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AUGUST 20, 2020
Deadlocked Leesburg Council to Ask Court to Fill Vacant Seat BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
A majority of the Leesburg Town Council has agreed on one thing when it comes to filling its almost three-month-long council member vacancy—they cannot agree on who to pick. Council members voted 4-2 on Aug. 11 to ask the Loudoun County Circuit Court to fill the vacancy created by Josh Thiel’s resignation in May. It ends months of deliberations over not only what process should be used to fill the vacancy, but ultimately on who should finish Thiel’s term, which expires at year’s end. Now it could be one of the first tasks of newly hired Town Attorney Christopher Spera, who started his new job on Monday. While the Town Charter lays out the path for Circuit Court to step in to fill a vacancy, it’s not a procedure town leaders recall ever happening before. Spera could file the request as early as Monday. Sixteen town residents had put their names up for consideration in mid-June, but it took almost a month for the council to agree on what process it should use to consider the candidates. Ultimately, the council selected a process that it did not end up
following. Under that process, each council member would send his or her top five choices to Clerk of the Council Eileen Boeing, and then consider only the candidates who received at least four votes of support. Only one candidate, Planning Commissioner Nick Clemente, qualified for that consideration, receiving votes of support from all council members who participated in the process. Councilman Tom Dunn did not submit votes, but voted to support Clemente when his name came up for a vote. Votes on all candidates during the council’s July 28 and Aug. 11 meetings failed, however, along the same 3-3 split—council members Ron Campbell, Suzanne Fox and Dunn on one end of the vote, and Mayor Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor Marty Martinez and Councilman Neil Steinberg on the other. Clemente spoke during last week’s petitioners section of the meeting, and had some choice words for the council. He said he was puzzled after Burk, Martinez and Steinberg did not vote in favor of his appointment at the July 28 meeting after all three had included him in their top five choicLEESBURG VACANCY continues on page 9
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Theo, from Iraq, meets her new family, Lance Leviner, on the tarmac at Leesburg Executive Airport on Aug. 14.
Pets from Middle East Land at New Home in Loudoun BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
Animal welfare groups SPCA International and Pet Rescue Pilots landed at Leesburg Executive Airport on Friday with precious cargo: cats and dogs found as strays in Iraq and brought to their new homes in Loudoun. It was part of a mission to rescue 47 dogs and cats from Iraq, befriended and adopted by U.S. ser-
vice members and contractors deployed overseas in the Middle East. Originally, they were scheduled to travel to the U.S. in March and April, but they were stranded by travel restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, on Aug. 12, they flew from Erbil, Iraq to JFK International Airport in New York City—and from there, to new homes across the PET PILOTS continues on page 39
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Ashburn Woman Pushes General Assembly for Legal Reform After Boyfriend’s Motorcycle Death BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
On June 8, a driver turning left into an Ashburn neighborhood struck and killed 27-year-old motorcyclist Damion Savon Robinson. The driver of that car was charged with reckless driving and faces a fine and a year in jail if convicted—punishment Robinson’s girlfriend says is far too light, considering her boyfriend’s life was taken and hers was devastated. Selena Drincic said her boyfriend of seven years “loved and respected” motorcycles and knew the inherit dangers of riding them. She said Robinson drove the speed limit, wore a full-face helmet and always covered his arms and legs, even though he had asthma and would get hot while riding in the summer months. He also bought a light grey and bright orange motorcycle—his first ever—so that other drivers would see him better on the road. That was late last year. “He was very calculated in his choice because he knew that motorcyclists were vulnerable on roads,” Drincic said. “He wanted to make sure his motorcycle was seen.” Robinson “drove for others,” Drincic said, because he understood that motorcycle accidents happen frequently when those other drivers claim to not see the motorcyclist they hit. According to the Motorcycle Awareness Campaign, nearly 20 percent of all motorcycle crashes are caused by a driver violating a motorcyclist’s right-of-way. In Robinson’s case, he was killed while driving his Kawasaki Ninja along Bles Park
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Ashburn resident Selena Drincic lost her boyfriend in a fatal motorcycle crash in June. Now, she’s pushing for state legislators to introduce a bill next year to amend the reckless driving law and intensify punishments for drivers who kill other motorists.
Drive when the driver of a Dodge Challenger turned left onto Rock Creek Terrace into his right-of-way. She was charged with reckless driving—a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or an up-to $2,500 fine if convicted. In Virginia, if a driver who causes a wreck that leads to the death of another is convicted of reckless driving, they can’t be convicted of a Class 6 felony unless they were driving “without a valid operator’s license due to a suspension or revocation for a moving violation.” Drincic also highlights a May 2015 case in which a driver turned left on a yellow
light onto Crossroads Drive from Ashburn Farm Parkway, striking and killing a 31year old man driving a Kawasaki KLR-650. The driver of the car was charged with failure to yield on a left turn. She was eventually found guilty and paid a $250 fine. To Drincic, that doesn’t make sense. And now, she’s pushing for legislators to introduce a bill in the 2021 General Assembly session that would amend the law to convict anyone who kills another in the course of being convicted of reckless driving to be found guilty of a Class 6 felony, regardless of the status of their driver’s license. A Class 6 felony in Virginia is pun-
ished by one to five years in prison and/or up to a $2,500 fine. To do that, Drincic plans to talk with Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-33) and Del. David Reid (D-32)—whose respective districts include the intersection where Robinson was killed. Drincic also is working to gather thousands of signatures on a petition to show community support for the law change. She already gathered more than 4,000 signatures on a petition pressing for the driver who killed Robinson to be convicted of felony reckless driving. “I have a message, I have a goal,” Drincic said. “We cannot stand aside and allow Damion Savon Robinson’s death to be treated like another mishap.” Headed into the General Assembly special session this week, Boysko and Reid said they were focused on their priorities for that session and needed time to look into Virginia’s reckless driving law before commenting on it. Reid said he has 30 pieces of potential legislation he’s looking to introduce next year, but can introduce a maximum of only 15 bills. When Boysko and Reid do examine the reckless driving statute, they’ll also have to consider the second portion of the statute—that for someone to be convicted of felony reckless driving, they must not only have been driving without a valid license, but “as the sole and proximate result of his reckless driving, caused the death of another.” A 2018 Supreme Court of Virginia opinion highlighted that element when upRECKLESS DRIVING continues on page 10
Five Years After Hammer Attack, Assailant Sentenced to Life in Prison BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
The man who paralyzed an outlet mall worker with a hammer blow to the neck five years ago will spend the rest of his life in prison. Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher on Aug. 12 went above state sentencing guidelines and the request of county prosecutors to sentence Bradford Thomas Cellucci to life in prison for aggravated malicious wounding. The charge stems from a July 2015 attack that left then-18-year-old Bryan Pedroza paralyzed. The sentencing
followed testimony from Pedroza and his father and wife, the lead detective on the case and from Cellucci’s wife, in addition to nine written victim impact statements. Cellucci, 28, entered into an Alford Plea in January. Under the plea, he didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged that the commonwealth would present enough evidence to secure a conviction against him. On July 28, 2015, Cellucci entered the Ralph Lauren store at the Leesburg Premium Outlets and walked around for about 15 minutes before Pedroza asked him if he needed any help. Cellucci asked to be taken to a fitting room, where he struck
Pedroza in the back of the neck with the claw of a hammer. Pedroza said he never saw the swing coming. He fell to the ground and panicked when he felt like the wind was knocked out of him, lost feeling in his legs and had no control over his hands. The blow severed Pedroza’s spinal cord between the C5 and C7 vertebrae. He was left paralyzed from the lower torso down and spent three months in the hospital. During last week’s sentencing hearing, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Shamis argued that the attack took “malicious planning” and was a “vi-
cious ambush.” According to testimony from Leesburg Police Department Lt. Christopher Vogel, Cellucci fled Virginia within days of the assault. Vogel said Cellucci first visited his grandmother near Philadelphia, then flew to Honduras on Aug. 6 and remained there through January 2016. Cellucci later returned to the United States, first flying to Georgia before later getting married and moving to Texas. He was arrested in January 2018 in HAMMER ATTACK continues on page 39
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Loudoun
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Members of several Hillsboro and Purcellville farm families gathered at Meadow Hill Farm on Friday to share their concerns about proposed changes to the county’s rural cluster development rules.
Farmers Urge Caution with Push to Change Development Rules BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
A group of Loudoun farmers is hoping to put a pause on a new Board of Supervisors’ initiative aimed at keeping new subdivisions off the county’s most productive land. In June, Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) proposed changes to Loudoun’s rural cluster development option that would impose more restrictions on where homes could be built. The proposed changes include re-
quiring a percentage of rural land to remain in active agricultural use, requiring a percentage of open space in cluster developments to be left in a natural state, setting aside some publicly available land in the new developments, encouraging contiguous open spaces for larger farmable areas, minimizing new road connections, and other ideas. The measures, which came up through the county’s Rural Economic Development Council, are aimed at curbing the loss of Loudoun’s farmland. From 2012 to 2017, a U.S. Department of Agriculture census found that Loudoun lost 137 farms and 12,860 acres of farmland—20
square miles, a decline of 9.5 percent of Loudoun’s farmland. That rate of loss was nearly twice the rate of decline during the previous five-year period. However, during a meeting of a dozen Hillsboro and Purcellville area farmers Friday night, participants worried that the effort could actually harm active agricultural operations. Dennis Virts, a Realtor whose family has farmed 350 acres along Rt. 9 east of Hillsboro for three generations, said there could be quite a few unintended consequences, especially if the new regulations are pushed through quickly without having farmers around the table to vet them.
He was joined by representatives of several other multi-generational Loudoun farm families, the Legards, McIntoshes and Grubbs among them. Virts said it was important for county leaders to recognize their cornfields and pastureland as being more than the viewshed for western Loudoun’s wineries, breweries and bed and breakfast operations. “They’ve separated us, like we’re not part of the rural economy,” he said. If new regulations seek to push houses onto less desirable areas of farms, Virts FARM MEETING continues on page 5
Regional Leaders Talk COVID Collaboration in Annual Summit BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
While the look of the fifth Annual Northern Virginia Elected Leaders Summit was decidedly different, the theme of cooperation was perhaps even stronger during Tuesday morning’s meeting. Elected leaders representing Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington counties and the City of Alexandria were the featured speakers in the summit, which was hosted via Zoom by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and moderated by NBC4’s Northern Virginia reporter Drew Wilder.
