n LOUDOUN
VOL. 7, NO. 35
Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG
Pg. 8 | n EDUCATION
Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES
Pg. 15 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
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JULY 21, 2022
Supervisors Warned of Tight Budget, Flattening Revenues BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
County supervisors will face slimmer revenues and slowed growth while homeowners may see higher real estate tax bills in the next county budget, county staff members have warned. Twelve days into Fiscal Year 2023, on July 12 the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee heard the first public report on preparations for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. County Administrator Tim Hemstreet said, while revenue projections this far in advance are very broad, the county budget staff can already tell the next annual budget is going to be much more difficult. “This far out, our numbers, I can tell you right now, are off by $30 or $40 million. So the numbers are going to get better as we get into October, December, but they’re not going to get better enough that we would be looking at being able to accomplish the things this board has become accustomed to at the equalized rate or something close to the equalized rate,” he said. Hemstreet said supervisors will face budget challenges “that really boards have not seen for seven, eight, nine years.” That will have implications for real estate tax bills. That tax rate is the main tool the board uses to adjust its revenues as home values, business revenues and other sources of local tax revenue fluctuate. Residential property is not expected to continue growing in value at the rate it has been, meaning less growth in that tax base. Loudoun’s economic recovery from the pandemic is strong, albeit uneven as industries like hospitality and travel are recovering more slowly. Meanwhile, the taxpayer’s dollar may not go as far amid continuing high inflation. Parks and recreation and Loudoun Transit will be updating supervisors as their revenues stabilize from pandemic disruptions. Supervisors are also discussing whether to fund schools differently in the future, such as by giving the school system a set percentage of local tax funding. And especially impactful for Loudoun, the General Assembly TIGHT BUDGET continues on page 34
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Jeff Boogaard walks through the field of hemp plants at his business Cannabreeze near Lovettsville.
County Grapples with Marijuana Legalization
BY RENSS GREENE AND NORMAN K. STYER greene@loudounnow.com nstyer@loudounnow.com
As the General Assembly moves toward legalizing marijuana, Loudoun County government and business leaders are grappling with the legal, health and even zoning implications. For a year now, Virginians 21 and over have been legally permitted to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, and to use
it in their own homes. They can grow up to four plants in their homes, and they can share up to an ounce with a friend. By contrast, a new law this year, inserted into the state’s budget bill by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, makes public possession of more than 4 ounces a criminal misdemeanor. And yet the state is still moving toward legalizing retail sales—while the Republican-held House of Delegates blocked legislation that would
have allowed some retail sales this year, that market is expected to open by 2024. The General Assembly could vote to make that happen sooner. Even as this is happening, people working at the local level are trying to figure out what, if anything, that will mean in the day-to-day worlds of business, law enforcement and substance abuse. And a literature review LEGAL MARIJUANA continues on page 34
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JULY 21, 2022
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County Board to Consider New Limits, Allowances for Data Centers BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Rising 7th grade students in the BEAM program at the Academies of Loudoun solve math problems on the giant white board wall on July 19.
BEAM Summer Program Geared Toward Rising 7th Graders BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
A hundred promising middle school students from all over Loudoun got a chance to step into advanced math classes through a summer program this month. Bridge to Enter Advanced Math, or BEAM, is a five-week summer program with the goal to increase enrollment of students who are economically disadvantaged and living in historically marginalized communities in Honors, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment classes. According to Brittany Schjolin, Math Program Coordinator for Loudoun County Public Schools, the students were nominated by their teachers based on their math class. She said if the student wasn’t on an advanced math track but showed promise they were invited to apply. The BEAM program gives the rising 7th graders an opportunity to participate in an intensive math program to improve
their confidence, math content knowledge, and problem-solving skills. The program started June 22 and runs through July 29. Schjolin said it’s an allday program and is similar to a summer camp. The day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The students have several classes to choose from in addition to a required class on fractions, making a total of four classes for the program. They have activity breaks and challenges throughout the day. Lunch is provided every day from restaurants like CAVA, Chick-fil-a, Chipotle, and Panera among others. Breakfast is also provided a few mornings a week. Classes are taught by fourth grade, fifth grade and middle school teachers. The program is entirely funded by grants. The Loudoun Education Foundation, an independent nonprofit, secured $411,200 to make the program possible. The funding partners are Jack Kent Cooke Foundation which supplied most of the grant, Equinix Inc. which donated $10,000 and JL Edwards Enterprises
which donated $1,200. BEAM held an open house on July 19 to display what they’ve been doing and what they hope to do in the coming years. Kelly Robucci, a seventh-grade dean at Stone Hill Middle School, walked into the open house to see what it was all about. She said seven students from her school were invited to attend the summer program. “It’s a great opportunity to get exposure to new math concepts, reinforce some and help set them up for next year,” said Robucci. Nicole Augone, a K-12 Math Supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools, was one of the grant writers for the program. She said they learned about the BEAM program in 2018 and wanted to bring it to LCPS. “Our vision is to have this in all of our middle schools all the time to replace summer school,” said Augone. BEAM PROGRAM continues on page 34
The Board of Supervisors’ Transportation and Land Use Committee has wrapped up a three-meeting series of discussions on the future of data center development in Loudoun, sending the issue back to the full board for a vote. Supervisors elected not to have a previously discussed fourth meeting on the topic, instead delaying the item’s arrival to the full board by two weeks, to their second business meeting in September. County staff members will use the extra time to seek out formal inputs and comments from the data center industry to include in final report. “The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite, it’s just a monumental project that we really need to move forward on,” said Transportation and Land Use Committee Chairman Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). “I’m not trying to short sheet the data center community. We’re not trying to suddenly rush it through regardless of what the perception may seem to be.” But in the meantime, the committee has laid down a starting point for county planners and the full board. Supervisors sought to resolve mismatches between the county’s comprehensive plan, its zoning, and the investments data center companies have already made. In some places, comprehensive plan policy would oppose data centers where they already exist, or where data center companies have already bought land. In other areas, there may be new land still suitable for data center development but where the comprehensive plan would not allow it. From the outset, the committee agreed that data centers should not go in the Rt. 7 corridor, in planned suburban mixeduse areas, or next to residential neighborhoods, but should be protected where they already exist. The committee also was open to exploring opening new land in southeast Loudoun, pitched as “Dulles Cloud South,” to data center development, but dropped the discussion. On Monday, they also voted in favor of a range of other tweaks to zoning and the 2019 General Plan. Those include removing some areas from suburban DATA CENTER ZONING continues on page 34
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JULY 21, 2022
ON THE Agenda
Loudoun
988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline Launches
Loudoun Now file photo
Traffic moves through the Route 50/Loudoun County Parkway intersection.
Rt. 7, Rt. 50 Improvements Targeted by Latest NVTA Funding Plan LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Four Loudoun County road construction projects landed additional funding from the Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority during the latest update of its six-year spending plan. In total, the authority allocated $1.2 billion to support 20 road, transit, and pedestrian projects throughout the region. Fairfax County received the largest allocation, $572 million to support seven projects. Prince William County received $444.2 million for eight projects. Loudoun County landed $73.75 million in the fiscal year 2022-27 spending plan. Of that total $35.25 million was allo-
cated to the Rt. 50/Loudoun County Parkway interchange. The county’s funding application projected the project’s total cost at $181 million. Under the Capital Improvements Plan adopted this spring, the cost is expected to be $271 million with construction beginning in FY 2028. The plan to relieve morning commute congestion on Rt. 7 by adding a third eastbound lane for 4.3 miles between Rt. 9 and the Dulles Greenway was allocated $20 million. According to an earlier application for Smart Scale funding through the stat, it is expected to be a $127 million project with construction starting in 2030. The phase 2 widening of Ryan Road between Evergreen Mills Road and Beaverdam Drive was allocated $16 million.
While the project is in the design phase, its projected cost is $31.5 million The county’s effort to expand its intelligent transportation system in the Rt. 7 corridor was awarded $2.5 million. The overall $3.78 million project includes a host of systems to provide real-time travel information and improved traffic controls in the corridor. The FY2022-27 funding plan on July 14 with a unanimous vote, with Del. Dave LaRock (R-33), who is appointed to represent the House of Delegates, absent. The action was the culmination of a yearlong process in which member localities were asked to submit projects, resulting in NVTA FUNDS continues on page 6
Loudoun Sponsors Book-Inspired Art & Film Contest LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Loudoun County agencies are sponsoring the regional “Novel Expressions Art and Film Contest,” and inviting teenagers and adults to enter. The contest is sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council. Participants choose any book from their summer reading list and create a piece of artwork, or a short film inspired by the story. The art contest is open to teens and adults; the film contest is for teens only. Artists must live in Loudoun County, or in the cities of Alexandria, Falls
Church, Washington, D.C. or Winchester; Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick or Prince William counties in Virginia; Jefferson County in West Virginia; or Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s or Washington counties in Maryland. The art contest will be judged in three divisions, including middle school, high
school and adult, with prizes of gift cards and art supplies awarded to the top finishers in each division. The film contest will be judged in two divisions, middle school and high school, with prizes of gift cards and videography supplies awarded to the top finishers in each division. Entries will be judged by members of the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council, teen librarians, and local professional artists. The deadline to enter is Aug. 22. A gala event to celebrate the contest winners is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center. More information is online at library.loudoun.gov/artcontest. n
Beginning Saturday, July 16, Virginians who need suicide prevention or behavioral health crisis support, or are worried about someone else, can call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network. The new three-digit number is designed to be easier to remember for people in crisis. Anyone calling from a phone with a Virginia area code will be connected to trained counselors through the existing state or national crisis care system network. The line is planned to eventually include geolocation capabilities. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also remains available by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting “CONNECT” to 855-11. It is operational 24 hours a day, and connects callers to the same services as calling or texting 988. More information about mental health resources designed to help prevent suicide is online at loudoun.gov/suicideprevention.
Health Dept. Sets Weekly Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Kids Until Fall The Loudoun County Health Department will hold free weekly vaccination clinics for children through Sept. 2. The clinics are for children aged 6 months and older, and will be on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. The Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all children 6 months and older be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To schedule an appointment, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 703-7378300 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Health Department staff will discuss with parents and guardians the specific vaccines offered at the clinic during the call. For more information go to loudoun.gov/coronavirus.
ON THE AGENDA continues on page 6
JULY 21, 2022
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NVTA funds continued from page 4 $3 billion in requests that were reviewed by the NVTA staff. That was followed by a round of public input before the staff made its recommendations last month. The authority’s revenue is generated by a regional sales tax and other fees. Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) is serving as chairwoman of the NVTA. During a press conference Friday morning she stressed the importance
ON THE Agenda continued from page 4
Committee Recommends Land Use Referrals to Power Utilities The Transportation and Land Use Committee has voted to recommend the county request Dominion Energy and the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative provide feedback on land development applications. The county routinely asks for referrals from both internal and outside agencies in
of having the localities in the region work together to improve transportation. “The Northern Virginia area is such an important part of the commonwealth. We are in many ways the financial engine of the commonwealth and if we cannot get around, if we cannot get home, if we cannot get to our jobs, it does affect not only our economy, but also the economy of the entire commonwealth. Transportation is a quality-of-life issue,” Randall said. “Getting people out of traffic and to their destination is the most important thing we can do,” she said. n the early stage of land use applications, such as rezonings. Deputy County Administrator Charles Yudd said the county already has asked for feedback from the electricity utilities on a case-by-case basis in the past and said he anticipates no problems. Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) suggested the new policy. The committee voted 3-0-1-1, with one abstention and Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent for the vote on July 18. The full Board of Supervisors will have the option to vote the recommendation into policy. n
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Supervisors Delay Vote on Townhouse Rezoning BY OLIVIA AUSNEHMER
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors decided at a public hearing July 13 to delay a decision on an application to build 41 townhouses on Mountain View Drive until their Sept. 6 meeting. The applicant is asking to put 41 single family residential units on 6.33 acres.. The property is located on the north side of Mountain View Drive, west of Poland Road and south of Savoy Woods Court. The developer is required to provide six units as price-controlled Affordable Dwelling Units. Today that property includes a vacant single-family dwelling and garden center. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) was in favor of an extension of the final vote. “We heard two very different viewpoints tonight about whether this is complementary,” he said. Both those in favor of the residential units and those against attended the public hearing to share their thoughts on the proposal. Many in favor of the proposal cited the need for affordable housing in
“If we are going to put in another community, let’s do it correctly.” — Steven Bagley Mountain View Drive resident Loudoun County, while most of those against the proposal cited the large flooding problem in the neighborhood. The majority of the speakers against the proposal mentioned that they currently live just outside of the property being discussed. “Our concerns remain around four key topics; density, public safety, traffic and water management,” said Jason McWhirter, one of the many Mountain View Drive residents opposed to the development. “Our community would like to ensure
before you approve any development in this location, this time directly in our community, that any water solution in that development will not further worsen or continue to do further damage from water. Our community has been reviewed on-site by the Loudoun Water management chief, which he verified great cause for concern,” McWhirter said. “My side yard is useless and my backyard is useless when it rains. I’ll have four to five inches of standing water, it just doesn’t go anywhere,” said Steven Bagley, another Mountain View Drive resident. “If we are going to put in another community, let’s do it correctly. Let’s make sure it fits,” Bagley added. “Just because they are able to be built, doesn’t mean they are gonna fit the neighborhood.” Vinod Palle, a Fairfax County resident who works in Loudoun County expressed his struggles wanting to live in the county he works in. “With the cost of living, my buying power has come down and I’m looking for affordable housing,” Palle said. Babu Romerij runs a small business
and has trouble finding employees because he claims no one can afford housing. “If you can support this plan, that would be really helpful for a small business like us,” Romerij said. Supervisors voted unanimously to send the application to their Sept. 6 meeting for a decision. Supervisors asked the developer to agree to a watershed study that will establish the water impact of the proposed development on the neighborhood, and a fence across the north side of the proposed property. They also asked county staff members to determine whether surrounding property values would be impacted, determine the effects on traffic as a result of the proposed development, and prepare a summary of the current flooding issues. “Whether or not we say yes or no to this, the flooding that is happening now seems to be an issue. Shouldn’t we be dealing with that right now?” Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said. n Olivia Ausnehmer is a rising junior at Penn State interning at Loudoun Now.
