Loudoun Now for July 22, 2021 by Loudoun Now

n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 6, NO. 35

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Another Break in the Safety Net State Mental Health Bed Shortage Felt in Loudoun

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

JULY 22, 2021

Supervisors Vote to Write Union Ordinance BY RENSS GREENE

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A recent decision by the state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to close admission at five of the commonwealth’s eight adult psychiatric hospitals is further straining a mental health system already bursting at its seams. In defending her decision, Commissioner Alison Land cited inadequate staffing levels at the affected hospitals. This is causing potentially unsafe conditions for both staff members and patients at a time when assaults by patients against staff or fellow patients are already high. More than 60 serious injuries of patients and staff have been reported since July 1, and state facilities are averaging 4.5 incidents or injuries a day, Land wrote. The department reports 1,547 direct patient support staff vacancies out of 5,500 positions across the eight facilities, with more than 100 staff resignations just since the month began. And although it remains open to admissions, the only state psychiatric facility for children, the Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents in Staunton, can only safely operate 18 of its 48 beds, according to Land. Her letter to healthcare partners and providers asks for all private beds in hospitals and healthcare facilities to be opened to accept patients under temporary detention orders, when a determination has been made that the individual is a danger to themselves or others. A temporary detention order, signed by a magistrate, requires the individual to receive immediate hospitalization for further evaluation and stabilization, on an involuntary basis, until

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rgreene@loudounnow.com

Hayley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Devin Mickens is assigned to the agency’s new C.A.R.E. team, a pilot program to help members of the community struggling with mental illness and drug addiction.

a commitment hearing can be arranged to determine any future treatment needs. In most cases, such a hearing is required to take place within 72 hours. State and private facilities were already facing a strain on staffing. The state’s adult mental health facilities were averaging more than 90% utilization, according to a July 15 presentation to the state’s Joint Committee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century, more often referred to as the Deeds Commission. The three facilities that remain open, including the closest state facility to Loudoun, the Northern Virginia Mental

Health Institute in Fairfax, are averaging 95% occupancy. In Loudoun, licensed and staffed beds to accommodate patients receiving mental health services are at a premium. Currently, only Inova Behavioral Health Services at the hospital’s Cornwall campus in downtown Leesburg has mental health beds for adults, at a total of 22. Nearby, North Spring Behavioral Services provides inpatient mental health treatment for teens and adolescents. “We’re at 100% capacity,” Dr. Linda MENTAL HEALTH continues on page 31

Supervisors have taken another vote to shape an almost-certain future ordinance in Loudoun opening the door to collective bargaining for county employees. Supervisor voted 6-3 along party lines Tuesday night to support a local law that will set the county government up to recognize and bargain with union representatives, the stronger of the two options up for consideration. The other option, meet-andconfer, would involve nonbinding discussions with unions. They also decided that within bargaining units—employees that are eligible to negotiate as a group—when employees vote on whether to be represented by a union, only a majority of the people who show up to vote need to vote yes—not a majority of all the people in that unit. Supporters compared that to elections in the U.S. The county’s new counsel for union matters, John Sherwood, also clarified for them that no matter the result of that election, in Virginia, people cannot be forced to join a union or pay union dues. However, any concessions or benefits won by that union would apply to all employees in that bargaining unit, regardless of union membership status. And supervisors decided that they UNION ORDINANCE continues on page 30

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McAuliffe Campaigns Across Loudoun, Focusing on Vets to functionally end veteran homelessness, meaning a community never counts more homeless vets than it has shown capacity to house in a month. Virginia remains only one of three states to meet that metric, according to the VA. And, he said, part of the state’s success in attracting businesses is the unusually high number of veterans living here. “I want every veteran when they move to veteran status to stay here in in Virginia,” McAuliffe said. “You can’t have a more

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Former governor Terry McAuliffe, who is running for the job again, is spending Monday in Loudoun, with a focus on veterans’ needs. McAuliffe began the day attending Eid Prayer marking the completion of Hajj, the traditional Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a holy city to Muslims. He followed up an event at the Leesburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1177, timed to coincide with the rollout of endorsements from more than 150 veterans, followed by a visit to the newest HeroHomes project in Purcellville. In Loudoun, those endorsements include Del. David A. Reid (D-32) and Sen. John J. Bell (D-13). McAuliffe on his stop July 20 to the VFW highlighted his administration’s work for veterans during his previous term, cit-

MCAULIFFE IN LOUDOUN continues on page 30

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Former Governor Terry McAuliffe, Del. David A. Reid (D-32) and Del. Wendy W. Gooditis (D-10) take part in a veterans roundtable at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1177 in Leesburg Tuesday.

ing accomplishments such as opening new veteran care centers to help people

struggling with long waits at the Veterans Administration, and being the first state

A Community Effort

Civic Groups Help Veterans and Their Families BY PATRICK SZABO

Part two of a two-part series In a community situated just 30 miles from the nation’s capital, the Pentagon and numerous military installations, there are inevitably thousands of military veterans living in Loudoun, many of whom seek help with everyday needs. Helping them is the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, among many other organizations. VFW Post 1177, Loudoun’s sole VFW post, works year-round to help the county’s veterans and their families any way it can. Post Commander Ray Delpeche said that help includes housing and transportation assistance, food delivery and more. Delpeche said the post of about 270 members works “any which way we can” to raise money for that support. One of the post’s most prominent programs is its biannual poppy distribution, during which post members accept donations from community members. Delpeche said that aside from a “bleak” 2020, the post raised about $13,000 during one of those distributions in the last few years. And the VFW also supports other civic organizations across the county, like the

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1177 in Leesburg is among the civic organizations focused on helping veterans.

Boy Scouts, the Civil Air Patrol and the Sea Cadets. Delpeche said the post allows groups like those to use its headquarters building off Old Waterford Road for their meetings. “That’s a big thing,” he said. Another well-known civic group, the American Legion, also helps the area’s

veterans and their families, but moreover strives to help the community at large. Lovettsville American Legion Post 1836—which counts 85 members, making it one of the largest American Legion posts in Virginia—is active in town events CIVIC GROUPS continues on page 29

5 New Delta Variant Cases Reported in Loudoun According to a tally by the Virginia Department of Health, five new cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant were recorded in Loudoun County during the past week. That brings the total number to eight. Across the U.S., the more contagious Delta variant—along with lower-than-expected vaccinations rates—are being cited as the causes of increases in infections and hospitalizations. In Loudoun County, too, those numbers are beginning to climb. Last week, the average number of new cases moved above 10 for the first time since May. The test positivity rate also is increasing, although it remains below 2%. Both measurements are far below levels experienced before vaccinations became widely available. Two more cases of the Alpha variant, which emerged in the United Kingdom last summer, also were reported in Loudoun last week, for a total of 103 cases. That variant has been found to be 50% more transmissible than earlier strains of the virus. Since the outset of the pandemic, 28,207 cases have been reported in Loudoun, with 1,094 requiring hospitalization. In total, 283 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. n

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ON THE Agenda

Loudoun

Supervisors Head Toward Cigarette Tax BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County supervisors look set to approve a 40-cent local cigarette tax in September. A new state law authorizes counties to levy a tax up to two cents per cigarette or 40 cents per pack of 20. Loudoun County is seeking admittance to the Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board, which would administer the tax. The county staff estimates the tax could bring $1.1 million to $2.8 million in revenue annually. Incorporated towns already had the authority to tax cigarettes, and at a higher rate—the Town of Leesburg taxes cigarettes at 75 cents per pack, also administered by the NVCTB. The board also includes Fairfax County and cities and towns across Northern Virginia, including Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill. In Loudoun, only Hamilton does not already impose a cigarette tax.

Supervisors voted during a July 14 public hearing to send the proposed tax to a vote Sept. 8, their first meeting after their August recess. Some convenience store owners had contacted supervisors to express their concern that the tax could chase customers to neighboring jurisdictions with lower prices—although West Virginia and Maryland both tax cigarettes by much more, Fairfax County imposes only a 30-cent tax, and Clarke County does not yet tax cigarettes, although that county board is also considering doing so. Supervisors were largely united in supporting the tax as a deterrent to smoking, especially among young people. A report prepared for the public hearing cites a 2001-2015 study that found higher taxes are tied to declines in smoking, particularly among young adults. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said she hopes to direct the cigarette tax money into the county’s Housing Trust Fund—and that if she could put a higher

tax on cigarettes, she would. “Obviously, I care about our small businesses, and obviously I care about our convenience stores, obviously. That goes without saying, and it is unfortunate that they will suffer,” Randall said. “But when I think about the long-term negative effect of nicotine on society, on babies who are born, it just doesn’t weigh out.” “I’ve had some family members that have had emphysema and have had lung cancer, and I’ve seen what it does to families,” said Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run). “And just to know that it usually starts with children at a young age smoking cigarettes, that a lot of people come to their demise.” The local taxes are not permitted to stack—Loudoun County’s cigarette tax will only apply outside towns that have their own tax. The commonwealth also levies 60 cents of tax per cigarette pack, meaning the total tax in Loudoun County if the tax is adopted will be $1 per pack. n

Aldie Historic District Expansion Approved BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun supervisors have expanded the Aldie Historic District to include the rest of the Aldie Assemblage, formerly the site of plans for a new fire station, tying up one of the last threads of the county’s turbulent stewardship of the property. When county supervisors bought the three parcels now dubbed the Aldie Assemblage—which includes the property known as the Aldie Tavern—only one of those parcels was in the Aldie Historic and Cultural Conservation District. Nonetheless, the county’s plans to build a fire station on the property required supervisors to get approval from the county’s Historic District Review Committee. After the committee ruled the firehouse plans did not comply with the historic district rules and upheld that denial on appeal, supervisors then set county staff to work to sideline that decision by removing the property from the historic district. But when the county found a new property for the fire station at Gilberts Corner, the intersection of Rt. 15 and Rt.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The Aldie Tavern, site of former plans for a new fire station.

50, the board also reversed course on that and instead voted to expand the Aldie Historic District. That process concluded with a 7-0-2 vote July 14, with Supervisors Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) absent. This time, it’s a move the Historic District Review Committee agreed to. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) said the vote, which happened with little fanfare at a public hearing where nobody addressed the board,

JULY 22, 2021

wraps up the years of discussions around Aldie. “What we hope, and what we believe, and what I pray, is that the issues in Aldie are now taken care of,” Randall said. “[…] Everyone who’s come to talk about Aldie has also been more recently talking about St. Louis, and I appreciate that, because we wrapped this up and we can do more of a laser focus on the St. Louis and Middleburg properties.” Residents in St. Louis, another historic village, residents worry that a subdivision planned nearby will damage not only the historically Black neighborhood’s character, but the community’s already-unreliable water wells. The two villages were briefly intertwined when supervisors considered a tentative deal to trade the Aldie land to that developer for the St. Louis land. That deal fell apart. Supervisors have also recently voted to sell the Aldie Assemblage to Aldie resident and Aldie Heritage Association member Guy Gerachis, who had proposed a plan for the property that enjoyed broad support from many of the people and organizations that had opposed plans for a fire station there. n

Virtual Public Meeting Set on Shellhorn Plans Loudoun County will host an online meeting to gather input on the proposed extension of Shellhorn Road to connect with Sterling Boulevard. The meeting will be held Monday, July 26 from 6 -7 p.m. The project will extend Shellhorn Road from the northern boundary of the Dulles Airport property east to connect with Sterling Boulevard. It will also realign a portion of Lockridge Road and extend Randolph Drive to link with Old Ox Road. When completed, Shellhorn Road will be a continuous route from Waxpool Road to Rt. 28 at the present-day Sterling Boulevard interchange. Login information and meeting materials are online at loudoun.gov/ shellhornextended and loudoun.gov/ remoteparticipation. Members of the public must sign up in advance by noon Friday, July 23 to ask questions during the event. Online participants may also send questions to the project team during the meeting as chat messages, which will be answered as time allows.

County Announces Animal Services Opening Events Loudoun County Animal Services’ new facility near Leesburg will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and two days of grand opening events July 30 through Aug. 1. The new, 21,450-square-foot facility replaces the existing shelter in Waterford. The new facility will serve as the operational headquarters of Loudoun Animal Services and will be the first public shelter in the U.S. to meet 100% of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Animal Shelter Guidelines, the gold standard for animal sheltering. The county will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 30 at 11 a.m. at the new facility just outside Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park, at 42225 Adoption Drive. Public tours will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. The shelter will open for regular business hours July 31 and Aug. 1, with adoption hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. And over that weekend, the facility will also host a series of free grand opening events. Some events require preregistration. For more information and to preregister, go to ON THE AGENDA continues on page 6

