Loudoun Now for Aug. 17, 2023

Power Push

Leaders Look Ahead to Small Nuclear Plants, Industrial Batteries

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Another year of record-high temperatures locally underscored the urgency of creating a net zero carbon energy grid. Meanwhile, Loudoun’s hunger for energy continues to grow, especially in the data center industry with new large-scale projects adding hundreds of megawatts of demand. That has business and government leaders turning increasingly to a technology more than 50 years old: nuclear energy.

It’s become increasingly clear that some of today’s most recognizable renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, are not catching up. Dominion Energy’s planned 835-acre solar panel array at Dulles Airport will have a nameplate capacity of 100 megawatts. In practice, The U.S. Energy Information Administration calculated that solar arrays in Virginia generate a little over 20% of their nameplate capacity. And Loudoun’s Data

POWER PUSH continues on page 28

Schools Eliminate Student Athletic Fees

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

For the first time in 14 years, Loudoun County Public Schools students won’t have to pay fees to participate in Virginia High School League sports at their high school. Instead, those fees—estimated at $950,000 across the school district for fiscal year 2024—will be absorbed into the division’s operating budget.

VHSL is the main sanctioning organization for interscholastic athletic competition at Virginia’s public high schools. Sports include football, baseball, softball, basketball, swim and dive, soccer, track, and volleyball, among others.

Advocated by Atoosa Reaser

(Algonkian) during a Feb. 2 budget work session, the change was approved by the School Board on a 4-3-1-1 vote.

John Beatty (Catoctin), Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn), and Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run) voted against, Jeff Morse (Dulles) abstained and Denise Corbo (At-Large) was absent. The fee waiver followed action the previous year to reduce sports fees from $150 to $75, a measure also pushed by Reaser.

According to school spokesperson Dan Adams, the athletic fees were eliminated after a careful review of the division’s budget showed the loss of the revenue could be absorbed into the budget.

Reaser said she worked to eliminate the fees in response to concerns

from families.

“I hope to look at eliminating additional fees so students can participate in different activities that are available as part of a well-rounded education without fees being a barrier,” she said.

She said she is hoping the division will move toward having outside revenue streams fund the activities.

Prince William County Public Schools does not charge fees for athletic activities according to its division spokesperson. Fairfax County Public Schools did not return a response on whether it charges fees by press time.

“It’s about time,” said Sara Williams,

ATHLETIC FEES continues on page 31

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

A Junior Varsity football player from Tuscarora High School breaks from the pack during a scrimmage on Aug. 15 against Musselman High School from Inwood West Virginia.

Superintendent’s $375K Contract Includes $20K Yearly Bonuses, More Leave

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Incoming Superintendent Aaron Spence’s contract with Loudoun County Public Schools includes a prorated salary of $375,000 for the 2023-24 school year, an additional $20,000 a year bonus on top of a yearly performance-based salary increase, 34 days of annual leave plus five executive days of leave, $24,000 to cover his first six months of living expenses, reimburses his move from Virginia Beach, and gives him an additional $7,500 for moving expenses.

The 14-page contract is for a four-year period. The School Board of 6-2-1 authorized Chair Ian Serotkin to enter into a contract with the superintendent on behalf of the board, according to division spokesperson Dan Adams. John Beatty (Catoctin) and Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run) opposed the motion, and Denise Corbo (At-Large) was absent for the vote. The contract was signed by Spence June 8.

Under the contract, Spence will get an additional $20,000 at the end of every fiscal year that he may choose to either keep “as taxable compensation” or voluntarily defer to “one or more custodial accounts offered by the Board.” This is on top of Spence’s contractual yearly raise consisting of a cost-of-living adjustment and the average of the step increases given to all employees, contingent on receiving at least a “proficient” performance rating from the School Board. His salary may be

adjusted more through formal contract addendums.

Spence will start his employment with the division with 34 days of annual leave, 10 additional days this first year only, five days of executive leave per year in recognition of him working additional time “above and beyond that which is necessary for the completion of duties” and 14 days of sick leave. Per the contract he may choose to receive payment for up to 12 of his leave days, four of which may be sick leave days.

He was given up to $4,000 a month to cover his first six months of living in Loudoun County and a one-time payment of $7,500 “for miscellaneous expenses association with relocation, including transportation and legal services,” according to the contract. Spence also is being reimbursed for his move from Virginia Beach.

The contract allows Spence to take on paid consultant work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing and other professional activities, as long as they are approved by the School Board and don’t interfere with his contractual duties. He would be required to use annual leave for those activities. The division will also pick up the bill for expenses of any unpaid consulting work.

As reported in The Virginian-Pilot, Spence faced an audit in 2018 over paid appearances on panels with vendors while superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, his previous employer. While that contract also stipulated

he could take outside employment with School Board approval, there was no record of him gaining that approval. The audit was triggered by allegations the school division awarded contracts to vendors that attended those conferences, but the audit concluded there had been no wrongdoing.

Other benefits in Spence’s contract include $1,000 a month in transportation expenses and reimbursement for travel outside of the division in his personal car, although he also has access to school division vehicles. He will be issued a cell phone, laptop and or desktop and tablet paid for the School Board, an additional $1,200 communication allowance, and reimbursement for “reasonable expenses” incurred on the job. Spence and his family will receive health, dental, vision and life insurance with premiums paid by the School Board. The board will also contribute up to $5,300 a year to Spence’s existing whole life insurance policy starting on day one of his term with the division. And the board will provide security for Spence and his family, if determined the need is beyond what is provided by local law enforcement offers.

The contract outlines what is expected of him as the chief administrative officerresponsible for the day-to-day operations of the school division, including directing and assigning or reassigning teachers and all other employees; organizing and

SUPER CONTRACT

continues on page 31

Supervisor Candidates Meet in First Forum

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun Farm Bureau and Loudoun County Equine Alliance kicked off the 2023 election season’s crowded schedule of candidate forums and debates with a discussion focused on rural and agricultural issues Wednesday evening at Leesburg’s Ida Lee Park Recreation Center.

Seven candidates, all but one vying to represent Loudoun’s rural west, took part. They included at-large incumbent Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), her Republican challenger Stephen Karbelk and independent Sam Kroiz; incumbent

CANDIDATE FORUM

continues on page 29

Inova: Blood Supply ‘Critically Low;’ Issues Call for Type O Donations

Inova Blood Donor Services has reported blood supply has reached critically low levels, and in a press release said it is “in dire need of Type O blood donors immediately.”

The system announced multiple traumatic incidents and other medical emergencies have left the blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. The system is in need of all blood types, but particularly Type O. It’s both the most common blood type and a universal blood type for emergency transfusions for people with immune deficiencies.

Inova Blood Donor Services supports a Level I Trauma Center and two Level III Trauma Centers.

People age 17 or older, or 16 with a parent’s consent, may donate blood. Photo ID is required. Inova Blood Donor Services takes donations at locations in Centreville, Annandale and in the Dulles Donor Center, 45745 Nokes Blvd. in Sterling.

To learn more or schedule a donation, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit  inovablood.org. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Blood Donor Services Account Manager Nancy Orloff donates blood at the Inova Blood Donor Services center in Sterling in October 2021.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Candidates for Board of Supervisors take part in an Aug. 9 forum at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, organized and hosted by the Loudoun Farm Bureau and the Loudoun County Equine Alliance.

Loudoun

Staff Forecasts Return to Normal Budgeting

BY RENSS GREENE AND HANNA PAMPALONI rgreene@loudounnow.com hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

County budget staff members are forecasting a return to pre-COVID norms according to a recent presentation to the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee.

Budget officers and supervisors begin preliminary budget discussions almost as soon as the previous budget begins—in this case, almost a full year before fiscal year 2025 will begin on July 1, 2024. And while those discussions are somewhat speculative, with another year of economic changes still to come, and despite long-running speculation about a possible recession, Management and Budget Director Megan Bourke told supervisors her office is looking ahead to economic growth.

“Moderate or slower growth is projected, but it is growth nonetheless,” she said.

Loudoun’s Gross Domestic Product, the dollar value of the goods and services produced in an area, is expected to out-

pace the country, state and region as usual. Early estimates from Moody’s Analytics put Loudoun’s GDP growth at 4.3% in fiscal year 2025, compared to around 2% for the U.S., Virginia and the Washington, DC, region. That’s down from 4.6% expected in Loudoun in the current fiscal year 2024, up from 2.3% in FY23 and well down from the pandemic-era 8% in 2022.

County staff noted that growth is also about 1.5 points lower than the last pre-pandemic fiscal year, 2019.

Loudoun’s employment growth, while also well ahead of the country, state and region, is expected to slow from 3.2% this fiscal year to 2.2% in FY25.

And the forecasted median price of a single-family home is expected to stabilize, with 0.1% growth forecasted in FY25. That compares to 15% growth in FY21, and a 2.6% drop in FY24. Similarly, inflation is projected to continue its drop from a high of 6.4% in FY22 to 2.3% in FY25.

“Overall, at this point in the budget process, we are forecasting a typical pre-pandemic revenue picture,” Bourke said. “While our numbers indicate a slow-

er rate of growth is projected for residential values, please recall that the growth in this sector was at record highs over the last few years.”

County staff members are expected to provide the first estimated forecasts of FY2025 revenues in October, the same time the finance committee will make the first recommendations on budget guidance. The full Board of Supervisors will consider that advice when it gives directions to the county administrator on preparing a budget proposal.

The next county budget also faces some uncertainties, especially this far out, including the risk of a recession and volatility in the county’s data center tax base. And the county can expect new expenses, including not only funding the school district and possible impacts from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s projected $750 million budget deficit, but new county initiatives like collective bargaining with county employees and a possible Purchase of Development Rights program. n

Original Sterling Elementary School Demolished

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Construction crews last week demolished the Shaw Road building that served as the elementary school for students of the still-agricultural Sterling area for two decades.

Built in 1946, the school was replaced in 1964 by a new Sterling Elementary School to serve families moving into Loudoun County’s first planned community, M.T. Broyhill’s Sterling Park.

The building, at the southeast quadrant of today’s Rt. 28/West Church Road interchange, continued to provide school uses into the 1970s and community center services starting in the 1980s until the Claude Moore Community Center opened in 2007. The building, then known as the Sterling Annex Community Center, has been vacant since then.

In 1999, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources determined the school was eligible for listing on the Natural Register of Historic Places as a locally signif-

icant resource, however, the Board of Supervisors opted to not further renovate or seek to preserve the building.

In 2013, the 5.8-acre property was sold to Belfort Furniture, which sold it to Lindsay Automotive Group in 2020. Lindsay

rezoned the property in 2021 to permit the development of a vehicle reconditioning center with space for outdoor vehicle storage.

The demolition permit was issued for the building on July 19. n

Lanternflies Return; Report Sightings and Destroy

The invasive spotted lanternfly, which attacks native plants including grapevines, hops, fruits and vegetables, has entered its adult egg-laying phase with the late summer. Residents are encouraged to destroy any spotted lanternflies or egg masses they find, and to report any sightings.

The species, which has no natural predators, escaped an attempted quarantine and spread across the Mid-Atlantic from its first detection in Pennsylvania in 2014, and threatens both home gardens and agricultural businesses. The insect is native across much of Asia. It was first confirmed to have reached Loudoun last year. Its adult phase may last through the end of the year.

The spotted lanternfly can damage grapevines, hops, many fruits and vegetables, hardwoods and more than 100 plants. It does not sting or bite. Its main host is another invasive species, a plant called Tree of Heaven.

Its egg masses can be found on tree trunks, wheel wells, under and around vehicles, lawn furniture, fences, storage sheds, rocks, metal surfaces especially if they are rusty, and other smooth surfaces.

Learn more about the spotted lanternfly, how to identify it and report sightings at loudoun.gov/spottedlanternfly.

Parks Dept. Plans Community Meetings on Mickie Gordon Park

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services will hold the first of two community workshops on future improvements to Mickie Gordon Memorial Park on Aug. 31, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Middleburg Community Center.

The workshops will include a presentation on existing conditions and the opportunity for input on future recreational elements at the park. Attendees will participate in breakout sessions with staff

ON THE AGENDA

continues on page 6

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A graffiti-covered wall of the former Sterling Elementary School was all that remained standing Aug. 9 as crews worked to demolish the building.