Unsurprisingly, the crux of the 90-minute conversation focused on the COVID-19 global pandemic and its impact locally, and how each jurisdiction was working both separately and cooperatively to overcome its challenges. The Northern Virginia region in particular adopted a collaborative approach to tackling coronavirus early on upon its arrival stateside, and has been treated at times by separate rules from other areas of Virginia as Gov. Ralph Northam weighed recovery and reopening efforts. “The region really is coming together to support each other because we realize we’re all in this together,” said Libby Garvey, chairwoman of the Arlington Coun-
ty Board of Supervisors. “We can’t say we always agree but at least this region is one where we look at the science.” “Having us all work together hand in hand and make a collective decision to make sure we’re in one form together, that was pivotal to me,” said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling). Saines noted that Loudoun County had a battle of sorts within itself, when some county business owners, and even board members, asked for the eastern and western parts of Loudoun to be treated differently. Elected officials also touched on the dif-
ferent ways they have tried to help small business owners during this challenging time, and Saines said he anticipates the board will approve more business funding when it reconvenes in September. He said he hopes this next round of funding can support some larger businesses, as previous rounds of funding have supported businesses with no more than 100 employees. Tough decisions loom, each elected leader acknowledged, and Garvey in particular pointed out potential restrictions for bars and restaurants if case numbers or SUMMIT continues on page 5
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Farm meeting continued from page 4 said that may only serve to increase development costs. That means the value of the land would decrease, he said, potentially making it harder to get loans needed to maintain the farming operations. A farm is worth how many lots it has, not how many bushels it can grow, he said. Douglas Benkelman said reduced land values also could hamper efforts to put more farmland under conservation easement, as he has done on several area properties. Lower values would translate reduced tax benefits for conservation buyers. And, Virts said, the uncertainty about the impacts of the proposed regulations also could scare some property owners into selling out, potentially creating a rural land rush like the one that preceded
Summit continued from page 4 percent positivity rates in the region start to go up. “As we see this virus start to creep up, I think we’re going to have to come together again and have some tough discussions,” Garvey said. “We’ve got to focus on where the problems are and we’re going to have to start doing things that are hard. Family groups, bars and restaurants—I think that’s where we’ve got to start focusing. I hope the business community helps us be surgical about it. We don’t want to have to start shutting everyone down.” Saines said that “everything is on the table” and that elected leaders need to let science and data lead the way in decision-making. He and other leaders underscored the importance of wearing masks
the last overhaul of the zoning rules. James Grubb said his family recently was approached unsolicited by a developer asking if they would be willing to sell their 250-acre farm. “It scares people. That’s when you get people up in arms,” Virts said. For now, the group hopes the Board of Supervisors will slow down the process and gather more suggestions from landowners—other ideas to save western Loudoun’s viewshed, but not at the expense of farmers. The board is scheduled to decide Sept. 1 whether to accelerate the review of rural cluster regulations independently, possibly accelerating that work, or keep them in the broader package of zoning ordinance changes that will evolve over the next year or two. n and complying with social distancing requirements. “We all just need to stay alert and stay on course to make sure we don’t continue the spread,” he said. Justin Wilson, mayor of the City of Alexandria, said economic recovery from COVID-19 could provide some of the same regional benefits that came from economic recovery after 9/11, where government investments in homeland security created many job opportunities for Northern Virginia residents. “We have to look to that model for some of the same opportunities for us in the future,” he said. “We can be the home of some public health and resiliency efforts. Hopefully as we work together on economic development that is one of those focuses— health and resiliency—that this region can be the home of.” n
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AUGUST 20, 2020
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Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Crews work on the first phase of Microsoft’s data center complex south of Leesburg in the Compass Creek center.
Council Approves Microsoft’s Phase 2 Utility Extension Town, County Eye Tax Revenue Split BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council last week approved the extension of water and sanitary sewer service to phase 2 of Microsoft’s data center project in the Compass Creek development south of town. The project includes plans for four additional data centers and administrative uses. In 2018, Microsoft purchased 332 acres, a majority of the Compass Creek property, from Peterson Companies for a reported $73 million. The first phase of the project includes one data center. One noteworthy change during last week’s approval was that the approved resolution removed the boundary line adjustment requirement as a condition of approval. The town and county are in the midst of negotiating a sometimes contentious annexation that would bring the Compass Creek development into
town limits. The development falls into the Joint Land Management Area, where the town and county have traditionally cooperated on land development. According to the staff report, “[t]he attached resolution provides that, based on the extensions of Town water and sanitary sewer service to Microsoft Phase I and Phase II, the Town anticipates that the Microsoft Phase I and Phase II areas will be incorporated into the Town boundaries in the future, either by Boundary Line Adjustment or Annexation, or that the Town and the County will enter into an economic development and revenue sharing/joint exercise of powers agreement with respect to the Microsoft property.” The approved resolution goes on to say, “the Town and the County are negotiating a proposed economic development and revenue sharing/joint exercise of powers agreement that would provide for the County to share certain personal property tax revenues from the Microsoft property with the Town.”
The Aug. 11 action followed a lengthy closed session on the JLMA. With its data center projects, Microsoft is expected to pay approximately $7.6 million in availability fees and $1.6 million in water pro-rata payments to the town. The staff report says the town has adequate capacity in its utility system to serve both phases of Microsoft’s site, based on the company’s projections. The council approved the utility extension to the phase 1 Microsoft project in November. The staff report notes that the data centers may be brought online as early as September 2021. While construction advances at Microsoft’s Leesburg campus, the company is continuing to expand its presences in Loudoun’s data center corridor. The company recently closed on the purchase of the 66-acre Quail Ridge Farm west of Arcola for a record $1.4 million per acre. The property, to be developed as the Arcola Tech Park, is zoned for up to 1.6 million square feet of data center uses. n
A new public art tour is available on TourLeesburg, the town’s self-guided walking tour program. The new public art tour features 11 pieces of artwork at seven locations within downtown Leesburg. The tour includes images, maps, and details of each site, which features the bike mural inside the Town Hall parking garage; ArtsPARKs at Raflo Park; and the Stanley Caulkins Memorial Bench on King Street, just to name a few. The tour will be updated to include additional public art pieces as they are installed. Viewers may follow along as they are guided from site to site or they can choose to turn on the GeoAlerts feature, which will alert them to when they are near a location included on tour. Smart phone users can take the tour through the “TourLeesburg” app or through a web browser. The town launched its walking tour app in August 2017 with two historical tours of downtown. TourLeesburg now features four tours, with two additional tours under development. The free app is available in the App Store and Google Play. The website version is available at tourleesburg.oncell.com.
Council Proceeds with Spring Water Application The Town Council last week put the wheels in motion for potentially allowing a spring water bottling operation at an historic downtown property. Rock Spring farm, owned and operated by the Cook family at 329 Loudoun St., SW, could be the site of a spring water bottling facility. The Cooks have reached out to town staff and the council about what would be needed to host a facility on the property to draw and bottle spring water that could be sold locally. As the first step in the process the council initiated a Zoning Ordinance text amendment, directing the staff to create a bottling plant definition in the R-E zoning district and to work on performance standards for the use. “This is not to allow a bottling plant on the Cook property; this is simply to allow them to ask the town to put a bottling plant on the property,” Planning Director Susan Berry-Hill said. The text amendment process is expected to take approximately four to five months, including staff time and public hearings at both the Planning Commission and Town Council. Should the text amendment be successful, the Cook family could then submit a rezoning application to change the property to R-E and submit a special exception application for the bottling plant. The property owner would also need to secure approvals from the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the Department of Health.
AUGUST 20, 2020
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PAGE 7
Council Asks County for $6M to Purchase Westpark Property BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council last week submitted its annual wishlist to Loudoun County for help on funding capital projects. A popular item is at the top. Among the seven items on its list of requests, the council has asked Loudoun County to contribute up to $6 million toward the purchase of the former Westpark Golf Club property. Chuck Kuhn, the current contract purchaser of the property, had offered to sell the majority of the 143-acre property to the town for $3.4 million, and place the land into a conservation easement to allow the property to become town park or be kept as open space. Although there was general enthusiasm on the council for preserving the land during a June discussion of the offer, there was not enough support to continue looking into the purchase, with several council members citing tight government revenues in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kuhn said following that meeting he was unsure if he would
continue to pursue the purchase of the property if the town was not interested in buying the portion of the land that is not commercially zoned from him. Councilman Tom Dunn made the suggestion to put the item forward for funding consideration from the county government. While typically funding requests are limited to those projects already listed in the town’s Capital Improvements Program, Dunn noted that the purchase of the former golf club property, and the potential to turn it into a park, would benefit both town and county residents. “It would use our county tax dollars that the town contributes and [put] it back to use in the town, which is what we’re doing with these other projects,” he said. Councilman Ron Campbell suggested upping the amount of the request to $6 million. Initially, staff had suggested a $3.5 million request. “What I don’t want to do is make a false effort,” he said. “We don’t know what the value is of the property. I want to make WESTPARK continues on page 9
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Williams Plans Apology for Past School Segregation BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Aug. 28 will mark the 57th year since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a landmark demonstration best known for the Rev. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Among the civil rights leader’s visions on that day was that “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Next Friday, on the anniversary of that speech, Loudoun Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams plans to issue a formal, public apology that it is taking so long to make that dream come true. Specifically, Williams, joined by the School Board and possibly other county leaders, plans to apologize for Loudoun’s history of segregation that included keeping Black and white students in separate schools for more than a decade after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education opinion made that illegal. Williams said the statement also will apologize for the School Board—at the
time comprised of members appointed by the Board of Supervisors—that agreed to build a high school for Black students only after families bought the land for the school giving it to the county. The families paid $4,000 for the property that became the Douglass School in Leesburg; the School Board paid them $1. During last week’s meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to join Williams in issuing the statement. Members also asked that the Board of Supervisors be provided the opportunity to join the event. “This is something very important to our community. There is a lot of truth that we continued to operate segregated schools after it was ruled we should not,” said Beth Barts (Leesburg), adding it was important to acknowledge that happened and then move forward in good faith. The symbolic event is part of the school district’s broader anti-racism initiative that has already removed a Confederacy-inspired mascot at Loudoun County High School and restructured admission procedures for the Academies of Loudoun, and also will revamp classroom curricula and expand teacher training and recruitment efforts. n
SCHOOL Notebook School Board Readies for Attendance Zone Changes In preparation for the opening of two new elementary schools next year, the School Board this fall will hold a series of public meetings to explore alternatives for redrawing attendance zones. The new schools, Elaine E. Thompson Elementary northeast of Arcola and Hovatter Elementary School on the campus of Lightridge High School southwest of Arcola, are scheduled to open in the fall of 2021. The attendance zone boundaries of 14 elementary schools could be considered for changes as part of the process of redistributing students to fill the new schools. Those schools are Aldie Elementary, Arcola Elementary, Buffalo Trail Elementary, Cardinal Ridge Elementary, Creighton’s Corner Elementary, Goshen Post Elementary, Hutchison Farm Elementary, Legacy Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Little River Elementary, Madison’s Trust
Elementary, Pinebrook Elementary, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary, and Sycolin Creek Elementary. Parent meetings, public hearings and School Board work sessions are slated to begin in October and continue through December, with final action scheduled for Dec. 15.