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JULY 22, 2021

PAGE 5

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“In fact, there are even concerns about equity. … The origins of it were used to rgreene@loudounnow.com keep certain contractors from not getting Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at Loudoun supervisors are considering a certain projects,” Letourneau said. “So, I’m new ordinance that would require county not particularly eager to go down this path, Cochran Family Dental are construction contractors to pay the region- particularly I think when we end up comcommitted to providing a comprehensive dental office al prevailing wage as determined by the peting in the market for projects, that we’re probably ending up with projects that are U.S. Department of Labor. with a caring and gentle style that will serve most all of Please -present coupon to w/any receive the offer. Mon. &- 4pm Wed.: 8am 6pm combined other A new state law permits the county to getting this type of wage anyway. But it is a 8-1pm-•Thurs.: Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Mon. & Wed.: 8am - 6pm Fri: • Tues. 7am • Fri.: CLOSED • 24hr Emergency Service Not to be combined any other offer. SPECIAL 703-771-9034 with every scheduled The Village Leesburg requirement, and it’s a bureaucratic process 24hr Emergency ofyour Loudoun for 13 years. family’s dental needs under onewith roof. Insurance Tues.Service - at Thurs.: 7amfacing - 4pm require construction contractors on public benefits or before the end cleaning procedure. Route 7 between Wegmans and Use your that will add time and will make it more WHITENING 1503 Dodona Terrace Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com of the year and receive8/31/16. a FREE Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Fri.:Fitness 8am - 1pmwise payment Conveniently located in LA works projects to pay their workers the preOffer Expires friendly office offering budget options. Teeth Whitening Kit with everyDr. 210 at Leesburg difficult to complete our [Capital ImproveSPECIAL TheSuite Village Please present coupon to Sat.:facing 8am 1pm (once/month) Mon & -Wed: 8-6pm vailing wage established federally per the scheduled cleaning or procedure. Use your benefits before the end Leesburg, VA 20175 ment Plan] process.” receive offer. Not to be hasWegmans provided trusted dental care tothe the Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Service Route 7 between and Offer Expires January 1,citizens 2016. 24hr Emergency 1503 Dodona Terrace Cochran Davis-Bacon Act. The county’s ordinance, of(Once/month) the year and receive a combined FREE Please present coupon to w/any receive the offer. other Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm But other supervisors pointed toSuite recent LA Fitness every with any other offer. Not towith be combined 210 703-771-9034 as it is being considered, would mirror 24hryears. EmergencyTeeth ServiceWhitening Kit of Loudoun for 13 Mon & Wed: 8-6pm studies indicating that prevailing wage laws scheduled cleaning or procedure. Leesburg, VA 20175 the existing state prevailing wage requireTues & Thurs: 7-4pm at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Offer Expires January 1, 2016. Visit our website are tied to smaller wage gaps between white Conveniently located in Please coupon to receive the offer. Conveniently located in 8-1pm (Once/month) Not to present Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: ment, which applies to contracts worth and Black construction workers. be combined with any other offer. 703-771-9034 24hr Emergency Service The Village at Leesburg facing over $250,000. Contractors who pay their facing Wegmans and Use your benefits before the end “Whatever is going onThe with Village the outdat-at Leesburg 7 between ONERoute STOP SHOP Use — your WE DO ITof thebefore workers less would be liable to workers for ed processes and procedures, benefits thereceive end a FREE 1503there’s Dodona year and abetween fair-TerraceWegmans and Route 7 LA Fitness Terrace backpay and damages and be barred1503 from Dodona ALL FROM START TO ofFINISH! the year andTeeth receive a FREE Whitening Kit with every Suite ly overwhelming body of studies that 210 are LA Fitness Mon & Wed: 8-6pm future public works projects until they have Suite scheduled cleaning or procedure. Teeth Whitening Kit with every current that suggests prevailing wage helps 210 Leesburg, VA 20175 Tues & Thurs: STATE 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1, 2016. paid full restitution. If they did so inten- workers, helps minorities, and makesMon CLASS “A”VIRGINIA & Wed: 8-6pm conor procedure. Please present coupon to receive the offer. Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm scheduled (Once/month) cleaning Leesburg, VA 20175 tionally, they could be guilty of a Class I struction Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm costs fairer and more economical GENERAL CONTRACTOR Offer Expires January 1, 2016. Not to be combined with any other offer. 24hr Emergency Service misdemeanor. in the long run,” Supervisor Michael• Sat: R. 8-1pm (Once/month) Please present coupon to receive the offer. Fri: 8-1pm “The concern I have is cost and wheth- Turner (D-Ashburn) said. “You ought to IICRC AND OSHA CERTIFIED Not to be combined with any other offer. 24hr Emergency Service er this is even necessary, because I suspect pay people the prevailing wage, and if we’ve REMEDIATION / MOLD that in our market, contractors, given the got problems with the prevailing wage caltight market, are already paying prevailing culation, then at the very least those prob• Demolition and Moisture Source Repair wage,” Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau lems apply to everybody, and prevailing • Treat to Kill All Mold and Odors / HEPA Vacuum (R-Dulles) said. He also pointed to Depart- wage still levels the playing field.” • Reinstall Drywall / Baseboard / Paint—LIKE NEW! Offer Expires January 1, 2016. ment of Labor Office of the Inspector GenSupervisors voted 7-1-1 on July 6, with • Basement and Crawlspace Sealing and Encapsulation Please present coupon to receive the offer. eral reports that found problems with the Letourneau opposed and Supervisor Tony department’s work to establish wage rates, R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) absent, to Not to be combined with any other offer. ADVANCED COVID-19 SANITIZATION with some going for decades without up- hear more information about a possible prevailing wage rule in Loudoun. n dates or based on inadequate data. Get Your Business Back To Work! BY RENSS GREENE

Dental are Dr.Cochran Brian Family Cochran and his staff at committed to providing a comprehensive dental office Cochran Family arethat will serve most all of with a caring and Dental gentle style committed to dental providing a comprehensive dental office your family’s needs under one roof. Insurance friendly officeand offering budget wisethat payment options.most Dr. all of with a caring gentle style will serve Cochran has provided trustedunder dental care the citizens your family’s dental needs one toroof. Insurance of Loudoun for 13 years. TOTAL REMEDIATION SERVICES friendly office offering budget wise payment Dr. WHITENING WHITENING Visit our /website: MOLD WATERTheLeesburgVADentist.com DAMAGE / FIREoptions. DAMAGE SPECIAL Cochran has provided trusted dental careSPECIAL to the citizens Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com of Loudoun for 13 years.

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Leaders Cut Ribbon on Davis Drive

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BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors and transportation staff members cut the ribbon on an important missing link in Loudoun’s road network on Thursday, July 15. The Davis Drive extension completes a road network missing link by connecting Old Ox Road and South Sterling Boulevard and provides a north-south alternative to Rt. 28. Previously, drivers between those roadways had to use either Rt. 28 or Shaw Road. The project included building a fourlane, undivided roadway between Old Ox Road and the existing road, which previously ended at Transdulles Plaza. There is sidewalk on the east side of the road and a shared use path on the west. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said it is also an important link for the success of Metrorail’s Silver Line and

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Supervisors and county transportation staff cut the ribbon on a formerly missing segment of Davis Drive on Thursday, July 15.

the associated development. “If the Metro is going to be successful, we have to have strong connectivity to get to the Metro, and this is one of the sites that will get us to the Metro,” Randall said. The developer of Waterside North designed the improvements, provided rightof-way and easements, and funded the construction. n

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

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

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ON THE Agenda continued from page 4

loudoun.gov/animalsgrandopening. Currently the facility cannot be accessed via Kincaid Boulevard from Battlefield Parkway because the road is not yet open to through traffic north of Adoption Drive. Use caution when navigating by GPS. To learn more about Loudoun County Animal Services, including which pets are available for adoption, go to loudoun.gov/ animals.

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John Bayliss has been selected as the new director of the Department of Information Technology, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet announced. His appointment is effective Sept. 2. Bayliss Bayliss brings more than 20 years of professional experience in administering and managing enterprise-level information systems for local governments. He has served in several technology roles in Arlington County, most recently as chief technology officer since 2018. His previous experience also includes serving as director of information technology operations and cloud migration for the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, and various information technology positions with Fairfax County Public Schools and Bedford County.

Sullivan Named Community Corrections Director Terry R. “Chip” Sullivan has been selected as the new director of the Department of Community Corrections, effective Aug. 5. Sullivan has more than two decades of experience in criminal Sullivan justice, having begun his public service career as a counselor with the Virginia Department of Corrections in 1999. He currently serves as deputy chief Probation and Parole officer in the Fairfax County district and has served in similar positions in the Culpeper and Fredericksburg districts. He is a certified substance abuse counselor and has conducted district-wide trainings on evidence-based decision making.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

Business State Offers Grants for New Hire Bonuses The Northern Virginia Return to Earn Grant Program has been launched with funding through Gov. Ralph Northam’s office. The program matches payments from eligible Northern Virginia small businesses to provide new hires with up to $1,000 to support their transition back into the workforce. The Return to Earn Grant Program will serve businesses with fewer than 100 employees that may not have the resources to provide this financial support. This initiative will match up to $500 that a qualifying small business in the region pays directly to a new employee hired after May 31. Funds will only be reimbursed to businesses for new hires in positions that pay at least $15 per hour (tips included) and that qualify as W-2 employment, either full- or part-time. To help address workforce shortages in childcare, qualifying childcare businesses may qualify for up to $500 per new hire without the match requirement. Details of the program can be viewed at vcwnorthern.com/employers/returnto-earn.

Raytheon Renews Loudoun Campus Lease Raytheon Technologies will renew its 521,000-square-foot, three-building lease at Pacific Park. The site of the former AOL headquarters has been leased by Raytheon since 2010 for its Intelligence and Space campus. “Raytheon Technologies is one of the world’s largest defense and aerospace companies and one of Loudoun’s largest employers, so completing this deal was a major priority for our economic development team,” County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said in a statement. “We are thankful for their continued investment and appreciate their confidence in Loudoun as a great office location for their mission and their talented workforce.” “This is a signature win for Loudoun County and extends a relationship that has been very positive for all sides. Since its arrival in 2010, Raytheon Technologies has consolidated its cybersecurity and IT operations in Dulles, leveraging

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the region’s top tech talent, Washington’s top decision-makers, and Loudoun’s topnotch business climate,” Department of Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer said. “Along the way, Raytheon Technologies has been an engaged member of the community, partnering with Loudoun County Public Schools on STEM education initiatives and earning consistent accolades as a great place to work.” In addition to Raytheon’s three existing buildings, plans are under consideration to continue enhancements to the campus, according to the announcement. In its 2020 merger with UTC, Raytheon acquired Collins Aerospace, which operated more than 210,000 square feet of simulation and training space in Loudoun County.

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Bendza Named Telos EVP, CFO Telos Corporation has appointed Mark Bendza as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Bendza previously served as vice president in charge of investor relations Benza at Honeywell International Inc. He has more than 20 years of experience with global companies in investor relations, business development, financial planning, analysis, financial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. “Mark brings a broad range of skills that will be important to us as a public company,” CEO and Chairman John B. Wood said. “I know his dedication to shareholders, customers, and internal stakeholders, as well as to achieving our growth objectives, will be critical to our future success.” Bendza succeeds Michele Nakazawa, who served as Telos CFO for over 17 years. Nakazawa, who will be preparing to retire, will stay on with the company on the senior executive team reporting to the CEO and working on special projects and to ensure an orderly transition.

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Leesburg

JULY 22, 2021

AROUND town

Freedom Center Poised to Sign Cemetery Deal BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Progress looks imminent on an agreement to transfer cemetery land from the Town of Leesburg to a local nonprofit. Although as recently as last week members of the Leesburg Town Council failed to find a majority to support funds for drainage improvements at the Sycolin Cemetery site, Freedom Center Founder Michelle Thomas has indicated to town staff she plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with the town soon. For months, Thomas has implored the council to help rectify the drainage problem in the gravesite area and has previously stated that the memorandum will not be signed until that is done. The Town Council approved the transfer of the 1.6-acre cemetery land to the nonprofit on May 11, following a lengthy process begun in 2019 with the decision to transfer the land to the

nonprofit, and also a required cemetery delineation study and survey and plat work. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors also had to approve the creation of an outlot that includes the cemetery land that would be transferred to the Freedom Center. Land near the burial sites was purchased by the town more than 30 years ago for the federally-mandated Runway Protection Zone for the nearby Leesburg Executive Airport. While the town for years had been maintaining the land around the cemetery, it came under fire several years ago from local community groups, including the Loudoun NAACP, for the overgrown nature of the cemetery site itself. Sixty-five gravesites associated with the Sycolin Baptist Church can be found on the cemetery land, with the earliest recorded burial in 1913 and the latest in 1959. A staff report notes there is no historical research that has shown it to be a cemetery for the enslaved; however, some who are buried in the ceme-

tery were born prior to the Civil War. While she has emphasized she does not expect the land, downslope of a steep hill near a creek and adjacent to springs, to be completely dry, Thomas said the Freedom Center wanted the situation rectified enough so that headstones could be placed at gravesites to appropriately memorialize who was buried there. Town staff has estimated improvements by way of ditches or drains to cost from $125,000 to more than $200,000. That would be in addition to the $81,000 Leesburg has already spent on maintenance and preparing the site for transfer, including a cemetery delineation study and survey and plat work. Loudoun Freedom Center representatives have alleged the town is to blame for some of the erosion of the area and the soggy conditions by the gravesites. Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel has stated the CEMETARY DEAL continues on page 30

Anonymous Donation Means New K-9 for Leesburg Police BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

There will soon be a new, four-legged staff member of the Leesburg Police Department. An anonymous donor reached out to the department in June with a desire to make a $15,000 donation to cover the cost of purchasing a new police dog as well as the associated handler training. They did so after learning of the new challenges for canines trained in the scent of marijuana through a news article, said Major Vanessa Grigsby, the department’s deputy chief. As of July 1, marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older in Virginia to grow, possess or consume. With many other states also legalizing marijuana, it has caused the early retirements of dozens of K-9 dogs trained across the country. In Virginia alone, the Associated Press reported, at least 15 drug-sniffing dogs were placed into early retirement, as they are trained to alert to the scent of cannabis. A staff report notes the newly purchased drug detection dog would be specifically trained to detect the felony drugs—cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. The new pooch will also fill the void created by the department’s recently retired explosives dog Sally. He or she will join a K-9 team that includes Loki, a Malinois/

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Police Officer Patrick Kidd poses with K-9 Brody, one of the two members of Leesburg Police Department’s K-9 team.

shepherd mix, and Brody, a German Shepherd, who are both trained in tracking and drug detection. They are assigned to Master Police Officer Justin Wilt and Officer Patrick Kidd, respectively. According to Grigsby, new K-9 dogs are typically purchased from privately owned and operated police service dog importing and training facilities. The dogs are typically German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or

Dutch Shepherd breeds. They are imported from Europe and are selected, vetted, and undergo veterinary exams prior to selection. The importer and training facilities will usually have several dogs in inventory and will work with the police department’s handler to best match the dog/handler combination to ensure success. Following the purchase of a K-9 dog, both the dog and selected handler participate in an extensive period of training. Typical training time for patrol duties, which includes apprehension and tracking, is eight to 16 weeks depending on the training school. Detection training will sometimes be incorporated into the initial training period but can also occur following the completion of patrol duties training and adding additional training time. Both privately owned police service dog vendors and local law enforcement agencies offer training for K-9 teams. Grigsby added that the timeframe for bringing a new K-9 into the fold will depend on several factors, including the availability and purchase time of dogs and training. The new legislation means that several Virginia agencies are currently looking for new dogs and training availability, creating its own unique supply chain issue. The department also conducts its own in-house, competitive selection process for which officer is selected as the new K-9 handler, she added. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A town contractor starts work on the new Cornwall Street water main Monday, July 19.

Water Main Work Closes Cornwall St. A portion of Cornwall Street will be closed to traffic for the next two weeks. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, Cornwall Street between Liberty Street and Memorial Drive will be closed to through traffic to allow for the installation of a new water main. Local residential traffic will still be allowed access. The town’s contractor, A & M Concrete Corp., will be on site between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding town observed holidays. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, July 30. An additional closure will be required at a later date to allow water service connections to be switched to the new water main once it is placed in service. The entire project is expected to continue through mid-February 2022. For questions, contact the Department of Utilities at 703-771-2750.