Loudoun ECC Manager Named to State 911 Board

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center Manager Patty Turner to the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board, the department announced Monday.

Turner was sworn in Thursday by Loudoun Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens.

“It is a great honor to have been selected by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve on the E-911 Services Board and to continue my passion for the 911 industry at the state level,” Turner stated.

Turner began her career in public safety communications in 1989 in Jefferson County, WV, and worked for Leesburg Police Department before joining Loudoun Fire-Rescue in 1999. Since then, she has worked her way from up from 911 dispatcher, and was promoted to ECC manager in 2003. She holds several certifications in emergency communications including APCO’s Certified Public-Safety Executive, APCO Registered Public-Safety Leader, NENA Communications Manager Certification Program and Fitch & Associates Communications Center Manager.

Virginia’s 9-1-1 Services Board consists of 16 members, with 13 appointed by the

governor. Its powers and duties include supporting and assisting agencies in the provision of 911 operations and services; planning, promoting, and assisting in the statewide development, deployment, and maintenance of an emergency services IP network; and consulting and coordinating with 911 centers and other various E-911 stakeholders. More information is online at psc.vdem.virginia.gov/pages/ 9-1-1-services-board. n

We See You... For a Lifetime

If you need imaging, it matters where you get your scans. Imaging is best done at facilities that have experience with your type of test. Choose FRC for precise studies and accurate diagnoses from head to toe, for patients at all ages in life’s journey. Our team of Cardiovascular Radiologists, Neuroradiologists, Musculoskeletal Radiologists, Breast Imaging Radiologists, Pediatric Radiologists and Interventional Radiologists have subspecialty training beyond medical school, plus years of experience in working with a particular area of the body. We are among the nation’s most highly credentialed radiology practices, and that makes a difference in the quality of care you receive.

SM

At Fairfax Radiology, We See You Better.

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center Manager Patty Turner is sworn into her position on the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board on Aug. 11.

Cochran Family Dental

ON THE Agenda

continued from page 4

members who will gather input on recommended future improvements.

The agency previously filed a zoning special exception application for park improvements that included construction of a cricket complex at the 100acre park just east of Middleburg along Rt. 50. Review of that application was placed on hold following community concerns over those plans.

Kathy Shipley

Excellence in Real Estate

RE/MAX Executives

Each of ce independently owned and operated www.KathyShipley.com | kathyshipleyremax@comcast.net

540.822.5123 | 703.314.5539 | 571.210.7355

PLEASE WATCH FOR THE KIDDOS AND BUSES AS THEY HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL!

Today, the park includes baseball/softball and cricket fields, tennis courts, restrooms, and a pavilion, and offers a fishing pond and free parking. The park also serves as a recycling collection center.

For more information on future improvements to the park, go to loudoun.gov/mickiegordon. Residents may also submit comments or questions re by email or by mail to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, ATTN: Mickie Gordon Memorial Park, PO Box 7800, Leesburg, VA 20177.

Animal Services Offers Rabies Vaccine, Microchips

vaccination, are $10 a year.

The clinic will be at the Loudoun animal shelter, 42225 Adoption Drive in Leesburg. More information is online at loudoun.gov/animals.

Land Management Portal LandMARC Goes Live

Loudoun County on Monday formally launched its new online land management system, LandMARC, a comprehensive online portal for accessing, managing, and maintaining Loudoun County’s land-related information. The system is hoped to increase efficiency and transparency and replaces several legacy systems, including e-Permits, LOLA, and WAIRS.

As of Tuesday morning, the county was reporting system delays attributed to a high volume of traffic. The county advised verification codes and page load times may be longer.

LandMARC users may use the system to submit permit, land development and legislative land use applications; submit electronic copies of required documentations; pay application fees and track the status of applications; request pre-application meetings; request inspections; and access public records.

Sign up and find more information at loudoun.gov/landmarc.

Master Gardeners Host ‘Building a Backyard Bird Oasis’

staircases (front and back), solid wood doors and exterior wood shutters. Rarely found in downtown location is a 2 plus car garage. 1/4 -acre lot with a lovely deep yard. Walk to ve-star restaurants, shops, grocery stores and the Farmers Market just around the corner on Saturday mornings. This is an opportunity to live a pedestrian friendly lifestyle on a historic downtown main street.

$675,000

SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT

A rare opportunity to own a fabulous acre in town with a delightful cape cod and detached two car garage. High speed internet available. Tons of charm and features including main level primary bedroom, living room with stone replace and bay window, large dining room and a upgraded kitchen with abundant cabinet space. Upstairs offers 3 additional large bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Fully fenced, rear yard for kids or pets. Steps away from the trail to walk to town and all it has to offer, including a new grocery store, new shopping center, gift and coffee shops, restaurants, community pool and the wonderful 90 acre park with trails, dog park and more.

$649,000

Wow this is an amazing 1900’s school house ready for restoration. Lots of space which includes 3 rooms, kitchen and full bath on main level and 4 rooms upstairs. Great size rooms with lovely wood oors. Stone foundation, old large windows for an abundance of light. Anyone that loves historic properties will see the potential here. It is the type of property that makes you dream what it’s restoration will look like. 16X20 garage.

$335,000

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Persimmon, a domestic shorthair cat adopted from Loudoun County Animal Services.

Loudoun County Animals Services will offer a walk-in, low-cost rabies vaccination and microchip clinic Thursday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Dogs and cats as young as 12 weeks may participate. Pet owners should bring their cats in carriers, and dogs must remain on a non-retractable leash of six feet or less. Visits are limited to 4 pets per family per clinic.

Bringing any prior vaccination records is recommended but not required. Proof of prior vaccination is required to receive the three-year rabies vaccine. Microchips will be free for Loudoun residents and $15 for others; one- and three-year rabies vaccines will be $10; and dog licenses, which run concurrent with the dog’s rabies

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun Master Gardeners will host a free online lecture on inviting a diversity of birds to the garden by planting native plants for both food and habitat. The lecture will teach attendees which trees and shrubs are best for native birds and an attractive, year-round bird oasis in the backyard.

The lecture will feature Eileen Boyle, the former director of Conservation and Research and director of Education at the nonprofit Mt. Cuba Center botanical garden. She was also a professor of horticulture at Mercer College in New Jersey and the director of horticulture at both the Philadelphia Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.

The lecture is hosted in partnership with the Loudoun County Public Library and supported by funding from the from the Loudoun County Master Gardener Association and the Stephen Dunbar Memorial Fund.

“Building a Backyard Bird Oasis” will be held Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Find the Master Gardeners event calendar and links at loudouncountymastergardeners.org

HISTORIC LEESBURG

1.43 ACRES IN LEESBURG

ONE ACRE IN LOVETTSVILLE

Leesburg Police

Council Prepares for Data Center Push

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

As the construction wave of new data centers pushes west from Ashburn, the Town of Leesburg is preparing to welcome them, but on its own terms.

Last week, the council adopted two amendments to the town Zoning Ordinance designed to better accommodate the needs of the industry, which is expected to significantly boost the town’s com-

mercial tax base in coming years.

First the council made changes to the I-1 (industrial/research park) zoning district to allow buildings taller than 50 feet.

The new 65-foot height limit would apply to all buildings permitted in the district but was developed with data centers in mind. The change was proposed after the town received a request concerning two undeveloped lots southeast of East Market Street and Crosstrail Boulevard near Village at Leesburg. In all, the change

Charge 3 More in String of Shooting, Threat Cases

would impact 39 parcels totaling just over 300 acres. I-1 zoned land is located near Leesburg Executive Airport, in the Trailview Boulevard/Russell Branch Parkway corridor, and at the corner of Edwards Ferry Road and Battlefield Parkway.

The council also adopted a comprehensive set of design standards that will be applied to all data center proposals. The list

LEESBURG DATA CENTERS

continues on page 10

Town Council Removes Hurdle for Downtown Hotels

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council on Aug. 8 cleared the way for the development of hotels in the downtown business district, overturning the recommendation of its Planning Commission.

The council voted 5-2 to change the definition of a “commercial inn” in the town zoning ordinance to increase the maximum number of rooms permitted from 15 to 40. Commercial inns are permitted by-right in the downtown B-1 zoning district, while a hotel/motel use requires special exception review by the Planning Commission and Town Council.

The change was spurred by developer Kevin Ash who already has secured Board of Architectural Review approval for an expansion at his 208 S. King St. property. While the project envisions a 39-room boutique hotel, only 15 rooms were per-

mitted without a special exception permit.

Ash argued that hotels should be treated like other commercial uses in the zoning ordinance, limited by elements such as allowable building sizes and parking requirements. He said the hotel in his planned building would require fewer parking spaces and generate more tax revenue than office uses in the same space.

He also said the town should be promoting downtown hotels, noting the former 55-room Leesburg Inn on North King Street that served the town for nearly a century. Ash told the council that the 15-room limit was not financially viable, noting that the town zoning has allowed 15-room inns as a by-right use for 33 years but no property owner has sought to operate one.

In addition to Ash’s project, developer Don Knutson is exploring a hotel project on South Street in conjunction with the public/private partnership effort to rede-

velop the town’s Liberty Street parking lot as an event center, affordable house for seniors, and parking complex.

The Planning Commission unanimously opposed allowing the larger “commercial inn” without special exception review, which includes public hearings and puts the final approval in the hands of the Town Council.

By-right uses undergo administrative staff review to ensure compliance with development regulations.

Mayor Kelly Burk and Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg unsuccessfully proposed a motion to deny the change, saying they supported the commission’s position.

A motion by Council member Zach Cummings to approve the change passed on a 5-2 vote.

The council in March voted to reduce parking requirements for downtown hotels. Burk and Steinberg opposed that measure as well.

The investigations into four Leesburg shooting and threat incidents that happened in May and June resulted in the arrest of three men, including two police say are undocumented immigrants with links to the international criminal gang MS-13.

According to an Aug. 10 announcement by Leesburg Police, Emerson Martinez-Alvarenga, 19, Marco Mendoza-Monjaras, 19, and Juan Cubillas-Rodriguez, 18, all of Leesburg, have been charged in the cases.

The first incident occurred May 21, when someone brandished a firearm at multiple victims on Hancock Place. Martinez-Alvarenga was charged with brandishing a firearm and possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual.

On June 9, police investigated a report that multiple subjects attempted to extort money from a victim on Edwards Ferry Road. In that case, Martinez-Alvarenga was charged with gang participation and attempted extortion, Mendoza-Monjaras was charged with brandishing a machete, attempted extortion, and gang participation, and Cubillas-Rodriguez was charged with attempted extortion.

On June 18, police officers responded to Hancock Place for a report of gunfire where a man had been shot and cut. At the time, Marcos Sorto-Argueta, 19, of Leesburg, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual. Subsequently, Martinez-Alvarenga was charged with brandishing a firearm and possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual.

On June 29, police officers responded to an apartment complex on Evans Ridge Terrace for reports of gunfire in the parking lot. In that case, Martinez-Alvarenga was charged with shooting into GANG THREAT continues on page 10

A rendering of the approved expansion at 208 S. King St. in Leesburg which the builder hopes will become a 39-room boutique hotel.

Crowd Fills Downtown for TASTE Leesburg Event

Downtown Leesburg was filled with food, beer, wine, music—and a lot of people—Saturday evening for the annual TASTE Leesburg festival. Hosted by the town’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the event drew an estimated crowd of 6,000 who came to sample the offerings of area restaurants, food trucks and craft beverage makers at more than 65 booths lined up along King and Market streets.

Loudoun Ideal Chiropractic

Miok Hyoun, D.C., is a holistic chiropractor and health care practitioner serving patients at Loudoun Ideal Chiropractic in Lansdowne, Virginia.

Her specialties include treating poor posture, scoliosis, whiplash, herniated discs, chronic back pain, sports injuries, and prenatal chiropractic care.

Dr. Miok has made caring for people through comprehensive chiropractic care a life-long study.

She graduated Magma Cum Laude from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and has attended numerous trainings and seminars to build her practice and create a holistic wellness clinic for her patients.

Dr. Miok also specializes in advanced chiropractic techniques such as Gonstead and Chiropractic Biophysics. She focuses on nding and treating the root cause of the problem rather than covering the pain and symptoms.