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JULY 21, 2022
Leesburg AROUND Town Council Approves More Business Signage
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The Town Council last week approved two measures to give businesses more promotional sign flexibility. Under the action, businesses that benefited from the town’s pandemic-prompted decision to convert some on-street parking spaces to reserved curbside pickup spots may now post their logos on those street signs. Also, the council voted to allow some businesses to install a third promotional sign on the rear of their building, to provide additional exposure if visible from travel ways. The council—following the advice of its staff, Board of Architectural Review and Planning Commission—did not support allowing the slopes of storefront awnings to display signage. The front flap of awnings may be used for signs.
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Architectural Board Supports China King Facelift Members of the Board of Architectural Review on Monday night voiced support for the efforts of the China King restaurant owners to replace the damaged vitrolite glass on its façade. Just what that will look like isn’t yet known. The once popular art deco material isn’t made anywhere in the world and the Whang family is working with a specialist who salvages the material to replace the glass. There are only a few color options available at the needed quantity, but last week two new colors—a warm suntan and light beige—were found. Co-owner Mindy Schwanborg told the board she wanted to make new mockups of the color scheme options before deciding which to pursue.
After a public hearing on the project drew no speakers, BAR members agreed to wait until Aug. 1 to review those options and formally signoff on the restoration and lauded the effort to maintain the iconic storefront in the historic district. This month, the restaurant received a $40,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support the repairs.
Author Louis Bayard Plans Leesburg Book Signing Bestselling author Louis Bayard is scheduled to visit Bespokes Books and Archives on Saturday afternoon to sign copies of his latest novel. “Jackie & Me” imagines the relationBayard ship between Jackie Bouvier and Lem Billings, John F. Kennedy’s best friend from school and reputed “fixer” and what Jackie’s future could have been had she chose differently at key points in her relationship with the future president. Bayard is scheduled to be at the Loudoun Street store from 4 to 6 p.m. July 23 to meet fans and sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase. Learn more online at bespokebooksandarchives.com.
BAR Again Approves Birkby House Conservatory Four years and one pandemic after its approved plans to build an aluminum and glass conservatory in the yard of the Birkby House wedding and events venue, the Board of Architectural review approved a new version of the structure Monday night. The building will replace a large tent that has been used on the property for many years. The previous approval expired after two years. A key change in the design is its wood and brick construction, a change several board members said they preferred over the earlier version. n
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Education
SCHOOL notebook
Contract Changes Cause Frustration, Added Days for Testing Coordinators BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
During the June 28 School Board meeting, testing coordinators from schools across the county spoke during the public comment section about changes to their contracts for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. At issue is a surprise change in their 2022-2023 contract that required testing coordinators report 12 days before teachers report and leave 12 days after. Per their contract, they will be paid for the additional days. During the 2021-2022 school year, testing coordinators were required to arrive six days before teachers and leave five days after. The new contract requires an additional 13 days. According to the seven testing coordinators who addressed the board, they found out about the change on June 9 by logging into Oracle, the electronic system that houses all teacher contracts. Based on earlier conversations they were under the impression that their contract would stay the same for the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, the changes bring concerns about childcare and vacations that were planned prior to the contract changes.
Testing coordinators are contracted teachers who have additional days added to their contract. Those extra days are to open and close out the year. Their job is to monitor students taking tests throughout the school year. Sandy Sullivan, president of Loudoun Education Association, said when the testing coordinators found out about the changes some of them reached out to LEA to understand what the best course of action would be. She said she advised them to advocate for themselves in front of the School Board. “One of the biggest issues was it seemed like lack of respect to find out by logging in to find their contract. It wasn’t an email, or a call from a boss or supervisor. That’s not acceptable. I’m not asking for a grand letter in the mail, but an email that states as of such and such a date this is what your contract will look like,” Sullivan said. Sullivan and the testing coordinators wanted to know how long ago the decision was made and why the coordinators weren’t told about it sooner. But more importantly she said, “why weren’t they part of the process in deciding if the changes were necessary?” Some coordinators attended a School Board’s Human Resources and Talent
Development committee meeting and emailed the head of HR at Loudoun County Public Schools to try to understand how the changes came about. They were told in the meeting if they had a problem with the beginning dates, they could work directly with their direct supervisors, and they were told the supervisors would be flexible. The direct supervisor for a testing coordinator is the school principal. “In a situation like this it’s great to hear supervisors will be flexible, we want that. But what was not appreciated was they were put off by someone and not given an answer or even why it was changed,” Sullivan said. Sullivan said they just wanted to know why it changed, was it the best thing, and, if not, to figure out the best step moving forward. They were told by human resources that additional student and staff holidays to the 2022-2023 school calendar affected their contracts. Sullivan said the holidays shortened the teacher contracts because there were fewer student days. The holidays impacted testing coordinators contracts as a reCONTRACT CHANGES continues on page 11
Teacher Creates ‘Adopt a Teacher’ Facebook Group BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Jen Hitchcock has been a teacher in Loudoun County Public schools for six years. She loves her job. In fact, she drives 90 minutes to teach special education at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School in Chantilly. But she noticed something among her colleagues over the past two years—low morale. The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges to everyone, but teachers may have been hit hardest. When schools closed, online classrooms opened, causing teachers to adapt and teach in a way they had never done before, far away from their students.
Added challenges of schools opening, closing again then re-opening, masks and frustrated students and parents left a lot of teachers feeling underappreciated and tired. Hitchcock decided to do something about it. She noticed in her area there was a Facebook group that allowed people to adopt a teacher and help them with their out-of-pocket supplies. Hitchcock herself has spent upwards of $1,000 out of her own pocket each year for supplies for her special education students like fidget spinners and other items to help with anxiety and to help calm students and focus down on what is in front of them. She knew her colleagues often spent that much, if not more.
So she decided to give it a try. Enter the “Loudoun County, Va: Adopt a Teacher” Facebook page. Teachers create an Amazon wish list with items they need or would like to have for their classrooms. They are then adopted by community members or businesses who buy one or more of the items on the list. Amazon then ships those items directly to the teacher. It’s similar to another local Facebook group that started last year. The difference is, items are shipped to teachers in Hitchcock’s group, as opposed to picking them up at a warehouse. She launched the page hoping it would help a few teachers out. Within a couple ADOPT A TEACHER continues on page 11
Former Superintendent Leaves Texas Post A year and a half after leaving Loudoun County Public Schools to become the superintendent of a Houston, TX, area school diWilliams vision, Eric Williams this week stepped down from that post. Williams announced his resignation during a Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting last week. His retirement is effective Jan. 31, 2023, but he will be on leave through July 31 and serve as superintendent emeritus starting Aug. 1 to assist the district during the transition to a new top administrator. Williams will be paid $199,000 in severance, equivalent to his salary through the end of the year. Williams served as Loudoun’s school superintendent from 2014 through 2020. He left during a time the school division was under heavy criticism for its COVID-19 classroom closures and its anti-racism and equity programs. Those criticisms followed him to Texas, where some parents raised concerns about the teaching of critical race theory there and sought his resignation. A statement by the Board of Trustees chairman credited Williams with expanding the district’s personalized learning curricula, creating elementary school emersion programs, and helping to address reductions in state funding. Williams said he planned to return to Virginia to care for a family member with a medical condition.
New Meal Payment System Experiences Bugs The newly launched school meal payment system, TITAN Family Portal, seems to have had a few bugs in its first few days. Loudoun County Public Schools SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 11
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JULY 21, 2022
Adopt a teacher continued from page 10 of days, the group had 500 members. Three weeks later, there are over 3,000 members. “It really shows how much the Loudoun community really appreciates their teachers and how they have stepped up to show that,” Hitchcock said. Hitchcock said there are more than 1,000 teachers on the page, and it’s growing as word gets out. Many are still waiting to be adopted. Tori Truesdale, Michele Leffler and Danielle Ofano are three volunteers who help Hitchcock with the Facebook page and getting the word out. “It’s not meant as a bashing for Loudoun County Public Schools. Loudoun is an amazing county to work for. I love my job. It’s meant to be something to help the community and teachers connect, to help get teachers what they need and to boost their morale,” Hitchcock said. “A lot of them needed to feel appreciated.” There is a great need for teachers to be adopted at the elementary school level and at Title One schools, a federal designation for schools with a high number of low-income families. Julie Cacciola is an art teacher at Parkview High School in Sterling, a Title One school. She posted her list and was adopted within a day. A large part of her list was getting the book Wreck this Journal for her art students. “There is a current trend in the art world around visual journaling. Some of the kids find it hard to come out of their shell with art. This book is great because it gives them a little direction to give them a safe way to fully express their creativity and boost their confidence to pursue other artistic avenues,” Cacciola said.
Cacciola said Loudoun County is blessed to have a great budget for education, but it gets the basics. She said she’s grateful for her administrative team and her art supervisor who do all they can to get what the teachers need. “Teachers are naturally programmed to make lessons work with the bare minimum because that’s usually what happens. The adopt a teacher program has been so great because we as teachers are gifted with items, we normally would never be able to use. It’s like getting a hug from the community,” said Cacciola. Hitchcock said school counselors have joined the group as well to help with outof-pocket needs. She said there is a bigger mental health need today than ever before and counselors are finding the need to replenish supplies more often. School nurses have also joined. Sarah Larson, a school nurse at Sugarland Elementary School in Sterling, was adopted within minutes of posting what she needed on the Facebook page. She was hesitant to join at first because she isn’t a teacher, but after reaching out to Hitchcock she decided to post her list of needs. The biggest item on her list was packs of underwear for students to change into when they have accidents. “Having those items to start the school year is so helpful. I go through a ton of clothes. It’s one of those things that doesn’t seem like a lot but throughout the year it really adds up. It is such a gift,” she said. Hitchcock said Loudoun County Moms, a Facebook group of about 7,000 local moms reached out to her wanting to help. She said the group is fundraising to donate gift cards as well as buying items from the teachers lists from local stores like Target and Walmart and then delivering the items to the schools.
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Hitchcock said she hopes the Adopt a Teacher page continues into next year and years to come. “Our needs for school classrooms don’t end. You have new teachers every year. First-year teachers often have to completely do a classroom and the vast majority of that comes out of their pocket,” she said. “My end goal is to continue to help teachers get what they need to ensure students are learning as best as possible and to help everyone feel appreciated.” “The credit goes to the Loudoun community for this. They were looking for a way to help and this page just provided a spot for community and teachers to come together,” she added. The group has partnered with several local businesses, but they are hoping more will join. If you are interested in adopting a local teacher, go to the Loudoun County Va: Adopt a Teacher Facebook page. You can donate Amazon or Visa gift cared that will be used to buy items off a wish list. n
SCHOOL notebook continued from page 10
Public Information Officer Wayde Byard said some registration problems were reported after the contractor experienced a problem within their email system last week. He said the issue caused about 350 families to not be able to register their students. The school division has about 82,000 students enrolled. Byard suggested families reach out to TITAN directly via email if they experience problems with registering. That
Contract changes continued from page 10 sult. But the added holidays didn’t seem to impact the contracts of school counselors or deans according to comments made during the June 28 School Board meeting. This is the second year Loudoun County Public Schools has used this calendar. “I would have appreciated having a conversation about why this decision was made. Maybe we don’t like it, but at least we’d understand why it happened,” Sullivan said. Sullivan was able to arrange a meeting with testing coordinators and human resources on July 6, but no resolution was made. Sullivan said changes are possible and the School Board can make those changes. Sullivan said the testing coordinators will have to follow the schedule set forth in the new contract. She said the lack of communication is the real problem. She said LEA is closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure communication between the administration and staff is clear and timely. n email address is familysupport@titank12. com. Live support by phone by calling 844-467-4700, then press 2. Launched on July 7, the system replaces MySchoolBucks for the 2022-2023 school year. Like the old system, TITAN allows students or parents to put money on an account to purchase meals or other food items at school. Under the new system parents may transfer funds between student accounts, such as from from one sibling’s account to another. Allergy and food intolerance information will be transferred to TITAN from MySchoolBucks. Register at family.titank12.com. n
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.
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Public Safety
Former Commanders Safety Pleads to Reckless Driving in Fatal Crash BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Former Washington Commanders defensive back Deshazor D. Everett on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in connection with the Dec. 23, 2021, crash in which his girlfriend died. The crash happened on Gum Spring Road near Ticonderoga Road. Investigators said Everett was driving over twice the posted 45 miles per hour speed limit when he lost control and his 2010 Nissan GT-R left the right side of the roadway, struck several trees, and rolled over. The victim, Olivia S. Peters, 29, was a passenger in the car. She was transported to StoneSprings hospital, where she died of her injuries. In March, the Commanders released the former team captain from its roster. Everett appeared in Loudoun County District Court on July 19 for a preliminary hearing on a felony
WashingtonFootball.com
Deshazor Everett
charge of involuntary manslaughter. At the outset of the hearing, Judge Deborah C. Welsh was presented with an agreement worked out between the prosecution and defense attorneys, with the approval of Peters’ family, to reduce the charge. EVERETT continues on page 13
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SAFETY Briefs New York Man Charged in Leesburg Best Buy Break-in Leesburg Police investigators have charged a 29-yearold New York man following an investigation into a July 17 burglary at the Best Buy store. According to the Vargas report, the department received a report of a burglary in progress at the Potomac Station store shortly after 12:30 a.m. July 17. Responding officers found the suspect, Munevar Vargas, inside the store. At least one additional suspect fled on foot and
got away. So far, nothing has been found missing from the store. Vargas was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit larceny, wearing a mask to conceal his identity, and destruction of property. He was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who has relevant information is asked to contact Detective M. Kadric at 703-771-4500 or at mkadric@ leesburgva.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS (8477).