Lanham Reappointed to Planning Commission After an 18-month hiatus, Rick Lanham is back on the Leesburg Planning Commission. Lanham was appointed by the Town Council last Lanham week as Councilwoman Kari Nacy’s nominee. He takes over for David Miles, who resigned from his post after himself rejoining the commission in January. Lanham is employed by Prince William County as supervisor of its Land Development Project Management team. He previously served on the Planning Commission from 2017 to 2020, and during that time served stints as the commission’s vice chairman and parliamentarian. Lanham’s term on the commission runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

JULY 22, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Leesburg Targets ARPA Money to Cover Shortfalls BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

While some localities are looking to speed up infrastructure projects or invest in better broadband, the Town of Leesburg will use its first batch of funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to make up for lost revenue in 2020. The Town Council voted unanimously July 13 to make a supplemental appropriation to the General Fund in the amount of $2.96 million. That amount represents the first 50% of ARPA money the town will receive, with the following 50% expected to be doled out in 12 months. The ARPA funding comes with restrictions on how it can be used. Allowed uses include supporting a locality’s COVID-19 response; supporting economic stabilization for households and businesses; replacing lost public sector revenue; providing premium pay for essential workers; and building, maintaining or upgrading water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. Management & Budget Officer Jason Cournoyer said town staff has calculated a $6.4 million revenue loss in calendar year 2020 for the town government. Utilizing the ARPA funding to close the gap on the revenue loss by almost 50% would provide the Town Council the most flexibility going forward, he said in addressing the council. “ARPA funding will be used to fund governmental services in [fiscal year] 2022 resulting in a decreased reliance on local tax funding. As such, any resulting increase to fund balance or excess revenue in FY 2022 will derive from local tax funding and can be used by the Town Council at their discretion without consideration of the ARPA restrictions,” he said in a follow-up interview. While there was a required public hearing for the budget appropriation, there were no speakers at the July 13 meeting. Town leaders in prior months had expected significantly more funding to be at their fingertips. An initial projection by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform shortly after the U.S House of Representatives passed the bill in March showed Leesburg receiving just under $50 million. That figure dropped dramatically, however, when the final U.S. Treasury distribution list was published in early May. This was due to Leesburg’s classification changing to an entitlement community, as opposed to a non-entitlement unit, due to its population surpassing 50,000. Based on a 2019 Census estimate, Leesburg’s

population hovers around 53,797. Mayor Kelly Burk penned a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam asking he and the Virginia legislature to intervene on the town’s behalf. Unlike other entitlement communities, she wrote, Leesburg is not a direct recipient of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The largest town in the commonwealth, Leesburg did not fare as well financially as some of its close, and smaller, neighbors.

Across both ARPA payments, on a per capita basis, Leesburg is only receiving $110 per resident, roughly a tenth of what other towns in the area are receiving per resident. By contrast, Herndon, with its population of 24,601 and $25.5 million allocation will receive approximately $1,037 per person, Purcellville will see $1,041 per resident, and Berryville will receive $1,030. Had Leesburg been classified as a non-entitlement unit like some of its neighbors, the town would have received $51.2 million, or $952 per capita. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

Education

Changes Coming to Student Dress Code HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Changes are likely coming to the district’s dress code this school year, banning from classrooms hoods over heads, pajamas tops, midriff-baring shirts, and tube tops, after a School Board committee reviewed a flood of public feedback and input from educators. According to Douglas Fulton, director of School Administration, Policy 8270, Student Dress Code, spurred more input than any other issue, since the division’s new public feedback procedure was implemented. “My philosophy is that we should be limiting student’s freedom of expression to the least extent possible,” Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said during a June 28 Discipline Committee meeting.

Teachers reported that many students use hoods to hide ear buds, covertly listening to music during classroom instruction. Some students also use hoods to cover their faces, making it difficult for teachers to ensure that learners are paying attention during class. Students may wear hooded tops, but the hoods must be down during class. The hood restriction will not apply to religious headdresses and attire. The suggested rules outline that pajama shirts may not be worn. “Some people were trying to compare it to a corporate environment,” Jeff Morse (Dulles) said of the public feedback. “I don’t know that that is entirely accurate, that we need to have a corporate environment, but I agree that we should be trying to enable kids to focus reasonably on what’s going on in the classroom and try to prevent some fundamental distractions.”

All shirts must come down to at least a belt line, banning midriffs from showing. Tube tops and tank tops that can be untied may not be worn. Katie Johnson, principal of Belmont Ridge Middle School, weighed in during the meeting to present teachers’ concerns. “As an administrator and as a teacher, it is challenging when you’re in these situations, you never want to make a child feel singled out or anything of that sort,” Johnson said of enforcing restrictions. “Tube tops concern me, because I come from a middle school world, where sometimes students act inappropriately and impulsively,” Johnson said. The full School Board will review the draft of the dress code during its Aug. 10 meeting. The draft and any changes will then move forward to a vote in September. n

Email to Staff a Mistake; Masks Up in the Air for Fall BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

It is still unclear whether Loudoun public school students will be required to wear masks in class this fall, despite an email from the district sent to some staff members Monday stating that masks would be required in grades Kindergarten through 6. A spokesman for the school division said Tuesday the email that went out to substitute teachers was wrong, and that the district is awaiting updating guidelines

from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. “We will inform students, parents and staff when we receive definitive guidance,” Public Information Officer Wayde Byard said. The CDC had previously advised that fully vaccinated students, teachers and staff should not be required to wear masks during class. The rise of COVID cases caused by the Delta variant in recent weeks has renewed anxieties about public safety and mitigation efforts. This American Academy of Pediatrics

recommended that unvaccinated students should take the extra precaution. That would apply to all elementary-aged students, as COVID vaccines are currently only available to children 12 years old and older. Last school year, all staff members and students were required to wear masks while on campus. As of July 18, only 53.6 percent of eligible Loudouners were fully vaccinated, the same rate seen across the state of Virginia, according to the health department. n

Brambleton Student Headed to Nat’l Leaders Conference LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

This summer, Brambleton Middle School’s Shalika Yerramsetty will join other outstanding middle school students from across the country at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, according to her family. She was nominated to attend the national conference by her seventh grade teacher. On top of her participation in Model United Nations and Step Up Loudoun, Shalika plays tennis and swims with a local team, and led a group of her friends in raising money to help her fifth grade teacher set up a mobile school for underprivileged children in Ghana, the teacher’s country of birth.

Shalika hopes to be a human rights attorney, and said she is looking forward to the hands-on leadership experience the conference can offer. “As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Shalika Yerramsetty to meet, work, and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the country,” stated Amanda Freitag Thomas, senior vice president for Envision, the company that puts on the conference. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs.” n

Contributed

Brambleton Middle School student Shalika Yerramsetty is headed to the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC.

Fight for Schools PAC Files Financial Disclosures HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Fight for Schools, the conservative PAC spearheading the recall of School Board members, reported raising over $134,000 from April to June in its first-ever financial disclosure filing. Fight for Schools was started by Loudoun parents in opposition to the School Board’s racial equity work and has pushed allegations of Critical Race Theory being taught in schools. The total funds raised were $134,259 through 1,545 individual donations, and the reported cash on hand is $106,763. The filings don’t reveal payments to employees. Executive Director Ian Prior, a former Department of Justice spokesperson in the Trump administration, said that the PAC is run entirely by volunteers, and was started by a group of parents gathered in a backyard. Many PACs pay employees and make outstanding payments after financial filing deadlines to show more cash on hand. Next quarter’s filings will be far more indicative of the groups’ spending, structure, and fund-raising muscle. “I think what we are most proud of is the fact that we received 1,545 individual donations, that is just another indicator that our message is resonating,” Prior said. While the PAC has a hyper-local focus on Loudoun schools, out-oftown donations total $17,460, coming in from across the country, from Fairfax County to California. The PAC quickly became a fixture in the Loudoun County political sphere since it began on April 6, holding press conferences and rallies about CRT. Prior regularly appears on Fox News alleging that the School Board is politicizing schools with its equity work. Prior also spoke at an event in Loudoun County where Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin introduced his education plan for the state. Records show the PAC has spent $27,495 so far, including $500 payments to both Loudoun County Republican Women’s Club and the PAC Stand Up Virginia. The largest donation was a $10,000 contribution from Sharon Virts Mozer of Leesburg. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

PAGE 11

LCPS Employee Paid Nearly $100K on Leave; Denied Dismissal Hearing BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

A Loudoun County Public Schools parent and former employee says she was terminated after receiving falsified performance reviews, and subsequently received near $100,000 on paid administrative leave, without her request for an appeal or review being met. Leigh Ann Critzer served as coordinator of Operations and Quality Control for the division’s School Nutrition Services department, overseeing compliance with federal laws of meal distribution to the 94 schools in the county. “I have real questions as a parent and a taxpayer as to why LCPS would rather pay someone off essentially, and spend the money that should be students and education purposes especially during a pandemic, why they would chose to spend their funds that way, instead of conducting an HR investigation,” Critzer said. Critzer had planned to address the School Board with her grievances during the June 22 board meeting, but public comment was ended early because of others’ unruly behavior in the boardroom. Critzer relocated her family from Colorado to Purcellville in 2018 to take the job,

hoping to spend her career in Loudoun County. Her background is in school nutrition, and she said her specialization makes it difficult to find new employment without having to uproot her family. “I felt like I hit the jackpot when we got this house,” Critzer said of her move to Purcellville. “We love the community.” During her first year with the division in 2018, Critzer said she received glowing reviews from her supervisor. In 2019, the department got a new supervisor with whom Critzer said she had a tenuous relationship. “There were no verbal or written indications to me that my performance was lacking, or that my work was unacceptable in any way,” Critzer said. When the pandemic hit in March 2020 and schools shifted to remote learning, Critzer, a single mother, couldn’t find childcare and asked to work from home. She said her request was initially ignored by her direct supervisor. She was then told that she was an essential employee, and her request was denied. She took leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, or FFCRA, for three months, supplementing with her own personal leave to receive 100% of her pay. When she returned from leave, she said she was blindsided by a blistering perfor-

Hayley Bour/ Loudoun Now

Leigh Ann Critzer in front of the Purcellville home she purchased, relocating across the country to take a job with Loudoun County Public Schools.

mance review. Her supervisor alleged that her poor performance had caused the department to fail meeting requirements in a federal audit. Critzer said that the bulk of the work done for the audit was conducted while she was on FFCRA leave, and does not believe she should be held accountable for work she didn’t have the opportunity to complete. During a meeting with her supervisor and an HR representative in September, she was notified that she was going to be terminated “due to numerous instances and issues related to your poor performance, communication and professionalism for

Loudoun County Public Schools,” according to her termination letter, which also outlined shortcomings in planning and communicating with coworkers. She sought help from the Loudoun Education Association, on the same day she was offered paid administrative leave. Shortly after, she was told her contract would not be renewed when it expired in the summer of 2021. Critzer’s attorney provided by LEA, James Faughnan, said in a letter to the School Board that her supervisor “became upset with Ms. Critzer when she requested to work remotely in order to care for her children during COVID.” Faughnan tried to reach the district to arrange an appeal hearing, but did not get any response, Critzer said. Faughnan also alleged the district is in violation of a state requirement that School Boards establish and administer a grievance procedure that affords employees a timely and fair method of resolving disputes regarding dismissal actions. The Virginia Education Association is reviewing Critzer’s case. The division declined to comment on Critzer’s situation. Non-essential personnel were permitted to request to work remotely during the pandemic. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

3 Loudoun Projects on List for Federal Funding Three Loudoun construction projects could get a boost of federal dollars as part of the proposed Community Project Funding program included in fiscal year 2022 appropriation packages in the House of Representatives. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) announced their selection Monday as part of $12.9 million targeted for 10 projects around the district. In Loudoun, the proposal would provide: • $935,000 for the Lawson Road Pedestrian Crossing of Tuscarora Creek in Leesburg to provide bicycle and pedestrian access to the W&OD Trail from nearby communities and to stabilize the stream bank reduce erosion. • $2 million for the Middleburg’s new Town Hall and Police Department Facility. The town hopes to begin construction of the $6.5 million project early next year. The county government also has allocated $500,000 to the project. • $2 million for Waxpool Road/Loudoun County Parkway Intersection Improvements, intended to address a major traffic choke point by providing triple left turn lanes from westbound Waxpool Road onto

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southbound Loudoun County Parkway, and a free flow right turn lane with an acceleration lane from northbound Loudoun County Parkway onto eastbound Waxpool Road. The appropriations packages next go before the full House of Representatives for a vote, before being sent to the Senate. “This targeted federal funding will help to restore and rebuild our physical infrastructure, improve critical community services, and invest in new educational and job opportunities,” Wexton said in announcing the action. “I am proud to be a member of the House Appropriations Committee and to have secured these critical dollars for projects to meet the needs of families and communities across Virginia’s 10th District. These projects have widespread support in their localities and are longstanding priorities which will be made possible thanks to this new federal funding.” Projects to be funded through the Community Project Funding program are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible nonprofit entities are permitted to receive funding. n

JULY 22, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 13

Public Safety 2 Injured, 1 Jailed After Roadway Altercation A 51-year-old Chantilly man got both a trip to the hospital and a stay at the county jail following a traffic altercation that came to blows outside a Round Hill home. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the incident was report around 3 p.m. Sunday. Deputies were called to a Woodgrove Road residence where two men were fighting, and one of them was armed. The victim reported he was driving in the area of East Loudoun Street and Rt. 7 when he was involved in a traffic altercation with another driver. The driver followed the victim, who had two children in the car. The confrontation continued at the Woodgrove Road location where a family member came to assist. The suspect and the victim became involved in a physical altercation. A passersby stopped and helped restrain the suspect. Both the victim and the suspect were treated at local hospitals for their injuries. The firearm was recovered at the scene. The suspect, Rostslav Kamenetsky, was charged with malicious wounding, five counts of brandishing a firearm, simple assault, and aggressive driving. He was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20.

Counties for its Prescription Delivery and Intersection Crash Reduction Programs. In 2020, the agency created a traffic safety initiative to reduce the number of crashes at county intersections. The central focus was to increase traffic safety and educate residents about the dangers of distracted driving and other behaviors that can lead to crashes. The agency reported a

50% drop in crashes at several of the most county’s crash-prone intersections and a 35% drop in total crashes in the county. The program included a partnership with the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Prescription Delivery program is a no-cost prescription pick-up and delivery assistance service designed to help the

county’s senior residents and those who are more vulnerable COVID-19. Residents contact the Sheriff ’s Office to request the service and notify their pharmacy that a uniformed deputy would pick up the prescription. The deputy delivers the medication to the resident’s home. Deputies have delivered more than 300 prescriptions through the program, which is still offered.

