible for A/R, A/P, payroll, billing and resolution of billing issues Familiar with creating and maintaining yearly budgets Oversee office policies and procedures

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicants without the following experience will not be considered: • Minimum 5 years office experience and 3 years bookkeeping experience • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both individually and within a team • Mature judgment and level of discretion Generous Salary and Benefits Commensurate with Experience

To be considered, please send a letter of interest, salary requirements and resume to info@eplinglandscaping.com

Richard Edward Daubenspeck, of Ashburn, Virginia passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Loudoun Hospital. He was born on November 25, 1932 in Scottsbluff, NE to the late Col. Wayne Martel Daubenspeck, Chaplain, US Army (ret) and Ethel Mason Daubenspeck. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Jacob Taylor Daubenspeck, and by his brother Henry Mason Daubenspeck. Richard enlisted in the Naval Reserve on his 18th birthday in 1950 and graduated from Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, NE in 1954. During his 28 years of Naval service he was in the Naval Reserve Electronics Unit at Midland College and while on active duty served on the following ships: USS Union, USS Agerholm, USS Guadalupe, USS Neosho and USS Seattle. He also served a tour of duty in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, and other shore assignments including the U.S Naval Postgraduate School, Chief of Naval Operations, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC. He and his family resided in Annandale, VA for over 40 years. Following his retirement from the Navy as a Commander in 1979, Richard worked at

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

TECHPLAN and SAIC until 1995. He was a member of St. Stephens’ United Methodist Church in Burke, VA since 1972, and was active in his community. He enjoyed working on the Daubenspeck Family History After Richard’s second retirement, he and his wife enjoyed 15 years of traveling throughout the United States and Alaska in their motor coach. Many happy times were also spent at Skaneateles N.Y. with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois Jeanne MacCrea Daubenspeck; sons, Robert Wayne and his wife Sandra Marie of Ashburn, VA, Mark Edward and his wife Lisa Gayle, of Fort Mill, SC. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren: Lindsey Gayle of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Brian Camper of Austin, TX, Jared Luke and his wife Mallory Grey of Roanoke, VA, and his sister Ruth Kistler of Leesburg, VA; and 3 great grandchildren: Silas Kade Daubenspeck, Benjamin Juan Daubenspeck, and Samuel Mario Daubenspeck. A private memorial service will be held for the family. A graveside service with interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Love Inc., (for children with cancer), 117 Youth Development Ct., Winchester, VA, 22602. Please share online condolences with the family at www. loudounfuneralchapel.com

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

www.eplinglandscaping.com for more information

FULL TIME FLAGGER Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up and control traffic around construction sites.

If you value quality local journalism ...

A valid drivers license is a must, good pay, and benefits.

Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now.

If interested please fill out an application at 7855 Progress Court Suite 103, Gainesville VA on Tuesday and Thursday from 8AM-10AM or online at www.trafficplan.com

In your home weekly, online always.


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APRIL 29, 2021

Our Towns

TOWN notes

Leesburg-to-Hillsboro Rally Raises $5.5K for Disabled Vets

BLUEMONT Dirt Farm Brewing to Host Oyster Days Dirt Farm Brewing will host a Nomini Bay Oyster Festival one weekend each month from May to December, beginning the weekend of May 1-2. Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch will serve their famous oysters raw or charbroiled, with specialty options that pair with Dirt Farm beer. The brewery is still open for outdoor seating only. It’s open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more at dirtfarmbrewing. com.

BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com

Seven cars manufactured across a half dozen decades raced the clock on a route from Ida Lee Park in Leesburg to Breaux Vineyards northwest of Hillsboro on Sunday morning to support disabled military veterans. It was Rallye for Vets’ first event, and it raised nearly $5,500. The drivers and their navigators were tasked with coming as close to the goal time of 59 minutes and 48 seconds as possible while obeying traffic laws along the way. In the end, Army veteran Chris Campbell drove his 1973 Triumph TR6 to the win with the help of his navigator, Navy veteran Charlie DeCriscio. The duo finished the race with a time only four minutes off the goal. The race also featured a 1969 Chevrolet Nova, a 1990 right-hand-drive Nissan Skyline, a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport and a 1967 Shelby Cobra. All the drivers drove out of Ida Lee, through downtown Leesburg, down Rt. 15 south to Lime Kiln Road west, to Snickersville Turnpike to Airmont Road north to Hillsboro and Breaux.

HAMILTON Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Bryan Koons waves the checkered flag for a 1967 Shelby Cobra at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg to start Rallye for Vets’ first event.

The money the nonprofit raised between entry fees and individual donations at the winery will be used to help pay for disabled veterans’ medical bills and mortgage and rent payments. “For our first event, I think that was pretty exciting for us,” said Rallye for Vets Co-founder and Navy veteran Desiree Peyman. Next up on the nonprofit’s 2021 calen-

dar will be a couple car shows and another rally in September or October. Nonprofit Co-founder and Air Force veteran Donald Peyman said last weekend’s rally proved that the nonprofit’s concept works and can raise money to help disabled veterans. He said the nonprofit now needs more visibility. “We can’t help people if they don’t know we exist,” he said. n

Waterford Telephone Co. to Close May 31; Hillsboro Scrambles to Find Internet BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

After a decade providing rural Loudouners with internet service, the Waterford Telephone Co. will cease operations May 31. According to the company’s website, “WTC regrets to inform you that we have decided to close down Waterford Telephone Company. Our last day of business will be on May 31, 2021. After that date WTC will no longer be offering Internet service. … If your service is currently working we will try our best to keep it working until May 31, 2021.” Bruce Davis, owner of the company, has not responded to phone calls or email about the closure. The Waterford Telephone Co. has pro-

vided customers with internet service since 2011. Since December 2017, the company has provided the Town of Hillsboro with VDSL internet access via a hookup in the Old Stone School using the town’s existing Verizon copper wires. Davis previously said that gave his company the ability to provide up to 50Mbps in download speeds and 5Mbps in upload speeds, both of which meet the federal government’s standard for broadband. Hillsboro and all other Waterford Telephone customers never were locked into contracts with the company. Instead, they were charged based on the speed of internet the company provided them. But in Hillsboro, that service was cut off April 19, according to Mayor Roger Vance. He said town leaders are now actively looking for short- and long-term solutions.