SAFETY BRIEFS continues on page 13
JULY 21, 2022
SAFETY Briefs continued from page 12
Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.
Police Investigate Fatal Leesburg Bypass Crash The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Saturday morning on the Rt.15 Bypass. According to the report, shortly before 3 a.m. July 16, town police dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle crash on the southbound lanes of the Leesburg Bypass in the area of Edwards Ferry Road involving a tractor trailer and an SUV. Arriving officers found the vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway near Tractor Supply. The driver of the SUV, George Mwesigwa, 18, of Leesburg, was transported to a local hospital where he died
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the tractor trailer, an adult male, was transported to a hospital for treatment for injuries described as minor. Mwesigwa was a 2022 graduate of Loudoun County High School. The crash is under investigation by the department’s Traffic Management Unit. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has additional information is asked to contact Officer M. Hackney at 571-9198375 or at mhackney@leesburgva.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-
PAGE 13
TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.
Chapman Appointed to State Criminal Justice Board Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week appointed Sheriff Mike Chapman to the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board. The board is the approving authority for the regulations the Department of Criminal Justice Services promulgates through the Administrative Process Act
and approves most of the grants the department awards to localities, state agencies, and nonprofits. The board includes representation from state and local Chapman government, the private security industry, the public-at-large, and the General Assembly. Chapman was one of five new members appointed to the panel. n
Everett continued from page 12 Everett pleaded guilty to the reduced charge, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 12 months in jail. His attorney, Kaveh Noorsishad, sought to delay sentencing until March 2023—after the Commanders’ season ends. Welch noted in General District Court sentencings typically occur immediately after a plea is entered, and questioned the merits of an eight-month delay. Noorsishad noted that several witnesses he plans to call for the hearing are part of the football team, which begins training camp next week, and that more time was needed to work out the terms of probation, which are expected to include provisions of community service and requirements to support a foundation established in Peters’ memory. Welch denied that request, noting that in other cases witnesses are required to take off from work when they are subpoenaed to appear. She said it was important to treat everyone equally, no matter their profession. The sentencing hearing was set for Sept. 8, three days before the Commanders’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. n
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JULY 21, 2022
Nonprofit
Claude Moore Foundation Announces $1.8M in Loudoun Grants
Hanley to Lead A Place to Be
LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Judy Hanley has been named the Executive Director of A Place To Be, the nonprofit announced. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started as Interim Executive Director of A Place To Be four months ago. To my delight, what I found was like-hearted people who all have a deep passion for helping people,” Hanley said. “I have learned so much about music therapy and witnessed its miraculous impact on the people we serve. The numerous examples of APTB services saving lives and increasing the quality of others’ lives is incredibly inspiring. I am so thankful that they chose me for the permanent Executive Director position.” Hanley was the longtime CEO of the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, where she worked for more than 14 years. She established LAWS’s Child Advocacy Center in 2007, working as its first direc-
Loudoun Now file photo
Judy Hanley, the longtime leader of the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, has been named Executive Director of A Place to Be.
tor. She stepped away in January. Middleburg-based A Place to Be offers music therapy and performance-based therapy, with programs like a music therapy program at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Community Music Therapy Integration bringing brings adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities together with music therapists, and both private sessions and therapeutic social groups at their facility in Middleburg. The nonprofit
this year celebrates its 12th anniversary. “Judy has arrived perfectly at a pivotal point in our organization’s maturation. She brings with her wisdom, grit, extreme leadership skills and kindness. She is the right leader for us and I look forward to growing alongside her,” Creative Director and Co-Founder Tom Sweitzer said. “Judy is inviting, invigorating, and HANLEY continues on page 15
Rotary Club of Leesburg Makes 2 $10K Donations
The trustees of The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation this week approved $1.8 million in grant awards for Loudoun-based charities in 2022. Since the foundation was created by Sterling resident Dr. Claude Moore in 1987, it has provided more than $90 million to support charitable causes, including $28.4 million in Loudoun County. “Dr. Moore spent most of his adult life in Loudoun County and was defined by his belief that education is the key, and that everyone deserved the opportunity to get a quality education,” said the Foundation’s Senior Deputy Executive Director Dr. William A. Hazel Jr. “The Trustees strive to fulfill his wishes by concentrating a large portion of the grant budget on educational organizations in and around the place he called his home.” n
Loudoun-based programs receiving grants from the foundation this year are: • • • •
LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
The Rotary Club of Leesburg recently donated $10,000 each to two local nonprofits selected as the beneficiaries of the club’s annual Sticky Wicket Croquet Tournament. The grants were presented by outgoing Club President Bruce Roberts to representatives of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and its Loudoun County Chapter “Roots Grow Wings” and The Ryan Bartel Foundation, a youth suicide prevention organization. Imagination Library is a book gifting program that provides free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Parton started the program in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts
• • • • • • • • • • • Contributed
Rotary Club of Leesburg President Bruce Roberts presents a $10,000 donation to Roots Grow Wings founders Carrie Henze, Kristen O’Rourke and Sue Lyons.
over 1 million books each month to children around the world. The project was brought to life by a group of Loudoun teachers and moms in
partnership with the Rotary Club of Leesburg in 2020 and identified as one of the ROTARY continues on page 15
• • • •
All Ages Read Together A Place to Be Arc of Loudoun Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier County ECHO INMED Partnerships for Children Legacy Farms Virginia Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter Loudoun Education Foundation Loudoun Free Clinic Loudoun Laurels Foundation Loudoun Literacy Council Loudoun Youth Northern Virginia Dental Northern Virginia Family Service Boy Scouts of America Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum St. Paul VI Catholic School
JULY 21, 2022
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Obituaries
Hanley continued from page 14 a passionate leader. As A Place To Be emerges from the pandemic and expands our reach, poised to serve even more families in the community, we are excited to have her lead our team as she embodies our values of wholeheartedness, being of service, and inspiring a community of belonging,” Community Director and Co-Founder Kim Tapper said. “We feel fortunate to have her experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to take the organization to the next level. We look forward to her leadership that will build upon A Place To Be’s continued contribution to the community,” A Place To Be Board President Drew Kilbourne said. n
Rotary continued from page 14 organizations the club’s foundation would support through fund-raising efforts. The club helped “Roots Grow Wings” apply for and receive charitable tax-exempt status. Currently, the organization is distributing books in Middleburg and Purcellville to more than 200 children every month and looking to expand into other Loudoun communities. The Ryan Bartel Foundation began in 2014 by Bernie and Suzie Bartel following the death of their 17-year-old son, Ryan. Its mission is to prevent youth suicide through awareness, upstream educational programs, and activities that support and empower youth families and the community at-large through acceptance, connection, resiliency and hope. The foundation’s objectives are to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide through communication and positive outreach in their communities; to create a culture where everyone matters; to facilitate connections among youth with trusted adults; to empower youth to seek help for themselves and help others; to provide evidence-based programs to build resiliency for coping with life’s challenges and to support youth-inspired activities to foster self-purpose, belonging and hope. The Rotary Club of Leesburg has more than 60 members and this year is celebrating the 95th anniversary of receiving its Charter from Rotary International. n
a reception to follow at the Loudoun Elks Lodge. Interment services will be held privately at Columbia Gardens in Arlington, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation or the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please share condolences with the family www. LoudounFuneralChap
Irvin Lee Chilcoat “Irvin Lee Chilcoat, of the Villages, FL, formerly of Sterling, VA, passed away on July 9th at 82 years old. Irvin was born in Washington, D.C. on December 24, 1939. He was the son of the late Irvin Lee Chilcoat and Martha C. Harding Chilcoat. Irv was raised in Newport News, Virginia along with his two sisters. Irv’s dedication to service started in the Virginia Army National Guard where he served from 1957 to 1965. Irv’s fire service began with the Arlington County Fire Department (IAFF L2800) and later joined Roanoke County Fire and Rescue, served as Lieutenant/Training Officer for Manassas Park Fire Department, and then was hired by the Sterling Volunteer Company and subsequently became a Lieutenant with Loudoun County Virginia Fire & Rescue where after 31 years of service to his community he retired in 1992. In retirement, Irv worked for Loudoun County Public Schools at the Monroe Technical High School Campus working with the Firefighter Training Program. Irv was a Charter Member of IAFF Local 3756 and in 1988 Irv received the Silver Medal of Valor and was later inducted into the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Hall of Fame. He leaves his family to cherish his memory, including his beloved wife Sandra Dye Chilcoat; daughter, Cynthia Chilcoat; sons, Timothy Register, Matthew Dye, and Tyler Dye; grandchildren, Tabatha Miller, Monica Fox, Erin Tierney; great-grandchildren Noah Dye, Sofia Dye, Hudson Dye, Beckham Dye, Sloane Dye, and Emma Cummings; sisters, Marcia Herrmann and Katherine Sommese. Predeceased in death are his son Bruce Register, daughter Helen Jean Conyers and granddaughter Amanda Conyers Moegenberg. Memorial services to celebrate Irvin’s life will be held at 10AM on Saturday July 30, 2022 at the Sterling United Methodist Church with
H. Ralph Fields Jr. Ralph Fields, the man, the myth, the legend, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 16th, 2022. He was born September 26th, 1941, to Horace Ralph Fields, Sr., and Lucille Kent Fields at Loudoun Memorial Hospital in Leesburg, VA. A lifelong Purcellville resident, Ralph Fields was raised on his family’s dairy farm (Center Field Farm) in Purcellville, VA. Ralph attended the old Purcellville Elementary School and was a 1960 graduate of Loudoun County High School. As Drum Major, he led the LCHS Marching Band to two consecutive years of top awards at the Winchester Apple Blossom Festival. He was also involved with FFA and 4-H. He showed Registered Holsteins, some of which attained All-American recognition. As a teen, he was nominated as National Holstein Boy which earned him a trip to Madison, Wisconsin. Ralph was engaged in agriculture most of his life, including dairy, beef, and crop farming. In addition to farming, he had other business ventures. In the early 1970s, he owned and operated the Arco service station at the Route 7/ North Maple Avenue intersection in Purcellville. He owned the Round Hill Diner for over 10 years before selling the business in the late 1980s. Ralph’s passion for life was only exceeded by his love for his children and grandchildren. A friend to many, and an enemy to
none, Ralph’s departure leaves a massive void in our lives, and he will be greatly missed. “They don’t make them like that anymore”. Ralph is survived by his children; Trevor & Jessy of Purcellville, Tonya & Ashley of Lovettsville, Troy & Michelle of Leesburg, Trey and Mery of Florida, and step-children; Stephani & Rocco of Washington D.C., Patrick of Waterford, VA; grandchildren; Rachel, Lincoln, Weston, Boyd, Rya, Aja, Ayden, Ava, Olivia, Sabrina, Kylie & Taylor, greatgrandchildren; Harper & Ronin. A viewing will be on held Friday, July 22nd from 4-7pm at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, Va. The family would also like for you to join them from 4-8pm on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022, for a Celebration of Life at the Family Farm (Center Field Farm), 16980 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville, Va. Per Ralph’s wishes please dress casual. The family will be having a private burial service at the Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Va. In lieu of flowers please donate to Purcellville Police & Fire Station in his name.
Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to. LoudounNow To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email sstyer@loudounnow.com
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JULY 21, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Business
Rumford Joins Optimum Technologies
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Stephanie Johnson, general manager at Echelon, examines a bottle of wine in the wine cellar.