Sheriff's Office Patrols Cite 11 for Intoxication Loudoun deputies on patrol at a Sterling shopping center made a slew of public intoxication arrests last weekend. Loudoun deputies were called to the Rio Cantina restaurant in the Towncenter Plaza on Friday night for a report of a fight. At that time, a man was charged with public intoxication and obstructing justice. Deputies then conducted patrols in the area throughout the night and early morning, arresting seven men and three women in the Towncenter Plaza parking lot for public intoxication. All were transported to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

Sheriff’s Office Lands NACo Awards The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office received two 2021 achievement awards from the National Association of

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JULY 22, 2021

Nonprofit

5-Year-Old Cancer Patient Gets New Playground BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

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A 5-year-old cancer patient in South Riding will have some new digs to spend his summer days in, thanks to a partnership between Dominion Energy volunteers and ROC Solid Foundation. The Prior family has endured a trying year, as young Jack battled Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. While in the hospital, representatives from ROC Solid, a Virginia-based charity that builds playgrounds for pediatric cancer patients, offered to build a brand-new playset in the Prior backyard. “For Jack, it’s a playset, but for us, it means a safe place for him to play. We don’t have to take him to a ball pit or somewhere with germs, because it’s so important with his immune system being compromised, that he stay away from the masses. It’s a place for him to be a kid,” Caitlin Prior, Jack’s mother, said. Dominion Energy fielded a team of Loudoun County employees to build the set for ROC Solid. Jack watched excitedly from the house. “We were wanting to get a new playset,

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but when he got diagnosed, we were like ‘well, we’ll put that on the back burner’, so this is crazy-awesome timing,” Prior said. The Prior family also has 3-year-old twins, who were on hand for the playset reveal. “We’re extremely grateful that people would give up their time to make this little boy’s dream come true.” The Prior family expects that their backyard will become the new hangout for neighborhood kids. n

JK Community Farm Partners with DC Central Kitchen LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

A Community Foundation Fund in the Spotlight

Hayley Bour/Loudoun Now

5 year-old Jack Prior watches as crews assemble his new playset.

JK Community Farm has partnered with DC Central Kitchen to expand its food distribution to reach those facing food insecurity in the nation’s capital. The 150-acre farm near Purcellville is the nation’s largest nonprofit chemical-free community farm. This year, it will donate close to 230,000 pounds of food throughout the region, with 40,000 pounds—the equivalent of 28,000 meals—going to DC Central Kitchen. “COVID challenged our efforts to keep up with demand, but we adapted our volunteer workforce and were able to increase yield to ensure more families had healthy meals on their plates,” farm Executive Director Samantha Kuhn stated. DC Central Kitchen will be picking

up from the farm twice each month. The farm’s nutrient-dense food will be used at the nonprofit’s kitchens, which provide culinary job training and prepared meals to area shelters and emergency mobile feeding sites, as well as using the fresh produce in produce bags that they distribute across the city. DC Central Kitchen will also send groups of volunteers to harvest food at the JK Community Farm. The farm’s other partners include Loudoun Hunger Relief, Food for Others, and Arlington Food Assistance Center. Other changes at the farm this year include enhanced educational programming by incorporating a bee hotel, beneficial insect habitat, pollinator habitat, flowers, blue bird trail, and a sensory footpath. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

PAGE 15

Punkin Lee Named 2021 Loudoun Laurels Honoree The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has selected Dorothy “Punkin” Lee as its 2021 Laureate, a recognition of her decades of community service. Lee founded Journeymen Saddlers in Middleburg and has operated the business for 45 years. She is president of the Middleburg Business & Professional Association, chairwoman of the Middleburg Streetscape Committee and the Middleburg Beautification and Preservation Committee, and serves on the Middleburg Historic District Committee, Middleburg Arts Council, Upperville Horse Show, and the Middleburg Film Festival committees. She also is a board member of the National Sporting Library and the Middleburg Fall Races, a founding member of Christmas in Middleburg and coordinator of the Middleburg Arbor Day Celebration. Lee volunteers at Great Meadows events and is a member of The Hill School Alumni Association. In 2012, Lee received Visit Loudoun’s Judy Patterson Award. According to Visit Loudoun, the award was given to her because of the Middleburg native’s love for the town and her desire and dedication to preserving it and sharing it with others. “Punkin understands the importance of tourism, and because of that, she works tirelessly, chairing and serving on more committees than our judges could count, volunteering for and ensuring the success of the town’s many events, educating the town’s businesses and residents, and working to ensure that the town remains a beautiful and friendly destination,” Visit Loudoun spokeswoman Jackie Brown-Saunders said. “Much like Judy, the respect Punkin has earned over the years enables her to effectively overcome obstacles and foster a community of involvement and collaboration.” Former Middleburg Mayor Betsy Davis, recipient of the 2017 Laureate award, said of Lee, “She has a ‘ripple’ effect on each and every one of us ... her energy and determination are contagious. She is always the first in line to offer a hand and to help make things work smoothly. She is a great example to the Loudoun Laurels scholarship recipients. Punkin shows what hard work and dedication can and will accomplish.” The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is committed to honoring exceptional community service for the benefit of Loudoun County citizens and to developing future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships. Each year, the foundation honors Loudoun County citizens whose commitment to the community through leadership, community service and philanthropy have helped make Loudoun County a great place in which to live and work. In addition to honoring exceptional community service, the foundation is committed

to developing future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships. Each year, the Loudoun Laurels award one or more $40,000 scholarships to LCPS students who are first generation college attendees. Lee and 2020 Laureate Chuck Kuhn, along with the 2020 and 2021 Loudoun Laurels Scholars, will be honored at the 2021 Gala to be held on Friday, Sept. 24 at Lansdowne Resort. The Foundation’s Laureates include Childs F. Burden, G. Kimball Hart, Eugene M. Scheel, Karen Hatcher Russell, Paul Zi-

luca, Joe T. May, Lang and Judy Washburn, James P. Roberts, Robert E. Sevila, Stanley Caulkins, Fred Drummond, Edgar B. Hatrick, Su Webb, Joe Boling, Dr. John H Cook III, Cate Magennis Wyatt, J. Hamilton Lambert, Margaret Morton, Thomas D. Horne, Betsy Davis, Bill Harrison, Fred and Karen Schaufeld, Al Van Huyck, Kristina Bouweiri and Di Cook. For more information, go to loudounlaurels.org, and to receive an invitation to the gala, send your address and telephone number to info@loudounlaurels.org. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

Our Towns

TOWN notes

Purcellville Commission to Revise Historic District Expansion Plan NORMAN K. STYER

nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Planning Commission emerged from a Thursday night public hearing with more work to do on its effort to discourage the demolition of the town’s oldest homes, but it won over more public support for its goal. About 20 speakers lined up to address the commission July 15 on its plan to expand the historic district overlay zone to include structures that have been identified as contributing to the town’s historic character. Virtually all of them came to oppose the proposal because of concerns they would face more government control over their homes, potentially limiting or regulating renovations or even forcing the sale of their property. Four hours later, they left with the expectation the commission would find a better way to achieve its goal. A public notice mailer sent to the owners of some 300 properties proposed to be added to the historic district left many fearing they would face homeowners association-like controls over such things as

Council Eyes Expanded Grass-Mowing Ordinance The Town Council on Monday discussed the merits of expanding regulations that require the cutting of tall grass and weeds on unoccupied properties to also apply to occupied lots. The General Assembly recently amended the State Code to provide that authority to localities. During Monday’s discussion, members didn’t come to agreement on any specifics of the ordinance changes, including whether to regulate the spread of bamboo. They scheduled an Aug. 9 public hearing to hear residents’ input on the issue.

LOVETTSVILLE Town of Purcellville

A town graphic shows the existing Purcellville Historic District Overlay in hatched lines and proposed additions in the dark shade.

their porches or paint colors. Chairman Nedim Ogelman and other commissioners stressed that the only intended change is that the proposed demolition of any building listed or eligible for listing on the national or state historic

registers or declared a “local landmark” by the Town Council would have to undergo review by the Board of Architectural Review. One provision would require HISTORIC DISTRICT continues on page 17

The Clothing Closet Celebrates One-Year Anniversary BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

One year in, Clothing Closet in Purcellville, one of the several ministries of the Tree of Life nonprofit, has quickly established itself not just as a place to help those in need, but as a sought-after shopping destination in the town’s 21st Street business corridor. Located at 119 N. 21st St., Clothing Closet recently celebrated its first year in business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning for the store began in earnest in January 2020, and Tree of Life staff and volunteers were undeterred even with the arrival of COVID-19, opening Clothing Closet’s doors in June 2020, with an official grand opening celebration July Kara C. Rodriguez/Loudoun Now

CLOTHING CLOSET continues on page 18

HAMILTON

High quality, gently used clothing, shoes and accessories can be found at Purcellville’s Clothing Closet, which just celebrated its first anniversary.

Town Council to Adopt Solar Panel Rules The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on proposed rules for solar panels starting at 7:30 p.m. July 29. The Zoning Ordinance amendment would establish standards for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on lots and buildings. The General Assembly approved legislation permitting residential, commercial, and agricultural landowners to install PV equipment and allows localities to regulate height and setback requirements. Under the proposal, both building-mounted and ground-mounted systems would be permitted in all zoning districts as an accessory use to any permitted principal use on the same lot as long as they generate electricity for a use on the same property rather than for commercial or utility generation purposes. However, the regulations would permit customers to receive a credit for surplus electricity. The draft ordinance may be viewed in the Planning Commission section of the town’s website.

TOWN NOTES continues on page 18

JULY 22, 2021

Historic district continued from page 16 a landowner who was denied a BAR demolition permit to attempt to sell the property before renewing an application to raze it. In addition to fears of regulatory overreach, speakers asked why their properties had been targeted for inclusion in the expanded district. While their homes may be more than 50 years old, they weren’t historically or architecturally remarkable, many said. Also among the speakers opposing the policy was Casey Chapman, who is part of a development group proposing to raze three Hatcher Street homes and build an apartment project on the land. Those lots were among the lots proposed for inclusion in the historic district. He said the policies were being rushed and did not reflect the goals of the Town Plan. During the course of the public hearing—which took on the format of a town hall meeting without enforced time limits on speakers and frequent backand-forth interactions among speakers, commissioners and the town staff—the crowd seemed to understand the commission’s goals and offered alternatives to prevent homes from being razed to make room for larger structures that would be out of scale with the community. One idea that gained traction was to apply the demolition review requirements throughout the town, not just on buildings designated as historic. However, Town Attorney Sally Hankins said Virginia law may only permit localities to impose such controls on historic structures. There also was support for making participation in the historic district voluntary for property owners. If commissioners were initially irked by the wave of opposition they said was caused by confusing town communications, they ended the session expressing appreciation for the comments they received. “This has been very, very helpful across the board,” Ogelman said. Commissioners said they would work on revisions to make the regulations clearer and would explore some of the residents’ suggestions. The issue would likely come back for review in September, unless the panel elects to forgo its planned August recess and hold an earlier work session. If significant changes are made, the proposal would likely require another public hearing before being sent to the Town Council for action. n

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Death Notices ANNA MARLENE BERRY, 84, died July 9. She was born on April 25, 1937, and raised in Briar Hill, PA. She moved to Purcellville in 1978. She was a regular parishioner at St Francis De Sales Church and worked for many years at Leesburg Physical Therapy. She is survived by her husband Donald Berry; children Keith, Teresa and Kevin; and four grandchildren Ashley, Amanda, Aiden, Alec. A funeral mass was held at St Francis De Sales Church on July 17. Interment was at Holy Cross Abbey at the Cool Spring Natural Cemetery in Berryville. [Hall Funeral Home] CHARLES LINWOOD BRIDGE, 90, of Winchester and formerly of Purcellville, died July 15. Born on Sept. 21, 1930, in Aldie, he was the son of Theodore Bridge and Agnes Bridge Campbell. He owned and operated Bridges Shell Station and was a volunteer for the Fire Department and Rescue Squad for many years. He was predeceased by his wife Jane Virginia Bridge. He is survived by his sister Dolly Beamer of Purcellville; Son Steven Michael Bridge of Hillsboro; daughter Susan Maggard of Round Hill; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services were held July 19. Interment was at Hillsboro Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Capital Caring Hospice, 209 Gibson St., NW, Leesburg, VA. [Hall Funeral Home] DONNA JEAN CAULFIELD, 60, of Leesburg, died July 16. She was born Feb. 27, 1961, to the late Robert John Clacherty and Rosemary McDonough. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her son Michael, and sisters Michelle Emanuel of Ashburn, Virginia, and Mary Craig of St. Augustine, FL. A funeral mass was held July 21 at St. John Neumann Catholic in Reston. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Brain & Behavior Foundation at bbrfoundation.org. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] PATRICK VITO COSTANZA, 65, of Ashburn, died July 11. He was born June 12, 1956 in Quantico to Frank and Mary Costanza. He is survived by his wife Mary; sons Evan Patrick Costanza and Bryan Patrick Costanza; sisters Mary Lynne Northrup and Sheila Stevens; and brothers Frank and Donald Costanza. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Homeless Animals at foha.org. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] RACHEL ANN DUDLEY, 21, of Ashburn, died July 13. She was born April 20, 2000, in Bethesda, MD. She was graduate of Stone Bridge High School and worked at The Zone, the Bungalow Ale House, and most recently at the Blue Ridge Grill in Brambleton. She is survived by her parents, Todd and Frances Dudley of