Her ability to connect and analyze the patient’s body and provide the relief from pain extends to other so tissue treatments modalities such as Dry Needling, Graston and Functional Movement Pattern analysis which she uses in tandem with chiropractic

care to o er the best possible individualized treatment plan for her patients.

Dr. Miok is also a certi ed Yoga instructor and frequently incorporates Yoga Asana, breathing methods (Pranayama), and Meditative Mindset to help patients to understand their body and mind connection through their spinal posture rehabilitation protocols to create the long-lasting spinal health and wellbeing in their lives.

No matter the technique, Dr. Miok’s goal is always the same for her patients: To express the best version of themselves ful lling goals and purposes in life with freedom and con dence in their health to create Transformations through the spark of lifeforce in their spine.

www.LoudounIdealChiropractic.com

19301 Winmeade Dr. Suite 214, Lansdowne, VA. 20176

571-707-8639

Clinic Hour: Mon, Wed, and Thurs, 8:30am to 12:00pm, and 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Photos by Norman K. Styer

Leesburg data centers

continued from page 8

of detailed requirements addresses architectural design elements, screening and walls, noise limits, mechanical and electrical screening, and lighting, among other features. It is designed to provide clear guidance to data center developers while also providing assurance that complying projects can move forward with only a staff-level review.

The initiative was led by Planning Director James David and Senior Planning Project Manager Christopher Murphy. David has experience working with data center policies from his previous position in the county’s planning department.

He said they looked at Loudoun County’s rules and new standards recently adopted in Prince William County. “But then we added our Leesburg touch to those and made them more specific and proscriptive. I think that it is actually more than you’ll find in other jurisdictions,” he said.

He gave credit to Murphy for the extensive research involved with the effort.

“Chris is a pioneer in data center standards,” David said.

Both planners said the standards were developed in cooperation with the data center industry representatives to ensure they were feasible and would accomplish

Gang threat

continued from page 8

an occupied dwelling, destruction of property, possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual, and gang participation.

On July 20, police officers were alerted that Martinez-Alvarenga was at a Fort Evans Road residence and was in possession of a firearm. Police officers arrested him there, charging him with possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual.

Martinez-Alvarenga and Mendoza-Monjaras have each been identified as being associated with Mara Salvatrucha, known as MS-13, according to the Police Department.

“The Leesburg Police Department takes crimes of violence, especially those involving criminal gangs extremely seriously,” stated Deputy Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby in the announcement of the arrests. “I would like to thank our detectives for their continued hard work and dedication in keeping the Town of

the town’s goals.

Council members were supportive, as long as the result is something better than the buildings seen in other areas of the county.

Council member Ara Bagdasarian said the goal was to have data centers look more like typical office buildings.

Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg said the adoption of the design standards was a big step for the town and he acknowledged the positive impact the industry could have on Leesburg— “in the end it’s all about the money, and it’s a lot of money.”

However, he cautioned that town leaders must make prudent decisions on where data centers should be permitted. Even with the best planning efforts, “there are places in town were these will not work,” he said.

Council member Zach Cummings said the zoning change established a good balance.

“We did this the Leesburg way. We’re limiting where they can go to try to maintain the historic Town of Leesburg, and we’re also looking at standards that are different from what the county does and other localities do,” he said. “Our residents should be proud of this effort, because we’re working to not only maximize the financial benefit for them, but also do it in a way that doesn’t allow one industry or another to come in and do as they please.” n

Leesburg a safe community.”

Marcos Sorto-Argueta, Emerson Martinez-Alvarenga, and Marco Mendoza-Monjaras were held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. Juan Cubillas-Rodriguez was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

Martinez-Alvarenga is scheduled to appear in Loudoun County District Court on Aug. 21 for a preliminary hearing in the cases.

Sorto-Argueta is scheduled to appear in Loudoun County District Court on Aug. 16 for a preliminary hearing in the cases. Court records show that he was charged with two counts of assault and gang participation following a July 11, 2022, incident, but those charges were dismissed.

Mendoza-Monjaras is scheduled to appear in Loudoun County District Court on Aug. 16 for a preliminary hearing in the cases. Court records show he also faces burglary and arson charges from a Jan. 23 incident. n

School Board Approves Raises; Teacher Shortage Hits Loudoun

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

The School Board on Aug. 8 voted 8-1 to approve staff raises it had promised when it passed its budget in February, while also rearranging some funds amidst what Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby said was a teacher shortage.

The approved fiscal year 2024 pay increases mean all eligible full-time employees moving up a step would get a 5% minimum pay increase when the previous step increase given to employees on July 1 is taken into consideration, according to Willoughby. Employees at the top of the scale will get a salary adjustment plus a one-time 1% payment.

The increases break down to 2.5% average increase for all scales, a 3.9% average raise for mid-career steps and a cost-ofliving raise of 3.2% for universal scale employees and a 3.9% increase for employees on the auxiliary scale. The increases will be paid Aug. 25 and are retroactive to July 1.

Willoughby said the increases equal a 5.8% districtwide average and are the exact same salary scales that were presented to the School Board in February.

She said during all of the uncertainty with the state budget over the past few months the goal was always to focus on safeguarding employee pay increases.

Willoughby also presented what she called “budget-neutral reconciliation changes” to prevent going over budget with substitutes in FY24 and to ensure there would be enough teachers, particularly at the elementary level, amid a predicted shortfall of 84 licensed teachers according to Acting Superintendent Daniel Smith’s operational update.

Current staffing standards call for one teacher for every 22 students for first through fifth grade. A teacher assistant is assigned to a class when it goes over 25 students in first through third grade and when it goes over 29 for fourth through fifth grade, but no class is supposed

to go over 30 students, according to Willoughby.

“That means 84 classes are going to have to be absorbed in with other classes,” she said. “That is occurring and as a result some schools may expect larger class sizes. Some may also expect larger class sizes that may require a teacher’s assistant because they are going over that threshold of 25 or 29.”

She said for FY24 they had initially projected and filled five teacher assistant positions for elementary classrooms, but

TEACHER SHORTAGE continues on page 24

AG Seeks Release of School Sexual Assaults Report

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Special prosecutor Theo Stamos on Aug. 10 filed a motion in Loudoun County Circuit Court seeking to release an independent investigation into how the division handled two sexual assaults by the same student months apart in 2021.

The report, conducted by the Blankingship & Keith law firm, has been kept out of the public’s eye by the School Board, who claim it is protected from disclosure by attorney-client privilege since the investigation was concluded in January 2022.

Stamos’ motion cited the May 30 Circuit Court ruling that the School Board had failed to prove the report was protected from disclosure and instructed the board to provide a copy of the report to the court.

Stamos argued the court has discretionary authority “to direct the unsealing of subpoenaed records for any ‘prudent’ reason” and argued there were three reasons to do so. She said the report contains information provided by several witnesses who testified before the special grand jury who may be called to testify during former Superintendent Scott Ziegler’s upcoming trials on three misdemeanor charges, and unsealing

the report would allow the prosecutors to incorporate the statements in their case preparation.

Second, she pointed to a May 30 statement in which Ziegler said he “strongly believed” the report should be publicly released. Third, she wrote there is a compelling public interest in favor of releasing it.

The motion says prosecutors have prepared a proposed redacted version the report that addresses concerns about victims’ privacy and other health information.

AG SEEKS REPORTS continues on page 15

LEA Offers Free Supplies to New Teachers

The Loudoun Education Association gave away free teaching supplies to new teachers during the Loudoun County Public Schools new employee orientation program at Independence High School on Friday.

Since 2015, the LEA has held a drive to collect teaching supplies to donate to hundreds of new teachers. The drive was born out of a conversation at a conference about what teachers in Virginia Beach were doing, according to retired teacher and LEA member David Palanzi.

Since then, the cafeteria at the host high school has had posters, books and classroom supplies for new teachers.

“It is great to give back to those just starting out; teachers already spend too much of their own money on classroom materials,” LEA President Sandy Sullivan said.

The LEA is an organization that advocates for public schools and public school employees. Nearly 3,400 Loudoun County Public Schools employees are represented by LEA, which is an affiliate of the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association.

Schools Again Receive EVERFI Empowered Seal

Loudoun schools received the 2023 EVERFI Empowered Seal, a designation awarded to public school districts that have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to education strategies like financial literacy, health and careers.

The designation means the division ranks in the top 10% of school districts in the United States and Canada for commitment to wholechild education, according to an announcement.

This is the fourth year the division has received the award, about 1,335 school districts received it this year.

EVERFI is an international technology company whose solution and digital educational content has reached more than 45 million learners globally. The company was recognized in 2020 as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and was featured on Fortune Magazine’s Impact 20 List. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby and School Board Chair Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) at a joint School Board and Board of Supervisors meeting in February.

Judge Denies Ziegler’s Evidence Request; Trial Delayed

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

A Loudoun County Circuit Court judge on Aug. 10 denied former division superintendent Scott Ziegler’s motion to get more information on certain evidence turned over by the special prosecutor’s office.

Ziegler’s attorney Erin Harrigan of Gentry Locke argued information was missing from discovery which she said had “potentially exculpatory or impeachment value to the defendant.”

Her argument centered around testimony by former special education teacher Erin Brooks before a special grand jury on April 26, 2022. Harrigan argued Brooks perjured herself that day in saying her teacher assistant Laura Vandermeulen didn’t share information outside the school system about what the two were experiencing at the time in the classroom.

The two alleged a nonverbal elementary school student with intellectual disabilities was intentionally sexually touching them dozens of times a day. Brooks had reached out to the division’s Title IX office

about it as well as the school’s principal.

Harrigan claimed Brooks had contacted school activist Ian Prior March 22, 2022 about Prior’s plans to address the board about their situation after Vandermeulen spoke with him.

Harrigan said, contrary to her testimony, Brooks intended to share private

What matters to you matters to us

student educational and health information with someone else and that she knew Vandermeulen had shared information with Prior with the intent it be shared publicly.

Harrigan argued that a “cold email” Brooks sent five months after her testimony to the special grand jury to former Special Assistant to the Attorney General for Investigations Carlton Davis about the email exchange between herself and Prior possibly indicated an agreement for Brooks since she was a key witness in Ziegler’s trial.

Harrigan noted the email’s timing was near the time the special grand jury was considering perjury indictments for former division spokesperson Wayde Byard, and the same day two indictments were returned against Ziegler, both involving Brooks.

Davis assisted with the special grand jury case and resigned in Jan. 2023 to go into private practice. Harrigan claimed he may have noticed Brooks’ possible perjurious statement, and said she wanted more context from the commonwealth about any agreements made between

Brooks and Davis, such as not charging Brooks with perjury in exchange for her cooperation in Ziegler’s trial.

Davis’ emails were deleted 30 days after he left.

Attorney General Miyares spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita in an emailed response about questions about the deleted emails said per the Office of the Attorney General’s policy and the Records and Retention Act, Davis preserved documents and emails related to the case. She said once that was done, his email account was deleted in accordance with the 2020 policy.

Special prosecutor Theo Stamos vehemently denied any agreement existed and said Harrigan’s statements of “I would imagine,” and “it makes sense” were conjecture and without basis. Stamos said the Commonwealth had turned over every piece of evidence it had to Harrigan’s office and pointed out the result was that Ziegler’s false publication trial, which was set to begin Aug. 14, was continued to

ZIEGLER REQUEST DENIED continues on page 15

Rense Greene/Loudoun Now

Former superintendent Scott Ziegler arrives at the Loudoun County Courthouse on Dec. 13, 2022.

School Board Restructures Agenda-Setting Rules

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

It will be more difficult for individual members of the Loudoun County School Board to add items to the meeting agendas following a policy change approved Aug. 8.

Under the change, items must have support from at least two additional board members to be added to the meeting dockets. Also, depending on the length of a meeting agenda, the chair may limit the number of board-initiated items to be considered.

The change was approved on a 6-3 vote, with critics worried the policy would block minority opinions.

Chair Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) requested the School Board’s Legislative and Policy Committee look at the policy. He said it would bring the agenda item policy into line with the same standard required for School Board information requests that require more than an hour of staff time to complete. He said the policy makes sure staff isn’t spending too much time on work that doesn’t have

support from other board members.

He said a goal of the change was to encourage board members to make better use of the committee system to flesh out ideas.