The town for a while has been planning to ink a deal with a larger internet provider and have them install fiber in the conduit installed during this past year’s road project. “We’re well positioned to solve the problem,” Vance said, noting that the lack of internet all of a sudden last week has created a “heightened sense of urgency.” In the meantime, town leaders are using their cellular data to connect to the internet. “Obviously it’s not ideal,” Vance said. “It’s a big deal. It’s a big impact.” Until rural Loudouners can get more accessible broadband access, they can check out the Waterford Telephone Co.’s Do It Yourself Internet guide at waterfordtelephonecompany.com/do-it-yourself-internet. n

USDA Loans Town $415K for Sewer Project The U.S. Department of Agriculture will loan the Town of Hamilton $415,000 to make improvements to its outdated sewer system. The loan is part of $487.8 million the USDA will invest in rural water, energy and biofuel infrastructure in communities in 45 states as part of an Earth Day initiative. The Hamilton project will repair 7,320 linear feet of pipes in its 56-year-old sewer system. According to a statement from the USDA, video inspections recently performed on 15,000 feet of the system showed that it’s plagued with excessive inflow and infiltration, as well as health hazards. The USDA has issued the town a consent order to bring the sewer system into compliance with Department of Environmental Quality regulations. The work will include removing debris and roots, installing a curedin-place liner and the reopening of lateral connections using a robotic cutter. Town Treasurer Tina Staples said the town would put the project out to bid in the next couple months and hopes to have the project completed by the end of the year. The town is paying the 40-year loan back via installments of $15,444 each fiscal year. TOWN NOTES continues on page 19


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PAGE 19

Former Purcellville Police Officer’s Lawsuit Against Town Moves Forward BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com

A Circuit Court judge has allowed former Purcellville Police officer Kristopher Fraley’s lawsuit against the town to proceed toward trial in a limited capacity. On Aug. 4, 2020, Fraley filed a lawsuit against the town—as well as former interim town manager Alex Vanegas, former town human resources consultant Georgia Nuckolls, former acting police chief Joe Schroeck, former police officer Clark McDaniel, Darryl DeBow and his company, Northern Virginia Pre-Employment and Polygraph Services—for the effects he suffered when he was suspended from duty for 10 months in late 2017 to mid-2018. He has sued all defendants for common law conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment; the town and Vanegas for negligent contracting and retention; the town for violating a Virginia code that makes it unlawful for a government agency to discriminate or retaliate against an employee of that agen-

TOWN notes

continued from page 18

LOVETTSVILLE American Disposal to Replace Damaged Bins Residents with damaged trash and recycling receptacles may get them replaced by contacting the town office. The Town Council earlier this month discussed instances in which residents reported damage done to their receptacles by American Disposal crews. The town has since come to an agreement with American to offer replacements. To get your receptacles replaced, email Lovettsville Customer Service Representative Lisa Mullen at lmullen@lovettsvilleva.gov and attach a photo of your damaged receptacle.

LUCKETTS Lucketts Ruritans Name 2020 Citizen of the Year The Lucketts Ruritan Club honored Susan Lee as 2020 Lucketts Citizen of the Year. The Ruritan Club’s annual award recognizes one person in the community for their contribution to the welfare of the community and their modeling of the three pillars of Ruritans: community service, fellowship and

cy if a complaint is made against another agency employee in good faith; Nuckolls and DeBow and his company for tortious interference with an employment contract; and DeBow and his company for negligence. Fraley is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages via seven allegations and $350,000 in punitive damages via six of those counts, and demands a jury trial. Since filing the lawsuit, all defendants filed pleas in bar asserting the statute of limitations should restrict Fraley’s lawsuit from moving forward. According to case documents, they claimed negligent contracting and retention, common law conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and false imprisonment are all subject to two-year statutes of limitations. The defendants argued that Fraley had until October 2019 to file the lawsuit. Fraley responded to those pleas by arguing that the statute of limitations was tolled while his original lawsuit, which he filed in September 2019, moved forward. That suit moved to federal court in early 2020 and good will. Lee was responsible for much of the work involved in placing the Gum Family Farm under one of Lucketts’ first conservation easements. “As a lifelong resident, Susan has seen many changes in our community, but she works every day to keep ‘the important things’ the same,” a statement from the club reads. Lee will be recognized at the Ruritans’ May membership meeting.

Boy Scouts to Host Yard Sale Boy Scout Troop 1910 will hold its 21st annual yard sale from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 15 at the Lucketts Community Center. The sale will coincide with the Great Lucketts Yard Sale. Everyone is invited to donate items in serviceable condition, like cars, bicycles, tools, baskets, rugs, small appliances, camping gear and baby furniture. Drop donations off at the Lucketts Elementary School on May 8. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the troop. For more information, call Matt Quitter at 571-214-3907.

Afterschool Care Registration Open Afterschool care registration for the 2021-2022 school year at the Lucketts Community Center has opened and is ongoing. To register, call 703-771-5281 or email lucketts@loudoun.gov.

was dismissed in May 2020. Under Virginia law, the statute of limitations is tolled if “a plaintiff suffers a voluntary nonsuit,” even if that nonsuit occurs in federal court. On April 6, 2021, Circuit Court Judge Douglas Fleming, Jr. sustained some of those pleas and overruled others. DeBow, McDaniel and the town have since objected to Fleming’s order. The case will next appear before a judge on May 3 for pretrial motions. The events of the case go back to August 2017, when Vanegas hired Nuckolls to help with an investigation into Police Chief Cynthia McAlister after complaints arose from several officers about her management of the department. Fraley in his lawsuit claims Vanegas conspired with Town Council members who were opposed to McAlister and sought her removal. Fraley claims Vanegas “was promised to be named permanent town manager in exchange for getting rid of McAlister.” Fraley alleges that when he told Vanegas and Nuckolls that McDaniel was circulating a rumor that McAlister was having an

MIDDLEBURG Council Recognizes Rivard for Year of Service The Middleburg Town Council last week recognized Finance Director/Town Treasurer Julie Rivard for her 13 months of “exemplary services” in the town. Rivard was hired in March 2020. Since then, she helped to update the town’s business license process, improve the town’s monthly financial reports to provide the Town Council and staff with greater details, develop an alternative COVID-19 budget, identify and resolve issues associated with the town’s utility billing system, and provide greater customer support by improving the town’s utility bills. Rivard will be taking a job with the county government and her last day in the town will be April 26. “It’s our loss and Loudoun County’s gain,” said Councilman Peter Leonard-Morgan.

Town, Arts Council to Host Art in the Burg The Middleburg Arts Council and the Town of Middleburg will host the spring installment of Art in the Burg from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 15. The event will showcase artwork from more than 20 local and regional artists of different styles, forms and subject matter.

affair with another police officer, he was forced to sit for a polygraph test that was rigged to demonstrate untruthfulness, and which resulted in his suspension. McAlister was also fired around that time. Soon after, the town learned that Nuckolls and Vanegas were involved in a romantic relationship, at which point the town hired the law firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker to conduct a new investigation. That firm found there were serious flaws in Vanegas’ and Nuckolls’ investigation. Fraley and McAlister were both reinstated Aug. 1, 2018. But Fraley claims the town and its employees and contractors caused him to suffer professionally and personally, hindering his ability to obtain employment with other law enforcement agencies and causing him to suffer from high blood pressure, insomnia, nightmares, depression, suicidal ideations and alcoholism. The town on Aug. 12, 2020, issued a statement, denying Fraley’s allegations and asserting that it would “vigorously defend” the lawsuit. n Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with artists and discuss their creative processes. There will also be an Art CAN Help sculpture contest, which will require participants to create a sculpture using unopened cans of food. Event attendees will vote on the entries via cash donations. The sculpture with the highest dollar amount will be declared the winner and all proceeds and canned foods will be donated to the Seven Loaves Food Pantry. For more information about Art in the Burg, or to register for the Art CAN Help contest, go to middleburgva.gov/art or contact the town office at 540-687-5152.

Spring is in the Air Exhibit Ends May 16 Artists in Middleburg’s Spring is in the Air exhibit will continue through May 16. The exhibit features 87 pieces of art with lively colors and themes of spring, all crafted by 36 different artists. The Best in Show Anita Wilhelmina Baarns Award went to Alan Rubin for his “Al Fresco” oil on canvas piece, which measures 30-by-24 inches and is priced at $2,000. View the exhibit in person 12-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, by appointment, or online at theartistsinmiddleburg. org/copy-of-birds-birds-birds-1.