New Buses Include More Safety Technology The 60 new buses Loudoun County Public Schools is adding to the fleet this year feature new safety equipment and improved fuel-economy systems. The Thomas and International clean diesel buses, at a price of about $100,000 each, include a 360-degree, computer-generated, aerial view of the bus that allows the driver to see everything surrounding the vehicle. The system uses four exterior cameras and an onboard SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 9
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AUGUST 20, 2020
SCHOOL Notebook continued from page 8
computer to generate the simulated image, which appears in the upper left-hand side of the driver’s rearview mirror when the bus is stopped to take on or let off passengers. The buses also are equipped with collision-avoidance system using radar technology, alarms, and automatic throttle and brake controls. The School Board in July also approved the purchase of two fully electric buses through a program offered by Dominion Energy. The school division fleet includes more than 100 buses.
Leesburg vacancy continued from page 1 es. Ultimately, he said he learned from “reliable sources” that his place of employment may have been the reason why. “Since that sleepless night, I have learned about the influence the AFL-CIO, Laborers International Union, and Sheet Metal Workers Union have on Council-
PAGE 9
Tuition Rates Decline for New School Year
Westpark
It will be slightly cheaper for out-ofcounty students to attend public schools in Loudoun this year. The School Board last week adopted updated tuition rates. The state code requires the rates to be based on the per-pupil cost in the FY 2021 budget, which this year was cut significantly, if only temporarily, until county leaders have more confidence in tax revenue collections. This year in-state non-Loudoun students will be charged $10,794, $134 less than last year. Out-of-state students will be charged $15,898, $100 less. Last year, tuition rates increased 8.8 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively.
sure if we’re going to do this that we’re somewhere in the ballpark.” Councilman Neil Steinberg also suggested adding a request to fund a downtown traffic study, at $250,000, because of the impacts the county courthouse expansion will have on the downtown traffic network. The other projects put forward for funding considerations were town staff suggestions and are currently programmed into the CIP. They are $5 million to complete the design portion of the
Rt. 15/Edwards Ferry Road interchange; $6 million towards the widening of Evergreen Mill Road; $758,600 for a traffic signal at the Sycolin Road/Gateway Drive intersection; $178,200 for three public bus shelters; and a little more than $2 million towards lighting along the W&OD Trail within town limits. In total, the town capital funding requests to the county tallied a little more than $20 million. The request is expected to be discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ fiscal year 2022 budget deliberations. The resolution on the funding request passed 5-1, with Steinberg opposed. n
dependent voice on council free of special interests.” Whether a person who fits that description joins the council for at least a few months now will be the decision made by the Circuit Court. Only Burk and Martinez voted against asking the court to fill the vacancy. The Town Charter-mandated 90-day clock for the council to fill the seat will expire Aug. 29, and the court will be able to make the appointment any day after that. Interim Town Attorney Martin
Crim said it was not known what process the court will follow in making the appointment, or which candidates would be considered. Campbell, who made the motion to send the appointment to the court, called the situation an “embarrassment.” “We need to just admit we cannot come to a resolution because we will not discuss a resolution,” he said. “It’s a shame for the town to witness this, but this is the reality.” n
man Martinez and Mayor Burk,” Clemente said. “These unions have been funders of their various political campaigns. I have learned these special interests do not want me on council. Let me be clear: Reliable sources have told me these lawmakers reversed course because of my employment at the Associated Builders and Contractors, a pro-merit shop, inclusive organization hated by union lobbyists.” He said the outcome of that meeting showed him, “Leesburg voters need an in-
continued from page 7
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Public Safety Sterling Man Found Guilty of Felony in Connection with Fatal Shooting BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
APPARENTLY, EVEN LOVE REQUIRES INNOVATION.
Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming, Jr. last week found Bryce T. Thomas, the man charged in connection with a Sterling homicide, guilty of felony possession of a firearm by Thomas an adjudicated delinquent. Thomas, 19, also was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He pleaded no contest to both charges during an Aug. 13 hearing, with Fleming finding him guilty of the felony and deferring action on the marijuana charge. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 17. Thomas was arrested on March 31 and originally charged with felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent following a March 8 shooting in the area of Rusty Blackhaw Square that left Jeremiah D. Gray, a 20-year-old man from Temple Hills, MD, dead. Sheriff ’s Office detectives determined
Reckless driving continued from page 3
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holding a trial court ruling. The case dealt with an August 2015 crash in which one of a driver’s passengers died after the driver fell asleep and veered off the road down an embankment. Although the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the car, the court found that his death was the “sole and proximate result” of the man’s driving. Legislators will need to determine whether amending the reckless driving law could disproportionately punish drivers who might cause the death of another motorist, but weren’t entirely to blame—or whose actions weren’t entirely the sole and proximate causes of the other motorist’s death. Virginia State Trooper Enzo Diaz, the ticketing trooper in the May 2015 crash, said even 1-percent of negligence on the part of the motorist who is struck or killed in a wreck—such as speeding—can dis-
the case involved a prearranged meeting between Thomas and a female. When the female arrived with Gray, an altercation ensued between Gray and Thomas, which erupted in gunfire. The female fled and was located by investigators the following day. No homicide charges have been filed. In July, General District Court Judge Deborah C. Welsh approved the request of county prosecutors to amend Thomas’ marijuana charge from a Class 5 felony to a civil offense, which reduced the potential penalty from 1-10 years in prison to a $25 fine. Welsh also agreed to amend the possession of a firearm charge. Under Virginia law, any person under the age of 29 who was adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile at or above the age of 14 and who was convicted of a violent felony faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years. But Welsh agreed to strike the word “violent” while still acknowledging that Bryce’s prior felony conviction occurred within the past 10 years. That reduced the mandatory minimum prison sentence Bryce will face to two years. Thomas has been held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center since March. n solve their chances, or their family’s chances, of arguing their case in court. Right now in Loudoun, Robinson’s case isn’t the only fatal motorcycle crash that has led to another driver being charged with reckless driving and is awaiting a hearing. In March this year, a 40-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a driver turned left into his pathway while turning into a shopping center off Algonkian Parkway. The driver of the car was charged with reckless driving. His court date is upcoming. Between now and the 2021 General Assembly session, Drincic is focused on continuing to raise awareness for Robinson’s case, and what she feels are inadequacies in the law. She is organizing the Damion Robinson Memorial Run, which she hopes will bring dozens of motorcyclists to Bles Park at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10—two hours before the scheduled trial in the case of the woman who struck and killed Robinson. “I have a goal, I have a mission,” Drincic said. n
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AUGUST 20, 2020
PAGE 11
Law Enforcement Complaints: How Loudoun Compares BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
A July 23 Sheriff ’s Office traffic stop on a Black man that resulted in allegations of racial profiling and a formal complaint against the deputies raised questions about how frequently complaints are filed against the Sheriff ’s Office and how they are reviewed by the agency. The traffic stop in question involved five sheriff ’s deputies detaining Kaheem Arkim Smith to search his car for drugs after pulling him over for a faulty brake light—a search to which Smith said in a July 24 press conference he did not consent. Smith said the deputies tore his back seat apart and left it that way. He filed a formal complaint against the deputies later that day. Sheriff ’s Office Public Information Officer Kraig Troxell said that complaint is still being investigated. He said the traffic stop was part of an ongoing criminal investigation and that the agency would grant requests to release the deputies’ body camera footage once that investigation concludes. Smith’s complaint was one of 33 that have been filed against deputies so far in 2020. Of those, six were investigated or are currently being investigated internally,
Troxell said. Senior Deputy County Attorney Milissa Spring said eight cases have been brought to the Loudoun County Attorney’s Office for formal disciplinary actions against Sheriff ’s Office employees so far this year. In 2019, 81 citizen complaints were filed against Loudoun sheriff ’s deputies. Of those, nine resulted in disciplinary action. And that means that adjusted for population, the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office received more complaints than its neighbors last year. In 2019, the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Sheriff ’s Office combined saw 180 complaints. In Prince William County, the Police Department and Sheriff ’s Office counted 41 complaints last year. That amounts to one complaint for every 11,472 people in Prince William County, one complaint for every 6,375 people in Fairfax, and one complaint for every 5,105 people in Loudoun. In other words, Loudouners were more than twice as likely as Prince William County residents to file a complaint against law enforcement last year. In the Fairfax County Sheriff ’s Office, 36 of last year’s 45 complaints resulted in disciplinary action. According to 2nd Lt.
Erica Webb of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Public Affairs Bureau, the number of disciplinary actions taken last year against Fairfax police are not yet available. Meanwhile, in the Prince William County Sheriff ’s Office, four of last year’s six complaints resulted in disciplinary action. In the Prince William County Police Department, two of last year’s 35 complaints resulted in disciplinary action. Commenting on the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office’s per-capita complaint ratio from 2019, Sheriff Mike Chapman said it’s difficult to compare complaint numbers with those from other agencies, since each one might have a different standard to determine which types of complaints qualify as legitimate complaints. In Loudoun, the Sheriff ’s Office assumes the workload of both the sheriff ’s office and police department, while in Fairfax and Prince William, a sheriff ’s office and police department co-exist. While their police departments are in charge of public safety within the community and are run by a hired police chief, their sheriff ’s offices oversee operations in the courthouse and county jail and are headed by an elected sheriff. Chapman said the Loudoun Sheriff ’s Of-
fice accepts complaints across all different platforms, including over the phone and on Facebook. “We accept everything,” he said. “That’s how we connect with our community. We want to be open and transparent.” Chapman said that all complaints filed online go straight to his computer and that most complaints are resolved by phone calls with the complainant. He noted that the Sheriff ’s Office receives four times more compliments than complaints, formally submitted through the “Compliment Corner” section of the department’s website. He said that having four of 81 complaints rise to the level of an internal affairs investigation in 2019 is “pretty modest.” “That kind of tells you that the complaints are pretty minimal,” he said. “Our citizens should be impressed by that.” And so far this year, the ratio of per-capita complaints received by the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is lower compared with those received in Fairfax’s Sheriff ’s Office and Police Department—at one complaint per every 12,532 residents compared with Fairfax’s one complaint for COMPLAINTS continues on page 24
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Nonprofit
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O.A.R. Director of Development Brandon Cosby and Maverick Bikes & Cafe owner Robert Bagnall talk about helping provide recently released correctional inmates with important transportation options.