6 Loudoun Restaurants Earn Wine Spectator Excellence Awards
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
The 2022 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners have been announced and six are right here in Loudoun County. Two Loudoun County restaurants were awarded the Best of Award of Excellence: Pazzo Pomodoro in Ashburn and The Conservatory of Goodstone at the Goodstone Inn near Middleburg. Both are repeat winners. The Conservatory of Goodstone offers wines from California, Burgundy, France, Italy, Virginia, and Spain, and was first awarded in 2016. Pazzo Pomodoro, which features wines from Italy, France, California, and Oregon, first earned the honor in 2020. Additionally, four Loudoun restaurants were awarded the Award of Excellence, including two first-time winners and two
“As a wine bar we are different than other restaurants. We want people to explore.” — Aimee Henkle Owner and wine director, Echelon stalwarts of Loudoun’s dining scene. New to the list are Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg, which serves wines from France, Virginia, California, and Oregon; and Harriman’s Piedmont Grill at Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg,
which features wines from California and France. Aimee Henkle, owner and wine director at Echelon, said winning the award really validates Echelon’s place as a wine bar and what they are trying to do. “As a wine bar we are different than other restaurants. We want people to explore. So we are looking for breadth from wines from all over the world. What’s unique about us is we have all the usual suspects, but we also offer fun and unique wines from places you would never think about like Slovenia, Tasmania, South Africa, Lebanon and Patagonia,” Henkle said. She said the next award on their list is the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, which she said will be their goal next year. WINE AWARDS continues on page 17
Timothy E. Rumford is the new vice president of operations at Leesburg-based space enterprise consortium Optimum Rumford Technologies. Rumford will report to the company principal founders Jeffrey Gick and John Hildebrand and will manage day-to-day operations as well as help guide the company’s strategy and future growth. Rumford recently retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he served as director of the National Security Space’s Space Vehicles Operating Unit. His focus has been productizing space vehicles to enable low-cost, rapid and reliable access to space. He has managed the ESPAStar Space Vehicle Product Line since its inception in 2015. He has more than 30 years of engineering, program management and business experience in large aerospace programs. He previously was program director on Orbital Schience’s Stratolaunch air launch system, program manager on the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle Launch Abort System Program, program manager for the NASA Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology spacecraft and chief engineer on the Pegasus Launch Vehicle Program. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in systems engineering and engineering management from George Washington University. OpTech was founded in 2015 and is a space enterprise consortium offering multi-discipline aerospace engineering and program management services. OpTech recently opened a spacecraft hardware integration facility in Sterling. Learn more at optechspace.com. n
JULY 21, 2022
Wine awards continued from page 16 “We’ve been focusing on breadth versus depth but to get to that next level of award we need more depth. We need more vintages of the same wine to move to that level. That is our goal moving forward,” said Henkle. Longtime award recipients Tuscarora Mill in Leesburg and the Red Fox inn in Middleburg were recognized for their collections of wines from California, Virginia and France. According to Wine Spectator, nearly 3,200 restaurants around the world earned honors for their ambitious wine programs this year, after two challenging years where customers took a hiatus from dining out. Winners this year come from all 50 states as well as 70 countries and territories. There are three categories for the award: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. According to Wine Spectator, The Award of Excellence is given to restaurants with wine lists that include both quality and diverse selections that are
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compatible with the menu’s style and pricing. Typically, these restaurants offer about 100 selections but can be higher. This year 1,782 restaurants earned an Award of Excellence. This year, 1,290 restaurants achieved the Best of Award of Excellence. This award is given to restaurants who go the extra mile. Often, they have 350 or more well-chosen selections and often include a large selection of wines from top producers from a large variety of regions and vintage depth. Often to win this award the restaurant takes it a step further by training its staff on its wine offerings to help guests with their selection as well as educate diners through curated wine dinners. The Grand Award is the most prestigious award and is given to the world’s elite wine programs. Restaurants must show dedication and passion to building and growing a unique wine list each year. The wine list usually has 1,000 or more selections, provides diners with a depth of vintages from some of the world’s most highly regarded producers. Candidates are required to go through a rigorous inspection by one of Wine Spectator‘s judges. n
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JULY 21, 2022
Towns
AROUND towns
Lovettsville Violated FOIA in Facebook Posting Case, Judge Rules BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Town of Lovettsville violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in failing to comply with a document request seeking material related to a councilmember’s post in a closed Facebook group, a Loudoun County judge has ruled. In an order issued Friday, one week after a three-hour trial, District Court Judge Matthew P. Snow issued a $500 civil penalty to the town clerk and awarded $89.44 in court cost and legal fees totaling $7,000 to the plaintiff, Caitlin Keefe. The case stems from the town’s actions starting in August 2011. Keefe made a series of documents requests under VFOIA, several of which were answered promptly and without charges to her. At least one request was complex or unclear. After exchanges with the town clerk and the interim town manager it was narrowed to request a copy of a posting about a survey for the town’s Okoberfest event that Councilwoman Renee Edmonston had
made in the private, invitation-only Facebook group, Lovettsville 20180, and for the comments made to that post. That request became formal on Aug. 30, 2021. The next day, Town Clerk Candi Choi requested a deposit to cover the estimated $115 cost of processing the request. Keefe responded that Virginia’s FOIA does not authorize advance payment demands for responses costing less than $200. Keefe indicated she planned to forward the issue to the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council, a state agency established to answer questions from private citizens, state and local public officials, and the media about access to public records and meetings. Although the council’s role is to resolve disputes by clarifying what the law requires, Choi, after consulting with then-Interim Town Manager Sam Finz, responded to Keefe that the town viewed her action as a “threat” and would no longer address her FOIA requests. During the trial, Finz, who last year retired from a three-decade career in municipal government that included 16 years of
leading or consulting with Lovettsville’s town staff, testified that he had no formal FOIA training. Choi had been in her position for just over one year and testified that it was the second FOIA request she had been asked to handle. She had taken an online VFOIA training course. In his ruling, Snow confirmed that Edmonston’s social media posting was a public record. “While the testimony of Choi was that the ‘Town’ did not create, control or have access to Edmonston’s relevant social media post, there was no dispute at trial that the subject matter of the post was relevant to public business and prepared by Edmonston in her role and capacity as a town council member,” Snow wrote. “While the actions of elected officials, such as posting on social media on matters of public concern, can create a unique retention and production challenge for public bodies and VFOIA compliance, FOIA VIOLATION continues on page 23
Salamander Begins Resort Home Construction BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Shelia Johnson’s 15-year vision of transforming 340 acres on the northern edge of Middleburg into a top hospitality destination entered a new phase Tuesday with the celebratory groundbreaking for the Residences at Salamander. The project, under development by South Street Partners, will add 49 luxury homes to the town, allowing families to join in the experience already enjoyed by visitors to the resort. “My vision, I can’t say enough about it, is finally coming to fruition. It was not just to build the resort to become an economic engine for the Town of Middleburg, but also to expand our lifestyle brand of Salamander,” Johnson said. “This is the perfect setting. We have everything here. We’ve got the most
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Salamander Resort founder Shelia Johnson speaks during the July 19 groundbreaking ceremony for the new residential community under construction on the 340-acre property.
wonderful town in walking distance. We’ve got restaurants in the town. We’ve got retail. And then you come back up here. We’ve got great restaurants up here and we have every activity in the world.
I think once this residential is completed we’ll have our new owners coming up here and really enjoying what we have to offer,” she said. Salamander Hotels & Resort President Prem Devadas said the focus with this project will be on families. “We are creating a Salamander vacation rental experience that will allow our guest to experience the resort in different ways. It will be the same five-star expectation, the same five-star experience but more geared toward families. I think that is something that is going to be great not just for the resort, but also for the town,” he said. Construction already is underway, both on the neighborhood’s new streets and infrastructure and the first homes. South Street Partner Chris Randolph said five homes have been sold with another four awaiting closing. Buildout is expected to take two to three years to complete. n
LOVETTSVILLE Arvik, Nesbitt Join LVFRD The Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company welcomed two new members at its July meeting. Anders Arvik, a second-year premed student at Virginia Tech, joined as an emergency medical technician. Phil Nesbitt, a retired newspaper editor and defense contractor, will work with the publicity team and write grant requests for the unit. Membership chair Aldona Petraitis said the unit is always looking for area residents to help the company’s support of the community. Learn more at lvfr.org.
PURCELLVILLE Vice Mayor’s Term Extended Typically, during its first meeting in July, the Town Council votes to elect a member to serve as vice mayor for the following 12 months. It’s the annual organizational meeting that used to follow the seating of newly elected or reelected council members following the biannual May elections. But starting this year, the town elections will be held in November, with new officers taking their seats in January. So last week, instead of voting on who should serve as vice mayor, the council agreed simply to extend Chris Bertaut’s service in that post for an additional six months and to allow the new council to make its selection for vice mayor in January.
Council Calls Meetings on Field Farm Plans The Town Council has scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, July 27 to receive resident’s questions and feedback regarding the Loudoun County Fields Farm Recreational Facility and Commuter Lot project. The session also will include an update on safety concerns—and proposed solutions—along Mayfair Crown Drive that exist independent of the county government’s plans in the area. Those include relocating of the school bus stop from Purcellville Road to Dunraven, installing crosswalks, redesigning on-street parking, and other traffic calming measures. AROUND TOWNS continues on page 19
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It’s Ships Ahoy! at the Cardboard Regatta BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Boats of all shapes and sizes showed up at the Lovettsville Community Pool on Friday evening for the Cardboard Regatta. Racers made boats out of cardboard and tape then raced to see who could make it to the other side of the pool the fastest without sinking. During the July 15 event, there were five
heats of races—a few featuring some spectacular sinkings. Among this year’s entries were a Lego-themed boat, a rainbow unicorn boat, a Hawaiian-themed boat, a Rock ‘it’ ship, and a tribute to John F. Kennedy’s World War II boat PT 109, among others. This year’s top three vessels were Rock ‘it’ ship making it across the pool in 30 seconds, Speedy Sprinter at 37 seconds, and PT 109 finishing at 1:05. n
AROUND towns
®
continued from page 18
A separate public information meeting with county representations to discuss the Fields Farm projects is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7. Questions received by residents in writing or verbally in person collected and sent to the county for response. Both meetings are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. They are being held prior to the public hearings for rezoning and special use approval, which will be conducted by the Planning Commission and Town Council.
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Council Tweaks Planning Session Expectations Mayor Kwasi Fraser’s vision for a twoday strategic planning session this fall was pared down a bit during last week’s council meeting. Fraser said the need for the planning retreat was overdue, but some council members questioned whether it would be more efficient to wait until January, when a newly elected council member—and a new mayor—will be seated and may want to pursue different priorities. And, with estimates that it could cost $10,000 for the program with a hired facilitator, costs became a concern as well. After a round of debate, the council agreed to move forward with a narrower focus. The top item is expected to be a report by municipal management consultant John Anzivino on his review of the town’s government operations and staffing. The council also plans to discuss how to expend its remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds and how best to position the town to land federal infrastructure money. Revisions to the council’s strategic plan also could be discussed if time allows. And to save money, the session will not have an outside facilitator, and, at the suggestion of Councilman Tip Stinnette, members should pack their own lunches. n
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JULY 21, 2022
Loco Living
THINGS to do
‘Giving the World to Someone’ Franklin Park Pays Tribute to O’Keeffe with New Exhibit and Play BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
For more than a century, Georgia O’Keeffe has been one of the most fascinating figures in American art. This summer, Franklin Park Arts Center pays homage to the iconic 20th century artist, known as “the mother of modern art,” with a month-long exhibit and a one-person show based on O’Keeffe’s life by Virginia actor and playwright Lucinda McDermott. As the arts center returns to a robust visual and performing arts schedule after COVID restrictions lifted, celebrating O’Keeffe was a natural and joyful fit, said arts center manager Elizabeth Bracey. “We have been trying to have some broad themes that really would challenge but also resonate with artists. We had the idea of doing an exhibit based on a famous artist’s work, and O’Keeffe seemed like a great one,” Bracey said. Bracey knew that O’Keeffe’s vibrant landscapes and surreal paintings of animal skulls and flowers would inspire local artists. And she was right: with 57 pieces, “Inspired By O’Keeffe” is one of the biggest shows Franklin Park has ever hosted. Contributing to the Franklin Park show was a natural fit for western Loudounbased botanical artist Karen Coleman. “This quote from Georgia O’Keeffe has been an inspiration to me since I began creating botanical art many years ago: ‘When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment. I want to give that world to someone,’” Colman said. “Although I may not zoom in on my subjects as closely as O’Keeffe, I feel we share the same desire to really examine a specimen and share that world with someone. My hope is that I will convey to the viewer a sense of wonder of my subject, as well as a deep respect for the natural world and a desire to protect what we have left.” The exhibit features both emerging and established Loudoun artists, including new work from Leesburg-based painter Anne Marshall Block, who visited Northern New Mexico in April, capturing the big horn rams and desert mountains that O’Keeffe painted. Plans for the visual art show were already underway when Bracey saw a list-
Photo by Diana Elizabeth
Lucinda McDermott performs her one-woman show “O’Keeffe” on Sunday at the Franklin Park Arts Center.
ing for McDermott’s solo actor show on the Virginia Commission for the Arts touring roster. Bracey snagged a performance date timed with the exhibit: McDermott’s Loudoun performance is scheduled for Sunday, July 24. “I thought this was really a great opportunity for us to carry the theme between visual and the performing arts. It’s one of the great things about being a performing arts center,” Bracey said. “Any time that we can cross over a theme, we love to do that.” McDermott’s solo actor show delves into O’Keeffe’s artistic identity and her relationship with her domineering husband, the noted photographer Alfred Stieglitz. As O’Keeffe, McDermott takes the audience back to 1915 when the painter, then 28, tore up her previous work and embraced a new and unique style. The play also explores her tumultuous marriage to Stieglitz, examining his role in her artistic success and O’Keeffe’s reaction to Stieglitz’s extramarital affair. “She’s trying to nail down her own process. She’s moving from student to painter. … As she’s asking these questions, she moves back in time to when she first started questioning–what it was that
she was trying to say and trying to separate herself from copying the masters,” McDermott said. McDermott, who lives in Radford, grew up in Rockbridge County and was introduced to O’Keeffe’s work by her artist father and a life-changing high school art teacher as a teenager in Lexington. The acclaimed 1977 documentary about O’Keeffe’s life, featuring a series of interviews with the artist, also had a profound impact on McDermott as a young artist and actor. “As a young woman, her paintings just really resonated with me. I couldn’t really intellectualize it then and still don’t. It’s just a real connection,” McDermott said. “Her story was very compelling.” McDermott earned a master’s degree in playwriting from the University of Virginia after studying acting at Virginia Commonwealth University. She started writing “O’Keeffe!” in the 1980s while studying acting in New York with the award-winning actor Michael Moriarty. Crafting the play meant conducting extensive pre-internet era research including interviews and reading O’Keeffe’s letters. For McDermott, writing the one-person play tapped into her talent for creative nonfiction. “I’m able to take different sources and find the connective tissue,” McDermott said. McDermott debuted the play off-Broadway in 1992 and has refined and updated it over the years, working to condense and dramatize O’Keeffe’s fascinating 98-year life as she takes her play around the country to universities, theaters, and arts centers. “There’s a lot of weeding through. … That’s what we do as playwrights: where is the dramatic tension? What are the questions being asked? In a life that’s 98 years, there’s a lot you could include but you can’t,” McDermott said. For Bracey, introducing a new performer to Loudoun fits in with the ways she’s rethinking how FPAC crafts its schedule with the understanding that each new piece may be the one that draws theater lovers back to the space for the first time since early 2020. “It used to be that we had a routine O'KEEFE continues on page 22
SUMMER TUNES Music in the Gap: The Jon Spear Band
Friday, July 22, 6 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Details: oldstoneschool.org The Jon Spear Band returns to the Old Stone School with red hot arrangements of blues standards. Admission is free.
Tarara Summer Concert Series: Delta Spur
Saturday, July 23, 6-9:30 p.m. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts Details: tararaconcerts.com Delta Spur serves up contemporary country hits from Zac Brown, Keith Urban and other top acts. Tickets are $20.
VAL Plaza Party: Frayed Knots
Saturday, July 23, 6-9 p.m. Village At Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com Local favorites The Frayed Knots shake things up with their uniquely interpreted and arranged rock repertoire and some new tunes.