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APRIL 29, 2021

THINGS to do

Loco Living

LOCO LIVE

Courtesy Clark Peklo

Live Music; Clark Peklo

Friday, April 30, 5 p.m. Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Celebrate Friday with Peklo’s repertoire of cool, unexpected covers with a strict no Eagles policy. Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Hoa Lai, the GenX son of Northern Virginia Vietnamese cuisine legends, opened Saigon Outcast last September in Ashburn’s University Commerce Center.

Hoa Lai Shakes Things Up at Saigon Outcast BY JAN MERCKER

jmercker@loudounnow.com

As the GenX son of Northern Virginia Vietnamese cuisine legends, Hoa Lai wanted to do things a little differently. Lai combines his family’s iconic recipes with his own contemporary sensibility in his new venture, Saigon Outcast, which opened in Ashburn last fall. The result is a hip Vietnamese beer hall that Lai describes as a “mashup of our Vietnamese heritage and our American upbringing,” with fresh fusion cuisine and 35 self-serve beers on tap. “We wanted to separate ourselves a little bit,” Lai said. “Something more modern, something more fun.” The restaurant opened last September in the University Commerce Center near George Washington University’s Ashburn campus, after Lai and his business partners pushed back a planned March 2020 opening. After a challenging winter with a holiday COVID surge and tight state restrictions on restaurants, the restaurant is building a following for great food and beer and a fun vibe. And as restrictions loosen, vaccination levels rise and spring

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

A motorcycle is on display near the counter at Hoa Lai’s newly opened Saigon Outcast.

weather sets in, Saigon Outcast is coming into its own. “In Loudoun County, the food’s always going to sell itself if it’s great. But I think in this area, people want something a little different where they don’t have to commute to DC and Arlington,” Lai said. “They want somewhere where they can hang out and feel like themselves. I know in a pandemic, it’s hard to feel like that. It’s a sense of—just for a few seconds—feeling normal.” Lai and business partner Anthony

Catselides did much of the interior work on the space themselves, creating an airy, modern vibe with fun decorations including a vintage motorcycle, stoplight and gas pump and a rickshaw on the patio. And while Lai’s aesthetic and food sensibilities are decidedly his own, he owes his culinary training to his family, who are known as DMV restaurant royalty. Lai’s parents Thanh and Kim Lai opened Four Sisters in Falls Church’s iconic Eden Center in 1993 and moved to the trendy Mosaic District near Tysons a decade ago. Lai’s mother Thanh Lai is the creative genius behind Four Sisters’ legendary dishes and was Lai’s main teacher when it came to all things culinary. “I kind of fell into it. All we’ve known growing up was restaurants in a sense,” Lai said. “As I got older, I realized that there are certain ways I’d like to do my own style.” Lai branched out with the fast casual Four Sisters Grill in Arlington and wanted to build on that concept with a bigger space, bumped up beverage program and trendy ambiance in Loudoun. SAIGON OUTCAST continues on page 21

Live Music: Liberty Street

Friday, April 30, 5:30 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Kick back with soft rock favorites from Eric Stanley and Doug Wall.

Live Music: Pebble to Pearl

Friday, April 30, 5:30 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Pebble to Pearl creates a unique blend of funk, rock and powerful blues fused and delivered with soulful grooves and captivating vocals.

Live Music: Chris Hanks

Friday, April 30, 6 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Hanks returns to Social House for an evening of country favorites.

Live Music: Enya Agerholm

Friday, April 30, 7 p.m. Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com With her award-winning voice and a Martin guitar, Agerholm covers tunes in a wide range of styles and makes them her own.

Live Music: Moonlight Ride

Friday, April 30, 8 p.m. Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Acoustic rock renditions of songs you love, featuring three-part harmonies and dynamic, unplugged arrangements of guitar-based rock, pop, and Americana tunes from across the decades.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 21


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

THINGS to do continued from page 20

Live Music: Bell Bottom Blues Clapton Tribute

Friday, April 30, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Bell Bottom Blues delivers an inspiring tribute to Eric Clapton, one of the greatest guitar players and rock icons of our time. Tickets are $20-$30.

Live Music: Special Delivery

Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Enjoy an afternoon of classic rock favorites from Special Delivery.

Classic rock, pop and folk, old and new from some of the area’s best musicians.

Live Music: Don Chapman

Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Chapman returns to Breaux with acoustic covers from the Beatles to the Gin Blossoms.

Live Music: Live Wire: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience

Saturday, May 1, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Live Wire returns to the Tally Ho for two Saturday shows featuring the best of AC/DC. Tickets are $20$30.

Live Music: Moonstone

Details: monksq.com Garber returns to Monk’s with his genre-bending, multi-instrumentalist BluesAmericanaRock.

Juliana MacDowell and Friends

Sunday, May 2, 1-4 p.m. The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Just back from Key West, Americana favorite Juliana MacDowell returns to the Barns with top local musicians.

Live Music: Jes Jams

Sunday, May 2, 1:30 p.m. 50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards Jessica Paulin serves up covers from the 60s through today with her signature soulful style.

Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m. The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com The blues and soul trio of Mary Shaver, Michael Tash and Bob Mallardi make their Barns debut.

Saturday, May 1, 4 p.m. Bluemont Vineyard, 18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: bluemontvineyard.com This Maryland-based acoustic duo, a spinoff of Baltimore-based Firekite, makes its Bluemont debut with an afternoon of fun in store.

Live Music: Chris Timbers Trio

Live Music: Jim Steele

Live Music: The Woodshedders

Live Music: Palmyra

Shaver, Tash and Mallardi

Saturday, May 1, 1:30 p.m. Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg Details: bleufrogvineyards.com Fun covers and originals from a longtime winery circuit favorite.

Live Music: Rule G

Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Rule G hits one of Loudoun’s newest venues with their signature bluesy rock with an edge and a little bit of old school R&B.

Live Music: Borrowed Time

Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m. Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: twotwistedposts.com Mark Wood and Sara Carlin serve up a high-energy mix of classic rock, country, pop, oldies and folk.

Live Music: Something’s Brewing

Saturday, May 1, 2-5 p.m. Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com

Saigon Outcast continued from page 20 Lai relied on Catselides and another partner, Jason Fisher, to build the beverage program, which features a wall of beer taps, along with several wines and sake on tap. At Saigon Outcast, Lai combines beloved family recipes like super crispy spring rolls, green papaya salad and banh mi sandwiches with his own takes on fusion cuisine, with dishes like the popular Tornado Potato—a fun take on fries served with Sriracha sauce-- fried brussels sprouts and crispy wings with Korean

Saturday, May 1, 6 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com The Woodshedders return to B Chord bringing together the diverse influences of American country, rhythm & blues, old-time, bluegrass, and gypsy jazz. Their catchy, original dance sound keeps crowds on their feet and yelling for more. The Plate Scrapers open. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door if space allows.

Sunday, May 2, 4 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com It’s a mellow Sunday with alternative soul tunes from Timbers and company. Thursday, May 6, 6-9 p.m. 1836 Kitchen and Taproom, 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com This Appalachian folk trio energizes Thursday night in Lovettsville.

COMING UP Live Music: Scythian

Saturday, May 1, 6 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Acoustic Ayre returns to Bear Chase with classic rock and folk covers.

Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8, 6 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Get tickets before they disappear for this beloved DC-based folk-rock band. Tickets are $30 for each show. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Live Music: Unity Groove Collective

Community Pearls Online Gospel Brunch

Live Music: Acoustic Ayre

Saturday, May 1, 7 p.m. Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg Details: facebook.com/blackwalnutbrewery Reggae sounds from the Unity Groove Collective.

Live Music: Ted Garber

Saturday, May 1, 8 p.m. Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville

style sauce. “I try to stay true to what the core is,” Lai said. “But I’m not scared to broaden the horizon with different types of ethnic food. I kind of blend the two.” Lai and his partners are hoping to share what many foodies have long understood: Vietnamese cuisine is a perfect match for wine and beer pairings. “It’s not too heavy. It’s not too light. It has that sweet/salty/savory taste,” Lai said. Lai and his partners are also taking advantage of the restaurant’s spacious interior and walls of windows to establish a new live music venue in Ashburn, hosting local favorites including Chris Timbers, Melissa Quinn Fox and Moxie.

PAGE 21

Saturday, May 8, 11 a.m. Details: CPGB2021.eventbrite.com Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Loudoun-based Psi Rho Omega Chapter invites the community to a virtual gospel brunch featuring award-winning gospel artist Maurette Brown Clark and local leaders speaking about community service. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Eventbrite link listed above.

“It’s going great and we’re starting to make a name for ourselves,” Lai said. “People know that every Friday and Saturday we have musicians.” Lai recently launched trivia nights at the restaurant and is planning to add comedy nights to create a fun vibe as COVID restrictions loosen and Loudouners look to get out. “I do feel optimistic. I think our concept is so unique in this area. When people come in, they’re blown away,” Lai said. “We try to think outside the box” Saigon Outcast is located at 44921 George Washington Blvd. in Ashburn. For more information, go to saigonoutcastva.com. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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APRIL 29, 2021

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 in order to consider:

DRAFT UNMET HOUSING NEED STRATEGIC PLAN The Board of Supervisors (Board) will hear public comments on the draft Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (UHNSP). On September 19, 2019, the Board initiated the UHNSP process. The UHNSP concept was developed beginning with the October 16, 2017 Board Housing Summit and built upon the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan. The UHNSP defines how the County will address unmet housing needs in a strategic and systematic way over the short and long-term. The draft plan was presented to the Board on April 6, 2021. The UHNSP’s purpose is to guide how the County will address the unmet housing needs of households in a systematic and comprehensive way, over the anticipated 5-year life of the plan, in support of the County’s overarching housing goal. The UHNSP’s five objectives are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Establish a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated housing network. Secure land resources needed to address unmet housing needs. Obtain viable funding sources. Reduce barriers to the development and preservation of affordable housing. Implement policy changes to support affordable housing production and preservation.

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

ZRTD-2020-0007, SPEX-2020-0027 & ZMOD-2020-0036 ALBAN CAT FACILITY

(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District, Special Exception, and Zoning Modification) Alban Limited Partnership of Rosedale, Maryland, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 9.7 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception); and 2) a Special Exception to permit heavy equipment and specialty vehicle sales, rental, repair and accessory service in the PD-IP zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-504. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance Modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION Table 5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION Modify the 25-foot Type C Buffer for a Heavy Industrial and Aviation use adjacent to a Commercial/ Retail use, along the southern property line to consist of twenty-eight (28) evergreen trees and naturalmaterial fencing.

The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing district, and within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 9.7 acres in size and is located on the east side of Sully Road (Route 28), south side of East Severn Way (Route 847) and west of Atlantic Boulevard (Route 1902) at 1201 East Severn Way, Sterling, Virginia in the Sterling Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 042-10-7650. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designates this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational amenities at a recommended FAR up to 1.0.

ZMAP-2019-0021 OAK GROVE

(Zoning Map Amendment) GFC Properties, LLC, of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 4.73 acres from the R-1 (Single Family Residential -1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 50 single family attached units at a density of 10.6 dwelling units per acre. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District. The subject property is approximately 4.73 acres in size and is located on the north side of Hall Road (Route 788), west of Davis Drive (Route 868) and east of Oakgrove Road (Route 824) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:

PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

024-46-1074

117 Dominion Lane, Sterling, Virginia

024-46-2062

N/A

024-46-2653

N/A

024-46-1245

N/A

024-45-9931

N/A

024-45-8235

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Compact Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for Residential uses at a recommended density between 8-12 dwelling units per acre.

ZCPA-2020-0002 DULLES 2000 REDEVELOPMENT (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)

BCG JV Sterling LLC, of New York, New York has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (CDP) approved with ZMAP-1987-0031, Dulles 2000, in order to eliminate the requirement for a portion of the uses on the property to be Research and Development Related uses and to amend the layout of approved building footprints, parking, and landscaping with a decrease in density from 0.64 Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) to 0.44 FAR. The subject property is located in the PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) zoning district, subject to the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and is also located outside of but within one mile of the Airport Overlay Impact District (AOID). The subject property is approximately 23.67 acre portion of a larger parcel that is located on the east side of Sully Road (Route 28), west of Shaw Road (Route 836) and south of Old Ox Road (Route 606) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 035-45-7494 and PIN: 034-16-0552. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Urban Policy Area (Urban Transit Center Place Type)) which designate this area for a range of Residential, Retail, Office, Entertainment, and Community Activity uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 2.0. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703777-0246 (option 5). Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on April 30, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on May 12, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF:

PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

04/22 & 04/29/21


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

Legal Notices

PAGE 23

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER DONATION OF REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA TO THE LOUDOUN FREEDOM CENTER

TOWN OF LEESBURG

DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES NOTICE OF WATER MAIN FLUSHING

Pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 15.2-953, 15.2-1800, and 15.2-2100, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing on:

The Town of Leesburg will conduct controlled flushing of water mains throughout the Town beginning April through June 30th, 2021. This preventative maintenance program is essential for maintaining the Town’s high standards of water quality. Water mains are flushed by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. The flushing cleans out sediment, removes air which may accumulate in the water mains and restores chlorine levels in areas of limited use, thereby, reducing the potential for bacteriological contamination. Water is safe to drink and safe to use during flushing. However, flushing may result in temporary discoloration and sediment in the water. If discoloration or sediment is evident, the Town recommends residents avoid doing laundry until the discoloration subsides. Flushing may also introduce air into the water, which may temporarily cause erratic flow. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed. Some residents and businesses may experience lower pressure during the flushing in their neighborhood. The Town regrets any inconvenience the flushing operation may cause. Please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075 for further information. For after-hour emergencies, call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500. 04/01 & 06/30/21

TUESDAY, May 11, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia to consider the donation of certain real property owned by the Town and known as the Sycolin Community Cemetery, located on Sycolin Road in Loudoun County, Virginia, and being a portion of the lots identified as Loudoun County PIN Nos. 192-26-3267, 192-26-3648, and 192-26-4027, to the Loudoun Freedom Center, a Virginia nonstock corporation exempt from taxes under IRC § 501(c)(3), upon certain terms and conditions. Copies of the proposed Ordinance, the proposed Agreement for Donation of Real Estate between the Town and Loudoun Freedom Center, Inc., and additional information regarding the proposed donation of real property, are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 04/29 & 05/06/2021


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Democratic Party Primary Election

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED FY2022-FY2027 SECONDARY ROAD SIX-YEAR PLAN AND FY2022 CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PRIORITY LIST

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

THIS IS ONLY A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, & Attorney General House of Delegate Districts 34 & 86 There will be no Republican Party Primary SAMPLE BALLOTS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE Monday, May 17, 2021: Last day to register to vote or change your voter registration information for this election. Mailed voter registration applications must be sent to the Loudoun County Office of Elections postmarked on or before the deadline.

IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING Loudoun County Office of Elections 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA Monday – Friday, April 23 – May 29, 2021: 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Please note: Our office will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. Extended Hours: Tuesday, June 1 and Thursday, June 3, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29 & June 5, 2021: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021: Last day to vote Early In-Person.

ADDITIONAL EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS Loudoun County Government Office at Ridgetop 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166 Dulles South Senior Center 24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, VA 20152 Early Voting begins Saturday, May 29, 2021 Saturday, May 29, 2021 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – 12:00 noon – 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2021 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 2021 – 12:00 noon – 7 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021: Last day to vote Early In-Person. Carver Senior Center 200 E. Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville, VA 20132 Saturday, May 29, 2021 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. No weekday hours at this location Saturday, June 5, 2021: Last day to vote Early In-Person.

MAIL ABSENTEE VOTING Request an absentee ballot online: Loudoun.gov/JunePrimary Absentee ballots ARE counted. Friday, May 28, 2021: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail. Applications must be received in the Loudoun County Office of Elections by 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021: Election Day ALL DROPPED OFF absentee voted ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. to be counted. Friday, June 11, 2021: ALL MAILED absentee voted ballots must be postmarked on or before ELECTION DAY and be received by the Loudoun County Office of Elections by NOON to be counted.

BALLOT DROP OFF LOCATIONS Your marked ballot can be dropped off at these locations during their hours of operation. Loudoun County Office of Elections 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175 Loudoun County Government Office at Ridgetop 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166 Dulles South Senior Center 24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, VA 20152 Carver Senior Center 200 E. Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville, VA 20132

In accordance with Virginia Code §33.2-331, the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUDOUN COUNTY and the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION will jointly hold a combined PUBLIC HEARING on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, to consider adoption of the FY2022 - FY2027 Secondary Road Six-Year Plan and the FY2022 Construction Improvement Budget Priority List developed for the secondary roads in Loudoun County. All projects in the Secondary Road Six-Year Plan that are eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds. Citizens are invited to be present and express their views regarding the above mentioned documents. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The list of highway improvement projects in the proposed Six-Year Plan, and the proposed annual Construction Improvement Budget Priority List, taken from the Six-Year Plan, are available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200, and at the Virginia Department of Transportation Leesburg Residency Office, 41 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (703) 737-2000. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on April 30, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on May 12, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisor’s 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 County Administration at 703-777-0200. Three days notice is requested. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF: Phyllis J. Randall Chair Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

Judith A. Brown, Director of Elections 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C Leesburg, VA 20175 TELEPHONE: 703-777-0380 FAX: 703 777-0622 TDD: 711 Email: vote@loudoun.gov Website: Loudoun.gov/JunePrimary 04/15, 04/29 & 5/13/21

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING THE TOWN OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA Notice is hereby given that on Monday May 10, 2021, beginning at 7 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia, the Hamilton Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive public comment and consider the adoption of proposed Resolutions authorizing the issuance of a not to exceed $415,000 Town of Hamilton, Virginia Wastewater Revenue Bond to the United States of America, acting through Rural Utilities Service, an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (“RUS”), to (a) acquire, construct, rehabilitate, and equip various improvements to the Town’s wastewater (sewer) facilities, and (b) pay costs of issuance in connection with the financing (the “Project”). The Town intends to pledge wastewater (sewer) revenues to repay the Bond and establish certain reserve accounts as required by RUS. Information regarding the Project and a copy of the RUS Letter of Conditions are on file in the Town Office located at 53 East Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia 20158. Any person interested in the Town’s issuance of the Bond or the Project may appear electronically at the public hearing via Zoom at the link listed on the Town’s website to present comments. Written comments regarding the proposed Resolutions may be mailed or emailed to the Town prior to the public hearing. The regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will begin immediately after the public hearing. TOWN OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA David R. Simpson, Mayor

APRIL 29, 2021

04/22 & 04/29/2021

Farid Bigdeli Assistant District Administrator Virginia Department of Transportation 04/22 & 04/29/21

Formation of Douglass High School Commemorative Committee The Loudoun County School Board is establishing a commemorative committee to engage and formulate ideas for historical displays at Douglass High School, in conjunction with upcoming renovation plans. The Douglass High School building renovation and associated construction should be complete by fall 2022. Commemorative works will be key elements incorporated in the building renovation to tell the story of Douglass High School. The charge of the Douglass High School Commemorative Committee will be to review and develop options, both permanent and temporary, for relevant historic artifacts, memorabilia, and other possible interpretive building displays. The committee’s mission will be to determine how the history and importance of Douglass High School will be shared and to recommend commemorative components for School Board action and funding, as necessary. The Douglass High School Commemorative Committee will be comprised of a variety of community stakeholders. Any person interested in serving on committee should submit a letter of interest by no later than 3:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021, to: Loudoun County Public Schools, Division of Planning Services Attn: Douglass High School Commemorative Committee 21000 Education Court Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org Telephone: 571-252-1050 The School Board will officially appoint the Douglass High School Commemorative Committee on May 11, 2021. While committee appointments will be limited, all meetings will be open to the public and allow time for interested persons to share ideas and comments for committee consideration. The first Douglass High School Commemorative Committee meeting is planned for Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., at Frederick Douglass Elementary School (510 Principal Drummond Way, SE, Leesburg). 04/22 & 04/29/21


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

PAGE 25

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T proposes to erect a new 35.6’ metal pole and install a top-mounted antenna at 38’ near 46164 Westlake Dr, Sterling, VA (20210386). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR: CONSTRUCTION OF THE DC UNITED TRAINING FACILITY – PUBLIC ACCESS FACILITIES, IFB No. 364782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, June 2, 2021. A Pre‑Bid Conference will be held virtually using GoTo Meeting software on May 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. for clarification of any questions on the drawings, specifications and site conditions. The plans and specifications for this project are contained in a Microsoft One Drive folder. A Geotechnical Report Release form must be signed and submitted prior to obtaining access to the One Drive folder. LEASED DARK FIBER WIDE AREA NETWORK SERVICES, RFP No. 391784 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 28, 2021. RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICES, IFB No. 393782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 27, 2021. 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. 04/29/21

VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Civil Case No.: CL20-8025 In re: Name Change of THAO BICH NGO to JADE THAO NGO HO FINAL ORDER (Minor) COMES NOW the applicant seeking to change his or her name pursuant to Virginia Code § 8.01-217, and it appearing to the Court upon the applicant’s verified application that: The current address of the applicant, including street address, city, state and zip code, is: 21264 Victorias Cross Ter, Ashburn, VA 20147; and If the applicant has previously changed his or her name by prior application to a court or by marriage, the former names of the applicant are as follows: _______________ The name change is not sought for a fraudulent purpose and would not otherwise infringe on the rights of others; the applicant is not incarcerated, or a probationer with any court, or a person for whom registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is requires; and the applicant, if a convicted felon, included his or her felony conviction with the application. It is, therefore, ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND DECREED that the name of the applicant is hereby changed from Thao Bich Ngo to Jade Thao Ngo Ho; and It is further ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND DECREED that the Clerk of this Court shall spread this order upon the current deed boopk, index it in both the old and new names, and transmit a certified copy of the order and the application to the State Registrar of Vital Records and the Central Criminal Records Exchange. ENTERED this 9th day of December, 2020