Ashburn; brother Jonathan; and sister Katie. Memorial services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, July 23 at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Angels in Progress or Cornerstone Chapel. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] MARTHA ESTELLE HALL, 79, died July 15. She was born June 10, 1942, to the late Harvey Edgar Daye, Sr. and Ida Virginia Daye Fletcher. She was a longtime member of Providence Baptist in Leesburg and worked as the head pastry chef for the Historic Laurel Brigade Inn in Leesburg for 35 years. Martha is survived by her husband Elwood “Ted” Hall; children Robert Hall of Richmond, Anchella Tanner of Triangle, Christopher Hall of Raleigh, NC, and Chandler Daye of Leesburg; sisters Isabelle Wood, Edith Hughes, Mary Allen, and Dorothy Daye; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] DORIS LORRAINE HOFFMAN, 74, of Hamilton, VA died July 10. Born April 9, 1947, in Leesburg to the late Marion Richard Cullen and Helen Easter (Potts) Cullen of Paeonian Springs. She was a graduate of Loudoun Valley High School and a retired school bus driver. She was an active member of Leesburg Church of Nazarene. She is survived by her husband Donald L. Hoffman Sr.; children Brenda Hoffman, Donnie and Suzette Hoffman, Steven and Kristi Hoffman; and six grandchildren. Services were held July 16 at Leesburg Church of the Nazarene. Interment will take place on a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Leesburg Church of Nazarene’s Missions Group. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] WILLIAM G. LYNN, 61, died July 14. He was born Oct. 15, 1959, in Loudoun County to Barbara Frye and Charles Lynn. He worked as a plumber for Loudoun County Public Schools for 35 years, retiring in 2013. He is survived by his wife Susan Lynn and brothers, James Lynn and David Lynn. A graveside service was held July 21 at Lovettsville Union Cemetery. [Colonial Funeral Home] ALEXANDRA “SANDY” RAYE PARSONS, 86, of Leesburg, died July 9 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. She is survived by her husband Albert; children John Hopkins III of Sterling, Jill Minard of Virginia Beach, Mark Hopkins of The Plains, stepson Derrick Parsons of Canada; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services were private. [Colonial Funeral Home] FLORENCE ANN PILCH, 93, formerly of Jessup, PA, and Albany, NY, died July 14 peacefully at Maple Grove Nursing Home in Ashburn. She was born Sept. 23, 1927, to John and Mary (Gavenda) Skovira. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Charles Pilch;

sisters: Mary Teeter, Loretta Kreiger, Ann McGuirk; and brothers John, Joseph, Cy, Len, Francis, Bernard, Richard and Mike. She is survived by her children Ann Giallorenzo, Mary Ann McCarthy; Charles, Norma Minkoff, and Loretta Gusciora.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor. [Colonial Funeral Home] WESLEY LEE PULLEN, 73, died July 6. He was born Nov. 5, 1947, in Purcellville to Jesse L Pullen and Lucille Williams Pullen. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1973, worked and ran Pullen’s Garage with his father in Leesburg, and retired from FEMA at Mount Weather after 25 years of service. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Alice Shockley. He is survived by his wife Ann Harper Pullen; children Jeffrey Pullen, Jason Pullen, and J. Page Titus; brothers Michael Pullen, and Robby Pullen; and a sister Peggy Simpson. Services were held July 12 at Hall Funeral Home. Interment was at Hillsboro Cemetery. Memorial contribution may be made to the Loudoun County Humane Society. [Hall Funeral Home] AMES RUSSELL SMITH, 67, of Purcellville, died July 7 at Inova Loudoun Hospital. He was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Chicago, IL, to Clarence and Mary Smith. He worked for 30 years as a social worker for Loudoun County Family Services. In addition to his mother, he is predeceased by brothers David and Peter Smith. He is survived by his wife Sheila Gallin; daughter Courtney Smith of Purcellville; son Jeremiah Smith of Purcellville; father Clarence Smith of Frederick, MD; brother Philip Smith of Pennsylvania; and grandson Brendan Harper of Purcellville. A funeral mass was held July 15 at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church. Interment was at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 38, Purcellville, VA 20134. [Hall Funeral Home] RICHARD M. THOMPSON JR., 74, of Leesburg, died July 12. He was born on Aug. 28, 1946, in Washington, DC, to Richard Mason Thompson Sr. and Ethel Marie Benjamin Thompson. He worked for more than 40 years for Safeway in the Northern Virginia region, retiring from the Great Falls store in 2003. He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Christina; sisters Thelma Thompson Brown and Barbara Hoy Powell; and three grandchildren. Services were held July 19 at Colonial Funeral Home. Interment was at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon. [Colonial Funeral Home]

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TOWN notes continued from page 16

PURCELLVILLE Bertaut Elected Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut is the new vice mayor. Following tradition, he was nominated to serve in the post for the next year by Councilwoman Mary Jane Williams, who held the post for the past year. A resident of town since 2005, Bertaut is serving his first term on the council, having been elected in 2020.

Water Treatment Plant Wins Filtration Award

Nominations Open for Arts Leadership Award The Purcellville Arts Council is accepting applications for the annual Jim “Doc” Wiley Leadership in the Arts Award. The award, named for the beloved family dentist, former Town Council member, and long-time supporter of art and artists in Purcellville, is intended to recognize an individual or organization in the Purcellville area for making a significant impact on the arts in the community. Candidates may include performing, visual, or literary artists; teachers of art; producers or managers of arts venues; patrons of the arts; and art advocates. Nominations are due by Sept. 30. A nomination form is posted on the town government website.

The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water presented the Town of Purcellville Water Treatment Plant with a 2020 Excellence in Granular Media Filtration Award. The plant earned a silver award for achieving Virginia’s optimization goals for filtration throughout 2020. The annual awards recognize water systems that demonstrate excellence in performance and operations and for its treatment and distribution of drinking water to the public.

Council Approves 3 New Vendor Contracts

Clothing Closet

store, which include sizes for babies, children, men and women, are high quality and gently used. In a partnership with local retailer lou lou boutiques, Clothing Closet is even provided with new clothing pieces and accessories that are deeply discounted for shoppers. Everything from $10 pairs of jeans to shoes to scarves, clothes for play and dressier attire, can be found in Clothing Closet’s inventory. Tree of Life staff and volunteers said the store has become a weekly tradition for some area shoppers, and has even attracted visitors in town for weddings, family gatherings, or passing through on the nearby W&OD Trail. They are resolute in not raising prices, even in the current economic climate, and also not lowering their standards for quality. “We want to stay shoppable,” said store manager and Tree of Life volunteer Diane McDuffie. Donations for Clothing Closet are accepted during store hours—10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information on the store, go to tolministries.org/the-clothing-closet. n

continued from page 16 11 of last year. They saw a brick and mortar store as a natural outgrowth of their popular annual clothing giveaways. Since its opening, 250 individuals have been served with free clothing through Tree of Life’s voucher program, including 22 families that received coats last winter. The Tree of Life staff and volunteers make the shopping experience seamless for those on the nonprofit’s voucher program, setting up private shopping experiences where volunteers and staff can pull clothing items ahead of times when they know the sizes of the individuals or families coming in to shop. It’s a “unique boutique,” Susannah Lee, regional director of Tree of Life’s Purcellville office, said. “We don’t allow it to be called thrift,” she said. “We want only the best for our customers.” A quick browse through the store says it to be exactly that. Items for sale in the

The Town Council on July 13 approved two new vendor contracts. A $13,000 contract with California-based Glass Commerce would create an online marketplace for town businesses. Mayor Kwasi Frasier championed the initiative, which he said should results in a local Amazon-like platform to help local merchants compete online. The contract was approved on a 4-2 vote with council

members Mary Jane Williams and Joel D. Grewe opposed. A $3,000 contract with VisitAble will provide training and certification to improve access for disabled visitors to Town Hall, the Bush Tabernacle, Fireman’s Field Park, and Haske Field. Town Manager David A Mekarski, who worked as an ADA transition coordinator for a decade, recommended against the expenditure, saying it was unnecessary. The contract was approved on a 5-1 vote with Grewe opposed.

ROUND HILL Water Interruptions, Street Closures, Planned in Round Hill As work resumes on the Franklin Park Trail project in Round Hill, residents will see traffic detours and water service interruptions over the next few weeks. Starting Monday, East Loudoun Street

JULY 22, 2021

between Evening Star Drive and Main Street will be closed on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The closures are planned to continue through July 30. Traffic will be detoured via Evening Star Drive, Greenwood Drive and Main Street during the closures. Also, on Monday, July 26 water service is planned to be turned off to approximately 25 homes and four businesses in the Loudoun Street, Main Street, New Cut Road and Bridge Street areas. The affected residents have been notified. Crews are working to complete the underground work on water and sewer lines and stormwater facilities for both the Franklin Park Trail and the Main Street Enhancement Project. By September, the work is expected to shift to construction of curb and gutter. Both projects are scheduled to wrap up by February.

Construction Project Manager Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to handle all aspects of construction project management. Responsibilities include controlling the time, cost and quality of construction projects. Project managers will be expected to plan and coordinate all aspects of the construction process, including hiring contractors and working with engineers, architects, and vendors. Managers will be responsible for determining the scheduling of different phases of a project based on established deadlines. Project managers will be expected to negotiate contracts with architects, vendors, contractors and other workers. The securing of building permits and licenses and delivery of materials and equipment to construction sites will be the responsibility of the project manager. Construction managers will confer with supervisors or other managers to monitor construction progress, including worker productivity and compliance with building and safety codes. PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS • College degree in construction management or relevant field. Years of experience in a similar or related position will be considered in lieu of degree. • Strong knowledge and understanding of construction field preferred • Ability to work in an office environment as well as in the field as requested. • Intermediate to advanced skill level in Microsoft Office products including MS Project. • Familiarity with Procore construction management software preferred, not required. • Ability to learn company specific software as needed or required. (Familiarity with Procore preferred, but not required) • Prior experience in construction or relative field preferred. • Proven track record working with people, teams, and projects. • Ability to work independently, within a team and in a diverse workforce. • Ability to travel as needed • Must be able to pass a background check for clearance to Federal buildings CONTACT INFO Kathy Hicks 208 South King Street Suite 303 • Leesburg, VA 20175 www.meridiengroupllc.com khicks@meridiengroupllc.com Office: (703) 777-8285

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

PAGE 19

HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Large family practice in Loudoun County with 6 locations and 28 providers looking for FT LPN’s or MA’s with a dedication to excellence. New LPN graduates welcome to apply. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer competitive pay rates, health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. Please send your resume to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa

See the full 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

Communications Technician (Police Dispatcher)

Police

$45,136-$75,961 DOQ

Closing Date 7/27/2021

IT Systems Administrator

Utilities

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Project Manager

Utilities

$76,941-$131,689 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Buyer/Contracts Administrator

Finance

$67,175-$115,044 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Zoning Analyst

Planning & Zoning

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

Open until filled

Systems Analyst/Infrastructure & Asset Management

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Training and Development Coordinator

Utilities

$52,446-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities

$41,353-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician: Trainee, Technician or Senior

Utilities

$44,905-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility System Trainee or Technician

Utilities

$41,353-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Regular Part-Time Position Position

Department Outreach Program Coordinator

Hourly Rate Parks and Recreation

$23.03-39.43 DOQ

Closing Date Open until filled

Flexible Part-Time Position

DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011

Position

Department Customer Service Representative III

Hourly Rate Utilities

$23.03-39.43 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.

FULL TIME FLAGGER Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up and control traffic around construction sites. A valid drivers license is a must, good pay, and benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 7855 Progress Court Suite 103 Gainesville, VA on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 pm or online at www.trafficplan.com

Closing Date Open until filled

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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JULY 22, 2021

Loco Living

THINGS to do

‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’

SUMMER TUNES Music in The Gap: Circa Blue

Sterling Playmakers’ ‘Godspell’ Premieres July 29 “Godspell” was initially written as a play by John-Mijmercker@loudounnow.com chael Tebelak in 1970, during an era of political tensions reIt’s been a challenging and lated to the Vietnam War and often divisive 18 months in counterculture movement. Loudoun. Schwartz’s score was added for For the Sterling Playan off-Broadway production makers’ Jim Bowen-Colthat premiered in 1971. His hit linson, “Godspell” is just song “Day By Day” from the what the community needs. original cast recording reached Bowen-Collinson directs a #13 on the Billboard pop charts new production of the Tony in 1972. award-winning musical, The show has special signifwhich tells the story of Jesus icance for Bowen-Collinson, with crunchy ’70s flair. Renss Greene/Loudoun Now who was cast in an ensemble “We basically tell the The Sterling Playmakers rehearse for their next show, Godspell. role as a freshman at Middle greatest story ever told Township High School in New through song and dance,” Bowen-Collinson said. Like many other community theater organizations, the Ster- Jersey in 2006. That production fostered lifelong friendships and ling Playmakers usually plan a large-scale summer musical with a lifelong passion for musical theater. And even as a teen, Bowa cast of around 50. The company had initially envisioned a 2021 en-Collinson remembers being struck by the sense of unity the production of the reliable summer blockbuster “Matilda,” after show inspired, bringing together people from all walks of life. “It didn’t matter what your religion or creed was in life,” he scrapping that show last summer. But producers were hesitant to take on a large cast with lots of child actors and nixed the show said. “You enjoyed the show because it had the universal message of community, love, hope and helping your fellow man.” when they learned that streaming rights were not available. It’s a message that’s just as resonant in 2021. As the Playmakers’ board of directors looked for a satisfying “I always feel like life is imitated by art,” he said. “After the year but smaller-scale summer musical, “the title that just kept popwe had in 2020 … this was the perfect time for this show.” ping up was ‘Godspell,’” Bowen-Collinson said. A year ago, the pandemic struck right in the middle of the The Playmakers production features a cast of 13, including just two named characters: Jesus and John the Baptist (who turns Playmakers’ production of the Harry Potter-themed play “Puffs.” into Judas later in the show). The show also features unnamed The company canceled its shows for the year but stayed afloat characters who act out Biblical parables (primarily from the through creative fundraising, participating in the regional ComBook of Matthew) redrawn with contemporary references and munity Theater Thrives fundraiser last summer and earning a humor. The score, crafted by noted composer Stephen Schwartz, Rebuild VA grant from the state. The Playmakers streamed a virwho went on to write the score for “Wicked,” features lyrics pulled from traditional hymns set to folk/rock tunes. GODSPELL continues on page 23 BY JAN MERCKER

another admission ticket. The fair runs noon to 10 p.m. July 28July 30; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 31; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1. The winner of this year’s Kiss-A-Pig contest will be announced at 6 p.m. July 31 in the outdoor arena just before the demolition derby. The livestock auction will be held starting at 6 p.m. July 30 in the show barn and via livestream. This year’s fair is dedicated to Kim and Rodney Monroe, who have supported the fair and 4H programs for more than two decades. See the full schedule of events at

VAL Plaza Party: Pete Lapp

Saturday, July 24, 6-8 p.m. Village At Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com Kick back with acoustic interpretations of classic and alternative rock songs from Bon Jovi to Mumford and Sons.

Tarara Summer Concert Series: Still Surfin’

Saturday, July 24, 6-9:30 p.m. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts Details: tararaconcerts.com Still Surfin’ pays tribute to the Beach Boys and other 60s greats like Jan and Dean and The Ventures. Tickets are $20 for adults 21 and over, $10 for people under 21. Admission for children 7 and under is free.

Acoustic on The Green: Roam Like Goats

Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Green, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: leesburgva.gov This original acoustic duo blends genres from rock to folk for an alternative sound with a progressive swampy flair.