Maverick Bikes Partners with OAR to Support Released Inmates
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Maverick Bikes & Café has joined Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources or OAR, a charity dedicated to helping recently released correctional inmates, to give bicycles to those in need. “America is all about second chances and we love a comeback,” Maverick founder Robert Bagnall said. “I know that if I never had a second chance in life I would not have been in a position to have this shop and help these people put the pieces back together. With OAR, not only can we get them to work or the doctor or the grocery store, we can give
them a second shot at life. too.” The program is supported by the donations from area residents who offer bikes they no longer use that can be repaired, restored and redeployed to those who desperately need them, he said. With a mission to promote cycling and rider safety, Maverick accepts tax-deductible bicycle and cycling accessory donations and also operates a full retail store for new and used bicycles, parts and accessories and a high-level service center. Learn more at revolutionsmaverickllc.com. n
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HealthWorks for Northern Virginia will host a job fair Saturday, Aug. 22 seeking to fill 10-full time positions with Spanish-English bilingual candidates. The positions are in the nonprofit’s Leesburg, Herndon and Reston health centers and include front desk representatives, call center receptionists and registration assistance coordinators. Bilingual English-Spanish fluency is required for those positions. HealthWorks management will be on
hand to conduct interviews at the event. No appointment is necessary. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. The job fair will be held from 9 am to noon at HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, 163 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg. HealthWorks provides affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care services to more than 17,000 insured and uninsured patients of all ages and all income levels. For more information, go to www. hwnova.org or email hr@hwnova.org. n
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AUGUST 20, 2020
PAGE 13
Thomas Family, Marchers Call to ‘Fitz it’ BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
More than 100 people marched with the Thomas family on Saturday to remember Fitz Thomas, who drowned at Confluence Park near Leesburg as 911 callers frantically tried to get Loudoun dispatchers to send help, and to call for reforms in schools and public safety to “Fitz It.” “Your life mattered then and still matters now,” said Fitz’s mother, pastor and NAACP President Michelle Thomas, speaking by his grave at the Cemetery for the Enslaved at Belmont. “We recommit ourselves to the effort to increasing public safety. Fitzy, you may save more in death than you ever could have saved in life, and so we won’t waste a moment of God’s precious time.” Fitz, 16, drowned apparently while swimming at the mouth of the Goose Creek at Confluence Park. Recordings of 911 calls to Loudoun include people calling desperately for help, and sounding furious or heartbroken that it wasn’t coming as the calls were sent to the other side of the Potomac to Montgomery County.
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Michelle Thomas weeps over the grave of her son Fitz Thomas on Saturday.
Thomas said it took 38 minutes for help to arrive. Recordings played after the march included a call apparently from Montgomery County dispatchers notifying
Loudoun County dispatchers that they had received a call, but telling Loudoun there was no need to send units. This call, which seems to be the first call Loudoun dispatchers received about the incident,
was not included in those released in response to Loudoun Now’s Freedom of Information Act request for recordings of 911 calls relating to the drowning. The marchers following Thomas from the Lansdowne village green to Fitz’s grave, where Thomas led a moment of silence, then people gathered around her as she wept on her son’s grave. The march then went back to Lansdowne, where Fitz’s fellow high schoolers talked about the reform efforts they are leading. “Fitz was never afraid to call somebody out if he thought that you were doing wrong, no matter who you were,” said Grant Sheets. “It was always out of genuine care and love. With that being said, he left some of that love in every single one of us. Let’s use it to create change in the world that he wanted to see so badly. Let’s Fitz it.” “There’s not much African-American history in Loudoun County that is prominent and that you can hold in your hand FITZ IT continues on page 24
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PAGE 14
Business
AUGUST 20, 2020
BUSINESS Announcements IACET Moves Headquarters to Sterling
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Lauren Barrett and Charles Schech have spent months preparing Buford’s Biscuits.
Culinary Power Couple Teams Up for Buford’s BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
Years of combined culinary experiences, not to mention coupledom, have teamed up to bring a new dining concept to downtown Leesburg. Charles Schech, who for almost two years served as The Wine Kitchen’s general manager, is joining forces with partner Lauren Barrett to bring Buford’s Biscuits to life. It’s been just about a lifetime spent in restaurants for Schech, who grew up working in his mother’s western Pennsylvania restaurant. He has since worked in many corporate restaurant settings, with B.F. Saul, Hilton and Salamander Resort in Middleburg. Likewise, Barrett is no stranger to the food and beverage scene, most recently serving as the operations manager with Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville and managing several restaurants over the course of her career. Putting Barrett’s culinary degree and Schech’s business background to work, Schech said
the two make a great team, in and out of the restaurant scene. The couple had discussed opening a restaurant together many times, but when the downtown Leesburg restaurant space became available—the former site of Señor Ramon Taqueria and, most recently, Balls of Glory— they jumped at the opportunity. “Availability is quite rare in downtown Leesburg so when the opportunity came forward, we had to take it,” Schech said. The two also see an opportunity in one of the culinary concepts not yet prevalent in the downtown area—good, old comfort food in the guise of Southern cooking. “Downtown offers plenty of great dining options for dinner service, but we felt it could use a great breakfast and lunch option,” Schech said. “Southern fare will fill a void. We wanted an inviting, relaxed and casual establishment that would make our guests feel at home. Eventually we’ll offer service in the evening as well. We will provide food that reflects the love for the region, shows respect to our ancestors and pride in our heritage.”
A staple of any good Southern menu, of course, is fried chicken. “Lauren makes amazing fried chicken,” Schech said proudly. They plan to serve their food in pie tins, the chicken complemented by coleslaw, with apple chutney on top and a poached egg. The pie tin will serve as the perfect plate to allow guests to sop up all the liquid goodness. Schech is the man behind the biscuits, which, of course, will be freshly made. The restaurant is named in homage to Barrett’s father, who is affectionately known as Buff. He’s the type of guy that can make friends with strangers in a grocery store and leave the store with plans for that evening, Schech said. The duo hopes the venture elicits that same kind of warm, friendly atmosphere. In addition to the food offerings, Buford’s opened Aug. 19 with beer and wine selections and a limited liquor menu, and eventually hopefully a full liquor license, Schech said. It will be hard to leave the BUFORD'S continues on page 15
The International Association of Continuing Education and Training, an educational standard developing organization, has moved its corporate offices from Herndon to Ridgetop Circle in Sterling. CEO Casandra Blassingame said the move was good for employees as well as an important element of the business’ growth strategy. “Our previous lease was expiring, and Loudoun County seemed like an obvious option, because so many of our staff already reside here,” she said. “Moving to Loudoun County gives us an opportunity to develop relationships with local businesses and expand our growing network. I believe it’s important for any organization to develop meaningful relationships and partnerships within the community.” IACET has hired Loudoun County graduates both permanently and as contractors. The organization plans to partner with the Loudoun County Public Schools to establish volunteer and internship opportunities to expose young people to the careers in the association and accreditation spaces. “We want to be a part of the growth strategy in the County. We want to be a part of the reason Loudoun is strengthened post-pandemic. The county has strong, thoughtful leadership and an incredible business community,” Blassingame stated. “IACET’s vision of advancing the global workforce aligns closely with our own efforts to attract, develop and upskill the people that power Loudoun’s economy,” said Loudoun Economic Development’s Executive Director Buddy Rizer. “ IACET’s mission is to improve the quality of continuing education and training worldwide through accreditation with a vision to advance the global workforce. The organization’s history includes development of the original Continuing Education Unit and creation and maintenance of the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training.
Afelbil, Loudoun Office Lead Weichert Sales Weichert Realtors’ Loudoun sales office, managed by Omni Casey, led the company’s sales region in dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions during July. Also, agent Nyree Afelbil led the region in the same category. The Weichert sales region is comprised of offices throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Orange, Prince William and Warren counties The Loudoun office is located at 20135 Lakeview Center Plaza, Suite 100, in Ashburn.
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Virginia Tire & Auto Expands to Leesburg Fairfax-based tire and auto shop Virginia Tire & Auto has started construction on its new Leesburg store, its 18th retail location and seventh in Loudoun County. Virginia Tire & Auto of Leesburg plans to open next summer in The Shops at Russell Branch, a new shopping center by Peterson Companies. “This new store will significantly expand our service area and BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS continues on page 15
AUGUST 20, 2020
Dana’s Cake Shoppe Celebrates Opening BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
Dana’s Cake Shoppe celebrated the opening of its new Villages at Leesburg
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storefront with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 14. It’s the first shop for Dana Alfahham, whose love of baking began when she was a young girl growing up in Syria, and was inspired by working with her mother in their home kitchen. She studied baking, pastry-making and cake-decorating in Dubai, where her husband worked for years, and after moving stateside would run her business out of commercial kitchens. Previously, she used a commercial
Buford’s
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provide our existing customers in Leesburg a more convenient location for car care,” said Co-CEO Julie Holmes. The Leesburg location will feature 12 service bays; state-of-the-art equipment; complimentary Wi-Fi, drinks and snacks; a clean, comfortable waiting area; free loaner cars for services over $200; online appointment scheduling; a dedicated customer shuttle; and a kids’ play area. For more information go to vatire.com.
We don’t use any mixes, we use real high-end ingredients,” Alfahham said. “We are specializing in custom cakes, and we take the time to execute all these cakes perfectly. Basically, we do it from scratch, that’s how we think we will make it more special. We hope our customers see the difference in the product.” The shop is located at 1604 Village Market Blvd. SE #125, in the Village at Leesburg development. For more information, go to danascakeshoppe.com or facebook.com/danascakeshoppe. n
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continued from page 14 comfort of The Wine Kitchen and the leadership of restaurant owner Jason Miller, Schech acknowledged, but they plan to take all they have learned from Miller and use it to make Buford’s successful. The two have both worked for Miller and it was Barrett who recommended Schech for the general manager gig. “[Miller’s] leadership has instilled in us how a restaurant should be run and managed using locally-sourced food and giving guests a great experience,” Schech said. Schech and Barrett held Buford’s opening Wednesday, after facing some delays during remodeling. “We don’t want to open if it’s not perfect and what we think is perfect. We want it to be great from the beginning,” Schech said. For more information on the restaurant, follow Buford’s Biscuits on Facebook. n
kitchen in ChefScape, and quickly decided that the Village at Leesburg shopping center was the perfect place to open her custom cake shop and bakery, which specializes in gourmet desserts, freshly baked goods, and special occasion cakes,. The Loudoun resident said many of her customers live in Loudoun and Leesburg, making it an ideal geographic choice. The difference in Dana’s comes down to its ingredients, the baker said. “Everything we bake is from scratch.