Acoustic on the Green: Jefferson Street Strutters
Saturday, July 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Green, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: leesburgva.gov The Jefferson Street Strutters take the AOG stage with their signature repertoire of Dixieland, early jazz, ragtime and American popular songs from the 1900s through the early 1940s. Admission is free.
LOCO LIVE Notaviva Bluegrass Jam
Friday, July 22, 5 p.m. Notaviva Craft Fermentations, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro Details: notavivavineyards.com Enjoy the best in local live bluegrass every fourth Friday. Admission is free.
Live Music: Shade Tree Collective
Friday, July 22, 5 p.m. Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com Celebrate Friday with traditional bluegrass from a Maryland-based five-piece ensemble.
Live Music: Summer and Eric
Friday, July 22, 5 p.m. Forever Farm & Vineyard, 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville Details: foreverfarmandvineyard.com This DMV duo plays a fun, eclectic and unexpected mix of music from the past and present, as well as original tunes.
Live Music: Shane and Jackson
Friday, July 22, 5:30 p.m. Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com This duo features Berklee College of Music students Shane Brady and Jackson Ledbetter of Mercury Avenue.
THINGS TO DO continues on page 21
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
JULY 21, 2022
THINGS to do continued from page 20
Live Music: Freddie Long
Friday, July 22, 5:30 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Long is part introspective singer/songwriter, part bluesy classic rocker for a perfect winery evening vibe.
Live Music: Scenic Roots
Friday, July 22, 6-10 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Kick off the weekend with a fun mix of folk, rock and reggae at Mac’s Beach.
Live Music: Jonathan Sloane Trio
Friday, July 22, 7 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Jonathan Sloane is a multi-talented musician, instructor, guitarist and lyricist based in Rockville, Maryland. His work is deeply rooted in the blues with R&B, rock, funk and soul influences. Admission is free.
Live Music: Nathaniel Davis
Friday, July 22, 7-10 p.m. Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com With his top-notch vocal and guitar work and inventive approaches to both classic and popular music, Davis is a Loudoun favorite.
Live Music: Kelly Bell Band
Friday, July 22, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Kelly Bell is back in Leesburg with award-winning blues with elements of hip hop and funk. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $40 for VIP seats.
Live Music: Juliet Lloyd
Saturday, July 23, 5 p.m. Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com Singer/songwriter/pianist Juliet Lloyd returns to Lost Barrel with signature pop, rock and classic soul favorites.
Live Music: Lost Corner Vagabonds
Saturday, July 23, 5:30 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Whether it’s rock, country, R&B or a heartfelt ballad, The Lost Corner Vagabonds dig deep to reach those places that feel like home.
Live Music: Just South of 7
Saturday, July 23, 6 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Kick back with five decades of rock from some of Loudoun’s best musicians.
Live Music: Collective Delusion
Saturday, July 23, 6-10 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Collective Delusion plays an eclectic mix of rock music from the 70s to today.
Live Music: Melissa Quinn Fox Band
Saturday, July 23, 7 p.m. 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: 868estatevineyards.com Wammie-winner Melissa Quinn Fox returns to 868 with her signature high-energy blend of rock and country.
Live Music: Yarn
Saturday, July 23, 7 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com The Brooklyn/Raleigh-based band of storytellers spins their Americana yarns at B Chord. Tickets are $20.
Live Music: Trial By Fire Journey Tribute
Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Trial By Fire returns to the Tally Ho with Journey favorites like “Wheel in the Sky” and “Don’t Stop Believin.” Tickets are $15 for general admission, $35 for VIP seats.
Live Music: Tim Marcum
Sunday, July 24, 2 p.m. Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Enjoy great country tunes from a LoCo cowboy.
Live Music: Chris Timbers Band
Sunday, July 24, 5-8 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Wrap up the weekend with alternative soul tunes from a local favorite.
LIBATIONS Fire and Ice Culinary and Wine Experience
Saturday, July 23, 7-9 p.m. Lost Creek Winery, 43285 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg Details: lostcreekwinery.com Experience gourmet food and wine pairings from executive chef Christian Evans and winemaker Todd Henkle. Tickets are $125.
LOCO CULTURE Sterling Streets Car Show
Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Park View High School, 400 W Laurel Ave., Sterling Details: facebook.com/sterlingfoundationcarshow The Sterling Foundation hosts a family-oriented community car show featuring food trucks, door prizes and a DJ. Entry is $10 for vehicles and free for spectators.
Polo in the Park
Saturday, July 23, 6-10 p.m. Morven Park, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg Details: morvenpark.org Morven Park’s summer polo season kicks off with fast-paced arena polo action and multiple tailgate and picnic options. General admission is $40 per car.
Music for Dessert: Hiroya Tsukamoto
Tuesday, July 26, 7-8 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Tsukamoto is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. His music fuses traditional Japanese folk tunes with his own modern compositions. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for students and $8 for live streaming.
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BEST BETS
O’Keefe continued from page 20 in terms of scheduling. It’s just different now. Every performer that comes in, every group that we work with, we’re sort of starting from scratch every time with building the audience,” Bracey said. “When people say, ‘I feel comfortable coming to Franklin Park Arts Center,’ I want to make sure they have a really meaningful experience. … There’s a real sense of responsibility that maybe we took for granted before of making sure that the experience people will have is meaningful to them and positive and uplifting and all of those things.” n
THE JON SPEAR BAND Friday, July 22, 6-9 p.m. Hillsboro’s Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org
Franklin Park Arts Center presents Lucinda McDermott’s “O’Keeffe!” Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 online or at the door. The “Inspired By O’Keeffe” art show runs through Aug. 21 at the center’s gallery. Admission is free during regular hours. For tickets and information, go to franklinparkartscenter.org. For more information about Lucinda McDermott and “O’Keeffe!” go to lucindamcdermott.com.
KELLY BELL BAND Friday, July 22, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
DELTA SPUR Saturday, July 23, 6-9:30 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com
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CRYS MATTHEWS Friday, July 22, 7-9 p.m. Barns of Rose Hill barnsofrosehill.org
THE JEFFERSON STREET STRUTTERS Saturday, July 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Green loudounnow.com/aotg
POLO IN THE PARK Sat., July 23, 6-10 p.m. Morven Park Equestrian Center morvenpark.org
COLLECTIVE DELUSION Saturday, July 23, 6:30 p.m. MacDowell’s Beach macsbeach.com
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JULY 21, 2022
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FOIA violation continued from page 18
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
The carnival midway is a popular attraction at the Loudoun County Fair, which this year runs July 26-30.
County Fair Opens Tuesday The Loudoun County fair opens July 26 for a five-day run that will include carnival rides, concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby—and lots and lots of animals. Advance tickets are available online at tickets.loudouncountyfair.com. The cost is $15 per day or $40 for a weekly pass for patrons age 13 and up and $5/$15 for kids. Children under 5 are free. There also is a one-time $5 parking fee good for the whole week. The fair runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tues-
day and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The annual livestock auction will be held starting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 29 in the show barn. The Loudoun County Fairgrounds is located west of Leesburg at 17558 Dry Mill Road. Go to loudouncountyfair.com for the complete schedule and other fair information. n
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this Court finds that such writings are in fact covered by VFOIA,” he wrote. Snow found that the town’s demand for advance payment of $115 to complete the records request was “a clear violation of VFOIA.” The town’s subsequent refusal to complete the FOIA request because of the perceived “threat” was a second violation, because the town failed to cite an exception that would allow the withholding of the record. After the lawsuit was filed in November 2021, the town did provide copies of the posting and comments, however the town redacted the names and profile photos for the Facebook members posting comments. Virginia FOIA allows governments to withhold some identifying personal information of citizens in its records, however, Snow ruled that the town failed to cite an allowable exemption to justify its redactions, also in violation of VFOIA. Snow granted a writ of mandamus ordering the town to produce the full posting and comments “without redactions of any kind” within 45 days. He issued a $500 civil penalty, payable to the Virginia Literary Fund, against Choi in her official capacity. He noted it was the minimum penalty, as her actions indicated she sought to be responsive to Keefe’s request. “The Court finds that all of Choi’s actions were made in good faith. Unfortunately, Choi’s actions on behalf of the Town were clearly unlawful,” Snow wrote. “She simple made the wrong decisions, but made her decisions willfully and knowingly,” he wrote. Keefe’s lawsuit also sought an injunction to prohibit the town from refusing to process or respond to her records requests in the future. S now ruled that was unnecessary as such actions would violate VFOIA. Snow ordered the town to pay $7,000 in attorney’s fees to Keefe’s lawyer, Andrew T. Bodoh, a FOIA specialist with the firm of Thomas H. Roberts & Associates in Richmond, and to pay Keefe the $89.44 in court cost incurred to file the lawsuit. Bodoh said the case was one in which the town staff “clearly stepped out of line following the process.” He said it was unfortunate that conduct would be costly to the town, but noted that Keefe had offered a settlement last
“The Court finds that all of Choi’s actions were made in good faith. Unfortunately, Choi’s actions on behalf of the Town were clearly unlawful.” — District Court Judge Matthew P. Snow fall asking only that the staff provide the requested documents, admit the mistake, agree to undergo FOIA training and pay the $2,000 in attorney fees accrued at that time. In a statement issued by Town Manager Jason L. Cournoyer, the town characterized the error as a “technical violation” of the commonwealth’s open government law. “In August 2021, Caitlin Keefe, a resident of the Town of Lovettsville, submitted a number of Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests to the Town of Lovettsville (“the Town”). With regard to each request, the Town acted diligently and in good faith to respond. These efforts included offers to meet with or discuss the requests with Caitlin Keefe, with such efforts rejected by her. Due to a misunderstanding, the Town inadvertently committed a technical violation of FOIA in responding to one of Caitlin Keefe’s requests regarding posts to a social media page not owned, managed or controlled by the Town. Catlin Keefe decided to challenge that violation via litigation commencing in November 2021,” Cournoyer wrote. “On July 15, 2022, the Loudoun County General District Court issued a Memorandum Opinion finding that the Town, while acting with good faith intentions at all times, committed a technical violation of FOIA as it pertains to one of Caitlin Keefe’s many FOIA requests. The Town commits itself to processing all FOIA requests in compliance with the law and continued transparency to all of its residents,” the town manager stated. n
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JULY 21, 2022
Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Cataloger/Reference Librarian
Thomas Balch Library
$52,446-$95,178 DOQ
Open until filled
Executive Associate
Town Manager’s Office
$50,000-$88,071 DOQ
Open until filled
Library Genealogy Assoicate
Thomas Balch Library
$52,446-$95,178 DOQ
Open until filled
Management Analyst (Sustainability & Resilience)
Emergency Management
$67,175-$121,947 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$62,000-$94,966 DOQ
Open until filled
Project Manager
Utilities
$76,426-$138,530 DOQ
Open until filled
Stormwater and Environmental Manager
Public Works & Capital Projects
$82,999-$150,445 DOQ
Open until filled
Urban Forester/Landscape Management Specialist
Public Works & Capital Projects
$67,175-$121,947 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician
Utilities
$50,000-$95,178 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Systems Technician Trainee
Utilities
$50,000-$81,495 DOQ
Open until filled
DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011
Flexible Part-Time Position Position
Department Senior Engineer
Hourly Rate Plan Review
Closing Date
$55.00-$70.00 DOQ
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.
Open until filled
Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES • Assistant Service Manager / Service Writer • • Tractor and Equipment Repair Technician • At Western Loudoun’s largest equipment service organization. Experience required. Full benefits package with healthcare and 401k.
BROWNING EQUIPMENT, INC. Purcellville, VA 540-338-7123 sales@browningequipment.com
Summit currently accepting applications for the following Summit is currentlyis accepting applications for the following full-time position at our Leesburg location: full-time position at ourRepresentative Leesburg location: Customer Service
Customer Service Representative
Education Requirements: High School Diploma or GED. Prior banking or customer service experience preferred. CSR opens a wide variety of consumer and business Education Requirements: High School or GED. bank accounts, including loans and deposits. CSR assistDiploma clients in many aspects of their accounts including account preferred. CSR Prior banking or customer service experience reconciliations, and mobile andbank services, wire opens account a widemaintenance, variety of online consumer andproducts business transfers, debit card, check orders, and overdraft assistance.
accounts, including loans and deposits. CSR assist clients in Come join the Summit team! many aspects of their accounts including account For complete job description and to complete an application please reconciliations, account maintenance, online and mobile visit our website at: www.MySummit.bank productsSummit andisservices, wire transfers, debit card, check an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. orders, and overdraft assistance. Come join the Summit team!
For complete job description and to complete an application please visit our website at: www.MySummit.bank Summit is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
JULY 21, 2022
PAGE 25
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW FEATHERBED AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT The current period of the New Featherbed Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on November 3, 2022. The District has a four-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 40 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally on the south side, and south of Goose Creek, east of Wancopin Creek, west of Cobb House Road (Route 629) and Oatlands Road (Route 650), and north of John Mosby Highway (Route 50), in the Blue Ridge Election District. During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Featherbed Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review. Parcel Listings:
431264518000
Tax Map Number /88////////41A
Acres Enrolled 115.48
466393875000
/88/////////6/
Acres Enrolled 175.61
431479465000
/88//27/////1/
40
467282312000
/88/////////9/
2.64
466196389000
/88/////////7A
15.3
501301846000
/88//12/////2/
12.6
466353459000
/88//17////WL/
20.44
501304482000
/88//12/////3/
7.28
PIN
PIN
Tax Map Number
During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the Hillbrook Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review. Parcel Listings:
311353202000
Tax Map Number /47///3/////1/
Acres Enrolled 10
384375867000
/46/////////6/
Acres Enrolled 227.57
347278146000
/46/B/1/////5/
5.68
385184020000
/46//24/////7/
13.82
347279770000
/46/B/1/////6/
3
385205336000
/46////////50/
10
347281088000
/46/B/1/////7/
3
385493728000
/46////////19/
151.12
348261506000
/46/A/2/////3A
1.39
386186519000
/46///5/////1/
5
348265830000
/46/A/2/////4/
5
386207289000
/46///1/////1A
10 33.3
PIN
PIN
Tax Map Number
348397542000
/47/////////5A
3
387497678000
/46//16/////1/
348463955000
/46/////////8B
16.6
418197302000
/37/C/1/////3/
0.56
348483672000
/46/A/1/////B/
32.02
420106596000
/46////////21A
66.75
348494012000
/46////////14D
11.45
420177513000
/45////////65A
10.03
349207633000
/47////////10B
20
420264793000
/45////////87D
22.21
349251308000
/46////////50E
11.73
420284351000
/45////////88/
246.5
349253193000
/46//13/////2/
13.1
420407144000
/46/////////2A
64 10
349259862000
/46//13/////1/
5.85
421156494000
/45////////53A
The ADAC held a public meeting on May 16, 2022, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Featherbed Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 26, 2022. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.