LOCO LIVE Live Music: Troll Tribe

Friday, July 23, 5 p.m. Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing Get your groove on with a mixed-genre sound combining elements from reggae, rock, folk and alternative.

Live Music: Josh Crews and Friends

County Fair Opens Wednesday The 2021 Loudoun County Fair opens July 28 for a five-day run. The event features agricultural exhibits, 4H competitions, carnival games and rides, and a host of special events—including bicycle stunt riders, concerts, two nights of rodeo and a demolition derby. Advance tickets are available online at tickets.loudouncountyfair.com. The cost is $12 per day or $35 for a weekly pass for adults and $5/$12 for kids. Tickets purchased at the gate will cost $15/$40 for adults and $5/$15 for kids. There also is a one-time $5 parking fee. Admission to the carnival area requires

Friday, July 23, 7 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Details: oldstoneschool.org Circa Blue bridges the traditional/ contemporary gap with clean arrangements and tight vocal harmonies. General admission is free. Tickets for verandah seating are $20 for a table of four.

Friday, July 23, 5:30 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Bluegrass, newgrass and beyond from Crews and his band of superstar pickers.

Live Music: Carbon Leaf

Loudoun Now File Photo

The Loudoun County Fair runs July 28-Aug. 1 at the fairgrounds west of Leesburg.

loudouncountyfair.com. The Loudoun County Fairgrounds are located at 15558 Dry Mill Road, just west of Leesburg. n

Friday, July 23, 6 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Richmond-based Carbon Leaf returns to Loudoun with their signature blend of rock, folk, Celtic, bluegrass and Americana and a high-energy style the group calls “etherelectrified porch music.” Tickets are $30 in advance.

Live Music: Chris Hanks

Friday, July 23, 7 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern

THINGS TO DO continues on page 22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

“One of the Summer’s best concert lineups.” -The Washington Post

The Town of Leesburg’s Award Winning Free Summer Concert Series

2021

Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Bet for Summer Concerts.

Official Radio & Social Media Partner

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Roam Like Ghosts Saturday, July 24 7:00 - 8:30 pm Lawn chairs and blankets are advised. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, or pets allowed. In case of inclement weather, the show will be cancelled. For more information, visit www.idalee.org

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LAWN OPENS AT 6 P.M.

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CONTEMPORARY BLUEGRASS

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For details or to reserve a table visit oldstoneschool.org

PAGE 21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

JULY 22, 2021

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KID BROTHER W/PALMYRA Friday, July 23, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

ROAM LIKE GHOSTS Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

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19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA For a full schedule please visit

www.TallyHoTheater.com 07/30/21

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REVEREND HORTON HEAT

STILL SURFIN’ WITH DAVE WHITE Saturday, July 24, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

FRAYED KNOTS Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. Black Walnut Brewery blackwalnutbrewery.com

WITH THE HACKENSAW BOYS 07/31/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

THINGS to do continued from page 20

COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG PRESENTED BY DC IMPROV 08/06/21 DOORS: 7PM | SHOW: 8PM

THE TEN BANDPEARL JAM TRIBUTE 08/07/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

EYES OF THE NILE-A TRIBUTE TO IRON MAIDEN 08/08/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

VANILLA FUDGE 08/13/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

YACHT ROCK NIGHT WITH BOAT HOUSE ROW 08/14/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Hanks returns to Social House for a fun evening of country favorites.

Live Music: Tejas Singh

Friday, July 23, 7 p.m. Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com NOVA-based singer/songwriter Tejas Singh brings his angelic voice and devilish guitar skills to Social House.

Live Music: Kid Brother

Friday, July 23, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com This groovy quintet with Leesburg roots is hitting the big time. Catch them back home while you can. Tickets are $20-$35.

Live Music: Kara Davis

Saturday, July 24, 1 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Davis serves up great tunes spanning the decades in a gorgeous setting.

Live Music: Keeton

Saturday, July 24, 1-5 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Keeton returns to Vanish with ’90s and alternative hits.

Live Music: Mercy Creek

Saturday, July 24, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville

Details: flyingacefarm.com This Northern Neck duo with Loudoun roots brings earthy, edgy, aggressive folk-rock to Flying Ace.

Live Music: Steve George and Friends

Saturday, July 24, 5:30 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Enjoy an evening of rock, country, blues and beyond from a local favorite at Mac’s beach.

Live Music: Danny Knicely, Tom Mitchel and John Previti

Saturday, July 24, 6 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com It’s a great night of music with regional favorites with Danny Knicely, Swinging Tom Mitchel, John Previti and the Woodshedders. Tickets are $20 in advance.

Live Music: Frayed Knots

Saturday, July 24, 7-10 p.m. Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg Details: facebook.com/blackwalnutbrewery Local favorites The Frayed Knots shake things up with their uniquely interpreted and arranged rock repertoire.

Live Music: Hilary Veltri

Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Veltri’s repertoire of covers and originals spans generations and genres from Bob Dylan to Beyonce.

Live Music: Eddie Pasa

Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com This well-known DMV drummer also rocks guitar and vocals for his solo acoustic shows.

Live Music: Best Friends Girl Cars Tribute

Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Celebrate live music’s return with 80s favorites from a top-notch tribute to The Cars. Tickets are $20.

Live Music: Bryan Fox and Friends

Sunday, July 25, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Middleburg’s own Bryan Fox brings his unique voice and talented band to Flying Ace.

Live Music: Robbie Limon

Sunday, July 25, 5 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Robbie Limon returns to the beach with favorites from 70s-era songwriters including The Eagles, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Roy Orbison, The Doobie Brothers, Jim Croce and Willie Nelson.

LOCO CULTURE Polo In The Park

Saturday, July 24, 6 p.m., gates open Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg Details: morvenpark.org Polo in the Park is back at Morven Park. Admission is $40 per car, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Loudoun County Fair

Wednesday, July 28-Sunday, Aug. 1 Loudoun County Fairgrounds, 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg Details: loudouncountyfair.com Support Loudoun’s 4H programming and enjoy animals, a petting zoo, demolition derby and other fun activities. Daily tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children. Weekly tickets are $40, $15 for children.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

Godspell

PAGE 23

Legal Notices

continued from page 20 tual production of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” in February and made their return to the live stage with the “Laramie Project” last month in Purcellville and Sterling. But there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a summer musical, and as the pandemic comes under control in the DMV, Bowen-Collinson said actors are hungry to perform. “My cast is so ready to be in front of an audience,” he said. “Godspell” auditions pulled in 35 to 40 actors from around the region, and the show brings in both new and returning actors. Veteran Playmakers actor Chris Gray who sings “All Good Gifts” returns to stage after a long hiatus alongside a new voice in Ashley Williams who sings “Learn Your Lessons Well.” “This is one of the most diverse casts Playmakers has ever put on their stage. We have age diversity, race diversity, new to the Playmakers and returning members,” Bowen-Collinson said. Bowen-Collinson was also thrilled to snag collegiate rising stars for the lead roles. JMU senior Noah Hamade plays Jesus, and Northern Virginia Community College music and voice student Joshua Finger plays John/Judas. For the Playmakers production, Bowen-Collinson chose the 2011-2012 Broadway revival version which adds in some contemporary cultural and political references and fresh musical arrangements. “The show got a bit of a facelift,” he said. “Everybody gets made fun of in this production. Nobody’s safe.” The revival also includes the song “Beautiful City,” written by Schwartz for the 1972 film version and updated in 1993 following civil unrest after the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles, with themes of hope and rebuilding. “To me that’s the bread and butter of the story,” Bowen-Collinson said. “We are this group of strangers in this very tornapart world, and we can come together to spread hope, love, faith, community.” The Sterling Playmakers’ production of Godspell runs July 29-Aug. 1 and Aug. 13-15 at Potomac Falls High School in Sterling. Tickets are $20 with socially distanced seating available on request. Streamed productions will be available Aug. 11-Sept. 20 at a cost of $25 per household. For tickets and information, go to sterlingplaymakers.org. n

NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires. All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Description

Case Number

Recovery Date

Black and highlighter green Schwinn Genesis bicycle

SO210010768

7/5/2021

Recovery Location Cascades Pkwy/Palisades Pkwy Sterling, VA

Phone Number 703-777-0610 07/22 & 07/29/21

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

JJ040484-09-00 JJ040484-10-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Carter Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. David Craig Johnson, father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Christian Carter and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of David Craig Johnson, father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Christian Carter. David Craig Johnson is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of his residual parental rights with respect to Christian Carter. David Craig Johnson is hereby further notified that if his residual parental rights are terminated, he will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Christian Carter; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Christian Carter; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Christian Carter. Further, David Craig Johnson will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Christian Carter, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Christian Carter for adoption and consent to the adoption of Christian Carter. It is ORDERED that the defendant David Craig Johnson, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his August 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm. 07/15, 07/22, 07/29 & 08/05/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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JULY 22, 2021

Legal Notices Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Town Council

PUBLIC NOTICE The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary record plat of subdivision for the following project.

The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on July 29, 2021 at the Lovettsville Council Chambers located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue. 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.

SBPR-2021-0011 Lenah Circle East Ph 2

LVZA 2021-0001 Amendments to Article 42, Zoning, Division 42-VIII-2, Additional Standards, to add Section 42-304, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. Consideration of an amendment to Division 42-VIII-2, to add Section 42-304, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. The purpose of the amendment is to establish standards for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on buildings and lots. The Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2288.7 permits residential, commercial, and agricultural landowners to install PV equipment and allows localities to regulate height and setback requirements. The proposed amendment would add definitions, apply height limits and design standards, and require PV facilities comply with setbacks applicable to accessory structures in the zoning district in which the property is located. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review on the Town website www.lovettsvilleva.gov. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by calling the Town Office at (540) 822-5788 or contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 07/15 & 07/22/21

Loudoun County Public Schools

Proposed Middle School & High School Attendance Zone Change On June 8, 2021, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone change process that proposes to assign the Hartland and Lenah Circle East communities to the Mercer Middle School/John Champe High School attendance zone – prior to the start of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Mr. Matt Kroll of Timber Ridge at Hartland, LLC of Ashburn, VA is requesting PRELIMINARY/ RECORD plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately three (3.4) acres into seven (7) residential lots and one (1) open space lot. The property is located along John Mosby Highway (Route 50), west of Fleetwood Road (Route 616) and east of Everfield Drive (Route 3423). The property is zoned TR-2 (Transitional Residential - 2) under the provisions of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The properties are more particularly described as PINs 246-45-1654-000 and 24645-2778-000 in the Blue Ridge Election District. Additional information regarding this application may be found on the Loudoun Online Land Applications System www.loudoun.gov/LOLA by searching for SBPR-2021-0011. Complete copies of the above referenced application(s) are also available for public review at the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Land Development File Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical public access to the file may be interrupted. You may contact the project manager to arrange for alternative access to the file if necessary. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at eric.blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by August 26, 2021. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary/record subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.09 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 07/22/21

Additional information on this proposed attendance zone change is posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/236732). The School Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the attendance zone change on August 10, 2021, to be followed by action on the proposed change later the same evening. Persons may sign up to speak at the August 10 meeting by calling 571-252-1020. Written comment may be sent to lcpsplan@lcps.org; all correspondence and information received will be shared with the School Board. The August 10 meeting will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org). Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, in order to participate meaningfully in the August 10, 2021 public hearing and meeting, should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services, Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, & 08/05/21

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#

2007 2000 2003 2000 2001

Mercury VW Toyota Mazda Toyota

Milam Jetta Highlander Protege Camry

3MEHMO8197R602120 3VWSF71KX6M781824 JTEHF21AX30152792 JM1BJ2229Y0239350 4T1BG22K71U030990

Blair’s Towing Blair’s Towing Road Runner D & M Towing Battlefield Towing

703-661-8200 703-661-8200 703-450-7555 703-471-4590 703-378-0059 07/22 & 07/29/21

Town of Leesburg Continues Water Valve Exercise and Maintenance Program Public Notification The Town of Leesburg is continuing a preventative maintenance program to protect the longevity and operation of the water system infrastructure and valves. This valve exercise program requires closing, then opening each main line valve and service line valves in specific distribution areas.

ABC LICENSE

Bogati Bodega & Winery, trading as Bogati Bodega & Winery LLC, 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy, Suite 190, Round Hill, VA 20141

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.

Don’t miss the show.

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

The purpose of the program is to exercise main line valves throughout the distribution system to assure reliable operation and maintain water quality. During this program, crews will exercise the valves by operating each valve through a full cycle and returning it to its normal position. Where valves are exercised, a fire hydrant will be flowed to ensure that the water in the main remains clear.

James Bogaty, CEO Della Bogaty, CFO

During the valve turning exercise, customers may experience some sediment or discolored water for a short period of time. Water is safe to drink and safe to use during this period. If this condition is noticed, we recommend running several cold water taps at full force for a period of 1-2 minutes. It may be necessary to repeat this process after 30 minutes. In addition, the closing and opening of valves may introduce air into water lines which can cause temporary erratic water flow. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed.

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.

The valve exercising will occur June through November during the hours of 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Town regrets any inconvenience the maintenance program may cause. If you have any questions regarding our valve exercising program, or have any concerns about water quality, please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075. For after-hour emergencies, please call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500.