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Our Towns
TOWN notes LOVETTSVILLE Schilling Resigns from Town Council Councilman Matthew Schilling last week resigned from the Town Council due to a new job with more scheduling demands. Schilling has served on the council since being elected in May 2018. According to Mayor Nate Fontaine, the council is discussing with Town Attorney Liz Whiting how long it has to appoint a new council member and whether it can wait to hold a special election the same day as the Nov. 3 General Election.
MIDDLEBURG Town to Acquire Land for New Town Office Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Westbound Rt. 9 traffic cut through Hillsboro last weekend for the first time since early May. The highway through town will be open to westbound traffic on weekends during daylight hours and to eastbound traffic on weekday mornings.
Hillsboro Amends Weekend Rt. 9 Traffic-Flow Schedule BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
Visitors to the northern portion of rural Loudoun last weekend were once again able to access breweries and wineries by passing through Hillsboro. But moving forward, weekend traffic will no longer have access to the road through town at night. Rt. 9 through the town partially reopened at 2 p.m. last Friday to allow westbound traffic to cut through the work zone of the $14.33 million traffic calming project. That pattern remained in place through 5 p.m. on Sunday. But following a weekend in which drivers unlawfully moved barriers to travel the wrong direction through town—some of them speeding while doing it—town leaders, in conjunction with law enforcement and county and VDOT staffers, decided to amend the weekend westbound traffic-flow pattern to restrict traffic from passing through the town at night. The new traffic pattern will open Rt. 9 to westbound traffic on Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. or dusk and Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or dusk each day. The weekday schedule will see Rt. 9 through the town open to eastbound traffic from 4 to 9:30 a.m. Monday to Friday. Mayor Roger Vance, who serves as the project manager, said town leaders would keep that traffic pattern in place “until the town sees a need to make other changes.” Vice Mayor Amy Marasco, the deputy project manager, said motorists’ behavior over the weekend
was “more than unacceptable. It was completely unsafe and deliberate.” “It was unbelievable,” she said. “It was aggressive and it was deliberate.” Vance said he noticed three or four drivers speeding through town in the wrong direction during a half-hour span last weekend. “These weren’t accidental moves,” he said. In addition to prohibiting traffic through the town at night, Vance and Marasco said the Virginia State Police would increase their presence at each end of the town to enforce the new traffic patterns. On a lighter note, Vance and Marasco said they were pleased with how well the morning rush of traffic went and how much progress Archer Western Corp. crews are making on the road project, which includes burying utility lines and installing roundabouts, sidewalks and retaining walls to slow traffic and make pedestrian travel safer. The Hill Tom Market also is back open and the Stoneybrook Farm Market remains open, albeit with an entrance from Hillsboro Road instead of Rt. 9. Before last weekend, the highway through town had been closed entirely since May 4 for crews to complete work on the town’s $3.2 million water project and to make more progress than originally anticipated on the traffic calming and pedestrian safety project. Town leaders plan no more full road closures through town again this year. There will be at least one more in 2021, before the project wraps up by early April. For road project updates, go to ReThink9.com. n
The Town of Middleburg last week announced its intent to acquire about a half-acre of land from the Salamander Resort & Spa for property associated with the new town office project. Under the letter of intent, the town will pay Salamander $1 for the land, which it will use to construct public parking, sidewalks and landscaping. The new town office building will be constructed on property the town already owns. The land acquisition is the result of Salamander’s 2007 rezoning proffers, in which it was required to provide the town with property for the construction of a new town office. The project has been in the works since 2017, when the Town Council identified it as one of its strategic priorities. According to a town statement, the current town office, which was built in 1964, is too small to effectively provide services and to house town staffers, among other issues. The new town office will also address components of the town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, such as the need for more public parking, a village green space and more public meeting space. Councilmember Peter Leonard-Morgan, the council liaison for the town office project, said the council will not take action to advance the project until it is confident it has a steady stream of revenue coming in. He said the council also plans to reach out to residents to ensure they are informed and engaged in the design process. Once the town and Salamander finalize the land acquisition, the town will solicit proposals from architectural and engineering firms interested in designing the building. Learn more about the project at middleburgva.gov/townhall.
PURCELLVILLE Town Seeks Help with Police Advisory Group The Town of Purcellville is looking for residents interested in helping to set up the Community Policing Advisory Committee. The Town Council last month adopted an ordinance to create the committee, which will advise the council on police-community relations, police training and police protocols; improve public trust of police by increasing communication and transparency; raise awareness about policing injustices; promote TOWN NOTES continues on page 19
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AUGUST 20, 2020
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HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE
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.
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AUGUST 20, 2020
HELP WANTED? Let’s Get Your Employee Needs Noticed!
In this economic climate, businesses face few bigger challenges than finding the right people to join their team. Help wanted signs are posted on many storefronts and HR managers are looking for creative ways to find qualified candidates. In Loudoun Now’s special Jobs Issue on August 27th, we’ll put the spotlight on your needs and help find a new audience for your job postings. In addition to the print product, we’ll be pushing these opportunities out to our extensive online audience. Whether you want to publicize a specific job opening or promote your business as a great place to work, this is a special opportunity to get your message to our community’s job seekers.
Space deadline: Aug. 24, 2020 Publication Date: Aug. 27, 2020 Full Color Included Includes online posting for 30 days
CONTACT Susan Styer | 703-770-9723 susanstyer@loudounnow.com
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Former Purcellville Police officer Kristopher Fraley again sued the town August 4.
Former Police Officer Again Sues Purcellville BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Town of Purcellville has another lawsuit on its hands—again stemming from the 2017 management scandal that resulted in unfounded misconduct allegations against the police chief and the firing of the acting town manager. Former police officer Kristopher Fraley on Aug. 4 filed a lawsuit in Loudoun County Circuit Court alleging that town employees caused him to suffer physically, emotionally, personally and professionally during his 10-month suspension in 2017 and 2018 and were negligent in delaying his return to work. He is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages for each of the seven counts listed in the lawsuit and $350,000 in punitive damages for six counts. He is seeking a jury trial in the case. The lawsuit also names as defendants former interim town manager Alex Vanegas, former town human resources consultant Georgia Nuckolls, former acting police chief Joe Schroeck, former police officer Clark McDaniel, and Darryl DeBow and his Northern Virginia Pre-Employment and Polygraph Services business. The suit details events that happened three years ago when, Fraley claims, an investigation into now-discredited claims of misconduct against Police Chief Cynthia McAlister was prompted by a few disgruntled officers who didn’t like that she
began to modernize and professionalize the department. Fraley alleges McAlister was met with resistance from several officers, including Schroeck and McDaniel, who “embarked upon a campaign to rid the PPD of McAlister [and] replace her with Schroeck” by circulating complaints and rumors about the chief. Fraley asserts that Vanegas was promised to be named permanent town manager if he removed McAlister from the police department, which, Fraley claims, is why Vanegas coordinated the filing of official complaints against her and hired Nuckolls to lead the “sham” investigation, which he began Aug. 28, 2017 after placing McAlister on administrative leave. Fraley alleges that when he informed Nuckolls that McDaniel was circulating a rumor that McAlister was having an affair with another police officer, he was ordered to sit for a polygraph test in October 2017 administered by DeBow—a test Fraley claims was rigged to show that Fraley was lying. He was ultimately suspended from duty. Although Schroeck requested that Vanegas fire Fraley, Vanegas didn’t get the chance, because, Fraley claims, the investigation into McAlister—which ended in her temporary termination—had become suspect, as the town learned that Nuckolls and Vanegas were involved in a romantic relationship. Eventually, after subsequent reviews by FRALEY continues on page 23
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AUGUST 20, 2020
TOWN Notes continued from page 16
public education on policing matters; and promote the fair and equal treatment of all residents by police. Residents can provide input on the creation of the group at a Sept. 8 public hearing. Those interested in helping to actually create the committee can email Town Clerk Diana Hays at dhays@purcellvilleva.gov.
Town Accepting Applications for $8K Business Grants The Town of Purcellville opened the Business Interruption Grant application process this Monday, Aug. 17 and will keep it open through next Friday, Aug. 28. Purcellville businesses can apply for up to $8,000 in funding to help cover costs incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30 as a result of COVID-19. Those include assistance with paying rent or mortgage, payroll and employee benefits; expenses to accommodate remote operations; costs incurred during a reopening process; purchase of items meant to protect the public
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and employees; and modifications to allow outdoor service. To be eligible for grant, businesses must be for-profit and operate from a physical location within the town before March 1; be current on all town taxes, licenses and permits; have up to 50 hourly or salaried employees; be able to demonstrate a minimum of 25-percent business interruption or loss in revenue; and have less than $2.5 million in annual gross receipts for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. Home-based businesses are also eligible to apply. Program information can be found at purcellvilleva.gov/959/Purcellville-Business-Interruption-Grant. For more information, email businessgrants@purcellvilleva.gov or call 540-751-2312. The town might make another round of funding available in September depending on available funds.
Dogtopia Celebrates Opening Dogtopia Purcellville held a grand opening ceremony Tuesday at its location at 201 N. Maple Ave. The center, which opened for business July 27 and is owned by Tom and Leslie Payne, offers personalized care for dogs that uses webcams to allow pet owners to
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check on their dogs anytime from anywhere. It’s also sanitizing amid the pandemic, through the use of pet-safe cleaning products, and an HVAC system with in-duct UV lighting that funnels air out of the building to eliminate bacteria. It also offers contact-free, curbside drop-off and pick-up services. Dogtopia Purcellville is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 703-936-4121 or go to dogtopia.com/purcellville.