350370285000
/46////////55A
7
421192134000
/45////////60A
6
383157096000
/46/////////1/
90.25
421203121000
/46////////24D
12.01
383262181000
/46/////////4C
3
421288243000
/45////////63/
103.25
383355024000
/37////////37/
150.29
421351997000
/45////////65B
15.01
383362307000
/46/////////4A
4.39
422303507000
/46////////36A
72.17
384354504000
/46/////////2/
26.3
422491222000
/45////////60/
114.71
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications 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 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (5-16-2022 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: https://www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
384355168000
/46/////////6A
5.26
454498344000
/36//29/////9/
9.33
REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE HILLBROOK AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT The current period of the Hillbrook Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on December 18, 2022. The District has a four-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of the Town of Hamilton, east of Taylor Road (Route 726) and generally west and north of Shelburne Glebe Road (Route 729), in the Catoctin Election District.
The ADAC held a public meeting on May 16, 2022, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the Hillbrook Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 26, 2022. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 26
JULY 21, 2022
Legal Notices In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications 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 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (5-16-2022 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: https://www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
ZOAM-2022-0002 & ZMAP-2022-0011 PROPOSED SOLAR PROJECT AT DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Zoning Ordinance Amendment & Zoning Map Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, 15.2-2286, and 15.2-2288.7(F), and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 17, 2022, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) in order to establish new regulations that allow “Utility generating plant and transmission facility, ground-mounted solar energy generation facility only” as a permitted use, subject to new “Use Limitations”, in the Planned Development-General Industry (PD-GI) zoning district. These amendments are being considered to permit Dominion Energy to establish a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The amendment proposes revisions to Article 4, Special & Overlay Districts, Section 4-600, PD-GI Planned Development-General Industry, Section 4-603, Permitted Uses, Section 4-607 Use Limitations, and such other Articles, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following: Amendments to Article 4, Special & Overlay Districts, Section 4-600, PD-GI Planned DevelopmentGeneral Industry, Section 4-603, Permitted Uses: · Add “Utility generating plant and transmission facility, ground-mounted solar energy generation facility only, pursuant to Section 4-607(L)” to the lists of permitted uses. Amendments to Article 4, Special & Overlay Districts, Section 4-600, PD-GI Planned DevelopmentGeneral Industry, Section 4-607, Use Limitations: · Add new use limitations in regard to size, visual impacts, location, access, buffering, decommission plan/ security, and unsafe or abandoned facilities for the “Utility generating plant and transmission facility, ground-mounted solar energy generation facility” use. In addition to the ZOAM, pursuant to the Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 17, 2022, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Map to rezone certain property on which IAD is located from the Residential Single Family (R-2) zoning district under the Zoning Ordinance to the PD-GI zoning district under the Zoning Ordinance in order to permit Dominion Energy to establish a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility on approximately 835 acres of land. The subject property is located within the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher, between the Ldn 60-Ldn 65 and outside of the Ldn 60 noise contours. The subject property is also located partially within the Route 28 Taxing District, the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD) and the Quarry Notification Overlay District. The subject property is approximately 7,507 acres in size and is located north of John Mosby Highway (Route 50) and west of Sully Road (Route 28) at 23546 Autopilot Drive, Sterling, Virginia in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 067-37-9924. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan which designate this area for airport related uses. The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community.
ZCPA-2021-0007 & SPEX-2021-0035 ASHBY PONDS
(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment & Special Exception) Erickson Senior Living, LLC of Baltimore, Maryland, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZCPA-2014-0004, Ashby Ponds, in order to increase the buildable square footage and amend the number of one and two bedroom independent living units with no resulting change in density; and 2) a Special Exception to amend the conditions of approval and special exception plat associated with SPEX-2005-0030, Erickson Retirement Communities, which currently govern the subject property, with a new special exception plat and conditions of approval in order to continue to allow congregate care facility, assisted living facility, and convalescent/ nursing facility Special Exception uses in the PD-AAAR (Planned Development – Active Adult/AgeRestricted) zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Section 4-1305 (A), (B), and (C). The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours and the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District) – major floodplain. The subject property contains areas of Very Steep Slope and Moderately Steep Slope according to the standards of Section 5-1508(C)(1). The subject property is approximately 123.03 acres in size and is located on the north side of Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) at 44755 Audubon Square, Ashburn, Virginia, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 060-49-8809. The area is governed by the policies of the
Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area) in the Suburban Compact Neighborhood Place Type which designate this area for a mix of Single and Multi-Family Residential, Active Adult Retirement Communities, and Retail & Service Commercial uses at recommended residential density of 8-24 dwelling units per acre and nonresidential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.
ZMAP-2021-0014 & SPEX-2021-0038 45865 MARIES ROAD REZONING (Zoning Map Amendment & Special Exception)
MECP 1 Ashburn 2, LLC of Broomfield, Colorado, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 10 acres from the A-3 (Agricultural – 3) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a data center; and 2) a Special Exception to permit an increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 0.6 to 1.0 for data center uses. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed modification of the FAR is listed as Special Exception under Section 4-506(C). The subject property is approximately 10 acres in size and is located on the south side of Maries Road (Route 638), west of Cascades Parkway (Route 637), and east of Atlantic Boulevard (Route 1902) at 45865 Maries Road, Sterling, Virginia, in the Sterling Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 030-29-2034. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which support a broad array of employment uses at a recommended FAR of up to 1.0.
CMPT-2021-0014 & SPEX-2021-0053 MILESTONE TOWERS MICKIE GORDON PARK (Commission Permit & Special Exception)
Leonard Forkas of Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV, of Reston, Virginia has submitted applications for the following: 1) Commission approval to permit a 150-foot-tall Telecommunications Monopole with a twofoot-tall lightning rod at the top of pole inside a 50 by 50 square-foot related equipment compound in the AR-2 (Agricultural Rural) zoning district; and 2) a Special Exception to permit a 150-foot-tall Telecommunications Monopole with a two-foot-tall lightning rod at the top of pole inside a related equipment compound in the AR-2 zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The proposed use requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101 and is listed as a Special Exception use in Table 2-202 of Section 2-202 and under Section 5-618(B)(2). The subject property is approximately 99.89 acres in size and is located on the north side of U.S. Route 50 and the west side of Carters Farm Lane (Route 627) at 23229 Carters Farm Lane, Middleburg, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 503-40-4063. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Rural Policy Area (Rural South Place Type)), which designate this area for Open Space, Passive Recreational, Agricultural, Agricultural supportive business, Equestrian facilities, and very low-density Residential uses at a recommended density of up to one dwelling unit per 40 acres or one dwelling unit per 15 acres equivalent for optional Residential clustering in large-lot subdivisions.
SPEX-2021-0033, SPEX-2021-0034, SPEX-2021-0037 & SPMI-2021-0006 BEACH COMMERCIAL (Special Exceptions & Minor Special Exception)
Denise Harrover of Stone Ridge East Commercial II, LLC, of Fairfax, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) a Special Exception to permit a convenience store use; 2) a Special Exception to permit a retail sales establishment use; and 3) a Special Exception and a fast-food restaurant without a drive-thru in the CLI (Commercial/Light Industry) zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Sections 3-904(C), 3-904(Q), and 3-904(P) respectively. The modification of the buffering and screening requirements applicable to the proposed Special Exception uses are authorized as part of an approval action of a Special Exception under Section 5-1403(C), pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B).
PROPOSED MODIFICATION Eliminate the required Type A buffer yard between a Commercial/Retail use and Vacant Land, Located in a Non-Residential Zoning District.
The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed convenience food store use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses (the Minor Special Exception application is not subject to consideration by the Planning Commission and requires approval only by the Board of Supervisors), pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §5-617(C), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Free Standing Convenience Food Stores.
PROPOSED MODIFICATION Reduce the frontage requirements for a convenience food store at an intersection from 200 feet to 140 feet along Meadows Farm Court.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
JULY 21, 2022
PAGE 27
Legal Notices The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 airport noise contour. The subject property is approximately 1.91 acres in size and is located north of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200), west of Meadows Farm Court, and south of U.S. Route 50 in Chantilly, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 205-40-9374. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)) which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at a floor to area ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0. Unless otherwise noted above, full and complete copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances and/or plans, and related documents may be examined in the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-7770220, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-7770246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and the Clerk’s records. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to
contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audio-visual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified. Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the Chairman. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. Please provide three days’ notice. BY ORDER OF:
FOREST HAYES, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 9.5 TEMPORARY USES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING TEMPORARY OUTDOOR DINING STANDARDS 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, JULY 26, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2021-0006 to revise the following article of the Zoning Ordinance:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Virginia Code § 8.01-316 Case No.:
LOUDOUN COUNTY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
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. 7/14 & 7/21/2022
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Virginia Code § 8.01-316 Case No.:
in re Kelvin Menjivar Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Rene Alavarenga Buezo, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Kelvin Menjivar. It is ORDERED that the defendant Rene
Alavarenga Buezo, putative father appear at
the above named Court and protect his or her interests on or before July 27, 2022 at 3:00 pm (Disposition).
LOUDOUN COUNTY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Zarabella Tucker; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Zarabella Tucker.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Jason Tucker, putative father, and Kelly Scott, mother, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before Adjudication hearing on July 21, 2022 at 10:00 am; and Dispositional hearing on August 17, 2022 at 3:00 pm. 7/7, 7/14, 7/21 & 7/28/22
7/7, 7/14, 7/21 & 7/28/22
Trust Local Expertise Shop LoCo
JJ046340-01-00
Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Jason Tucker & Kelly Scott
Commonwealth of Virginia,
Section 9.5.4.K to establish temporary outdoor dining as a use subject to certain specified standards. Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2774 and asking for Brian Boucher, Deputy Director. Mr. Boucher can also be reached by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2021-0006.
JJ045610-01-00
7/7, 7/147/7 & 7/21/22 & 7/14
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice. YR.
MAKE
MODEL
VIN
STORAGE
PHONE#
2008 2010
FORD VOLVO
ESCAPE XC60
1FMCU931X8KB59100 YV4960DL0A2101083
BLAIR’S ASHBURN
703-661-8200 703-585-8770 7/21 & 7/28/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 28
Legal Notices
Public Notice – Environmental Permit
Airports Authority to Host Public‑Hearings on Dulles Toll Road
Toll Rate Setting Process The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is conducting two public hearings, one virtual and one in-person, to inform the public and solicit comments about proposed amendments to regulations that (i) increase the toll rates for use of the Dulles Toll Road (DTR) effective
January 1, 2023 and (ii) authorize collection of administrative fees to recover costs incurred by the Airports Authority to invoice toll road customers who use the pay-by-plate (license plate imaging) toll payment option.
Virtual Public Hearing
In-Person Public Hearing Monday, July 18, 2022 6:30-8:30 p.m. Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, (Salons A, B, C) 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
A Spanish translator and sign language interpreter will be available for the in-person hearing. Requests for additional accommodations can be made by contacting by Airports Authority at services or (703) 253-5896 at least 72 hours in advance of the date of the hearing. Visit http://www.dullestollroad.com/toll/toll‑setting‑process for more information and to submit comments.
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Virginia Code § 8.01-316
APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Town of Hamilton; P.O. Box 130, Hamilton, VA 20159; VA0020974. FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION: Town of Hamilton Sewage Treatment Plant; 104 North Rogers Street, Hamilton, VA 20159. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Town of Hamilton has applied for reissuance of a permit for the public Town of Hamilton Sewage Treatment Plant. The applicant proposes to release treated sewage wastewaters from residential areas at a rate of 0.16 million gallons per day into a water body. Sludge from the treatment process will be transported the Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility (VA0091383) for further treatment and final disposal. The facility proposes to release the treated sewage in an unnamed tributary to South Fork Catoctin Creek in Loudoun County in the Potomac River watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The permit will limit the following pollutants to amounts that protect water quality: physical and chemical properties, nutrients, metals, organic matter, solids and bacteria. HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING: DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing on the draft permit by hand-delivery, email, fax or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ must receive hand-delivery and postal mail by close of business and email and fax comments by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requester, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit. CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Douglas Frasier; DEQ-Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193; Phone: 571-866-6522; Email: Douglas.Frasier@deq.virginia.gov; Fax: 804-698-4178. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above.
LOUDOUN COUNTY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
7/21 & 7/28/22
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Diana Gissel Medina Lainez, Gabrielle Medina Lainez, Adrienna Medina Lainez & Karen Elizabeth Medina Lainez Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Jose Medina, putative father
Shop LoCo
PERMIT NAME: Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit – Wastewater issued by DEQ, pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations.
JJ041604-05-00; JJ043080-03-00; JJ043081-03-00 JJ043082-03-00
Case No.:
Create Local Jobs
PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of treated wastewater into a waterbody in Loudoun County, Virginia. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: July 22, 2022 to August 22, 2022
Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 7:00-8:30 p.m. tps://us02web.zoom.us/j/86551161067?pwd=SDZXZHFZT1BMSmVTSHVJYTkrZk9hdz09 Passcode: 174277 To join the Zoom Meeting by telephone, dial 1 (301) 715-8592. The Webinar ID is 865 5116 1067 and the Passcode is 174277.