Serotkin said it was not unusual for governing bodies to require a minimum level of co-sponsorship for items to bypass the normal committee process and be placed on the full board’s agenda. He said the Prince William County School Board had a similar policy.

Jeff Morse (Dulles) proposed an amendment so that only one other board member had to agree to add an item to a meeting agenda. That failed 4-5 with Brenda Sheridan (Sterling), Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian), Vice Chair Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn), Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run) and Serotkin opposed.

“We talk about the ability to speak freely up here and how important that is. It’s so important that we don’t even limit our discussion. So, I think what we are doing is we are trying to box board members in based on preconceived notions on a topic that’s being brought,” Morse said.

He noted that members of the public could more easily get an item on a board agenda by simply asking the chair to add it.

Polifko, who opposed both Morse’s amendment and the policy changes, said elected representatives had a responsibility to use their voices to represent their constituents.

“This policy is being revised with no hard evidence as to why we need to put it under revision,” she said. “Prior to this revision, board members under this policy were able to put any information item on the agenda that they brought to the chairman’s attention. So, who don’t you want to hear from? That is what this is.”

Denise Corbo (At-Large) also voted against the changes saying they were too restrictive and prevented board members from doing their elected duties.

“It would open the door and potentially allow board members to strategically silence other board members by preventing an information item to be added to the School Board agenda,” she said.

Mahedavi said board members

could bring items to the School Board agenda during the new business section of the agenda. He said the changes weren’t about restriction but about good governance.

John Beatty (Catoctin) agreed with Mahedavi and said board members could also bring up items during their five-minute comment time toward the end of meetings. He said he saw merit in promoting a more collaborative approach.

“As someone who has asked for items to be put on the agenda, I think those items would have done better if I had reached out to other board members beforehand and sort of tried to build a consensus and tried to get their thoughts on it,” he said.

Morse still objected, saying those avenues don’t guarantee the board will take up the issues and said there are times when it is important to bring topics to a vote to show how the board feels.

The policy changes received feedback June 7-21 and the Legislative and Policy Committee voted 3-0 to recommend their approval to the full School Board. n

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov

www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

Ziegler request denied

continued from page 13

give the defense more time to go

through evidence.

Stamos argued that Brooks looked up Ian Prior on LinkedIn out of her desire to protect the student after learning that day Vandermeulen spoke to Prior. Stamos said in her response motion that Brooks had no reason to believe Vandermeulen had shared personal information about the student with Prior and said there was no evidence he had any and that Harrigan’s motion to compel didn’t show it either. Stamos said it was the first and only time she had emailed Prior.

Harrigan argued it was the first she had heard of the LinkedIn connection and said the Commonwealth did not reveal that previously. She said rather than telling her agreements between Brooks and Davis didn’t exist, the state said it was “non-discoverable attorney work product.”

Stamos said the accusations were

AG seeks reports

continued from page 12

On May 30, Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher ruled that the division’s Nov. 5, 2021, public announcement that an independent report would be created and the statement that the division would keep the public up to date conflicted with the School Board’s subsequent claim that it would be withheld from disclosure based on a claim of attorney-client privilege.

“The court finds that this publication is inconsistent with the claim the B&K Independent Review Report was intended to be an attorney client confidential communication,” according to Stamos’ motion citing Fisher’s May 30 order. “Rather the opposite inference is compelled by the plain language of the document.”

During the Nov. 5, 2021 announcement, Ziegler said the independent review was “only one step in moving forward to heal our school community. We will keep you up-to-date about the steps we take and the progress we make.”

“The clear and logical conclusion from this public statement is that, in an effort to quell public concern over anxiety, a private law firm was being hired by the schools to conduct an independent review (as “only one step”), which was part of an overall commitment to improve the schools and that the public would be kept informed

“unfounded and offensive” and said she let Harrigan know about the LinkedIn information on Aug. 3, and that she had prior knowledge about the policy that led to Davis’ emails being deleted 30 days after he left.

“We have met all obligations and more and to suggest Davis went rogue is preposterous,” Stamos said, asking the judge to deny the motion.

Judge James P. Fisher agreed with Stamos. He said he needed more evidence and that the situation was an example of the intersection of constitutional law and ethics, and he didn’t want to be the deciding factor of what each side should do. He said the Commonwealth said it didn’t exist, so the court would leave it that way.

Also, during the Aug. 10 pretrial motions, Ziegler’s false publication trial that was set to begin Monday Aug. 14 was moved to Feb. 20-22, 2023.

His trial for misdemeanor charges of prohibited conduct and penalizing an employee is Sept. 25-26. n

“about the steps … and the progress” made,” Fisher wrote in his ruling.

Division counsel Robert Falconi had argued it was prepared for pending litigation during the May 30 hearing. Fisher’s ruling states the Nov. 5 statement “vitiates the notion that the B&K report was sought in preparation for litigation and thus protected the attorney work product doctrine.”

Fisher also said the school division’s attorney, Jennifer Parrish of Parrish Snead Franklin Simpson, failed to demonstrate the School Board was the client that hired Blankingship & Keith, saying it was Falconi who hired the firm.

Fisher determined the School Board’s Feb. 14 vote to not release the report “was nothing more than a vote to not release something they failed to establish as attorney-client communication in the first place,” according to the Aug. 10 motion.

Fisher determined the report was never meant to have attorney-client privilege and ordered a subpoena be issued that turned it over to Stamos.

Fisher also found that the School Board’s deliberations about the report during three separate closed meetings likely violated the Freedom of Information Act.

The School Board filed an opinion saying it was opposed to the ruling, but announced on June 7 it wouldn’t challenge the May 30 ruling to hand the report over to Stamos. n

Safety

Former Loudoun Winery Owner Pleads Guilty in $4M Fraud Case

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Three years after he was criminally charged, Purcellville-area resident Gerhard Bauer pleaded guilty last week to embezzling more than $4 million from his employer.

According to court documents, between 2010 and 2017, Bauer, a 73-yearold German national, used his position as CEO and president of a German company’s U.S. subsidiary to fraudulently use $4 million in company funds to build the Otium Cellars winery, the Goose Creek Farm horse ranch, and pay personal expenses, including private school tuition for relatives.

Bauer pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 7. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

As a result of a civil lawsuit, he had already paid significant restitution to the company, including through the $2.86 million sale of the winery and other

property in 2021. As a condition of the plea agreement in the criminal case, he will be required to complete the restitution.

Bauer moved to the U.S. from Germany in 1993 and began planting the vineyard near Purcellville in 2007.

According to the case filings, Bauer in 2010 began writing company checks to contractors on his personal venture while creating invoices made to appear as though the money was going to vendors typically used by the international industrial and machinery manufacturing company. The fraudulent activity continued through May 2017. He was charged in the case in February 2020.

Among the payments made with the company’s funds were $1.5 million to Schooley Construction to build the winery tasting room, $1.2 million to make personal credit card payments, $35,900 to buy wine bottles, and $146,000 for Foxcroft school tuition.

In addition to the potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, the plea agreement includes a fine, further forfeitures, and the possibility of mandatory deportation. n

County Removes 40 Cats from Sterling Home, Adoptions Underway

Loudoun County Animal Services has seized 40 cats from a Sterling home following a pet hoarding investigation. The cats are being prepared for adoption.

According to the agency, the investigation began on Aug. 1 when someone called to report the situation. Humane Law Enforcement Officers found cats inside and outside the home and determined the they were being kept in a manner that was a direct threat to their life, health and safety. Ammonia readings in the home were significantly elevated beyond safe levels for prolonged exposure for both humans and animals. Numerous surfaces in the home were covered with feces and urine.

Officers removed 40 cats from the residence.

During an Aug. 9 hearing in Loudoun County District Court, the judge prohibited the resident from owning pets for an indefinite period and ordered the payment of $7,141 to cover the costs to Animal Services.

LCAS is providing veterinary care for the cats that will be made available for adoption as they are cleared

medically. Anyone interested in adopting is encouraged to view available animals on the LCAS website at  loudoun.gov/animals and to stop by the shelter during adoption hours, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

The large seizure comes as the county’s animal shelter already faces a capacity crunch. The agency said owner surrenders of cats have increased by 36% over the previous year and staff members have had to create emergency housing throughout the facility to accommodate the new arrivals from this case. n

“The summit completely exceeded my expectationsspeakers, valid topics, the day flew by. I feel so inspired by all the incredible women I met and saw today!” — Anna M.

Loudoun County Animal Services

Two of the 40 cats seized from a Sterling home by Loudoun County Animal Services, which is moving quickly to find them new homes.

Towns Hamilton Council Adopts New Comprehensive Plan

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Hamilton Town Council on Monday adopted a new comprehensive plan for the town, replacing a community development guide adopted 20 years ago.

Zoning Administrator Martha Mason Semmes said the new plan has been a priority for the town for years, but it’s run into roadblocks along the way, including COVID-19 restricting the Planning Commission’s ability to meet in person and work through the new plan effectively.

She said, while the new plan does not contain any significant changes to the town’s current community development vision, it does update statistics including the housing units in town, population, traffic counts and how much land is left for development.

Semmes said the most significant change in the new plan is that it includes a future land use map that allows for a commercial transition zone in town.

“The Planning Commission thought, ‘well, this is an opportunity’ because they don’t have much commercial in Hamilton to provide an opportunity for folks to take those existing homes, which, many

of them are historic, and reuse them for maybe an office or a small shop, or a coffee shop, just like has been done in Purcellville,” she said. “So, the plan now has a future land use map and it shows this

Cannons’ Players Earn Top Awards from Valley League

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Cannons had three players on their roster this year who received awards from the 12-team Valley Baseball League.

Ryne Guida, of Florida International University, received the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Jaxon Dalena, of Shippensburg University, received the league’s North Pitcher of the Year award. Jose Torres, of the University of Louisiana, received the league’s Defensive Most Valuable Player Award.

The team finish the season with a 20-24 record, in ninth place.

Assistant coach Ridge Fuller, the son of head coach and owner Brett Fuller, said that while it was not as successful a year for the team as a whole as they would have liked, he was proud of each of the players.

“We’ve been very fortunate these past two years to have some of the best players in the league,” he said. “We just had a hard time kind of putting it all together over the course of the season.”

For Guida and Torres, it was their second consecutive year earning those awards.

Torres, who is a rising junior, said he

was proud to earn the award twice and looks forward to being able to try again for a third time next summer.

“I see my role as important as the pitcher because if I don’t put effort in it it’s going to be really hard for the pitcher to have success,” he said.

Torres has major league aspirations and said he spent part of this past summer speaking with scouts.

“It’s what I love to do, and I will try to stay as long as I can,” he said.

Guida, a rising senior, earned MVP for

the second year in a row, making him the first player in the league to do that since 2005.

“He hit .396 his first year and he hit like .425 this second year, which is just unreal,” Fuller said. “Nobody does that.”

“Honestly, [earning the award again] is an attribution to what they’re doing there as far as player development and really creating an atmosphere where it’s really fun to go out there and play every day,” Guida said, adding that having so many fans there to cheer the team on made a big difference. “… The community involvement and the community backing is phenomenal.”

He is also looking to play professionally and said even if he doesn’t make the cut he’d like to stay involved through sports management or something similar.

The team retired Guida’s jersey number 29 this year in his honor.

Dalena fell into being a pitcher for the Cannons almost on accident when he was asked to fill a gap for the team temporarily.

“He actually didn’t pitch for his school almost at all,” Ridge Fuller said. “And then when we were short on pitchers early on in the year, he said he would step up and throw for us. And we were only expecting to use him here and there, but he turned

proposed commercial transition.”

This change would allow homes to be converted to businesses to help improve economic growth without drastically changing the face of the town. The plan also continues to emphasize desired improvements to pedestrian safety and accessibility in the town.

One resident spoke at the council’s Aug. 14 public hearing before the adoption vote.

Marley Green, son of Council member Craig Green, said he had grown up in Hamilton before moving away over 15 years ago and had recently moved back into an accessory dwelling unit.

“I figured I would never be able to afford to move back here and I just wanted to encourage council as you’re going through this to really think about the next 15 to 20 years and the kids that are growing up here now,” he said. “… Many

HAMILTON COMP PLAN continues on page 18

out to be by far our best pitcher. … He was a diamond in the rough.”