Parks & Rec Launches Rock Scavenger Hunt The Purcellville Parks and Recreation Division last week introduced Purcellville Rocks—a scavenger hunt of painted rocks
in parks, trails and other areas across town. The scavenger hunt started Aug. 15 and will end Oct. 4. A new rock will be placed in different spots every Monday, Thursday and Saturday through Sept. 28. A photo of the painted rock and a clue will be posted on the Parks and Rec Facebook page at 10 a.m. each of those days. Once residents find a rock, they should take a photo holding the rock and post it in the comment section at facebook.com/PurcellvilleParksandRec. They should then write down the unique code found on the bottoms of all 20 rocks and enter them in the online registration form at the end. The town will randomly draw 10 people from those submissions and award two $10 vouchers to use at any town business participating in the voucher program. A second drawing for another set of two $10 vouchers will be held for anyone who correctly answers the bonus question on the registration form. Registration opens Sept. 28 once all 20 rocks have been placed. To register, go to the Parks and Rec Facebook page or purcellvilleva.gov/720/Events-Activities.
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AUGUST 20, 2020
3 Locations Proposed for $6.5M Purcellville Police Headquarters BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Purcellville Police Department could be moving into a new headquarters building that’s nearly three times larger as soon as 2023. Moseley Architects presented the Town Council last week with detailed information on a project that would move the department out of its 4,300-squarefoot rented office space into a permanent, 12,000-square-foot headquarters. Moseley Vice President Josh Bennett proposed the construction of a $6.5 million headquarters building in one of three locations—across from the fire station at the corner of Hirst Road and Maple Avenue, along Allder School Road just south of the Woodgrove High School property or along West Main Street across from the Loudoun Golf & Country Club outside the town limits. Bennett said building design and construction could be complete in 19 months. That timeline might grow longer, and the project cost might come out to be higher, in the time needed for the town to select and purchase the land to build on. Town Manager David Mekarski said commercial land in town is selling for about $100,000
A concept plan of the proposed 12,000-square-foot Purcellville Police Department headquarters prepared by Moseley Architects.
an acre right now and the town staff is recommending purchasing a 5-acre site. Mekarski told council members the town could finance the project with a 20year loan using the current market interest rate of 2 percent, which representatives from Davenport & Company, the town’s financial advisor, said are at a 60-year low. That would mean the town would pay the loan back at $400,000 annually, coming out
to a grand total of $8 million. But the Police Department will need to remain in a temporary headquarters—and continue to pay rent—until that new building is complete. Police Chief Cynthia McAlister said the existing headquarters, which the town has been leasing from the Lowers Risk Group since 2005, is inadequate because the lobby isn’t secure, there’s no recording capabili-
ty in the interview room and officers don’t have enough workspace, among other issues. Of the department’s 32 employees, eight officers have no desks in the building. But Lowers has offered the department an additional 3,100 square feet of space. If the department were to remain in that space for another three years, it would spend a total of $880,000 in that time. If the department were to lease that space for another 10 years, it would spend $2.9 million over the next decade. Another option is for the department to move into a 7,500-square-foot temporary headquarters off Pickwick Drive, it would spend $885,000 for a three-year lease or $3 million for a 10-year lease. Bennett said that location is “very economical” but not very secure. Or the department could move into a 7,800-square-foot temporary headquarters in the former Dragon Hops Brewing building off Main Street, where it would spend $910,000 for a three-year lease or $3 million for a 10-year lease. The Pullen House, which the town purchased for $175,000 in 2011 and is located adjacent to the Fireman’s Field complex POLICE HEADQUARTERS continues on page 23
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Fraley continued from page 18 outside investigators , the law firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker concluded there were serious flaws in Vanegas’ and Nuckolls’ actions and Vanegas was fired. Fraley and McAlister were both reinstated Aug. 1, 2018. But Fraley claims town officials became aware that his suspension was unwarranted in April 2018 and that they were grossly negligent in not reinstating him at that point in time. He claims to have suffered emotional and physical injuries and suffered professionally and personally. The lawsuit claims that Fraley’s ability to obtain employment with other law enforcement agencies has been hindered; that he suffered from high blood pressure, insomnia, nightmares, depression, suicidal ideations and alcoholism; and that he sometimes lashed out at his children, which threatened his marriage, he claims. Fraley’s lawsuit lists seven counts against the defendants—negligent contracting and retention of Nuckolls; common law conspiracy; tortious interference with employment contract; violation of a Virginia code that makes it unlawful for a government agency to discriminate or retaliate against an employee of that agency if a complaint is made against another agency employee in good faith; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligence; and false imprisonment. According to an Aug. 12 town statement, the town denies Fraley’s allegations and “will vigorously defend this new lawsuit.” This is the second lawsuit Fraley has
brought against the town. He initially sued the town on Sept. 19, 2019 and, less than a month later, amended that lawsuit to include additional complaints. That lawsuit included similar allegations. In it, Fraley sought $1 million in compensatory damages in each of the suit’s 13 claims and $350,000 in punitive damages in 12 of them. Because the lawsuit included complaints of violations of the Fourth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Vanegas on Dec. 31 requested to move the case from the county Circuit Court to federal court. While United States District Court Judge Liam O’Grady on May 22 dismissed the case, Fraley filed an amended lawsuit within 30 days, which he dropped on Aug. 3, according to a town statement. He filed the new lawsuit in Loudoun’s Circuit Court the following day. In January, the town settled a similar lawsuit filed against the town by McAlister. In that suit, the chief alleged that Vanegas, Nuckolls, the town and police officers conspired to defame her and take her job and that Vanegas ignored normal requirements for hiring contractors so he could hire his girlfriend, Nuckolls, to control the outcome of the investigation. She sought $2 million by pushing for judgement in one of eight separate claims. On Jan. 3, Circuit Court Judge Douglas L Fleming, Jr. ordered the case be dismissed with prejudice after a settlement, following McAlister’s Dec. 23 motion for the court to do so. The settlement has not been made public. A third legal dispute brought against the town by an unnamed police department employee also has been resolved. The Town Council on Feb. 11 voted to ratify those two settlement agreements. n
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near the town hall, is also being considered for a temporary headquarters. Moseley presented no cost options for that location. In Moseley’s review of the temporary headquarters sites, the former Dragon Hops building scored the best out of the four options. That review scored each location’s access, visibility, viability, cost, accommodation, distance from the downtown area and security. The town is looking to have a new police headquarters built in the next five years at the latest. If it takes longer than that, inflation could see the project cost rise from $6.5 million to $9.6 million, according to Davenport estimates.
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Interest rates will inevitably increase in the next decade, as well. Davenport estimates that a 4-percent, as opposed to a 2-percent, interest rate would see the town paying $14.2 million throughout a 20-year span on a $9.6 million project. That would mean the town could be stuck paying $6.2 million more overall on the project if it doesn’t get the ball rolling now, not including lease payments on a temporary headquarters. “The time to borrow money is not three years from now, five years from now, or seven years from now. It really is now,” Mekarski said. The town staff is expected to invite Davenport representatives to a future Town Council meeting to explain how the town can lock in a low interest rate. n
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Sat., September 5, 2020 | 5:30 P.M. Online reception featuring musicians, artists, and other special guests
P ONLINE AUCTION N August 5 through September 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Auction preview in the Barns of Rose Hill Upper Gallery beginning August 5.
Visit Barnsofrosehill.org/barnstorming/ or call 540-955-2004 to learn more.
R RAFFLE • PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE! Q The Ashby Inn & Restaurant Dinner for Two, and Overnight Accommodations with Gourmet Breakfast the following morning.
ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE ARTS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Fitz it continued from page 13 and say, this is African-American history,” said Christian Yohannes. “Whether we know it or not right now, I think we all do, Fitz is African-American history in Loudoun County. The standards he set and the way that he carried himself, it’s history.” Grant and Christian, along with Max Maynard and Carleigh McCahren, are leading efforts for reform in four areas: public safety, education, updating 911 systems, and community initiatives including naming Confluence Park, the trail at Kephart Bridge Landing Park, and the Riverside High School football field after Fitz Alexander Campbell Thomas. The Riverside Football League, a seven-on-seven local league created by Sheets, will also be incorporated as a nonprofit and named for Fitz. A petition on Change.org to rename the football stadium already has more than 6,000 signatures. “Look out for everybody, these are very trying times right now,” said immediate past NAACP president Philip Thompson. “And a lot of the systems that we think are designed to protect us—when you pick up 911, you think somebody is going to be there to come and save me or provide some sort of service, and we see that there’s gaps, so we have to fix that.” He charged attendees to hold their government accountable. “We all pay taxes to have services provided to us,” Thompson said. “We work hard for our money, we pay the taxes and
Complaints continued from page 11 every 7,040 residents. It remains higher than the Prince William County Sheriff ’s Office and Police Department so far this year, where the ratio is one complaint per every 22,397 people. The processes for investigating complaints are also different among the three counties. In Loudoun, complaints against the Sheriff ’s Office are investigated internally “to the fullest extent,” according to the office, before being turned over to the Loudoun County Attorney’s Office and the county’s Human Resources Department for review if disciplinary action is required. The HR department then consults with Sheriff ’s Office staff on an “ap-
“I believe that all the people in my life have been there for a reason, and I hope I have been in theirs for a reason as well.” — Fitz Thomas we expect the system to work. So we want to make sure that the system works so nobody else is standing here two to three years from now.” “The unity that has been birthed out of Fitz’s passing is tremendous, it is amazing,” Thomas said. “I want you to know, from my heart, from my family’s heart, I love you. Fitzy loves you, and I love you. Thank you so much for unifying this community.” Christian closed with a quote from Fitz himself: “All of us are here together, and we need one another. We must celebrate each other’s differences. Learning to ask for help is as important as learning the value of helping other people. I believe that all the people in my life have been there for a reason, and I hope I have been in theirs for a reason as well. It has taken me a while, but I feel truly blessed. After all is said and done, I love life, I love people, and I love being me.” n propriate level of discipline,” Spring said. In the Fairfax and Prince William County Sheriff ’s Offices and Police Departments, complaint investigations and determinations on disciplinary actions remain within the department. In Fairfax, they can also be reviewed by the Police Civilian Review Panel, a forum for transparency and civilian oversight that Loudoun’s sheriff has resisted. The Fairfax County Police Department is the only agency of the five to publish the numbers of complaints and disciplinary actions publicly, in its annual reports. The Loudoun County, Fairfax County and the Prince William County Sheriff ’s Offices don’t publicly post those numbers. Prince William County Police Department Public Information Officer 1st Sgt. Jonathan Perok said the department is “currently researching ways to make certain information publicly available.” n
AUGUST 20, 2020
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AUGUST 20, 2020
LoCo Living
An Unforgettable Moment and A Year of Hope BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
Last summer, Maren Anderson captivated Loudoun when a photo of the little girl in a wheelchair gazing up at an inclusive advertisement went viral. Maren, now 5, won the region’s heart after her mom snapped a photo of her daughter, transfixed by a photo of a model in a wheelchair at Leesburg’s Ulta Beauty store. The past year has been an intense and hopeful journey for the Anderson family as they’ve learned more about Maren’s rare genetic condition known as CACNA1A and new research offers promise of an eventual treatment. “What the researchers are telling us— that this is treatable, it’s just a matter of time—is obviously a dream come true for any parent. ... Now it’s just a matter of getting it going,” said Maren’s mom, Carolyn Anderson. For the past year, Anderson has been working hard with other families to put CACNA1A on Americans’ radar screens and support research through a new foundation. When the photo was taken, Maren’s diagnosis was brand new, and her family knew very little about what it would mean. The last year has been a whirlwind of processing information and making connections. Working with two other families, the Andersons launched the CACNA1A Foundation this spring to raise awareness, promote research and offer support to other families.
Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Anderson
Since Maren Anderson’s diagnosis with a rare genetic condition last year, her family has helped launch the CACNA1A Foundation while research on the gene variant moves forward.
Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Anderson
Last summer, a photo of Maren Anderson, entranced by an ad featuring model Steph Aiello in a wheelchair, went viral. A month later, Ulta Beauty flew Aiello to Loudoun for a dance party fundraiser with Maren and friends.
It all started last August when Maren and her family had gone to dinner at the Village at Leesburg with visiting grand-
parents. Maren, then only 4, was adjusting to her new power wheelchair and starting to get the hang of it, her mom said, cruising down the wide sidewalks in the shopping center. All of a sudden, she stopped. While Maren’s dad and sister waited at the car, Carolyn Anderson captured the powerful moment on her phone. Maren was looking up at an ad in the window of Ulta Beauty featuring model Steph Aiello who also uses a wheelchair, connecting the image with her own reality. “We were just so proud that it was something she could see. [The wheelchair] was still new to our family,” Anderson said. The photo went viral on social media and created a lasting connection between the Anderson family, Aiello and Ulta. It also pushed the Andersons to move forward with plans to launch the foundation. Maren’s CACNA1A gene variant had been diagnosed in the spring of 2019, after working with the Undiagnosed Diseases Network at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda for nearly two years. The family was still in the early phases of learning about the diagnosis and making
plans to move forward. “After the Ulta photo, we started to feel urgency. We were becoming more educated,” Anderson said. Over the years, the Andersons have learned that in the case of kids with rare conditions, there aren’t always a lot of answers. Parents often have to build their own support networks from the ground up. The Andersons joined a Facebook group for families with children with CACNA1A diagnoses and met other families ready to help launch a foundation. The Andersons worked with two other families to create the CACNA1A Foundation, which got 501(c)(3) status earlier this year and launched the cacna1a.org website earlier this month. The foundation helps link a small but dynamic group of researchers focusing on the gene variant and also provides resources and support to families when children are diagnosed. And while there are still plenty of unanswered questions, for Anderson, the overriding sense is one of hope. ANDERSON continues on page 28
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AUGUST 20, 2020
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THINGS to do LOCO LIVE Live Music: David Lange Friday, Aug. 21, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Lange is a one-man blues band who’s been winning over fans around the region with his unique style of Rust Belt blues.
Live Music: Jason Masi Friday, Aug. 21, 7-10 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Acoustic soul and R&B from a local favorite.
Live Music: Pete Lapp
JJ Billings Band
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Forever Farm & Vineyard, 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville Details: foreverfarmandvineyard.com Kick back with acoustic interpretations of classic and alternative rock songs from Bon Jovi to Mumford and Sons.
Saturday, Aug. 22, 5-8 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Enjoy an afternoon of rock music from the ‘90s through today with the JJ Billings band.
Live Music: Jessica Paulin
Saturday, Aug. 22, 5 p.m. Whites Ferry Manor, 42476 Whites Ferry Road, Leesburg Details: whitesferrymanor.com SAMA is the latest artist project by singer/ songwriter Osama Malik. The band features a
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2-5 p.m. Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: twotwistedposts.com Enjoy covers from the ‘60s through today with Paulin’s signature style.
Live Music: Acoustic Moose Saturday, Aug. 22, 2 p.m. Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com Classic rock, blues, country, folk and oldies from south central Pennsylvania.
Live Music: Steve George and Friends Saturday, Aug. 22, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing Get ready for an afternoon of great views and great tunes. When Steve George and crew show up, there’s always fun to be had.
Live Music: Shane Hines
Courtesy of Dori Freeman
Live Music: Dori Freeman
Saturday, Aug. 22, 4-7 p.m. Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg Details: fleetwoodfarmwinery.com Hines brings crowds with his signature indie pop style.
Friday, Aug. 21, 8-10 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Check out this rising star bluegrass artist from Galax, Virginia. Tickets are $15 in advance.
Live Music: Bluegrass on the Half Shell Saturday, Aug. 22, noon-9 p.m. Henway Hard Cider, 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: facebook.com/henwayhardcider It’s a full day of local bluegrass featuring The Fly Birds, Fiddlin’ Dave & Morgan, The Low Water Bridge Band and The Short Hill Mountain Boys. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and small tents. No outside food or alcohol. Tickets are $29 in advance, $25 at the gate for adults, $15 in advance, $21 at the gate for the under 21 crowd.
Live Music: Don Chapman Saturday, Aug. 22, 1-5 p.m. Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Doukenie’s Saturday Sounds series continues with covers from the Beatles to the Gin Blossoms from Don Chapman.
Courtesy of Wayne Snow
Live Music: Wayne Snow Saturday, Aug. 22, 5-8 p.m. 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: 868estatevineyards.com Wayne Snow is a singer/songwriter based out of Shepherdstown, WV with a fun repertoire of indie, folk, pop and rock songs.
Live Music: The Band SAMA
blend of modern pop sensibilities with acoustic roots.
Live Music: Randy Thompson Band with Hard Swimmin’ Fish Saturday, Aug. 22, 6-9:30 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Randy Thompson is an Americana legend with a new release “Trouble On The Way” scheduled for September. He’s joined by local favorites Hard Swimmin’ Fish for an evening of great tunes.
THINGS TO DO continues on page 29
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.
fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org
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Obituaries Paul Winant Jackson
Paul Winant Jackson, 77, of both Savannah, GA and Leesburg, VA lost his fight with AML Leukemia on Wednesday, August 5th at St Joseph’s/Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA. Paul was born July 27, 1943 to the late Paul Thomas and Ada May Jackson in Hackensack, NJ. Paul spent most of his childhood in New Jersey until joining the United States Air Force at the age of 18 where he began his illustrious career in Aviation. Upon leaving the Air Force, he went on to pilot more than 10 different aircraft over his 45-year career in flight. Once his time in the air came to a close, he continued on as a flight instructor passing his knowledge onto those who would come behind him. Paul’s expansive career in aviation made him a true world traveler, visiting most every country that you could name. Paul
passed his sense of adventure on to his children, who he made sure carried a broad perspective of the world, and who he encouraged to travel at every opportunity. Paul was a lifelong student. His ceaseless desire for knowledge and improvement kept him sharp up until the very end of his life. At the age of 75 he worked to become a certified instructor on a new aircraft, the G7 Jet. He never struggled to keep up with the latest technology, and even enrolled in a public speaking course at the age of 76 to improve presentations to his students at Flight Safety International. Paul most enjoyed spending time with friends and family, travel, and taking his red corvette out for a drive. Paul is survived by his former wife Laurie A. Jackson, his children Caitlin M. and Thomas P. Jackson, and a large extended family who truly loved him. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Thomas Bayard Mowe
Thomas Bayard Mowe, age 61, of Gulf Breeze, Florida passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 2020. Tom (Bayard) was born April 24, 1959 in Washington, DC to Don and Jeanne. Growing up in Hamilton, Virginia, he attended Loudoun Valley High School where he lettered on the varsity football, wrestling and soccer teams. He was also awarded outstanding senior athlete at LVHS in 1977. He started his college education at the Virginia Military Institute. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at Georgia Tech, he played on the rugby club team and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi. A natural mathematician with a photographic memory, he started up a structural engineering firm, Mowe, Inc. in Atlanta in 1996. He later relocated the business along with his family to Morgantown, WV and finally to Gulf Breeze, where he practiced as Thomas B. Mowe, P.E. Tom loved and adored his family. Tom will be remembered for his sharp wit and sense of humor as well as his love of life, family, friends and music. He met his wife
LoudounNow To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email: sstyer@loudounnow.com
of 21 years, Angie, at a Grateful Dead concert in Atlanta in 1993. They were married at Cape San Blas, FL. From his many travels to New Orleans, he adopted a real Cajun flair and especially enjoyed cooking jambalaya for his friends and family. Moving to Florida allowed Tom to spend time with his cousin and make numerous friends whom he loved hanging out with at the beach. He often spent weekends volunteering his time with his family doing beach cleanups for Ocean Hour FL, a local non-profit organization that he was very passionate about. When he wasn’t working or volunteering, he was cheering on his daughters Sarafina and Siena in all of their sport and band endeavors, most recently the Gulf Breeze Dolphins girls basketball team and Sound Wave marching band. He is survived by his wife, Angie, their daughters Sarafina and Siena; siblings, Debby Mowe of Rocklin, CA, Pam Mowe Valeiras of Great Falls, VA and Roddy Mowe of Hamilton, VA. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Blake. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be delayed until it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honor to Ocean Hour, 1161 Crane Cove Blvd, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563.
Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.
AUGUST 20, 2020
Anderson continued from page 26 “The one consensus was [researchers] all feel like this is treatable. ... Somebody just has to be able to sit down and do the research” Anderson said. Since CACNA1A is a relatively new diagnosis, the Andersons are part of an early wave of research. The family is working with the noted geneticist Wendy Chung, director of the clinical genetics program at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. Maren is participating in a medical natural history study, which will track her health history, along with others with the diagnosis, over time. Carolyn Anderson is also focused on her work with the new foundation and the website, which includes patient histories to help other families find connections and answers. “It’s kind of a road map for other children who have gone on the same journey you have. Something like that goes a long way in the world of needing support for a family who has a special needs child or a child with a disability,” Anderson said. Anderson also manages the Miles for Maren Facebook page where friends, family and supporters can keep track of Maren’s progress and keep up with events and fundraising efforts organized by the foundation. In the past year, the family has also built an ongoing relationship with Aiello, a model and makeup artist who has
used a wheelchair following an injury to her cervical vertebrae. Last fall, Ulta flew Aiello to Loudoun where she attended a dance party fundraiser at Studio Bleu in Ashburn where Maren takes dance classes. The family invited a fun mix of friends from the disability community and typical kids and had a blast. “It was a magical day,” Anderson said. The Andersons are hoping to make the dance party an annual fundraiser but since COVID has put a hold on plans for in-person fundraisers, Anderson is focused on online fundraising through the foundation. Maren is a determined and active kid, known for her infectious laugh and koala bear hugs. This fall, she begins a new chapter, starting kindergarten in Loudoun County Public Schools with her twin sister. And while the stress of COVID and the uncertainties of virtual learning are especially challenging for families of kids with disabilities, Anderson says, the family is taking things day by day and embracing the overarching sense of hope the last year has brought. “Since hearing scientists and researchers who are deep into the field say that they feel truly that this is treatable, that just gives us an inordinate amount of hope,” Anderson said. “Just hearing those words increases our level of hope for Maren and for other kids.” n For more information about the Foundation, go to cacna1a.org. To follow Maren’s journey, go to Miles for Maren on Facebook.