JULY 21, 2022
The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing in Child in Need of Services matters pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-228 and 16.1-241 for Diana Gissel Medina Lainez, Gabrielle Medina Lainez, Adrienna Medina Lainez & Karen Elizabeth Medina Lainez. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Medina, Putative Father appear at the above named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. 7/14, 7/21 & 7/28/22
LoudounNow.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
Willingness for Public Comment Proposed Limited Access Control Changes Crosstrail Boulevard Segment C The Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure is accepting comments regarding the proposed changes to limited access control necessitated by the county’s Crosstrail Boulevard Segment C Project. With this new extension of Crosstrail Boulevard from Sycolin Road to the Dulles Greenway, the existing Limited Access Control will be adjusted to close the opening across Shreve Mill Road north of the Dulles Greenway and establish new limited access along a portion of Crosstrail Boulevard. Upon completion of the project, Shreve Mill Road will no longer connect to the Dulles Greenway on the north side of the interchange, and a portion of Shreve Mill Road will be abandoned. Information related to the project and the limited access control changes are available for review at the Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, MSC #64, 101 Blue Seal Drive, Suite 102, PO Box 7500, Leesburg, VA, 20177, and online at https://www.loudoun.gov/crosstrailsegmentc. The Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure invites public comments related to the proposed limited access control changes. The comment period related to this public notice will remain open between July 14, 2022 and July 30, 2022. Comments must be received in writing at DTCI@loudoun.gov or by mail at the address listed above (ATTN: Yuliya Esmond) by July 30, 2022. Please reference “Crosstrail Boulevard Segment C” in the subject line. Loudoun County ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure at (703) 777-0396 or at DTCI@loudoun.gov. TDD/ TTY # (703) 777-0396 (TTY 711) Loudoun County Project: CRCP-2021-0002 7/14 & 7/21/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
JULY 21, 2022
PAGE 29
Legal Notices TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF LEESBURG
LVZA 2022-0001 AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 42, ZONING, DIVISION 42-I, IN GENERAL, ARTICLE 42-VIII, GENERAL REGULATIONS, AND ARTICLE 42-VIII-2, ADDITIONAL STANDARDS, TO ADD SECTION 42-305, SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES The LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The purpose of the amendment is to establish standards for the installation of small cell wireless communication equipment on buildings, utility poles, and other structures. "Small cell facility" as defined by § 15.2-2316.3 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, means a wireless facility consisting of a whip antenna, panel antenna, or dish antenna provided by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure that is located inside an enclosure, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. Section 15.2-2316.4 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended prohibits localities from requiring conditional use permits or variances for small cell wireless facilities. The proposed amendment would require zoning permit approval, add definitions, and apply size, height, and design standards. All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 7/21, 7/28
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 3 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES RELATING TO FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 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, JULY 26, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0004 revising the following Section of the Zoning Ordinance: 1. Sec. 3.3.6.J Fiscal Impact Analysis to specify how to submit a Fiscal Impact Analysis as part of an application for rezoning Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0004. 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.
NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISISON PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 9 USE REGULATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING HOMESTY USE STANDARDS Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2021-0012 to revise the following article of the Zoning Ordinance: Section 9.3.11.3 Homestay – amending various sections to revise the standards applicable to a homestay, or temporary short-term lodging, use in the Town of Leesburg. Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7920 and asking for Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator. Mr. Watkins can also be reached by email at mwatkins@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2021-0012. At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 7/21 & 7/28/2022
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISISON PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLES 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16 AND 18 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REGULATIONS Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0002 to revise the following articles of the Zoning Ordinance: Article 5 Residential Zoning Districts; Article 6 Nonresidential Districts; Article 7 Overlay and Special Purpose Districts; Article 8 Planned Development Districts; Article 9 Use Regulations; Article 10 Density/Intensity & Dimensional Standards; Article 11 Parking, Loading and Pedestrian Access; Article 12 Tree Preservation, Landscaping, Screening Open Space and Outdoor Lighting; Article 16 Nonconformities; and Article 18 Definitions – amending various sections, including but not limited to permissible zoning districts, use standards, and review procedures, for accessory dwelling units in the Town of Leesburg. Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7920 and asking for Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator. Mr. Watkins can also be reached by email at mwatkins@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0002. At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 7/21 & 7/28/22
7/14 & 7/21/2022
ABANDONED WATERCRAFT
LoudounNow.com
Notice is hereby given that the following watercraft has been abandoned for more than 60 days on the property of S. LANDAU, 43700 GREAT HARVEST CT, ASHBURN, VA 703-724-0220. Description: 13ft Boston Whaler, pre-1970, white, VA2204. Application for Watercraft Registration/Title will be made in accordance with Section 29.1-733.25 of the Code of Virginia if this watercraft is not claimed and removed within 30 days of first publication of this notice. Please contact the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources with questions. 7/14, 7/21, 7/28
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JULY 21, 2022
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL The Middleburg Town Council will hold a public hearing beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022 to hear public comments on the following: Zoning Text Amendment 22-01 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLES II, IX, X AND XI OF THE MIDDLEBURG ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS OF BUILDING LOT COVERAGE AND IMPERVIOUS LOT COVERAGE AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS THEREOF. The proposal is to define building lot coverage and impervious lot coverage, to regulate a maximum percent of impervious lot coverage in the R-2 District, and to regulate absolute maximum building lot coverage and impervious lot coverage, regardless of lot size, in the R-2 District. The hearing will take place at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. The proposed Zoning Text Amendment may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/313/PublicHearings or in the Town Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov
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, September 14, 2022, in order to consider:
AMENDMENTS TO THE ADMINSITRATIVE PLAN FOR LOUDOUN COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR Part 903, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice that it intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of considering and adopting amendments to the Administrative Plan for Loudoun County Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The Administrative Plan establishes policies for Loudoun County to implement the HCV Program in a manner consistent with HUD requirements, local goals, and objectives contained in the Administrative Plan.
7/14 & 7/21/22
A copy of the full text of the above-referenced Administrative Plan and the proposed amendments may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Department of Housing & Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 737-8213 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-2507, the Town of Purcellville, Virginia hereby gives notice of a public hearing, to be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 7:00PM regarding a proposed amendment to the FY2023 Operating Budget to appropriate and allocate the 2nd distribution of Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 in the amount of $5,279,922. This public hearing is required as the amendments exceed 1% of the Operating Budget. The funding is intended to provide government entities support to address the continued impacts of COVID-19.
Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40 and livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Public input may be provided by electronic means at Board public hearings. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, will be accommodated without advanced signup during the hearing, however, members of the public are strongly encouraged to sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on September 2, 2022, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on September 14, 2022. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing.
The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING PURCELLVILLE TOWN COUNCIL
During this public hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning the proposed amendment as well as the proposed use of the ARPA Funding received by the Town of Purcellville will be heard. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of the Purcellville Town Hall, located at 221 S. Nursery Ave. Citizens will also be able to participate in the public hearing via remote participation. Please check the Town's website for virtual meeting information. Questions about participating remotely can be sent to Diana Hays, Town Clerk at dhays@purcellvilleva.gov or 540-751-2334.
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:
Copies of documents related to the public hearing are available for inspection and copying at the Purcellville Town Hall during the hours of 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, holidays excepted or by appointment by contacting the Town Clerk via email or telephone. David A. Mekarski, AICP, Town Manager 7/14 & 7/21/22
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Virginia Code § 8.01-316, 317, 20-104
CJ22-17
LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Melanie Healey The object of this suit is to hear an appeal of Dispositional Order entered in the Loudoun County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Madison Bartlett. It is ORDERED Unknown Father appear at the above-named court and protect his or her interests on or before August 1 – 4 at 10:00 a.m. 6/30, 7/7, 7/14 & 7/21/22
R&D Cleaning Service, LLC ABC LICENSE
Russell Branch Gas Inc, trading as Russell Branch Sunoco, 115 Robinson Mill Plza NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a beer/wine off premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Eric Schmitz, President Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 7/14 & 7/21/22
7/21 & 7/28/22
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JULY 21, 2022
Opinion Keeping the Public’s Business Public The lessons from the recently adjudicated Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed against the Town of Lovettsville are not the errors made in processing the request for public records. The missteps that resulted in the violations, fines and penalties so clearly trespassed on the basic elements of the law that they would be difficult to repeat by anyone attempting to comply with its requirements. In essence, the case showed that an inexperienced but otherwise diligent town employee charged with fulfilling the FOIA request was poorly advised by superiors who should have served her—and the
community—better. Those clear violations aside, Judge Snow’s thoughtful analysis of the evidence in that case offers an important reminder to all our elected representatives about their conduct on social media sites, and particularly platforms shielded from view of the general public. Those interactions in secret, private or restricted online spaces still create public records when public business is being discussed. Last year, members of our School Board came under justified criticism for being members of another private, invitation-only Facebook group that was focused on public policies falling under their purview. While the level of their participation in that group’s activities remains unclear, the forum
provided the potential for exchanges that easily
could have qualified as a public meeting under the
commonwealth’s open government rules. Members of the public being held outside that forum should
not be left wondering what their representatives are
saying, or even what they are being told, on the other side of that cyber wall.
Most disturbing is that many of these elected
representatives campaigned on themes that
included promoting greater transparency and public involvement in their local government. That cannot be accomplished when constituents are being excluded from the conversation. n
LETTERS to the Editor Wrong Message Editor: I am disheartened by the Leesburg Town Council’s June 28 action against three members of the Commission on Public Art. These young men refused to be railroaded into a vote on the Loudoun Museum mural proposal without appropriate consideration and discussion of concerns regarding the mural’s historical accuracy and its artistic design. As a result, the Town Council fired them and immediately removed them from the commission. As a business and community leader, I know first-hand how difficult it is to encourage young people to serve on boards and public commissions. What kind of message are we sending to the next generation of would-be community leaders when they see that, if they speak up and voice an opinion that is different from that of the machine, they, in effect, can be and most likely will be dismissed?
That their voices don’t matter. That if you want to serve, either rubber- stamp what the majority wants, or risk a public shaming. Is that what we’ve become? Last July, nearly 60 elected officials fled from the state of Texas to Washington, DC, to deny the majority in the legislature a quorum. Their purpose: to stall the passage of a bill on voting rights that the Democrat legislators fundamentally disagreed with. My guess is that some of those on the Town Council may have applauded that action at the time. Certainly, a number of county supervisors did. Yet when Mr. McCullough and his colleagues performed a similar act, leaving a meeting in order to allow more time for discussion of a mural project that they fundamentally disagreed with, they are called-out and summarily dismissed from their posts. To me and many others in the community, their dismissal feels retaliatory. Partisan. Political. And unfair. In my capacity as a leader in this community, I wish to applaud
Mr. McCullough and his colleagues for standing up for their principles and doing what they thought was right. While I had no part in the Town Council’s decision, I feel compelled to apologize on behalf of the community for the actions taken against these three young leaders. Leesburg can and ought to do better. — Sharon Virts, Leesburg
Doing Damage Editor: I want to add to the comments about the proposed mural to be placed on the outside of the Loudoun Museum. I was born and raised in Leesburg. I worked with Loudoun Tourism. I also worked at the museum and served on the original board of the George C. Marshall Center. I hold a master’s degree in history and have taught and lectured on history. My heart is in Leesburg. Any depiction of history must be depicted accurately. When institutions fail to do this, it is a
disservice to the public and the community. The proposed mural as depicted is historically inaccurate. Others have spoken on the inaccuracies, and I totally concur with them. Those who have taken the attitude of history without accuracy are doing damage to their credibility and the Town of Leesburg. I would suggest the Town Council table the project and all parties involved resolve the inaccurate depictions. Also, I feel another location should be found. The Loudoun Museum is a stand-alone attraction in Leesburg. This mural would be better served in another location in town. I appreciate the work that has gone into this project. Those of us that love the history of Loudoun and its myriad legacies will be grateful for an amicable resolution. — Eric Jackson, Selma, NC
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JULY 21, 2022
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Readers’ Poll
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Should Virginia localities be permitted to prohibit retail sales of marijuana?
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: What’s your view on public art projects?
Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls
The Myth of Heredity BY NEIL MCNERNEY
In this column, I will focus on some general assumptions and mistakes we make about our kids. If we think a bit differently, we might be able to make a bigger impact on our kids. Here is a mistake many of us make: “Since I am pretty smart and have achieved a lot, my kids should also be high achieving.” It sounds logical at first glance. What we know about intelligence is that many parts of it are inheritable. Generally, smart parents will have smart kids. So, the likelihood of success is much better for kids born of smart parents. But there are lots of other factors working here. We aren’t just talking about intelligence; we are also talking about achievement, which is a completely different story. The likelihood that a high achieving parent is also going to have a high achieving child is statistically and genetically improbable. There are some traits that will transfer, especially intelligence, but the drive that has
PARENTING WITH PURPOSE gotten you where you are in life probably has less to do with genetics than it has to do with circumstances. I hear from many successful people that the reason they are so driven to succeed is because they came from a family that was not successful. They were driven to be better than their parents. My childhood is a case in point, but maybe not the way you would expect. My parents were born in the late twenties and survived a childhood during the depression, both in very poor parts of Pittsburgh. I was blessed in several ways by having them as parents, including the fact that they were both very smart. In addition, they were both determined to do whatever it took to be successful. My mother rose in the executive ranks at the RitzCarlton by her late twenties. My father returned from World War II and took advantage of the G.I. Bill to get three college degrees. They both continued to be successful, both in status and in finances. My mother was a very creative thinker. In fact, she invented the “wreath hanger,” that piece of
sheet metal that goes over doors so you don’t need to use a nail on metal doors. I am thankful that I inherited their intelligence, but I did not inherit their drive and ambition. By the time I was in 7th grade, I was the classic underachiever, getting the minimum grades necessary so that privileges weren’t taken away. I would search for the sweet spot where I could do as little work as possible without being punished. It wasn’t necessary for me to be “driven” as I was under the naive assumption that the comfortable life was easy to get. I learned the hard way the truth about life, but I learned it on my own. No amount of lecturing from my parents convinced me that it was hard out there in the real world. Today’s kids are the same way. Many of us have given our children innumerable opportunities. I think it’s a mistake to think they will just pick up those opportunities and run with them. The main tool you can use to help with this is to watch how you think about your kids and then ask yourself: “Are my thoughts about my kids helping the situation?” For example: “I have given so much to my kids. They should understand and appreciate these
sacrifices and work harder.” This type of thought just produces anger in us. It might be true but focusing on how much we give to our kids and the lack of gratitude just makes us feel worse—and it doesn’t help our kids. Instead, try: “I’m concerned about my kid’s lack of initiative. What can I do to increase it?” Do you hear the difference? The first one is focused on our sacrifices and their poor intentions. The second one focuses only on their behavior. By focusing only on their behavior, we can then be much clearer about possible responses. Calm, clear thinking produces much better solutions than worried, muddled thinking. Remember: Passion and determination might not be hereditary. n 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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Tight budget continued from page 1 this year passed legislation regulating the methods local governments use to assess data center real estate. County staff members said they expect that will mean those assessed—as opposed to market—values drop, bringing in less local tax revenue. Those declines could be offset as more data centers are built and come online. On the other side of data center revenue—the property taxes on the computer equipment inside the buildings—the county staff expects supply chain disruptions could continue to slow replacements to those server racks, meaning older, less-valuable equipment being taxed. Hemstreet said the board will be looking at tax increases if it wants to continue growing the county government at the rate it has been. “To get a budget similar to what you’re used to, we think, is looking at an increase of probably around 7 pennies,” Hemstreet said. That would bump the real estate tax rate up from the current $0.89 per $100 of assessed value up to $0.96 per $100. The current estimated equalized rate, the rate at which the average real estate owner’s tax bill stays the same despite increasing property value, would be a three-and-ahalf cent cut to $0.855 per $100. “We’re really talking about slowing the rate of growth,” Hemstreet said. “We do not have a scenario, even at the equalized rate, where we believe that we will be laying people off or having to do something like that.” During the briefing, committee Chairwoman Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said she would favor going no higher than the current tax rate. “I personally cannot imagine going up to 96 cents,” she said. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said it was a “bleak report,” and that he had concerns about the direction of the economy. “I think we need to prepare as if we are heading into a time of more scarcity, in which we will not have tens of millions to play with of new revenue,” he said. “I think we, as a county, need to assume we are going into a recession,” Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said. The committee meeting July 12 kicked off the public process for budget preparations that typically ends with a vote on a budget in early April. n
JULY 21, 2022
BEAM Program
Legal marijuana
continued from page 3
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She said the program offers an incredible experience for the kids, from the education to the activities, to building friendships and building confidence in math. She said a lot of the kids lacked confidence in their math skills. “A lot of these kids were told they weren’t good at math or believed they weren’t good at math. And we look at some of these kids and think ‘how could this kid not think he or she was good at math?” said Augone. Once the program wraps up on July 29, Augone said the goal is to continue to support the students into the upcoming school year. “I don’t want to say goodbye to these kids yet. We are going to mentor them throughout the year,” said Augone. But her commitment goes even beyond that. “My goal is to have these kids back next summer as rising 8th graders before they go into algebra one, that’s the advanced track. I would love to have funding to be able to support them returning next year as well as a new group of rising 7th graders,” said Augone. She said the grant as it’s written is only for rising 7th graders each year, but she’s hoping to find a way to bring this first group of kids back. The BEAM program also offers mid-
Data centers continued from page 3 development plans where data centers are already planned, so that those areas will not be affected by future zoning changes precluding data centers; and adjusting policy against any further data center development in the county’s new planned urban employment areas. Meanwhile, they recommended those be followed up with zoning changes to implement those policies, as well as establishing higher standards for data center development on building design, proximity to existing or planned residential uses, and environmental sustainability. Those may serve as a launching-off point for future comprehensive plan amendments and zoning ordinance changes, both extensive legislative processes. They don’t mean the committee’s recommendations will be the county’s final plan, as Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass
“A lot of these kids were told they weren’t good at math or believed they weren’t good at math. And we look at some of these kids and think ‘how could this kid not think he or she was good at math?” — Nicole Augone, K-12 Math Supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools dle schoolers a glimpse into the programs the Academies of Loudoun offer as they move into high school. Many of the programs start taking applications while the student is in 8th grade. Lacy Stewart, 12, a rising 7th grade student at Simpson Middle School, and Aria Khazai, 12, a rising 7th grader at Seneca Ridge Middle School, were giving tours of the facility and explaining what they do during the program. Both said it was “a really cool experience” to be in the program and to be at the Academies of Loudoun. They both said they were interested in coming back to the Academies in high school. n (D-Broad Run) noted. She said she still is concerned about removing some areas from suburban development plans where data centers are already planned. “I see a few areas in or near the Board Run District that I would not support opening up for data center development. I understand these areas were chosen to move place types because they have existing or planned data center, but I still have issues with them because data centers were not envisioned appropriate for those locations,” she said. She said she plans to look more closely at those during the county’s comprehensive plan amendment process. The committee voted to endorse the recommendations on a 3-1-1 vote, with Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) opposed and Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent. Buffington had said absent further input from the data center industry, he would like to pass the possible changes to the full board with no recommendation from the committee. n
requested by the Board of Supervisors returned unclear results. No Clear Answers for Now “The question is no longer, does one want it legalized, does one want it decriminalized—those questions are being answered by legislative bodies all around the country, and each state will do what they think they should do,” said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), who first requested the study and has opposed legalizing marijuana. “The question is more about, how does that impact each county?” A joint workgroup of the county’s Community Criminal Justice Board and Community Services Board over the past year and a half attempted to study the existing research on marijuana legalization but found few clear answers. “Studies are inconsistent, and results are often difficult to generalize. Comparing statewide data proved challenging, as often marijuana legislation varied considerably between states, or in some instances, between localities. Another shortcoming in current literature and studies is the failure to measure marijuana use prior to legalization, neglecting trends which may provide a more complete assessment of use post-legislation,” the group reported. “Many studies regarding marijuana use measure one specific element and attempt to apply those results to the broader impact of legalization. As a result, there is limited data suggesting a causal relationship between marijuana use and a specific topic. Also, the use of data to predict impact is constrained by the very nuanced, targeted focus of a study.” Community Services Board member Neil McNernery and Community Criminal Justice Board member Guy Potucek led the work group. “There are studies which could contradict other studies. And even some studies that demonstrate that there’s no influence on legalization when it comes to mental health, substance abuse issues within organizations,” McNerney told supervisors during briefing on the research Tuesday night. “Studies to either support or refute the claims about impact tend to measure one specific of element, for instance depression, and then claim a broader scope such as overall mental health. Or they rely on self-report without using the same inLEGAL MARIJUANA continues on page 35
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Legal marijuana continued from page 34 strument across all states. These issues, with existing studies, make it difficult to draw any conclusions about the effects of legalization.” He also said there seems to be no evidence from other states that legalizing marijuana has increased its use among young people. “My own experience is that those that are interested in using marijuana are using marijuana,” said McNerney, a professional counselor. Potucek reported similar difficulties drawing conclusions from existing studies on public safety, due both to the available studies and the differences between state laws. But some concerns did arise—such as concerns about reliably detecting marijuana intoxication, or a proliferation of illegal farms undercutting legal farms and circumventing regulations and taxes, or even drug cartels operating those farms. “The concerns regarding illegal farming and black-market sales raised by law enforcement as well as legalization advocates should be of particular interest to Loudoun due to our agricultural industry,” Potucek said. “Illegal farms produce higher quantities of more potent marijuana, and of course without any quality control or lab testing.” Another trend emerged from the literature review in Colorado and Washington state—Black people were more likely to be prosecuted for marijuana-related offenses both before and after legalization. And in Colorado, despite being less already likely to be prosecuted for marijuana offenses, white people also saw the largest drop in prosecutions after legalization. “The whole notion of this will help people of color not be arrested if it’s legalized is right out the window,” Randall said. Not all members of the Board of Supervisors expressed opposition to legalization. “Like some of my colleagues here, I do support the legalization of marijuana, not just in the Commonwealth of Virginia but nationally in the United States, so I’m glad we’re here,” said Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling). “Do we need to have some guardrails on it? Yes, we do. I think we can take a step in the right direction. I think the General Assembly—I think they missed the mark a little bit on their implementation.” Virginia’s legalization law also created a Cannabis Control Authority, a Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council, and a
Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board. All of those bodies are only beginning their work. The advisory council is directed to develop public health guidance on responsible adult consumption, health risks including impairing a person’s ability to drive, and ancillary impacts such as eligibility for certain employment—for example, marijuana remains a federally-controlled substance. Meanwhile, the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board is tasked to “directly address the impact of economic disinvestment, violence, and historical overuse of criminal justice responses to community and individual needs by providing resources to support local design and control of community-based responses to such impacts.” Questions also remain about whether the county will have the authority to regulate marijuana sales through zoning or treat it like any other retail shop.
Town Councils Face Uncertainty Last week, the Purcellville and Middleburg town councils were briefed on the status of the General Assembly’s legislation expected to legalize retail sale as early as next year, but reached different conclusions. The issue was raised in Purcellville by Town Attorney Sally Hankins and in Middleburg by Town Attorney Martin Crim. They noted that legislation adopted during last year’s session that would allow localities to hold a voter referendum on whether to allow retail sales in their jurisdiction did not pass again this year. Now, they said, it was likely the assembly would authorize retail sales starting next year, but without the ability to seek voter approval. Members of the Purcellville council concluded it was premature to take any action given the uncertainty in Richmond. The Middleburg council agreed to begin developing ordinance changes that would restrict where marijuana stores could operate in town. They are concerned that once the assembly approves sales, the town could have just a few weeks to prepare for the businesses to start looking for spaces to set up shop. Crim noted that, barring a referendum option, the town would not be permitted to ban the stores. “When something is legal and regulated by the state it cannot be prohibited locally,” he said.
Trying to Keep Up McNerney and Potucek said after
their report that the context of their work changed while they were conducting the research—when they began, they were hoping to have results in advance of any legalization. But state legislation in February 2021—just as the group was beginning its work—legalized personal possession and use years sooner than anticipated. “Marijuana has not been studied at nearly the same level from a public health standpoint as nicotine, as alcohol. The difficulty is, we don’t really know the effects as well. There aren’t a myriad of studies that we can do a meta-analysis on to figure out, OK, where are the trends and what should we prepare for as a county?” McNerney said. “What we found in the, on the public safety/criminal justice side was, first, each state that published reports had these different metrics, so it was impossible to compare apples to apples between the state reports,” Potucek said. “… And then just the implementation timeframe for each state, each period between decriminalization to legalization was so short that you couldn’t really detect which step had a causal effect.” He also pointed out a lack of baseline information from before legalization laws. He said some states have had a better rollout than others, pointing as an example to statewide policies in New Mexico, as opposed to more localized, “patchwork” decisions in other states. Although workgroup’s report is complete, its work is not. “Now we’re in the data collecting stage of our own, which is, what will it look like from a mental health standpoint?” McNerney said. “What will happen to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse? What trends will we start seeing? And will we be able to track that, because we track all of that.” He said the group had been asked to determine whether the county should be getting ready for an increase in mental health and substance abuse needs. “We didn’t find that we should prepare for that, necessarily, but now it’s a matter of being nimble enough to know, as the cases come in, are we seeing any changes?” he said. Potucek said the criminal justice board and law enforcement officials will be doing the same. “Certainly, it highlighted some of the gaps in the data available between the Sheriff’s office and Commonwealth’s Attorneys. They just had no reason to collect certain data in their systems prior to this, and that limited our ability to look at
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trends,” he said. “Now, the sheriffs or the commonwealth’s attorneys may choose to start tracking more detail in terms of specific substances.” Randall promised Tuesday’s briefing was “the first salvo in this discussion.” “We’ve taken this substance and put it in a political realm when it should be in a medical realm,” she said.
Businesses Get Ready One thing legal marijuana sales will almost certainly be is a business opportunity. Businesses have been maneuvering into place despite so-far unclear regulatory requirements in preparation for legal retail sales. One of those is Jeff Boogaard, founder of Cannabreeze Hemp Farm & Company near Lovettsville. He shifted from raising water buffalo on his farm toward CBD products for different reasons—both the business opportunities and for health and wellness as his daughter was diagnosed with cancer. But he and his partners are also preparing for a private park where members can smoke their legal marijuana among like-minded company, and to leverage their expertise in growing and processing the closely related hemp plant to also growing marijuana plants. “We’re 100% vertically integrated on the CBD flower side, and one thing we can say is, we’re experts at growing,” he said. He said he has embraced the plant because it is safer than some commonly accepted alternatives. “Our focus is always going to be health, wellness and recreation, and as I dove deeper into the cannabis community, the cannabis history, and then comparing that to other recreational devices that everyone uses on a daily basis—primarily, in Loudoun County, alcohol in all of its forms—I came to the realization that this plant is really, it’s just better,” Boogaard said. “It’s better for you from a health standpoint, it’s better from a psychological standpoint, it’s been proven over and over that it has some very low addictive qualities to it. “The caveat to that is always everything in moderation. I love chocolate shakes, but I’m not going to have six a day. So, there is a responsibility factor to it.” And he said his business won’t be focused just on getting the highest high. “We made the decision that strains here [we grow], we are not going to be focused on who can have the most potent bud— that’s just not who we want to be,” he said. “We want to be someone who’s all about the balance. n
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