04/08, 04/15, 04/22 & 04/29/21

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSE-2020-0003 VILLAGE AT LEESBURG (for THE PLAYFUL PACK DOGGY DAY CARE) Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Special Exception application TLSE-2020-0003, Village at Leesburg (on behalf of the Playful Pack Doggy Day Care). The subject of the application is a vacant 4,050 square-foot commercial space within Building B at the Village at Leesburg, 1608 Village Market Blvd, Suite B-115. The property is zoned B-4, Mixed Use Business District, and is further described as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 149-28-0225. Special Exception Application TLSE-2020-0003 is a request by the Village at Leesburg on behalf of the Playful Pack for a Special Exception to allow a 4,050 square foot doggy day care and accessory kennel, pursuant to Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) Section 6.6.2, Use Regulations. In addition, the Applicant is requesting one (1) zoning modification per Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) Section 3.4.13, Compliance with Use Standards. 1. Modification of TLZO Sec. 9.3.12.2, Doggy Day Care (related to facilities within a fully enclosed structure) Additional information and copies of this application is available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Scott E. Parker, Senior Planning Project Manager at 703-771-2771 or sparker@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 04/29 & 05/06/21


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Legal Notices

APRIL 29, 2021

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

COUNTY OF LOUDOUN FIRST HALF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Treasurer May 5, 2021 The deadline for payment of the first half personal property tax is May 5, 2021. Payments received or postmarked after May 5, 2021 will incur a 10% late payment penalty. Additional interest at the rate of 10% per annum will be assessed. The due date will not be extended for bills where assessment questions have been filed with the Board of Equalization. For Your Safety and Convenience, please consider making payments online, by phone or mail. CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS Online: www.loudounportal.com/taxes Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Pay your taxes through your mobile device: Link2Loudoun app is available for free from the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store. The app allows access to www.loudounportal.com/taxes to pay your taxes. By Telephone: 24-hour line 1-800-269-5971 703-777-0280 during regular business hours. Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro. It is ORDERED that the defendants Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before May 24, 2021 at 10:00 am. 04/22, 04/29, 05/06 & 05/13/21

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A 24 hour drop box is located outside the Leesburg and Sterling offices. Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer’s Office at 703-777-0280 or email us at taxes@loudoun. gov with questions or if you have not received your bill. Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines. For information regarding Personal Property Tax Relief for the Elderly or for Disabled Persons, please contact the Tax Relief Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at tcor@loudoun.gov by phone 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief. 04/22 & 04/29/21

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On Thursday, the 13th day of May, 2021, the Council of the Town of Middleburg, Virginia (the “Town”), will hold a public hearing on the proposed issuance of bonds of the Town in the estimated maximum principal amount of $8,000,000 to finance various capital improvement projects for governmental purposes, including but not limited to the design, acquisition, construction and equipping of a new Town Hall. Such bonds shall be general obligations of the Town to the payment of which the Town’s full faith and credit shall be irrevocably pledged.

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The public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held at 6:00 P.M., local time, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 10 West Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia 20118. Interested persons may appear at such time and place and present their views. Those who are interested in participating in the public hearing remotely may do so by calling 1-301-715-8592, Webinar ID: 95876721615, or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95876721615. Rhonda S. North, MMC Town Clerk Town of Middleburg, Virginia

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Lots of Hats in Virginia’s Democratic Primaries. I hope the best Ones don’t Get Lost.

APRIL 29, 2021

Opinion The Coming Referendum Primary season in Virginia doesn’t typically gain the attention of many voters and this year’s races are far from conventional—in no small part because of the huge roster of candidates and the challenges of campaigning and voting during a pandemic. At least the issues are clear. This year’s races will serve as a referendum on the performance of the state government after two years of rule by a Democratic majority. We’ll find out whether Virginians view the thrust of their agenda as overdue progressive reforms or a radical departure from traditional values. History sides with Republicans in this contest. Since the Clinton era, the losing party in the presidential election has made gains in the Virginia legislature the following year. The GOP needs only to pick up six seats in the House of Delegates to return the commonwealth to a state of divided government. This will also be the final election before redistricting shifts even more power to Northern Virginia and other urban areas, likely enough this time to tip the balance and alter the fabric of state government. More than ever before, the political battles will be fought in the suburbs rather than won in the valley. Most residents won’t be participating in this round of candidate selection, but it is time to pay attention. The tone and direction of the fall races are being set now, with candidates on both sides laying out different courses on which to lead the commonwealth. Which Virginia do you want to live in? That conversation should be starting now. n

Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

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

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

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

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

LETTERS to the Editor Important Work Editor: In line with the National PTA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Hunt District PTA Executive Board fully supports Loudoun County Public School’s Comprehensive Equity Plan and the Action Plan to Combat Systemic Racism. The troubling experiences reported in the Systemic Equity Assessment (2019) make it clear that LCPS still has much to do to ensure a system free of racial bias for students, families, faculty and staff. There are dramatic, observable differences in the treatment and the experiences BIPOC, LGBTQ+, English Language Learners, and those in the special needs community have within the LCPS system when compared to their caucasian, cisgender, and heterosexual peers. We feel strongly that this needs to change and are committed to continuing to work with LCPS to enact these changes. LCPS students have the right to attend schools free from slurs and violence motivated by perceived differences. Students have the right to be recognized by the name and gender they identify as. All students deserve to have teachers and staff that respect and, ideally, represent the full diversity of Loudoun County’s population. A system-wide equity policy will help address these issues. All students deserve teachers and staff who have high levels of racial consciousness and racial literacy. They should be free from discipline policies that disproportionately impact students of color.

Most of all, all students and employees of LCPS need a school system that is able to engage in conversations about race and take a stand against racially charged incidents when they occur. The Action Plan to Combat Systemic Racism focuses on these issues and will help disrupt and dismantle the systems that fail to support every student. We know that students learn best when in a setting where they feel safe and know that they matter. Our current school system is not providing this type of setting for all students, faculty, and staff, but its leaders and the School Board have committed to change. As a community, we have an opportunity to participate in improving our system and supporting their efforts. This work begins by engaging with the Comprehensive Equity Plan, learning about Culturally Responsive Teaching, and supporting your local school in this journey. PTAs play an important supporting role driving LCPS’s equity work forward by advocating for every child. The Hunt District PTA Executive Board stands behind LCPS and the LCPS School Board in their efforts to make this change real for our students. We are here to provide support and assistance to local PTA chapters engaging in this important work. — Kirsten Shabanowitz, Director, Hunt District PTA Lara Profitt, Equity Chair, Hunt District PTA


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 29, 2021

Readers’ Poll

PAGE 29

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

As voters decide who will run for state office this fall, how do you view the current performance of the state government?