07/15 & 07/22/21

GETOUTLOUDOUN.COM

05/27/21 07/22/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 22, 2021

Legal Notices

PAGE 25

TOWN OF LEESBURG

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLZM-2019-0001 AND SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSE-2020-0004 VIRGINIA VILLAGE

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 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2019-0001 and Special Exception application TLSE-2020-0004, Virginia Village. The subject property consists of approximately 18.48 acres and includes the existing Virginia Village Shopping Center located on the north side of Catoctin Circle, S.E., and west of Harrison Street, S.E. That center is zoned CD-MUR, Crescent District-Mixed-Use Residential and CD-CC, Crescent District-Commercial Corridor and is further identified as Loudoun County Property Identification Numbers (PIN) 231-17-9342, 231-17-7713, 231-18-0311, 231-18-5606, 232-47-9494, and 232-48-2685. Also included is a 2.68 acre undeveloped parcel at the end of Madison Court, S.E., that is zoned R-22, Multifamily Residential District and Gateway District (Overlay), and is further identified as Loudoun County Property Identification Number (PIN) 231-18-0470. Rezoning Application TLZM-2019-0001 is a request by Keane Enterprises to rezone approximately 18.48 acres from R-22, Multi-Family Residential, CD-MUR, Crescent District-Mixed-Use Residential, CD-CC, Crescent District-Commercial Corridor and Gateway District (Overlay) to CD-RH, Crescent District Residential High Density and CD-CC, Crescent District-Corridor Commercial, subject to a Concept Plan and Proffers. The application requests 643 residential units (53 single-family attached units, 28 stacked townhouse units and 562 multifamily units) and up to 175,000 square feet of commercial uses, including office, retail and other uses that may be interchanged. The site is located in the Town Plan Central Planning Area and a 2.68 acre portion of the property is further designated as “Downtown” on the Planned Land Use Policy Map with no recommended density for residential use or Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for commercial uses. The proposed residential area for the requested CDRH District is 16.7 dwelling units per acre. This portion is subject to a Town Plan Amendment request to designate this area as “Residential” on the Crescent District Land Use Policy Map (See TLTA-20190001 Virginia Village). The Town Plan designates the remainder of the property on the Crescent District Land Use Policy Map as “Mixed Use”, “Commercial/Mixed Use” and “Open Space” with no recommended density for residential use or F.A.R. for commercial uses. Taking this portion of the property which includes the area requested for mixed use CD-CC District, the proposed density is 53.7 dwelling units per acre and the F.A.R. is 0.36. The application includes 34 requested modifications to the Crescent Design District regulations. Special Exception Application TLSE-2020-0004 is a request by Keane Enterprises to permit the alteration of the floodplain along a portion of the Town Branch waterway on the parcel identified as Property Identification Number (PIN) 231-18-5606 to facilitate construction of a pedestrian bridge across that waterway. Additional information and copies of these two application are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, at 703-771-2774 or bboucher@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 07/22 & 07/29/21

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

J044669-03-00 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro. It is ORDERED that the defendants Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, & 07/22/21

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER TOWN PLAN AMENDMENT TLTA-2019-0001 VIRGINIA VILLAGE 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 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Town Plan Amendment application TLTA-2019-0001, a request by Keane Enterprises to amend the Town Plan Crescent District Planned Land Use Policy Map, the Crescent District Building Heights Policy Map, and the Crescent District Future Streets Policy Map. This Town Plan Amendment applies to 4.85 acres located at the end of Madison Court S.E., Leesburg, Virginia 20175 and further identified as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 231-18-0470 (2.68 acres) and portions of 231-17-9342 and 231-18-0311. The parcels are zoned R-22, Multifamily Residential and Gateway District (Overlay) (2.68 acres) and CD-MUR, Crescent District-Mixed Use Residential (2.17 acres). The Town Plan designates this property as “Downtown” on the Planned Land Use Policy Map. Approximately 2.17 acres are designated as “Mixed Use” on the Crescent District Land Use Policy Map but the 2.68 acre parcel is not currently included on the Crescent District Land Use Policy Map. The Applicant proposes to amend the Crescent District Land Use Policy Map to include the subject property as Crescent District “Residential”. The requested “Residential” land use does not specify a density but a separate Rezoning Application (TLZM-20190001) has also been submitted by the applicant to allow for a residential use on the subject property at a density of about 16.7 units per acre. Two other maps are also proposed to be amended to include the subject property: the Crescent District Building Height Policy Map and the Crescent District Future Streets Policy Map. Additional information and copies of these applications are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Brian Boucher, Deputy Director at 703-771-2774 or by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 07/22 & 07/29/21

TOWN OF LEESBURG ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID IFB NO. 100313-FY22-07 ANNUAL GENERAL HAULING AND DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES **NOTE: The Town of Leesburg has implemented revised procurement procedures during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Effective January 1, 2021, and for the duration of the Emergency or until further notice, all bids and proposals in response to a formal solicitation issued by the Town will be securely received via eVA, the Commonwealth’s eProcurement website. Additionally, during this time the Town will not conduct in-person public bid openings. ** SEALED BIDS to construct the above project WILL BE RECEIVED by the Town of Leesburg, electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), UNTIL BUT NO LATER THAN 3:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021. Bids shall be submitted electronically using the following naming convention: the IFB number and the name of the bidder (i.e. “IFB No. 100313-FY22-07_Your Company’s Name”). All questions regarding this bid must be submitted in writing via email to OpsBids@leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Bidders shall include the correct IFB number in the subject line of all e-mails. Bids will be publicly opened via Cisco Webex using the eVA e-Procurement website at the due date and time listed above. The bid opening will be livestreamed via Cisco Webex and made available to the public. Cisco Webex conferencing information will be available, including instructions to join the meeting via computer and/or phone, from the Town’s Bid Board. Work includes providing hauling equipment and operators to haul materials generated by Town maintenance crews to various locations for disposal all incidentals related thereto. Materials may include but are not limited to wood chips, branches, logs, trunks, root balls, leaves, construction debris, storm debris, soil, stone, snow and ice. Hauling of hazardous waste is excluded from this contract. Bid Documents are available for download from the Town’s Bid Board at http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard. Any addenda issued for this project will be posted on the Town’s Bid Board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov) with a courtesy email to those firms who have registered on the Town’s Bid Board. It is the bidders’ responsibility to provide a correct email address and to be aware of any addenda. Renee LaFollette, P.E., Director Department of Public Works and Capital Projects 07/22/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

Legal Notices

JULY 22, 2021

Misc.

VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA Plaintiff, V. PHILIP M. DODDERIDGE Defendant.

) ) ) ) ) ) )

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9/3/19

10:58 AM

Civil Action No. CL 21-3881

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the above-styled suit is to achieve the judicial sale of real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia, for the purpose of collecting delinquent real estate taxes assessed against the subject real Property. IT APPEARING that the subject real estate contains 40.7 acres, more or less, with improvements, located at 19599 Ridgeside Road, Bluemont, Virginia 20135 identified by Loudoun County PIN 651-17-6424-000 and Tax Map Number /53/////////2B (the “Property”) and is further described among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia as: All that certain lot or parcel of land, together with any improvement thereon and appurtenances thereto, situate, lying and being in Loudoun County, Virginia, and being 40.705 acres, more or less, as better shown on plat of J. Horace Jarrett, C.L.S., entitled “BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PROPERTIES OF BILL SGARRELLA AND PHILIP M. & LINDA B. DODDERIDGE”, dated December 31, 1988 and recorded with that deed recorded in Deed Book 1044, at Page 972 among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia.

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AND BEING a portion of the same property, conveyed to Philip M. Dodderidge from Charles M. Baker and Mary Lee Baker by deed dated May 27, 1976 recorded at Deed Book 640 Page 514 among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia. Y

Italian Capodimonte Bedroom set consisting of the bed head and foot boards, frame, 2 dressers one with a large mirror, 2 night tables with cabinets, all topped with marble, all the wood work intricately carved. Also have other dressers, and a colonial Thomasville Cherry dining room set, Table has 2 leaves, table pad, and the China Cabinet has interior lighting. Serious Inquiries only, by appointment only.

IT FURTHER APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that the County used diligence to ascertain a location at which Defendant Philip M. Dodderidge may be served; and CY

CMY

IT FURTHER APPEARING that Philip M. Dodderidge is a nonresident individual; it is therefore K

ORDERED, that pursuant to Virginia Code §§8.01-316 and 58.1-3967, PHILIP M. DODDERIDGE appear before this Court on September 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., and do what is necessary to protect his interests herein; and it is also ORDERED, that pursuant to Virginia Code §8.01-321, this Order be published for two successive weeks in Loudoun Now. Entered this 8 day of July, 2021 07/22 & 07/29/21

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Notice of Public Hearing Hamilton Town Council

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The Hamilton Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday August 9, 2021, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia, to receive comments and consider the adoption of a Boundary Line Adjustment Petition and Agreement with the County of Loudoun., as authorized by Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §15.2-3106. The Petition and Agreement propose to bring an 8.2 acre Town-owned parcel into the Town corporate limits. The parcel is located adjacent to the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in the northeast corner of Town and is identified as PIN: 18305976. Copies of the proposed Petition, Agreement and related documents may be viewed on-line at hamiltonva.gov, or at the Town Office on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Case No. CL-21-2993

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

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JULY 22, 2021

Opinion The Danger Point Once again, the state government is failing to meet its obligations in a critical area of the public welfare and pushing the responsibility to localities. That’s more a tradition than a surprise in the Old Dominion. However, the reduction of state mental health beds is particularly egregious in light of the majority party’s social justice activism that has brought sweeping change in other areas. At a time when public health advocates are calling for expanded services to meet the growing need of those undergoing mental health crises, the state isn’t even able to fully operate the woefully inadequate capacity that exists. The responsibility is falling to local law enforcement—taking important resources away from the critical mission of public safety. Already, many of our local agencies, especially the Sheriff ’s Office, have implemented innovative programs to better serve residents in crisis, in

LETTERS to the Editor

some cases setting a national example. While, through the day-to-day nature of their work, law enforcement officers find themselves on the

Violated Trust

front line of those posing a danger, they should not be expected to fill

Editor: Self-described “empathy activist” and columnist Chris Croll grossly mischaracterizes the battle between Loudoun County parents/taxpayers and their employees on the Loudoun County School Board [“A Busy Loudouner’s Education on … Loudoun Education” Loudoun Now, July 15, 2021]. She writes that the campaign to recall members of the Board has “nothing to do with education, your kids, or our schools” and that the “School Board recall effort is not about holding elected officials accountable.” She couldn’t be more wrong. Holding unresponsive, authoritarian, “woke” School Board members accountable is precisely what the recall effort is about. Ms. Croll attempts to change the subject, claiming that the recall campaign is actually a partisan plot to drive housing prices down so that credulous homeowners will vote for change. She further claims—without offering any evidence—that the recall effort is “led by political operatives paid by well-funded political action committees.” The facts—published in Loudoun Now the same day as her column—demonstrate nothing of the kind [“First Look at Fight for Schools’ Finances”]. Ms. Croll alleges that recall petitions are just a means to collect signers’ “name,

the roles of counselors or clinicians. The best way to address the concern is not to rely on law enforcement to step in and peacefully resolve every crisis moment, but instead to ensure families have access to treatment resources long before a danger point is reached. There is much to do in building a stronger safety net, but when the state government can’t keep its operations going, what chance of success do families have? n

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

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC

EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

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Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com

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Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com Hayley Milon Bour, Reporter hbour@loudounnow.com

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

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address, email address and other contact information [phone numbers]” in order to build a voter database. This, too, is false, as a quick glance at a recall petition would show. Only those who wish to volunteer are asked for phone numbers and email addresses so they can be contacted. She champions “equity,” and would have parents believe that equity is synonymous with equality. “Equity, as it relates to public education,” she writes, “is about giving all students opportunities to be successful in their academic careers.” No, equity, as it relates to public education, is about artificially manufacturing equal outcomes, not fostering equal opportunity. Ms. Croll mischaracterizes the recall drive as a political operation masquerading as a grassroots movement. The truth is that parents of all political persuasions and backgrounds have risen up to stop the hijacking of their kids’ education by Leftist ideologues. Fight for Schools, the local group organized by Loudoun County parents to fight back against a School Board gone rogue, has neither endorsed nor donated to any political candidate. Furthermore, its Board of Directors is made up of Republicans, Independents and Democrats. Ms. Croll is in a state of denial about what’s actually happening in Loudoun LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 29

JULY 22, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 29

Readers’ Poll

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

With a month to go, how comfortable are you sending your kids back to school?

How should Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 be renamed?

Civic Groups continued from page 3 such as Summer on the Green, MayFest, Oktoberfest and LOVE Winter activities. The post also always partners with the town to host the annual Memorial Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Post members also volunteer their time at Lovettsville Elementary School to help with the Donuts for Dads, Muffins with Moms, and Bike Rodeo events. The post also participates in many of the Legion’s national programs, like the 100 Miles for Hope Challenge. That challenge raises money for the Legion’s Veterans and Children’s Foundation—which

LETTERS to the editor continued from page 28

County. She is, of course, free to believe whatever she wants, and to inculcate those beliefs in her children. But neither she—nor anyone else—has the right to press their personal political beliefs on other children without their parents’ express consent. The issue is quite simple. Parents entrusted the School Board with our children’s education. They violated that trust by pushing leftist indoctrination at the expense of education. They got caught. The remedy is to remove them. My advice to busy Loudouners? Join the fight. Take back your schools. Our children’s future depends on it. — Bill Drennan, South Riding

The Murrays Editor: Talking about renaming Rt. 7 and Rt.

Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls

has donated more than $30 million in financial assistance to disabled veterans, military families and young people who have lost parents in combat—and the Child Welfare Foundation, which contributes to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children. The post also works to develop area youth through the Legion’s two longstanding programs: Virginia Boys State, a weeklong program for rising high school seniors where they participate in handson activities to learn about the political process; and the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program, which is run in partnership with the Virginia State Police and gives youth an introduction to the training troopers go through. 50, how sweet it would be to name Rt. 7 after two Purcellville upholsterers, Samuel Cardoza Murray and his wife, Josie Cook Murray. As historian Eugene Scheel described in a 2001 Washington Post article, the Murrays were the African-American couple who wrote the first chapter of Loudoun County’s civil rights movement. They successfully sued the county so Black people could access the public library in Purcellville. This was in 1957. The library was the first desegregated public facility in Loudoun County. The Murrays’ action led to the desegregation of all public libraries in Virginia. — Denis Cotter, Middleburg

Authoritarian Actions Editor: Regarding the July 15 article “Leesburg to Form Task Force to Study Police Procedures, Policies,” I support a citizen’s oversight committee to immediately

“We’re a family and we’re here to support each other. The camaraderie is priceless.” — Lizzy Fontaine (Commander, VFW Post 1836) Amid the pandemic, post members also helped with drive-by birthday parades in Lovettsville, made face masks, investigate Vice Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers Bagdasarian, Cummings and Steinberg for their refusal to understand that they have absolutely no authority within Virginia to form an advisory commission over any Leesburg Police Department policy or procedure. These four council members, over the past year, are charging full speed ahead to look for a solution to a problem that does not exist short or long term within this department. I so admire Mayor Burk and Councilmembers Fox and Nacy for seeing through this sham as they acknowledge the fact that there is no requirement for oversight for a nonexistent problem within Leesburg’s Police Department, recognized as one of the finest nationwide at the federal and local levels. They will have my full support in all future elections to ensure a future majority’s efforts remain within their authority to act in all matters. Further, in my humble opinion, the education of the community on police

donated items for a drive-by baby shower at the VA Medical Center in West Virginia, conducted a food drive, and collected more than $5,000 for local veterans affected by the pandemic. “Money is not everyone’s currency,” said Post 1836 Commander Lizzy Fontaine. “When a local servicemember is deployed to Afghanistan and we collect money to have pizza delivered to his wife and children every Friday while he is deployed, or their door breaks and they need a new doorknob put in, that’s where Post 1836 steps in … We’re a family and we’re here to support each other. The camaraderie is priceless.” n policies and procedures remains within the total purview of Police Chief Gregory Brown for implementation, in conjunction with input from his managers and officers, as to what 24/7 support the community requires, not the council members. If the council is in pursuit of a solution for a problem that does exist, what is the status of the promised construction startup for the Leesburg Police Department’s new headquarters building—a promise yet to be fulfilled with even one shovelful of dirt extracted from the ground? I ask them to please solve any and all obstacles for this buildout— monetarily, materials or otherwise, with the highest priority. Or will they continue to be satisfied with one postponement after another to this project? I will continue to monitor its success or lack thereof and the authoritarian actions of the majority council members. — Rebecca S. Reeder, Leesburg

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Cemetary deal continued from page 8 town has never modified the topography of the area but did provide a covering of a sand/gravel mixture on top of nearby paths in June 2018. Two attempts were made at the council’s July 12 work session to find support to provide funding for the Freedom Center to address some of the drainage issues onsite. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox attempted asked for council support to donate $3,300 to the Freedom Center, the in-house estimated cost of staff time spent on annual maintenance on the property. Mayor Kelly Burk pressed her on whether that would set a precedent in spurring future council donations to town cemeteries. She alluded to a recent request of the council from a parishioner at St. James Episcopal Church to help fund the refurbishment of the church cemetery’s tombstones and landscaping, along with new signage. “I want to acknowledge we’ve had some ownership in this. I feel like that’s the distinction,” Fox said in response. Only Councilwoman Kari Nacy indicated support for the $3,300 donation. Councilman Zach Cummings then proposed a grant of up to $100,000 to the Freedom Center to support drainage improvements. “We own this land. We don’t own other cemeteries. The maintenance, although above and beyond what certain people think we should have been doing, was not efficient and effective enough to preserve a historic cemetery,” he said.