This isn’t the first year the Cannons have had promising players on the team. Fuller said over 190 of the team’s former players have gone on to play professional baseball and two of them—Ryan Yarbrough of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Austin Gomber of the Colorado Rockies—have gone on to play in the major leagues.

The Cannons came to Purcellville in 2016 from Charles Town, WV, after the team was struggling to get community members out to attend games and bring in enough revenue.

“[Moving to Purcellville] was the first time that we’ve really felt welcomed and wanted to be a part of the community, by the community. They’ve really welcomed us in,” Fuller said.

He said since the move to Purcellville, the team has led the league in attendance with more than 20,000 fans making their way through the gates over the course of this summer.

Now, Fuller said he’s focused on next year, already working to find the first of 50 players he’ll sign before May 2024.

“It’s kind of a never-ending cycle,” he said. “You kind of get a week or two off, realistically, before you have to start planning for it again.” n

Valley League Baseball Cannons player Ryne Guida earned Most Valuable Player in the Valley League for the 2023 season.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now The Hamilton Town Council adopted a new comprehensive plan for the town at its Aug. 14 meeting.

Lawrence Henry Leonard, Jr., known to all as “Bootsie,” passed away on August 10, 2023. Born in Winchester on September 4, 1938 to Lawrence H. Leonard, Sr. and Catherine (Waddell) Leonard, Bootsie was raised in Aldie, moved to Arcola in his teenage years, and graduated from Loudoun County High School in 1955, one year after the newly consolidated school had opened its doors. He attended Shepherd College in West Virginia where he was a two-sport standout in both football and baseball, and was named the college’s Outstanding Athlete his senior year. He met his wife Suzie while a student at Shepherd and they soon embarked upon a wonderful 61-year marriage. Upon graduation, Leonard began a successful 40-year career as a teacher, coach and administrator. He started at Loudoun Valley High School when it opened in 1962, and he served as the school’s Athletic Director for 36 years. While serving as head baseball coach, his 1972 squad captured the first state championship for any high school in Loudoun County in any sport. He also served as head football coach from 196271. Leonard was named Athletic Director of the Year in 1996 by the Virginia Athletic Administrators Association, and upon retirement in 2001 the school named its stadium “Leonard Stadium” in his honor. Further, Leonard has the unique honor of being inducted into three separate athletic halls of fame: Loudoun County High School, Loudoun Valley High School, and Shepherd College. Beyond the athletic fields, Leonard had a tremendous impact upon the western Loudoun community, as literally thousands of students felt his firm and disciplined, yet empathetic, approach to sports and life, with countless many returning to thank him later in life for his guidance and support along the way.

Obituaries

He considered those interactions to be to be among his proudest moments. His retirement days were filled with family and sports, as he imparted his lessons upon his four granddaughters. With family always being first, Leonard felt supporting others required being present. As such, he and his wife were mainstays at all their granddaughters’ games, no matter the sport. Leonard is survived by his wife, Suzie, a retired teacher, daughter Robin and son Chris (and his wife, Stacie). His pride and joy are his four granddaughters - Megan, Mariah, Ashley, and Abby. He also is survived by two brothers, Danny and Bunny Leonard. All are invited to join the Leonard family to remember and celebrate the life of a tremendous man. A visitation will be held at 9:30am, followed by a memorial service starting at 11:00am, at Purcellville Baptist Church on Saturday, August 26. A reception will follow on site.

William Joseph McGregor

William Joseph (Joe) McGregor of Leesburg, VA died on August 12, 2023. Born March 23, 1940, in Cumberland, MD, he grew up in Frostburg, MD where he met Judith (Judy) Ann Fike, his high school sweetheart and later his wife of 63 years. In 1957 he attended Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with a chemical engineering degree. He and Judy married in 1960 and moved to Michigan in 1961 where Joe began his career as a chemist with DuPont. While working, Joe earned a master’s degree in industrial management from the University of Michigan. In 1969, Joe left DuPont and began a twenty-nineyear career with Mobil Chemical. Joe and Judy moved seven times to and from the Midwest and East coast as Joe progressed in roles from special projects manager to plant manager, to general manager, to Vice President Mobil Chemical and General

Manager, Chemical Products Division (1985-1995). Joe finished his career in Fairfax, Virginia as Vice President, New Business Development & Planning, Petrochemicals. Travel was an essential part of Joe’s work and a love for both Joe and Judy, along with their three children. Between work and vacations, Joe and Judy visited twenty-four countries and forty-eight U.S. states. Joe’s most frequent trips were to France and Japan, both cultures he grew to appreciate and where he made lasting friendships. Joe always found time for church and his faith. As members of the Christian community, he and Judy taught Sunday school and co-chaired committees; Joe led the men’s group, held an administrative board role, and represented the church at regional conferences. His favorite church activity was selling Christmas trees at an annual fundraising sale with his children. In retirement, Joe enjoyed bridge, photography, and golf— three lifelong passions. He also set up a woodworking workshop and shared his craft by building sets for The Great Falls Players and making toys for children in need. He and Judy traveled extensively with Road Scholar. They loved music and were supporters of both the Kennedy Center and the Loudoun Symphony, in addition to regularly enjoying Lucketts Bluegrass. Joe is survived by his wife, Judy McGregor, brother-in-law George Fike, daughters Heather Downs and Heidi Bartolacci, sons-in-law Scott Downs and Gary Bartolacci, and grandchildren Mia and Maxwell Downs and Abigail, Eliza, and Matthew Bartolacci. Preceding Joe in death are his parents William and Naomi McGregor, brother Larry McGregor, and son Joseph McGregor. The family will have a private celebration of his life. Donations in Joe’s honor can be made to the Loudoun Symphony (P.O. Box 4478, Leesburg, VA, 20177) or Lucketts Bluegrass Foundation (42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg, VA, 20176). Share condolences with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com

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

Final

Summer on the Green Event on Saturday

Lovettsville’s final Summer on the Green event will take place Aug. 19 at the Walker Pavilion.

A showing of “The Princess Bride” will start at dusk and community members will be joined by former mayor Nate Fontaine. Lucky Dogs Hot Dogs will be selling food on site and residents are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and a flashlight. n

Hamilton Comp Plan

continued from page 17

of them will want to live here but if things keep going the way they are, they won’t be able to afford it.”

He suggested the council consider allowing duplexes and triplexes where only single homes are currently allowed, something he said he has seen more frequently as a town and urban planning analyst.

“That is one relatively cost limited way that towns can help move that dial, is to allow that where the utilities allow it, where smart design standards are considered so we’re not building something that doesn’t fit,” he said.

He also said he would like to see more specificity on planned transportation and pedestrian improvements.

The comprehensive plan lists 14 key goals and also identifies 70 action items for the town to take in pursuing those goals with some of the key actions including monitoring the number of sewer and water taps granted for new development in the town and surrounding area, evaluating the existing town and county zoning district regulations and the zoning map for their compatibility with goals and policies, and reviewing the town ordinances and regulations to ensure growth is managed to avoid overtaxing public services.

The plan was approved 6-0-1, with council member Craig Green absent, and allows for Town Attorney Maureen Gilmore and Semmes to correct technical errors and change a zoning map to align with a recent zoning amendment made by the council.

The motion also authorized Gilmore and Semmes to review recent statutory changes related to the comprehensive plan and advise the Town Council and Planning Commission of any additional amendments they should consider. n

Lawrence Henry Leonard Jr.

GETOUT

LIVE MUSIC

KRYSTAL KING & KIRSTIE KRAUS

5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 Harrison St., Leesburg. macsbeach.com

LENNY’S JUKE JOINT: ACOUSTIC TEQUILA

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17

Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd. Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg

JUSTIN SUEDE

6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 17

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

SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN

8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20 to $30. tallyhotheater.com

DOMINICA KNAPP

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

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

BILLY & THE CURLEY BROTHERS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

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

JEREMIAH PROPHETT

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18

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

ROBERT MABE & FRIENDS

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

DAVE MININBERG

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

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

GARY SMALLWOOD

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX BAND

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Ashburn Village Center, Gloucester Parkway & Ashburn Village Boulevard ashburnvillage.org

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 20

Jim Tait, Boxing Legend

91-Year-Old Boxer Returns to the Ring

BY RENSS GREENE AND LORENZO SALAS

Jim Tait, who fought his way to be the 1956 Washington, DC Golden Gloves welterweight champion after a catastrophic motorcycle accident, returned to the ring Aug. 10 at TITLE Boxing Club in Ashburn.

The 91-year-old made headlines for his tenacity in 1956, after a 1954 New Year’s Day motorcycle crash left him seriously injured. According to reporting from the Washington Star, he spent half a year in the hospital, and almost a full year in a cast. And his love of dance led both to his recovery and 1956 championship, and ultimately his retirement after he met his wife on the dancefloor.

Although he was told he’d never box again—and he’d be lucky to walk—he managed to recover through dancing.

“It’s unbelievable, when you think about it, what I’ve put this body through,” he said.

But even that bout was only one chapter in a lifetime of perseverance. Hard work was a theme of the event at TITLE Boxing. He talked about how he would milk his family’s cow and run afterwards every single day to stay fit.

He said it was harder for him to box, as he was blind in one eye. Despite that, Paddy Kane, a famous boxing coach in the area at the time, helped him through training and guided his career. Tait said Kane was “the greatest coach.”

“He was like another father to me, really,” Tait said.

Tait started boxing at Fairfax High School and would go on to compete against Washington and New York University students, before moving up to bouts with Washington, DC Golden Gloves. But he said none of his opponents gave him much trouble.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

91-year-old Jim Tait, the 1956 Washington, DC Golden Gloves welterweight champion, back in the ring at TITLE Boxing Club in Ashburn Thursday, Aug. 10.

RETURNS

Contributed

A young Jim Tait during his boxing days.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 19

KRYSTAL KING & KIRSTIE KRAUS

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 59

7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Segra Field, 123, Leesburg. $15 to $45. loudoununitedfc.com

MYSTERY MACHINE

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 18 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. Spankyspub.com

FIDDLIN DAVE & MORGAN

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

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

SWEARINGEN & KELLI EP RELEASE

8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Franklin Park Performing & Visual Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. $20. franklinparkartscenter.org

SCOTT KURT

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

JOEY BAUER

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX DUO

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

BRIAN HARRIS

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

DARRYL MARINI

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

DAN BERRY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. bluemontstation.com

JASON MASI

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

TIM MARCUM

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 21

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 20

TEJAS SINGH

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

AIRMONT ROAD

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

HUCKLEBUCK

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

THE PETTY THIEVES

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

STEVE GEORGE & FRIENDS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

GONZO’S NOSE

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $13 to $60. tararaconcerts.com

THE NIGHTHAWKS

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. $20. dirtfarmbrewing.com

TROPICAL ATTITUDES

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com

DAN BARRY

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com

SELA CAMPBELL

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. idalee.org

THEATRE OF CRUE

8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $15 to $35. tallyhotheater.com

CARBON 11

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

RULE G

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

STEEL DRUMMIN’ ON THE BEACH!

12 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com

BRUCE EWAN

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

PERSONAL MOOSE BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

KIMBERLY BURKE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

DAVID THONG

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20

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

JASON MCDONALD

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

JULIET LLOYD

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

DEANE KERN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

LENNY’S JUKE JOINT

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

MELISSA QUINN FOX

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

DAVE MINNINBERG

3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. Spankyspub.com

KIRSTIE KRAUS

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

PEBBLE TO PEARL

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com

KRYSTAL KING

Salamander Resort & Spa

4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 Salamander Resort & Spa, 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg. kirstiekraus.com

TEJAS SINGH

5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22

Goose Creek Village, 21030 Sycolin Road, Ashburn. tejassinghmusic.com

HOMEY DON’T PLAY DAT

7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23

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

SHANE & JACKSON

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24

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

SCOTT KIRBY HOUSE CONCERT

7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 Villa on the Hilla, 39761 Thomas Mill Road, Leesburg. $25. julianamacdowell.com

MACH & DADDY W/ KALE LA

EVOLUCIÓN

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 Rio Cantina, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, Sterling. facebook.com/RioCantinaSterling

HAPPENINGS

HELLO HIVE!

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. heritagefarmmuseum.org

AMERICA’S 9/11 FOUNDATION MOTORCYCLE RIDE

1:30 to 2:20 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 Downtown Leesburg. americas911ride.org

SINGER, SONGWRITER, GUITARIST, STORYTELLER, TRAVELER, ROAD WARRIOR...