Will collective bargaining improve the county government?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE

Go To Bed: Helping Kids Build Health Habits BY NEIL MCNERNEY

If there is one simple thing we can do for our kids to help them out in a number of ways, it is this: Have a consistent bedtime with plenty of sleep. The benefits of a good amount of consistent sleep are compelling. A recent study published in the medical journal Pediatrics shows a correlation between children having a consistent bedtime and behavior. The more inconsistent the bedtime, the more that kids had behavior difficulties. Although there could have been many factors that also led to behavior problems, it’s pretty clear that consistent bedtimes are helpful. “OK, Neil. Sounds good, but how do I make it happen?” The good news for us in Loudoun County is that our school system has the wisdom to reverse the typical time for school opening. Our high school kids go to school up to 1.5 hours later than kids in other counties. This makes a huge difference in trying to enforce bedtimes for our teens since they are able to wake up later than most teens in the USA. Here are some tips that will increase the likelihood that you will be able to get your kids to bed on time: For younger kids, make sure to have a bedtime routine. Most kids thrive on routines and will be upset if there is a change in the routine. Routines can include reading together, prayers, taking a minute to share your daily gratitudes, singing a bedtime song, etc. Routines like this become a fun and calming part of their lives, and often become family traditions that they

can share with their own kids. For older kids, rewards often work much better than punishments. Since getting to bed is what I call a “Start Behavior,” using rewards tends to increase motivation for a goal. The rewards don’t have to be big to create change. If you have a child that is having trouble getting to bed on time, try this: “If you are in bed with the lights out and all technology off by 9 o’clock, you earn an extra 30 minutes tomorrow on (the X-box, computer, playing with friends, playing cards with the family, etc.).” If this doesn’t work after about a week of trying, you might want to increase the intensity a bit. The best way to do this is to make your kids earn what they used to get for free. For instance: “Starting tonight, you will need to earn your one hour of video games by getting to bed on time. If you are in bed with the lights out and technology off by 9, you have earned your video game time tomorrow.” Here are some great guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation concerning amount of sleep based on age:

Toddlers (1-3 years) Toddlers need 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about one to three hours. Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they may delay sleep at night.

Sleep Tips for Toddlers: • Maintain a daily sleep schedule and

consistent bedtime routine. • Make the bedroom environment the same every night and throughout the night. • Encourage use of a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal.

and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching videos close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Ideally, teens should get 9-10 hours of sleep. During the early stages of the pandemic, this was easier for them to accomplish. Many teens were getting much better sleep than pre-pandemic. The difficulty with the teenage years is that they often get another burst of wakefulness around 9 p.m. This makes is hard to get to sleep during the time that they would need to be asleep. Decreasing screen time is essential for at least one hour before lights out. I know that this is very hard to enforce, but it will pay off in a healthier child. For 13–15-year-olds, I think it is fine to have a “turn in your devices at bedtime” policy. From 16-18, I believe that these pre-adults need to learn self-regulation, so encouraging works better for bedtime than enforcing. n

Preschoolers typically sleep 11-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common. With further development of imagination, preschoolers commonly experience nighttime fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during preschool years.

Sleep Tips for Preschoolers • Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. • Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is cool, quiet and dark—and without a TV.

School-aged Children (5-12 years) Children 5 to 12 need 9-10 hours of sleep. At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school (e.g., homework), sports and other extracurricular activities. In addition, school-aged children become more interested in TV, computers, and social media as well as caffeine—all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares

Teens

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


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Recovery

to the staff to find new opportunities. Lately, it’s been more seasoned workers, some 50 years old and up, who are looking to leave one industry for another. Some, Rodriguez said, desire flexibility for accommodating the needs of their school-age children, while others have sought to leave an industry altogether after living through COVID-19. As the center serves both job seekers and employers, business owners have also been actively reaching out to WRC staff of late to fill staffing needs, including typical spring and summer seasonal jobs, as well as the ongoing need in the healthcare industry, Rodriguez said.

continued from page 1 hours. He has begun working with an independent human resources agency to help him with recruiting. “We’re competing with unemployment [benefits], which we’ve never had to do before,” he said. “With the federal stimulus additional money, they can make well over $700. For us that’s $100 more than what they would make at $15/hour.” To compete with that, Stafford is paying more to his current employees. He is starting cooks at $17 to $19 an hour, and his servers are now averaging around $30/ hour, including tips, he said. Although Stafford said he and many of his restaurateur friends were losing out on employees because of the high unemployment benefits, county economic development staff said they have not seen that trend widely reported. While the lead-up to summer usually has returning college students looking for jobs, that wave hasn’t hit this year. And that unexpected drought, unfortunately, coincides with a time when the general public, for the most part, is more eager to get out of the house than perhaps ever. “People are wanting to come back out, but we just don’t have the staff to [support] that,” he said. A year ago, Loudoun felt the job impacts of the pandemic more quickly than some of its sister counties in Virginia, especially considering the county’s hospitality industry. In Loudoun, said Timothy Aylor, a senior economist with the Virginia Employment Commission, unemployment claims last spring went up much faster than statewide. Throughout Virginia, unemployment claims on March 14, 2020, went from 2,000, to 95,000 just a month later on April 11, 2020.

Loudoun Rebounding But if Loudoun’s economy felt the immediate impacts of the pandemic more quickly, it has also had areas of enviable strength, and is set to come roaring back

Form of government continued from page 1 change the government. The types of local government that would bring major changes to Loudoun’s organization all require a petition signed by a number of voters equivalent to at least 20% of the total number of voters in the last presidential election—meaning in Loudoun, a petition signed by almost 45,000 people.

Bullish on Loudoun

even faster. Many sectors of the touch economy are still struggling to find their footing more than a year into the global pandemic, but other industries locally are reporting not only rebounds, but tremendous growth, said Buddy Rizer, executive director of Loudoun’s Department of Economic Development. Loudoun’s Data Center Alley had a particular banner year, with the global population more dependent on the internet than ever. “In a typical year, we have 15 fast-track projects for data centers. This year we had 30,” he said. The technology sector in general has been strong for jobs locally, with many of those companies among the first to move to full telework last spring, and also among the first to gradually bring workers back into the office. The rebound is perhaps most evident in the number of job listings in Loudoun County, with Workforce Development Manager Nancy Evanko reporting a solid increase over a year ago. “New job postings by date are a really good indicator of how things are going. For the last several weeks we are above the

new job postings where we were a year ago. That’s really the first time I’ve seen it for this length of time,” she said. Unemployment filings now are down around 75% from last year’s peak, Aylor said, and in Loudoun they are down 90% from the April 11, 2020, high. However, job growth statewide is all but flat, with only 800 payroll employment jobs added statewide this March, he said. Although Loudoun has seen its unemployment rate double from just before the pandemic hit last spring, from 2% to the current figure of 4.3%, the county is in an enviable position compared with the rest of the state and even the U.S. as a whole, Aylor said. Statewide, the unemployment rate stands at 5.1%, while the U.S. unemployment rate hovers around 6%. Workforce experts have also seen changes in who is looking for a new job. Loudoun County offers many programs at its Workforce Resource Center, where the staff has, like many business owners, had to pivot in the past year to serve their clients virtually or by appointment. Last summer, Workforce Team Leader Shelly Rodriguez said she saw lots of service industry employees who were out of work, reaching out