McAuliffe in Loudoun continued from page 3 dedicated or hardworking workforce than a veteran. They’re disciplined, they show up on time, they’re honest.” That visit was followed by a trip to Purcellville, where Army veteran, poet and visual artist Vainuupo Avegalio, known as A.V., told McAuliffe about his struggles with homelessness and PTSD, and his work to help other veterans through art and poetry workshops. Avegalio’s is the fourth and most recent home completed by HeroHomes, a nonprofit building homes for veterans with payments that they can afford. Costs are dramatically reduced as area contracting partners donate supplies and labor. “As a veteran myself, we don’t like asking for help. We just want to do things on our own, and because we don’t ask if it

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Cummings said he would prefer that the town government ask the nonprofit to send the town an invoice for work they would have done to improve drainage at the cemetery, and the town would expend up to $100,000 for reimbursement. Only Vice Mayor Marty Martinez and Councilman Ara Bagdasarian supported that request, one short of the four votes that would be necessary to move forward. Similar overtures toward the same goal have also been proposed in previous council meetings, but none have had enough support to move forward on awarding funding. Ron Campbell, a former member of the Town Council and the executive director of the Loudoun Freedom Center, again spoke before the council during the petitioners’ section of the council’s July 13 business meeting. Speaking to Loudoun Now earlier in the day, Campbell said he had spoken to Fox, Cummings and Bagdasarian on separate occasions, but emphasized the Freedom Center has never asked the council for a specific amount of funding. “We talked about a path forward; we never talked about a number,” he said. Campbell also criticized the process, or lack thereof, since talks first began about transferring the cemetery land. He said the Freedom Center had to request a deadline for response from Town Manager Kaj Dentler, and only last week saw the county’s signed plat for the first time. He also said the town had never given the memorandum of understanding document to the Freedom Center. Dentler has requested a formal decision from the Freedom Center by July feels like we get stuck in a hole,” Avegalio said. “And so it is harder and harder. We dig ourselves in deeper holes.” McAuliffe was also on hand for the presentation of a resolution introduced by Bell and passed by the General Assembly this year honoring HeroHomes and founders Matt Lowers and Jason Brownell for their work. Another HeroHomes project is already underway near Round Hill. At the VFW and in Avegalio’s living room, McAuliffe gathered input from veterans on what the state can do for them going forward. Although his Republican rival Glenn Youngkin has stumped in Loudoun several times, it is McAuliffe’s first stop in Loudoun in this campaign. See Avegalio’s art at instagram. com/VAIS_ART. Learn more about HeroHomes and contribute at HeroHomesLoudoun.org. n

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30, Markel said. The signed plat from the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development approving the creation of the outlot also must be recorded within six months of its signing. If that is not done, the county process to approve the outlot would have to begin anew. The deadline for that is Oct. 21. Thomas said she planned to sign the MOU after the next set of council meetings July 26 and 27, but emphasized the council still has the opportunity “to do the right thing” in supporting funding for improvements at the cemetery site. “The signing of the MOU does not preclude them from at some point catching up with their moral compass,” she said. Thomas said she hoped in the intervening week and a half that she would be able to share with the council members the site plan work on the Sycolin Cemetery currently being undertaken by students in Virginia Tech’s landscape architecture program. Perhaps seeing those plans drawn up would make it clearer to council members why they should assist with funding, she remarked. If the council does not provide fund-

ing, Thomas expressed optimism that the Freedom Center would be able to raise the funds needed to improve conditions at the cemetery and pointed to the historic resiliency of the African American community when they have been treated unfairly. She compared signing the MOU, without any funding provided, to a sharecropper’s agreement. Thomas had previously used the same term to describe the council’s initial decision, almost three years ago, to lease out the cemetery land to an outside group to maintain it before revisiting that decision and choosing to transfer the land altogether. “Signing this MOU almost feels like I’m signing a sharecropper’s agreement and I can understand how our ancestors felt like when they felt they had no alternative but to sign agreements that were discriminatory in nature,” she said. “This is certainly an unfair, unjust agreement but it is what we have. We can begin to move forward to building and protecting and maintaining this sacred site or continue to fight a losing battle because of the racism that governs this board.” n

Union ordinance

people in Loudon County right now is because this is going to potentially, give the little people power, this is potentially going to give women power, this is potentially going to give women more pay, this is potentially going to give minorities more pay, and the sky is falling for certain people who want to keep our society ruled by white supremacy,” Briskman said. Randall said it was not, pointing to the already diverse leadership staff in Loudoun, and that “it is the epitome of white privilege to not know what white supremacy actually is.” “You’re right, little people will have a chance to say what they want to say, but that’s all little people—little brown people, little Black people, little white people, whoever wants to talk,” Randall said. “If you make everything about race, then nothing is about race.” Julius Reynolds, chairwoman of Loudoun County Chapter of SEIU Virginia 512 hailed the action. “By providing workers a real voice to negotiate our pay, benefits, and working conditions, collective bargaining empowers employees and improves services for residents,” he stated after the vote. “We need and deserve collective bargaining in Loudoun County.” Supervisors Letourneau, Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) reiterated their votes against bringing collective bargaining to Loudoun. n

continued from page 1 would do their first round of work as a corporate body on the new ordinance in secret, voting to hold a closed-door meeting with legal counsel on Sept. 21. They plan a public hearing on the proposed ordinance Oct. 13. In pressing for support of the plan, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) hearkened back to the previous board’s efforts to revamp the county pay scales and staffing levels. “The fact is, we were a county that was not paying our employees what they were worth by a long shot in the district,” Randall said. “We had some of the highest caseloads if not the highest caseloads in Family Services in Virginia, and the fact that it got that bad in Loudoun County made me question: Would it have got to that point had we had a union?” Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) worried about removing incentives for outstanding employees. “The biggest concern that I have is about the elimination of the merit-based pay system that we have long established in Loudoun, that has worked very well for us,” Letourneau said. And the debate drew an unusual rebuke from Randall for Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian). “The reason the sky is falling for some

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Mental health continued from page 1 Lang, president of Inova Health System’s Behavioral Health Services, said in a recent interview, referring to the entire hospital system’s 133 licensed and staffed mental health beds in Leesburg, Mount Vernon and Fairfax. The spike in demand has been staggering, she said. The hospital system averages 700 to 800 patients voluntarily coming through its emergency room doors, often the first stop for those experiencing a mental health crisis, each month. Temporary detention order admissions to the ER were up almost 40% from 2020 to 2021, and Lang said Inova averages about 400 such patients in its ERs every month. “These are unprecedented numbers coming through our emergency rooms,” she said. If a medical professional determines a patient needs more comprehensive inpatient mental health services, then the search for an available bed begins. That search oftentimes takes days, meaning the patient is taking up a bed in a hospital’s emergency room while they wait.

Local Law Enforcement Feels the Burden Local law enforcement is required to accompany people under a temporary detention order while they wait for a bed at a mental health facility, and local public safety agencies too are feeling the staffing pinch. Lt. Thomas Thompson is the mental health liaison for the Leesburg Police Department. He said the department has seen its calls for mental health assistance rise in recent years. “You can imagine when you’re having to watch someone 24 hours for multiple days, that’s a huge burden on our staffing as well. You’re talking about an officer not available for the street. We’re either having to use someone on duty or bring someone in on overtime,” he said. Outside of the time spent in the ER waiting, transporting a patient to a mental health facility can be even more time-consuming. Two law enforcement officers must be on the transport, meaning even fewer officers available for patrol. “When we have these transports that we have to conduct, at times we’re traveling six-and-a-half hours, just road time, to take someone to a facility that can be as far away as Williamsburg or Petersburg. They have to transport the person, and once they get there they have to turn them over, process them into the facility and then return back.

“I think the struggle for us in law enforcement is, [mental health] is not a law enforcement issue, but because no one else is out there it becomes a law enforcement issue.” — Purcellville Police Chief

Cynthia McAlister

It’s just a huge drain on an agency of our size,” Thompson said. The state created and last year implemented an Alternative Transportation Program to relieve the strain by using a private provider for transport, but according to Thompson, since it was created the program has only been used in Loudoun twice. If a patient is a risk to themselves or others, an escape risk or if they are medically fragile, they are not eligible for a private transport, putting the onus back on local law enforcement. “I became an officer to become a police officer. I never thought I was going to be the guy in the white coats in the white vans. It’s just the strangest thing, but it’s the world we find ourselves in,” Thompson said. Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister said calls for mental health assistance are straining her small department, already experiencing a staffing crunch that she has not seen in her 39 years in law enforcement. Of the department’s 21 sworn positions, five are vacant. The Leesburg Police Department reports 13 vacancies among its 90 sworn positions. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” she said. “I think the struggle for us in law enforcement is, [mental health] is not a law enforcement issue, but because no one else is out there it becomes a law enforcement issue,” she said. Loudoun Sheriff Michael Chapman has recently instituted a pilot program in the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office that seeks to provide a softer approach on a call for mental health assistance. The Community Assistance Response and Empowerment, or C.A.R.E., team assigns one full-time deputy per shift to exclusively respond to and follow-up on mental health, suicide, overdose, and other calls for service involving critical issues. The deputies are current School Re-

source Officers, available while schools are closed for the summer and certified in both basic and advanced Crisis Intervention Training. Team members also follow up after the initial call for assistance. “Instead of just taking a call and advising people of the [mental health] resources available to them, we have these deputies 100% committed to going back and following up to those locations and those homes. It’s not just a matter of taking a report and doing a referral, it’s about being actively engaged,” Chapman said. Since it began on July 1, the Sheriff ’s Office has had 229 calls for mental health assistance and 103 follow-ups by a C.A.R.E. team member. Chapman said he will re-evaluate the new program after the school year begins and the SROs return to fully reopened public schools. “The question is whether we’ll be able to get the resources in the future to continue it,” he said.

Community Investment Katrina Cole, president of Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, doesn’t mince words when it comes to the current state of affairs. “We’re in the biggest mental health crisis in this country that we’ve ever been in,” she said. For many, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social isolation exacerbated an existing mental health crisis. And, she and others said, the waning stigma on mental health care and acknowledgment by individuals that they need inpatient or outpatient help, while a positive change, has further strained the system. The goal for many is to keep patients from needing inpatient services, by taking a proactive approach to mental health treatment. But many in need of treatment at state psychiatric facilities already are struggling financially and may not have the insurance or the resources to afford that. Cole and others in the nonprofit world are urging their state representatives to provide funding for incentives, bonuses and pay raises to retain or attract employees for mental health facilities. “This problem did not just happen, and it didn’t just happen because of COVID. It exacerbated the situation,” she said. “Why hasn’t the state been on top of the funding? We’ve got to find a way to staff up these hospitals, because a state hospital is part of the safety net that we need to provide for people with mental illness.” Sen. R. Creigh Deeds’ (D-25) advocacy stemmed in part from his own personal tragedy. Deeds’ son, Gus, who was struggling with severe mental health challenges, attacked his father at their family farm in November 2013. Gus killed himself short-

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ly after the attack, and news reports would soon bring to light that healthcare workers had been unable to find an available psychiatric bed for Gus, who had been brought to an emergency room under a temporary detention order requested by his father. Since then, Deeds has led the charge for reforms to the mental health system in the state and said Virginia has made many strides. But not enough has been done to solve the lingering workforce issue, he said. He said the upcoming General Assembly session to deal with American Rescue Plan Act funding might include putting funding into one-time bonuses while legislators work towards a better pay plan. There’s a big picture issue that also can’t be ignored, Deeds said. “We’ve chronically underfunded community services and that’s a state problem, also a local government problem,” he said. “If you keep people out of crisis they’re not going to go to the hospital. Make sure they receive services in their community and treat them more efficiently and effectively.”

Help In Sight? Julian Walker, Vice President of Communications for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, said they have sent a letter to the state offering to open 58 beds for psychiatric patients across its member hospitals—40 for adults, and 18 for juvenile patients. They are requesting $8.5 million to address the staffing needs for those licensed beds. Land, on behalf of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, is requesting hundreds of millions of dollars from the state to address its severe staffing shortage at mental health facilities. Cynthia Benbow, executive director of behavioral services for Stone Springs Hospital Center, hopes that the new 17-bed adult behavioral health unit at HCA’s Aldie hospital provides some relief locally to the statewide bed shortage when it opens in October. “We want to be a part of the solution to meeting the needs of the solution,” she said. “This is not a stop, it’s a start. We need more.” Even with the new unit, that brings the total number of licensed adult mental health beds in Loudoun hospitals to just under 40. Like Deeds, Benbow said the community, state and country cannot take its collective foot off the gas when it comes to addressing mental health needs. “We just have to keep talking about it,” Benbow emphasized. “We need to keep being on the forefront. We can’t stop talking like it’s not an emergency because it is.” n

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JULY 22, 2021

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