SCOTT KIRBY & JULIANA

Legend returns

continued from page 19

“I didn’t have any problem with them,” Tait said.

He climbed into the ring with 13-time world champion and hall of famer Tori Nelson, who is also a personal trainer at TITLE Boxing Club. She said events like the one Thursday are important.

“They’re very important because this here is a legend and people don’t even know,” Nelson said. “He did the same work as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.”

Nelson also talked about the difficulty in boxing and the effort required for boxing.

“We all start as amateurs, we graduate as professionals, but we all start as amateurs.” Nelson said. “You can’t go to a boxing gym and put in 100 percent. You have to put in 200 percent.”

But it was also on the dance floor that he met his future wife Sandy. And it was for Sandy that he finally hung up the gloves for the next half century.

Tait toured TITLE’s gym and ring surrounded by staff from Waltonwood Ashburn, where he lives, and his children. His fight now is with Parkinson’s disease.

“The most popular workout for Parkinson’s is boxing,” TITLE Boxing Club General Manager Jeffery Gomez said. The gym offers specialized boxing classes in collaboration with the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area.

Hard work is still the theme for Tait. He said there’s “no easy way,” and as for anyone who wants to get into boxing: “You just got to work in and work at it.” n

Lorenzo Salas is a rising sophomore at James Madison University interning at Loudoun Now

Sela Campbell

Bets

GONZO’S NOSE

BestSaturday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

The DC’s favorite party band reunites one more time to perform a night of rock hits from their 250-plus song repertoire that covers the past four decades.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 21

DC IMPROV COMEDY NIGHT

7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $22 to $32. tallyhotheater.com

LEESBURG FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS & KITES

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW., Leesburg. chiceventsdc.com

SELA CAMPBELL

Saturday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

This 16-year-old star-in-the-making has been wowing audiences across the region with her beautiful voice, upbeat guitar, country influences, and perfect song selection. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Alcohol, pets and smoking prohibited. Free.

THE BREW MILE

4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 House 6 Brewing Co., 44427 Atwater Drive, Ashburn. $40. runsignup.com

ADRAK KA SWAAD

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 Waddell Theater, 21200 Campus Drive, Sterling Park. events.sulekha.com

LOUDOUN UNITED FC VS. SACRAMENTO

REPUBLIC FC

7:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, Segra Field, 123, Leesburg. $20 to $70. loudoununitedfc.com

BENEFIT Achieves Nonprofit Status

In 2016, a small group of Loudoun County community members had the idea to use live music to bring people together to raise awareness about the need in the community and foster a culture of giving. After several years of presenting live music performances—including the annual Crossroads Music Festival—and raising approximately $134,000 for nonprofits serving Loudoun County, BENEFIT has officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit itself.

With BENEFIT becoming a nonprofit, the scope of its mission has been expanded to increase the availability and eligibility of grant funding to its nonprofit applicants.

The organization’s next event is its 2023 Crossroads Music Festival, taking place Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday,

Sept. 16. The event will feature over 35 musicians and bands that will be performing at venues throughout downtown Leesburg.

Proceeds from BENEFIT’s 2023 events will be distributed in summer 2024. All proceeds from BENEFIT’s events are distributed to nonprofit organizations through a grant application process. In May, BENEFIT awarded a total of $25,000 in grant funding among eight nonprofits from the proceeds of its 2022 Crossroads Music Festival.

Information on festival passes, performers and venues for the 2023 Crossroads Music Festival can be found at CrossroadsMusicFest.org.

For more information about BENEFIT, go to benefit.live. n

THEATRE OF CRUE

Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Cleveland-based Theatre of Crue pays tribute to the rich history of Motley Crue with each band member’s musicianship and attention to detail creating a replication of the notorious heavy metal band with every performance.

BAT NIGHT RETURNS

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Izaak Walton League, 19249 Mountain Spring Lane, Leesburg. lcciwla.org

MARK TOLAND

12 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 Northern Virginia Community College, 21200

Thursday, Aug. 24 Leesburg-area House Concert julianamacdowell.com

Troubador Scott Kirby, fresh off the release of his 10th CD, “Dream of Your Life,” veers off from the Chesapeake Bay leg of summer tour to perform on a hillside stage overlooking Leesburg

Campus Drive, Sterling. marktoland.com/live

TCOB THURSDAY NIGHT POOL

TOURNAMENT

7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24

The Craft Of Brewing Brewery, Cidery & BOP, 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn. $5. thecraftob.com

SCOTT KIRBY

with fellow Key West, FL, performer Juliana MacDowell. Tickets at tinyurl.com/ scottkirbyleesburg.

Teacher shortage

continued from page 12

staff have now identified the need for about 20 more teacher assistants for the upcoming school year.

She asked the board to be flexible and allow a one-time exception to allow the swap of five vacant teacher positions for 10 teacher assistant positions and assigning 10 from their contingency, making the addition of 20 teacher assistant positions budget neutral.

“Roughly the value behind what one teacher costs, we could pay for two T.A.s, and that is how we came up with the five to 10 ratio,” she said.

Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Boland said it’s easier to fill a teacher assistant position than a licensed teacher position, and said at any time they have a pool of applicants for teacher assistant positions as opposed to teacher positions because of the surrounding competing divisions.

Willoughby said they are already looking ahead to next year’s budget and looking at staffing strategies. Smith’s report showed a trend in the division with teacher vacancies which could put the division in a worse place next year if continued, Willoughby said.

According to Smith’s presentation, for the 2023-24 school year there are 128 licensed secondary teaching positions open and 84 elementary ones, compared to 102 secondary positions and 62 elementary in 2022-23 and 94 secondary and 50 elementary positions in 2021-22.

Willoughby broke down the budget reconciliation expenditures by saying they were proposing to reallocate the money initially set aside to support the governor proposed budget initiative on bonuses and using that money in other areas like to boost the substitute account and cover 18.2 additional positions.

Willoughby said historically the budget for substitutes has been difficult to project and they have gone over it many times, most recently in FY23 by $6.2 million dollars. She said that was likely due to the popularity of the division’s new Family Leave Program which provides six weeks of 100% pay due to a birth, adoption or foster placement. She proposed eliminating the governor’s proposed retention bonus initiative and reallocating $3.6 million of it to the substitute account in an effort to prevent going over budget this year.

She also proposed increasing the longterm substitute daily rate from $154 to $200, making the division the leader in the region for long term sub rates with the hope that will entice more long-term

subs to help with the teacher shortage in the county.

Willoughby said the estimated cost for that would be $1.6 million but said some of that would be covered by the existing substitute budget. She also noted that there were 28 vacant elementary school teacher positions that would not be filled this year and that those funds would be moved to the sub budget as well.

Long term substitutes basically act as the teacher and plan lessons and grade, among other teacher duties.

Smith said the division is taking a multipronged approach to fill the teacher shortage while maintaining the staffing standard approved by the School Board. He said that involves using a teacher assistant when a teacher position can’t be filled and increasing the pay for long term subs.

The additional 18.2 positions will cost the division $1.8 million and will also come out of the eliminated retention bonus initiative. The positions were added after new staffing standards adopted after the budget.

Ten of the positions are related to updated eligibility and status of Title I eligible schools, one is for a Student Support Advisor for the North Star School which was accidentally left out, five are from the correction of a rounding error that shorted elementary schools five counselors, and the rest are from elementary boundary adjustments adopted in February that left a net increase of 2.2 positions.

With the budget neutral reconciliation changes and raises the bottom line was still $1.67 billion and a 6.9% increase over the FY23 adopted budget, thanks in part to the Board of Supervisors who Willoughby thanked for giving the division $13 million dollars when the state shortfall was identified.

“Really because of that it allows us to make this recommendation this evening,” she said.

The School Board took gradual steps in adopting its FY24 budget because of uncertainty from the state. One of those actions was placing the strategic scale and cost of living adjustments on hold in April to give more time for the state to finalize its budget. At that time the board adopted the FY23 salary scales for FY24. At the June 27 School Board meeting the board reconciled the FY24 budget after the Board of Supervisors gave $13 million more in local funding to the division.

Division staff stated on Aug. 8 they believed the state was sticking with the skinny budget the General Assembly adopted earlier and recommended the School Board release the final salary scale adjustments.

Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run) was the only board member to oppose the changes. n

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

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

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2023-0002 AMEND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE Article V, Blocks and Lots; AMEND UTILITIES ORDINANCE Article II-3, Meter Sizing; AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE Article I, In General, Article VI, Residential Districts, Article VI-2, Standards for Specific Uses, and Article VI-3. Specific Districts.

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1117, 15.2-2253, 15.2-2204 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing at its meeting on August 30, 2023 at 6:30pm, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the Town Council is to consider amendments to Chapter 42, Zoning, to define affordable housing, add language to residential zoning districts allowing building and lot standards to be modified, add accessory apartments as permitted uses, and modify the standards applicable to accessory apartments; amendments to Chapter 30, Subdivisions, to allow a single lot in a subdivision to be designed with less than the required street frontage; and amendments to Chapter 38, Utilities, to remove automatic water meter upgrades when an accessory apartment is added to a residence or commercial building.

All people desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The proposed zoning amendment and meeting links are available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission/

You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

8/17 & 8/24/23

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PURSUANT TO SECTION 15.2-2507 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, 1950, AS AMENDED, TO CONSIDER A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION

Pursuant to Section 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on August 30, 2023 at 6:30 p.m, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Aveneue, Lovettsville, Virginia to consider the following budget amendment:

A supplemental appropriation in Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of $3,013,808.80 comprised of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding, previous year capital project appropriation, and carryover of Fiscal Year 2023 appropriation associated with contractual encumbrances, which exceeds one percent of the total expenditures shown in the Fiscal Year 2024 adopted budget.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

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. www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/mayor-and-town-council/

A copy of any additional information regarding the proposed appropriation is available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

8/17 & 8/24/23

Legal Notices

ABC LICENSE

Banjara LLC trading as Banjara, Flavors of India, 44050 Ashburn Shopping Plz STE 191, Ashburn, Virginia 20147-7916.

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

Banjara, LLC

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

8/17 & 8/24/23

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

ANNUAL STREET MILLING AND RESURFACING

The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, for the following:

IFB NO. 100313-FY24-11

ANNUAL STREET MILLING AND RESURFACING

Work includes street milling and resurfacing services throughout the Town, and all incidentals related thereto.

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

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2023-0003: AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE

SECTION 42-297 Bed And Breakfast Homestays, Bed And Breakfast Inns, Country Inns And Limited Residential Lodging

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on August 30, 2023 at 6:30pm, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the Town Council is to consider an amendment to Chapter 42, Article I, Section 42-2 to revise the definition of Limited Residential Lodging, and Article VIII, Section 42-297, Bed And Breakfast Homestays, Bed And Breakfast Inns, Country Inns, And Limited Residential Lodging, to remove a requirement that the property owner occupy the limited residential lodging residence in certain circumstances, and in such cases, require the owner or a manager be able to respond to guests and be onsite within specified times.

All people desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00pm on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The proposed zoning amendment and meeting links are available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission/

You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

8/17 & 8/24/23

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2023-0004: AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 42-304 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on August 30, 2023 at 6:30pm, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the Town Council is to consider an amendment to Chapter 42, Article VIII-2, Section 42-304 to revise section 42-304(d)(1)a, to remove a requirement that solar panels on a roof that faces the street be flush-mounted or integrated into the roof.

All people desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00pm on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The proposed zoning amendment and meeting links are available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission/

You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

8/17 & 8/24/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: : JJ044816-04-00, 05-00, 06-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Alexander Beers

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father

The object of this suit is to hold hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Alexander Beers and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Alexander Beers. Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, are hereby notified that failure to appear on

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ044933-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Nariah Swales

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Whitney Settles aka Whitney Swales, mother, and Darius Swales, father

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046150-05-00, JJ046150-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Marjorie Cruz

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Endenilson Alavarado, putative father & Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Marjorie Cruz, AND; hold a motion to Modify the Child Protective Order for Marjorie Cruz.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Endenilson Alavarado, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or September 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

8/3, 8/10, 8/17 & 8/24/23

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 their residual parental rights with respect to Alexander Beers. Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Alexander Beers; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Alexander Beers; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Alexander Beers. Further, Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Alexander Beers, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Alexander Beers for adoption and consent to the adoption of Alexander Beers.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

7/27, 8/3, 8/10 & 8/17/23

The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1281 for Nariah Swales.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Whitney Settles aka Whitney Swales, mother, and Darius Swales, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 13, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

A message to elderly and disabled Loudoun County residents from

Robert S. Wertz, Jr.