A year ago, back when the pandemic showed no end in sight, Rizer said he and his staff were concerned the county could lose up to 40% of its businesses. Those predictions proved, thankfully, to be way off, with the number of businesses lost only in the teens, with staff still fine-tuning the numbers and doing its research. Rizer emphasized that no one in Loudoun County government would wave the recovery flag until all industries have rebounded from the pandemic, and he acknowledged that that could be a few years yet for the hospitality industry. But he sees lots of reasons for optimism. He offered the prediction that Loudoun County could easily see 6,000 to 8,000 new jobs in just the next year alone. “I’m very bullish on our future, especially once we get past COVID and roll out new Metro developments and provide even more opportunity, I’m pretty encouraged by what I see,” he said. “We’re going to need to continue to nurture those who have been the most critically impacted. They still have a long way ahead. But because of the great diverse economic base we’ve built over the last decade and a half, and the way we’ve evolved our economy, I think we will continue to see that growth. I think it will be a pretty universal recovery.” For more information and resources for both job seekers and employers go to loudoun.gov/wrc. n

That is only the beginning of a process that also involves the Circuit Court, at least two ballot questions and immediate local elections. That would also lead, in many cases, to getting rid of the elected treasurer and commissioner of revenue. “There is just, to me, not even close to being enough juice for the squeeze here,” said Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). Leaving those options aside could

narrow discussions back to where they started early in this board’s term, focusing around whether Loudoun should launch a police department to handle law enforcement functions, putting that work under a police chief under the county administrator. The county has contracted the National Association of Chiefs of Police for a report on that, with a preliminary report to county staff expected in November and a presentation to the Board of Supervisors anticipated in Feb-

ruary 2022. That work will include interviewing elected officials and Sheriff ’s Office staff, and will present information including a comparison of costs. Even if supervisors decide to launch a police department, the county will still have to elect a sheriff, although that official’s duties could be limited to operation of the detention centers, court security and civil process while police officers handle most law enforcement. n

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

A customer at the Loudoun County Workforce Resource Center uses the résumé-writing software on one of the center’s new computers.


APRIL 29, 2021

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Primaries continued from page 3

Democrat Primary Could Unseat Incumbents Democrats, meanwhile, have not all lined up behind the incumbents—especially for Attorney General and Leesburg resident Mark Herring. After backing out of a talked-about run for the governor’s office, Herring is seeking an historic third term. But Gov. Ralph Northam announced in March that he would endorse the challenger Del. Jerrauld C. “Jay” Jones (D-98) of Norfolk. Both Herring and Northam faced insurrections in their party after photos surfaced in February 2019 of Northam wearing blackface in a 1984 medical school yearbook. Herring was among those who called for Northam’s resignation at the time. Four days later, Herring disclosed that he, too, had worn a costume with what he called “brown makeup,” in 1980, and faced his own calls to resign. Neither did. In this race, Herring has local support including from Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33), Loudoun County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor Marty Martinez and council members Neil Steinberg, Ara Bagdasarian and Zach Cummings. But Jones has notched endorsements from locals including Sen. John J. Bell (D-13), Dels. Wendy W. Gooditis (D-10), David A. Reid (D-32), and Ibraheem Samirah (D-86). Jones is not far behind Herring in fundraising, with the campaign bringing in $1.28 million to Herring’s $1.76 million according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Herring’s election to a second term was already a rare one, the first Virginia

Harassment continued from page 3 “motorcycle clubs and gangs around.” According to court documents, Ellis never called the police, contacted a court or sought legal advice after listening to the voicemails. At trial, Ellis said he felt “kind of scared” and had “a nervous feeling” when he saw a motorcycle on the road. He also testified he changed his work schedule

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Two Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor made swings through Leesburg recently. Sean Perryman, left, of Fairfax, spent part of his 35th birthday April 14 meeting business owners in downtown Leesburg and getting some campaign advice from Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Leesburg Town Councilman Zach Cummings. Then Norfolk Councilmember Andria McClellan was in town Sunday to meet with businesses and tour the Flower and Garden Festival with Mayor Kelly Burk.

Attorney General to serve two terms since Mary Sue Terry, who resigned in January 1993 to run for governor. If elected a third time, he will be the first person to hold the office for three terms since Abram Penn Staples, who left the office in 1947 after the General Assembly elected him to the state Supreme Court. Meanwhile in the 86th District, incumbent Ibraheem S. Samirah faces a challenge from Irene Shin. Locally, Samirah still enjoys support from Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) and Loudoun Supervisors Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), along with a broad swath of other elected officials and special interest groups. But one Loudoun representative, Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33), announced April 26 that she is supporting the challenger, Shin. Meanwhile in the 34th District, incumbent Kathleen J. Murphy faces a challenge from

Samirah’s former campaign manager, Jennifer M. Adeli.

so he wouldn’t be on the same roads he thought Powell and his associates might travel. When the homeowner posted Powell’s messages on social media and business-rating websites, Powell filed a complaint against the homeowner and Ellis alleging defamation and conspiracy to injure a trade business. Ellis then filed a counterclaim alleging racially motivated harassment and stalking. A jury, following a three-day trial in October 2019, subsequently dismissed

Powell’s case with prejudice and ordered him to pay Ellis $100,000 in compensatory damages and $150,000 in punitive damages. Powell appealed, seeking to set aside Judge Jeanette A. Irby’s ruling that evidence in the case supported the jury’s verdict. On April 15, the Virginia Supreme Court issued a 12-page opinion holding that evidence in the case was sufficient to support the jury’s verdict because Ellis felt intimidated, harassed, threatened and humiliated. n

Herring, Youngkin, Snyder Dominate Fundraising Wealthy former private equity CEO Youngkin has by far the best-funded campaign of any candidate in a Republican race. The nearest follower is another wealthy candidate but one with deep political connections, Pete Snyder of Charlottesville. But both are their own top donors; Youngkin donated $5.5 million to his own campaign, and Snyder donated $5.2 million, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. That also means the majority of those campaigns’ spending is self-funded. In total, Youngkin has raised $7.7 million, Snyder $6.8 million. The next nearest competitor is state delegate and former Speaker of the House of Delegate Kirk Cox, whose

campaign has raised $1.1 million. But neither can compare to the fundraising by former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who is seeking a second term after handing Northam the keys to the Executive Mansion in 2018. McAuliffe’s campaign has raked in $9.9 million, almost three times as much as his closest fundraising challenger, former state delegate Jennifer D. Carroll Foy with $3.7 million. And McAuliffe’s single largest contributor is Common Good VA, McAuliffe’s political action committee, which has given the campaign $1.6 million in this election cycle. Democrats can also choose from among former state delegate Jennifer D. Carroll Foy, state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, current Lieutenant Governor Justin E. Fairfax, and Del. Lee J. Carter. For the race for lieutenant governor, Democrats will choose from Norfolk City Councilmember Andria P. McClellan, Del. Elizabeth R. Guzman, Del. Hala S. Ayala, Del. Mark H. Levine, Del. S. “Sam” Rasoul, Sean A. Perryman, and Xavier JaMar Warren. Virginia governors cannot serve consecutive terms, and seldom serve twice. If McAuliffe were elected governor a second time, he would be the first since Mills Godwin, who was elected in 1966 as a Democrat—and then in 1974 as a Republican. The last person to serve two terms before that was Confederate Major General William Smith, taking office in 1846 and again in 1864. n


LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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APRIL 29, 2021

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