Commissioner of the Revenue

Residents 65 and older or totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2023 Personal Property (vehicle) Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the September 1, 2023 filing deadline.

Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza

Internet: www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F

Phone: 703-737-8557

Email: taxrelief@loudoun.gov

Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32

Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31

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

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

Cable Channel 67 and

FiOS Channel 35.

Pricing Manager - Full Time

Will work with the Department Managers to assist them with maintaining the proper margin for their respective departments.

Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology, including email and spreadsheets, and learn to efficiently use the specific technologies related to the position

Assist in the achievement of department goals. Will download specific invoices into the POS system. Must be trained as a cashier to have the working knowledge of the system.

Power push

continued from page 1

Center Alley alone now hosts more than a thousand megawatts of demand.

Now, government and energy industry leaders are looking toward small modular reactors, a concept for smaller-scale nuclear reactors produced in an assembly line fashion, which would produce less power than today’s large-scale nuclear energy facilities but would also be quicker and easier to build and require much less land. Small reactors are those that produce up to 300 megawatts.

At a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce event Aug. 8, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick said the state is meeting regularly with Dominion and other providers on that topic.

“Many, many companies have been reaching out to us here in Virginia because of our nuclear energy, because companies want to know that they’re going to have the energy that they need to grow,” Merrick said. “And it’s not only data centers—it’s agriculture, it’s manufacturing. We need to have energy more than we do.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration, while rolling back much of Virginia’s effort to decarbonize its grid, has also targeted small modular reactors for Virginia, in particular looking toward southwest Virginia.

“The governor has put a stake in the ground and he said, ‘my moon shot is within 10 years, we’re going to have a small modular reactor in Virginia,’” Merrick said. “That’s not going to be just one. We need more than one. We are talking to companies that want their own modular reactor, as you say, so that they can have certainty. And again, if we want to compete to win, if we want energy not only for data centers, but for schools and hospitals, we need to be serious about making those investments.”

“If we don’t collectively start thinking about new paradigms and out of the box, the business-as-usual approach that’s going on with data center growth right now is not going to cut it,” Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said. And outgoing Deputy County Administrator Charles Yudd said he thinks Loudoun’s next big planning challenge won’t be land use, as it has been for the past three decades, but infrastructure, especially energy infrastructure.

“We see high-demand users contemplating small nuclear reactors, things that might need to be incorporated into business systems,” he said.

And Dominion Energy Director of Business Development Todd Flowers, who is responsible for developing and acquiring all of the company’s power generation, said nuclear power will be necessary to curb carbon emissions.

“As a company we recognize that if you want to get to a net zero-carbon grid, you really can’t do that without nuclear,” Flowers said. “With solar, and offshore wind, and onshore wind, we have such a great need for energy and capacity, we need to have other options available to us that are carbon-free, so we think that nuclear needs to be a part of that solution. And if you look at our emissions today … our North Anna and Surrey [nuclear] plants produce over 90% of our carbon-free generation.”

And he said he sees unusual bipartisan support for new nuclear technologies—“there’s a lot of really positive momentum, and if you look at what’s going on at the federal level, there are very few things that are not polarizing,” he said. But the bipartisan Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy, or ADVANCE, Act, introduced by five Republicans and five Democrats, is moving through Congress now.

“It’s recognized by both the Republicans and the Democrats, if we want to decarbonize the grid, we’ve got to add nuclear,” he said.

But Flowers, himself a former nuclear engineer, said those first small modular reactors are still at least 10 years away, and Loudoun is an unlikely place for them.

He said the company’s been looking into the technology for several years. Already, the first design in the U.S. has won approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a design by NuScale Power with factory-built power modules generating 50 megawatts, and a power plant that can house up to 12 modules.

But even with the technology ready today, he said before switching on a reactor of its own, Dominion would need to go through years of regulatory approvals at the federal, state and local levels.

“Based on where we are in the design of these facilities, where the various vendors are in getting the regulatory licensing, and our anticipated construction timeframe, we anticipate that the first SMR could be online as soon as the end of 2033,” he said. “So, it’s still a decade development timeline, primarily driven by the timing of that regulatory licensing and construction.”

But he said the technology is there—in fact, there are a few options, which the company has been winnowing down.

“The two things we need to do are pick

a site and pick a technology,” he said. And the company has been looking at locations around the state to potentially host that first small modular reactor—although built-up, population-dense Loudoun may not be high on the list.

Instead, the utility may build the first small modular reactor at an existing nuclear plant, where there’s plenty of excess land. They’re also looking at industrial sites, including retired or soonto-be-retired coal plants, where water and electric grid connections already exist. Southwest Virginia, in particular, has been a possibility.

“There’s a lot of momentum behind putting a facility there,” he said. “That community has been part of the broader power production for generations, looking at areas that have been adversely affected by the use of coal producing facilities.” He said giving those communities a fresh investment with new nuclear power plants is attractive.

He said down the road, future generations of small modular reactor may be built near major power users and population centers. But in the near term, Loudoun will more likely see utility-scale energy storage, such as the 50-megawatt battery facility also planned at Dulles Airport. The new county zoning ordinance, undergoing final review now, for the first time contains regulations of that kind of facility. Flowers said there, too, there is promising new technology, like the new “iron-air” battery that could last longer and cost less than current lithium-ion batteries. And already, concerns have been raised about the planet’s limited supply of lithium.

“I think that over time, for utility-scale energy storage, we’re going to have to deploy something more than lithium-ion batteries,” Flowers said. “We’re competing for lithium with EVs [electric vehicles], and we know what demand there is.”

Old Tech Made New

Nuclear power has long been associated with disasters like the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster brought on by an earthquake and tsunami, and the partial meltdown of a Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania.

However, Flowers said modern reactors are designed to be what’s called “walk-away safe”—passively cooled without any moving parts, power, or intervention necessary. They’re systems designed to cool off on their own even if they were simply abandoned, in which it’s theoretically impossible to melt down. And he

pointed out the two nuclear power plants in Virginia have been operating for decades—the Surry Power Station switched on in 1972, and the North Anna Power Station switched on in 1978.

“These facilities are based on the same thermodynamics, the same physical principals, that have been operating for decades. In fact, our Surry nuclear plant has been operating for over 50 years,” Flowers said. “Some of the fundamental ways they operate are really no different, but what they’ve done is they’re brought on enhanced safety systems that don’t rely on equipment to function.”

And, he pointed out, “there’s a fleet of SMRs that are operating today and have been operating for decades off our coast in Norfolk”—powering aircraft carriers, submarines and other naval vessels.

Small modular reactors could make the energy industry more agile by bringing on power generation in smaller increments as needed, with smaller capital investments needed. Current plants also take up a lot of land—not only for the plant itself, but for the miles-wide emergency planning zone that must surround it. For small modular reactors, Flowers said, the emergency planning zone is only as large as the site itself.

“The industry has not done a good job about building these larger, centralized nuclear power plants on time and on schedule,” he said. But small modular reactors, with their smaller footprints and assembly-line production, provide much more certainty around construction costs and timelines.

The question of what to do with radioactive spent nuclear fuel remains. Although some countries use technologies to recycle nuclear fuel, that’s not done in the U.S. The most radioactive waste can remain dangerous for thousands or even tens of thousands of years. For now, that waste is often stored at the power plant— Flowers said all of the waste that’s ever been generated at North Anna is stored on-site.

And in the near term, while the world is still waiting for small modular reactors, Virginia’s energy demand will continue to be met at least in part with fossil fuels. Flowers said Dominion is looking to natural gas combustion turbines as a bridge technology to meet the demand for energy today.

Data Center Coalition President Josh Levy declined to comment for this article. n

Candidate forum

continued from page 3

Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R) and his independent challenger John Ellis; Little River District Democratic candidate Laura TeKrony, and incumbent Board Run District Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D), the sole candidate in an eastern district to take part. One candidate in a western district, Republican Little River District nominee Ram Venkatachalam, did not attend, nor did Glass’s Republican opponent Michelle Suttle.

“The strength and generosity of Loudoun County lies in its people. But the uniqueness of our county really does lie in our land and our land use,” Randall said.

“I believe that you have the ability to make the right decisions about your land, and that you do not need to have some 30-something staffer in Leesburg, tell you what to do or to try to solve a problem that hasn’t happened yet,” Karbelk said.

“My kids want to be farmers one day, and then the next day they want to be a policeman or a doctor or a teacher, so I’m not counting on it. But I want it at least to be an opportunity,” Kroiz, who owns and farms Georges Mill Farm, said.

All three candidates in the race for county chair agreed on protecting unpaved rural roads.

“Just like people who live near airports might hear an airplane, and people who live in the western area might hear a cow, if you move into a rural area and on a rural road, you’re on a rural road,” Randall said.

“My inclination is to not pave any of the roads unless the landowners come to the county and petition to say they really want the road to be paved,” Karbelk said.

Kroiz said the threat to rural roads is a lack of maintenance. “You get into this situation where it’s a binary choice between paving or having terribly maintained roads,” he said.

But they often had different ideas on how to protect the county’s rural reaches and agricultural businesses, and how to better support those businesses.

“There was a time when we had somebody in the Department of Economic Development to focus solely on western Loudoun County. Since she left, things have changed, and not for the better,” Randall said. She said she will encourage the department to add that position back to their staff.

“We should defer to the state agencies that already regulate alcohol and food-

based businesses, and I also believe that the owner operators are going to make prudent decisions and that we should just understand they’re making significant capital investments and that they’re not going to want to be or to do anything that’s going to affect that,” Karbelk said.

“The biggest thing to me isn’t so much what the county can do to help, as just can they just please stop hurting so much,” Kroiz said. As an example, he pointed to the ongoing work to rewrite the county’s cluster zoning rules.

“Farming doesn’t even need to be the enemy of development. It only is because of the rules that we have for development,” Kroiz said. He said current zoning rules allow too dense of development, and pointed to the concern that cluster zoning rules, meant to preserve more rules by encouraging developers to cluster new homes close together, end up encouraging that development to concentrate on the best farmland—which is also the best land for septic fields.

“We’re losing all this farmland with the status quo. We’ve been losing it for the last two terms and even before that. So the balance really is between people’s rights to use their property, how they want to, and the effect that has on the on the neighbors,” Kroiz said.

And they disagreed on whether the current Board of Supervisors needs to finish years of work writing a new zoning ordinance before the end of its term.

Randall pointed out the new zoning ordinance is meant to implement the vision of the 2019 comprehensive plan. “It is important to get this done because the comp plan and the zoning ordinance are out of alignment, and whenever you have the two documents that structure how your land should be used out of alignment, that just creates a lot of confusion,” Randall said.

Karbelk argued instead to further delay the ordinance into next term. “I don’t think that just because two documents are out of the alignment is a reason to rush it. Protecting property rights is very important,” Karbelk said.

In the Catoctin District, Kershner pointed to the work so far and more work he plans to do, while Ellis pointed to the continued loss of farmland and green spaces happening nonetheless.

Previously, they have disagreed on the ongoing effort to amend cluster zoning, with Kershner arguing reducing development density would discourage conservation easements by reducing the tax incentive.

“We must protect conservation ease-

ments, which have permanently preserved 80,000 acres in the last 20 years, and introduce other tools to the toolbox like TDRs [transfer of development rights] and PDRs [purchase of development rights],” he said. He pointed out that downzoning may not be permanent—a future board of supervisors could amend the zoning ordinance to once again allow more density. He pointed to Prince William County, where the Board of Supervisors recently voted to rezone thousands of acres of agricultural land for data center development.

Meanwhile, Ellis has pointed out that keeping the zoning ordinance’s current density also encourages more development.

“The biggest problem that we have in western Loudoun right now is just too much development, including residential development. We’re running out of areas where we can actually preserve land because development is going on so fast. You just need to go down [Rt.] 287 or Rt. 15 to see that,” he said. He has argued for downzoning the west.

“We cannot afford to put 10,000 more houses in western Loudoun and expect to have trails and everything else here, we just can’t do that. So we need other solutions,” he said.

But both agreed the county needs a range of tools to preserve western Loudoun. Kershner proposed reversing this year’s five-cent cut to the personal property tax rate and funneling the revenue from data centers into funding a purchase of development rights program, although both agreed PDRs are one tool rather than a total solution. And they, too, agreed that poor maintenance by the state threatens Loudoun’s unpaved rural roads.

Kershner announced he is developing proposals to create a new county Department of Agriculture and for a biennial local census of agriculture, supplementing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture, which occurs every five years.

“I’m not persuaded that we need more bureaucracy in the county government to support agriculture, but we do need to create a playing field that our farmers can succeed on,” Ellis said. He said local farms need local business investment.

“Our farms are facing a lot of severe operational challenges, including over-development and traffic that they have to deal with. But also, one of the issues that I’ve heard quite a bit about is we need local packaging and processing facilities, which are available in neighboring jurisdictions and have been discussed for a number of years here, but we have not made progress

on that,” he said.

TeKrony said she does not believe the county has achieved balance in its land use planning, pointing to complaints from some western residents about neighboring businesses.

“It’s about balance. I want the rural economy to be successful, but I want neighboring residents to have a high quality of life. And I believe we need to consider the intensity and scale of the use to determine if it fits into the character of western Loudoun,” she said.

TeKrony said she sees the county’s Transition Policy Area, which divides the eastern Suburban Policy Area from the western Rural Policy Area, as a central reserve where the county can establish parks, trails and other facilities. And she said the county should smooth the path for landowners to lease land to farmers, including drawing up a model farm lease to make those agreements easier.

“We need to provide public information to holders of land acreage about the benefits of leasing,” she said. And she said the county should expand on the model of the New Ag School, the program at Fabbioli Cellars training people to work in agribusiness.

“I think we need to provide training for farmers—for new farmers, young farmers, minority farmers,” she said.

“One of the things that we also need to do is to talk to our farmers, talk to people who are in the agriculture business, and let us know what you all need,” Glass said. “I can say ‘yes, I think you need this, this and this,’ but if it’s not what you need, then it doesn’t help.”

And she said there is a need to protect green spaces in eastern Loudoun as well, saying PDRs could also be used to protect eastern land.

“I’m also concerned about the eastern part of Loudoun, because we do have a lot of development and we are losing open spaces in the eastern part of Loudon as well,” she said.

This year’s November election includes 33 county-level or higher offices, including all nine seats on both the Board of Supervisors and School Board, all five local constitutional officers, all five of Loudoun’s House of Delegates districts, both state Senate districts, and three Soil and Water Conservation Board seats. There are 70 candidates across those races. Several of Loudoun’s towns are also holding town council elections this November. n

Published

A Preview

PO

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

EDITORIAL

RENSS GREENE Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

ADVERTISING

SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com

TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com

VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

Online always at LoudounNow.com

Opinion

The Leesburg Town Council is taking brave new steps in its oversight of development, adopting standards designed to achieve its planning goals while surrendering some elements of legislative control.

There were two examples last week. The council voted to allow larger (hotel-scale) “commercial inns” downtown without requiring special exception review by the Planning Commission and Town Council. It also established detailed standards for data centers that clear the path for administrative review of those structures. In both cases, the established rules are intended to ensure the uses are compatible with their surroundings and provide adequate features to support their operation.

While some may view the actions as a radical departure from the town’s traditional regimen

requiring months of public review and debate for even simple development projects, they are a glimpse of the future.

The town is embarking on the creation of a new zoning ordinance in which even more uses will be governed by specific performance standards and allowed to move through the review process administratively. Under the approach, the town plan lays out a clear vision for the town’s future, and the zoning ordinance establishes the rules to implement that vision. Done correctly, the process provides more certainty both for developers and the public.

For those wanting to make sure the rules actually are done correctly, now is the time to get involved. Over the next 21 months, town leaders, with the help of a national consultant team, will be writing those regulations. The process will be long, tedious, and technical. The result will shape Leesburg for decades to come. n

LETTERS to the Editor

Our Heritage

Editor:

The gravel road network of Loudoun County is today’s reminder of the long history of our region. George Washington rode these paths as a young surveyor for Lord Fairfax. The armies of Lee and Hooker tracked each other as they maneuvered for their faithful showdown at Gettysburg. You can almost hear the creak of wagons and the yells of the teamsters as they maneuvered the cutbacks and fords that still exist today, unchanged for hundreds of years.

As our communities continue to evolve, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of the intrinsic value held by the roads that wind through our rural landscapes. These roads are not just pathways for transportation; they are threads that connect us to our past, represent the essence of our heritage, and offer a window into the serene beauty of our countryside. The “Protect Rural Roads Campaign,” recently unveiled by Loudoun’s Future, a political action committee established to counter the forces of development, is a timely and

vital initiative that calls for our collective efforts in safeguarding these irreplaceable treasures.

In an era marked by rapid urbanization and development, our rural roads face unprecedented challenges and threats. The desire of some people to pave our rural roads highlights the growing threat of increasing traffic, inadequate maintenance, and encroaching development. The consequences of altering these roads could be profound, stripping our communities of the historic charm that sets them apart and diminishing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

The “Protect Rural Roads Campaign” aims to emerge as a beacon of hope and unity, rallying community members, local authorities, and stakeholders under a common cause. This campaign stands as a testament to our commitment to strike a harmonious balance between progress and preservation. By advocating for these roads’ maintenance, restoration, and protection we acknowledge their significance in shaping our identity and nurturing our environment.

Sept. 13 is an important day for us to stand as a community and say “Enough.” That is the evening that the Board of Supervisors will vote on the six-year plan for improvement of Loudoun roads. There are two important gravel roads that we must protect: Old Wheatland and Canby Road. Both roads have been moved up in priority without proper public input. Show up at the meeting. Sign up for public comment. Your voices matter. Let the Supervisors know that we need to explore alternatives to paving away our heritage.

Preserving rural roads isn’t just a nostalgic endeavor; it’s a pragmatic choice for sustainable development. We’ve seen previously that gravel roads can be treated to reduce dust but keep their historic nature intact. Paving our historic gravel roads will only lead to more traffic, higher speeds, and a reduction of trails for equestrians, bikers, and residents.

Our rural roads are not just pathways, they are pathways to our shared future.

— John Lovegrove, Purcellville

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout

county. Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

READERS’ poll

Super contract

continued from page 3

reorganizing administrative staff; assigning students to grade levels and buildings and handling matters related to student achievement, education, safety and discipline; serving as the primary spokesperson for the division; and ensuring accurate records of receipts are kept and accounts are accurate, among other duties.

Spence will be evaluated by the School Board based on performance objectives in Virginia code for superintendents and will include student academic progress as a significant component. Additionally, the board will establish confidential performance expectations with Spence.

The four-year contract would cover the term of the next School Board, which will be elected in November and take office Jan. 1, 2024. Only two members of the current School Board are seeking reelection, Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn) and Erika Ogedegbe (Leesburg).

Athletic fees

continued from page 1

a western Loudoun resident with three high school-aged kids participating in multiple sports. “When you have multiple kids and you are paying the fee multiple times, it’s a lot. It’s long overdue. It needed to go away and I hope it’s something that continues.”

CHIPshots

Last year, even with the fee reductions, Williams said it still cost $450 for two of her children to participate in three sports each. This year, another of her children starts high school and also plans to participate in multiple sports.

“It adds up quickly, and then you have additional costs like spirit wear and food fees. And, yes, spirit wear is nice but optional. The food fees aren’t, because they have to eat before games because some games get done late,” she said.

Food fees are not required but team moms usually collect the fees to buy snacks and meals, and find it helpful when away games end late.

She said many student athletes and their families weren’t aware of the fee elimination this year until they showed up to parent meetings for fall sports.

“Costs can be a barrier for people and a lot of parents don’t want others to know they might be struggling, so even though they offer help through the school it can still be embarrassing,” Williams said.

Amy Landis, another western

Reasons for termination include death, retirement, resignation or removal. The contract states Spence would be entitled to all of his benefits and pay through the termination date.

According to the contract, if Spence is ever fired for cause, he will forfeit his salary and benefits.

If he’s ever fired without cause the School Board is required to buy service credits from the Virginia Retirement System for previous public employment on behalf of the superintendent to allow him to reach full retirement eligibility, and he would keep his salary and benefits for 18 months after termination. Additionally, there is a caveat in the contract that states if Spence is fired without cause no member of the School Board can make any written or spoken statements against Spence that would disparage him.

The superintendent may resign at any time with 90 days written notice.

Spence is expected to start in the post Sept. 1. The contract expires Sept. 30, 2026. n

Loudoun mother, said she also paid $450 for one son to play three sports.

Another son, got the benefit last year of reduced athletic fees, but she said having them eliminated will ease some financial burdens.

“Everybody talks about it, about how it comes at a terrible time, but it’s an expectation and if you don’t pay, your kid can’t play,” Landis said. “It’s embarrassing to say you can’t afford it, and it’s going to be worth it to have the barrier removed so more kids can have the opportunity to play.”

Landis said she always wondered what the fee money was used for.

The division began collecting a $100 per student per activity athletic fee in 2009. The fee stayed at that rate until 2014 when it increased to $150 per student per activity. Six years later, the fee was reduced to $75 and removed entirely for FY24, according to division spokesperson Dan Adams. He said athletic fees make up part of the division’s budget to help with coaching salaries, security, field maintenance, transportation costs, officials for regular season events and VHSL membership fees.

Penny Brohs, an eastern Loudoun mom, said getting rid of athletic fees was a helpful, good start but she wants to see if more can be done. During the Aug. 8 School Board meeting, she asked the board to look into getting rid of game admission fees for students, as well allowing them entrance with their student I.D. n

18521 BEAR CREEK TER

LEESBURG, VA | $799,000

4 BD | 3/1 BA | 2,795 SQFT | .06 AC.

703.999.6535

Licensed in VA

This stunning River Creek 4-level home has undergone extensive renovation! Gorgeous kitchen with floor-to-ceiling cabinets, Quartz counters and stainless appliances. Breakfast room with new French door to the deck overlooking treed common area. Engineered wood floors on entire main level. Upgraded lighting. Newly-added beams in the living room. Primary bedroom with tray ceiling, walk-in closet and beautifully re-designed bathroom! Stand alone soaking tub, frameless glass, tiled shower, private WC, extended vanity with dual sinks and marble carrera counters. Two additional bedrooms share all new hall bathroom featuring Quartizite counters, tile shower and floor. Bonus upper level 2 is a bedroom or bonus room – you decide! PETER PEJACSEVICH EVP, Managing Partner

540.270.3835

Licensed in VA SCOTT BUZZELLI EVP, Managing Partner

540.454.1399

Licensed in VA

2169 LOGANS MILL, THE PLAINS, VA| $7,490,000

Welcome to Tulip Hill! This stunning estate is just a stone’s throw (2 miles) from historic downtown Middleburg. Newly-constructed, contemporary masterpiece on 175+ acres of picturesque rolling hills with stunning mountain views. 9,700+ SQFT of luxurious living space, 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 2 half baths, two garages for 5 cars, and private pool.

14908 RICHMOND HWY WOODBRIDGE, VA|$2,800/mo

Turnkey, fully furnished Medical Office. This freestanding building, with private 20 space parking lot, has amazing visibility on busy Richmond highway and is only moments from Sentara Hospital. Recently renovated with chic reception and waiting area. Includes two exam rooms and a highly coveted procedure room.

Charmimg Brick Rambler with two car garage on 4 private acres, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths with mid-century decor in bathrooms, two fireplaces. Inground pool and large 1000 sq ft storage building. Chicken coop and playhouse as well. Close to Greenway and downtown Leesburg.

Licensed in VA, WV, MD & DC

RENTED! 211 N CHURCH ST #1 CHARLES TOWN, WV|$1,250/mo Welcome home to this great main level apartment in downtown Charles Town. This spacious 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment with full kitchen, and full size in unit washer and dryer, boasts wood floors and high ceilings. Enjoy the outdoors with a covered and semi-enclosed patio that looks onto a grassy common area.

WALLS CIR WINCHESTER, VA | $400,000