Louise Julia
Louise Julia (Leesburg, VA), July 24, 1924 - July 2, 2020 Louise Julia passed in her sleep on the evening of July 2nd after a long battle with the afflictions of age and Covid-19. She was 95, and lived a life consumed by a relentless devotion to her family and to making friends everywhere she went. She is survived by her son Tom (Broadlands, VA), her grandsons Tommy “TJ” (Los Angeles, CA) and Jared (Broadlands, VA), her granddaughter Jennifer (Albuquerque, NM), and her granddaughter Kristin, husband Zach, and great grandson Trey (Aldie, VA). Louise is also survived by family and friends in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, including her nephews Alan (New York City, NY) and Steven, and his wife Janet (Burke, VA). Her devoted husband,
Alfred, passed in 1988, and Louise lived on her own for all the years since, eventually relocating from Hackensack, New Jersey, to northern Virginia where she reluctantly ceded her independence to assisted living, then long term nursing care at Heritage Hall of Leesburg. Louise was raised in New York, lived around the world, and was effusive in sharing her memories of life in New York City, Munich, Caracas, all things Italian, and her favorite crooner, Frank Sinatra. She was passionate about politics, history, and world affairs, and would routinely answer the phone by asking the caller to wait a moment while she lowered Sinatra or the news playing in the background. A celebration of the life of Louise Julia will be held on Saturday, August 22, with a gathering at 10 AM followed by a service at 11 AM. Please visit www.colonialfuneralhome.com for condolences, donations, and flowers.
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AUGUST 20, 2020
THINGS to do continued from page 27
Tickets are $10.
Live Music: Something’s Brewing Saturday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Classic rock, pop and folk, old and new from some of the area’s best musicians.
VALFresco: Spike & Dorothy Saturday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m. Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com This husband and wife duo serves up pop, rock, funk, reggae and blues for a fun evening.
Live Music: Andrew O’Day Saturday, Aug. 22, 7-10 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Spend Saturday evening with O’Day’s soulful tunes with influences from R&B to country.
Live Music: Berlin Calling Saturday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com
It’s a socially distanced ‘80s party with Berlin Calling.
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LIBATIONS
Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Celebrate summer’s end with a luau featuring hula dancers, fire performer, Polynesian drummer and island food and drink specials. Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations are recommended.
Live Music: Drivin’ South Saturday, Aug. 22, 7-10 p.m. American Legion Post 293, 112 N. 21st St, Purcellville Details: facebook.com/drivinsouthband5 Drivin’ South is back with old-school classic rock. $5 cover.
SUMMER SCREENINGS Movies In The Park: “National Velvet”
Live Music: Tyme & Lace Sunday, Aug. 23, 1:30-4:30 p.m. 50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards This acoustic duo covers James Taylor, Colbie Caillat, Stevie Nicks and other mellow favorites.
Live Music: David Davol Sunday, Aug. 23, 2 p.m. Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com Spend Sunday afternoon with folk rock and country favorites from the Eagles to James Taylor.
Live Music: Hilary Veltri Sunday Aug. 23, 6-10 p.m. Bungalow Alehouse Ashburn, 44042 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn Details: ashburnalehouse.com Acoustic covers and originals spanning generations and genres from Bob Dylan to Beyonce.
Legal Notices
Courtesy of Breaux Vineyards
Saturday, Aug. 22, 8:15 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Franklin Park’s outdoor movies series kicks off with the 1944 classic starring Elizabeth Taylor. Guests will practice social distancing outside with blankets and lawn chairs. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments. Tickets are $3 per person.
Dog Days at Breaux
Loudoun Station Summer Movies: “The Rookie”
Saturday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Bring your four-legged friends for a fun day of live music, wine, dog rescue organizations, doggie based vendors, food vendors, and local crafters. No reservations required. All dogs must be on a leash.
Sunday, Aug. 23, 8:30 p.m. Loudoun Station District Park, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn Details: loudounstation.com Loudoun Station celebrates summer with outdoor movies under the stars. This week features Disney’s baseball classic “The Rookie.”
MacDowell’s Hawaiian Luau Saturday, Aug. 22, 6-9 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE,
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, September 9, 2020 in order to consider:
PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY Grant of Easement to Town of Leesburg 41975 Loudoun Center Place Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider granting a 15foot wide waterline easement to The Town of Leesburg through and across a portion of County property known as the Government Support Center Campus and Phillip A. Bolen Memorial Park for the purpose of installing, constructing, operating, maintaining, adding to or altering and replacing waterlines and other appurtenant facilities that will service the planned mixed-use development known as Tuscarora Crossing. The Board of Supervisors shall also consider granting a 26-foot wide sanitary sewer easement to The Town of Leesburg through and across a portion of County property known as the Government Support Center Campus and Phillip A. Bolen Memorial Park for the purpose of installing, constructing, operating, maintaining, adding to or altering and replacing sewer mains and other appurtenant facilities that will service the planned mixed-use development known as Tuscarora Crossing. The subject property is located on the east side of Sycolin Road (Route 625) and north of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) near the intersection of Kincaid Boulevard and Cross Trail Boulevard at 41975 Loudoun Center Place, Leesburg, Virginia, in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 191-16-9866. Copies of the plat(s) showing the location(s) of the above-listed conveyance(s) and associated documents are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY Grant of Easement to Metroduct Systems VA LLC Davis Drive Extension Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider granting a 20foot wide 974-foot long temporary fiber utility easement to MetroDuct Systems VA LLC for the purpose of constructing, installing, operating, maintaining, repairing and replacing underground fiber cables and related facilities for the transmission and distribution of telecommunications through certain Countyowned property. The subject property comprises sections of dedicated rights-of-way of Davis Drive that have not been accepted into the Secondary State Highway System by the Virginia Department of Transportation yet. The subject property is located on the south side of South Sterling Boulevard (Route 846), north of Old Ox Road (Route 606), and east of Shaw Road (Route 636), abutting 22900 Platform Plaza in the Broad Run Election District. Copies of the plat(s) showing the location(s) of the above-listed conveyance(s) and associated documents are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
ZRTD-2020-0002 MANEKIN PLAZA
(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District) SIP/CREF Manekin Plaza LLC of Rockville, Maryland, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 12.04 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.6 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception). The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District. The subject property is approximately 12.04 acres in size and located north of Nokes Boulevard (Route 1793), west of Cascades Parkway (Route 1793), and on the east side of Ridgetop Circle (Route 1790) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed-Use Place Type)) and Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational amenities uses, at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.
ZCPA-2020-0001 UNIVERSITY CENTER LOT L2A (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)
Research Place 45145, LLC, of Winchester, Virginia, has submitted an application to amend the Concept Development Plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-1992-0004, ZCPA-1992-0009, University Center, by revising a note which restricts Parcel L to Research and Development uses, releasing the subject parcel, Parcel L2A, from this restriction in order to allow land uses consistent with the PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) zone, with no resulting change in density. The subject property is located in the PD-RDP zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 3.28 acres in size and is located on the north side of Harry Bird Highway (Route 7), east of George Washington Boulevard (Route 1050), and south of Research Place (Route 1051), at 45145 Research Place, Ashburn, Virginia in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 039-18-2610. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed-Use Place Type)) and the Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational amenities at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.
ZCPA-2019-0013 & ZMOD-2019-0047 ELYSIAN HEIGHTS RURAL VILLAGE
(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment & Zoning Ordinance Modification) Washington-Virginia Traditional Land Development Sites Inc., of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP1995-0004 and ZCPA-2003-0002, Elysian Heights in order to eliminate a portion of the required Village Conservancy Subdistrict Buffer located along Saint Clair Lane between Sylvan Bluff Drive and Elysian Drive and extend the southern boundary of the Village Center to Saint Clair Lane and remove the conservancy lot designation for the subject property with no resulting change in density. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s):
ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§4-1206(A), PD-RV Planned Development-Rural Village, Size and Location of Subdistricts, Village Conservancy Subdistrict.
Eliminate the requirement that the Village Center Subdistrict be ringed by the Village Conservancy Subdistrict
§4-1206(A)(4), PD-RV Planned DevelopmentRural Village, Size and Location of Subdistricts, Village Conservancy Subdistrict.
Reduce the required buffer of land from 800 feet in width to 300 feet in width and also to allow a portion of the buffer along Saint Clair Lane to be located between Sylvian Bluff Drive and Elysian Drive
§4-1216(B)(1), PD-RV Planned DevelopmentRural Village, Land Use Arrangement, Spatial Relationship of Village Subdistricts and Areas.
Eliminate the requirement that the Village Conservancy Subdistrict surround the Village Center Subdistrict
The subject property is approximately 12.84 acres in size and is located on the north side of Saint Clair Lane (Route 658), east of James Monroe Highway (Route 15) in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 102-36-5157. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Rural Policy Area (Rural North Place Type)) which designates this area for Rural Economy uses and limited Residential development.
PROPERTY ADDRESS
030-30-9421
46000 Manekin Plaza, Sterling, Virginia
020-35-2829
46010 Manekin Plaza, Sterling, Virginia
020-35-4412
46020 Manekin Plaza, Sterling, Virginia
020-25-3188
46030 Manekin Plaza, Sterling, Virginia
030-20-9386
46050 Manekin Plaza, Sterling, Virginia
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
AUGUST 20, 2020
PAGE 31
Legal Notices ZMAP-2019-0001, ZMOD-2019-0001 & ZMOD-2019-0054 BELFORT PARK DRIVE TOWNHOMES (Zoning Map Amendment & Zoning Modification)
Davis Drive LLC., of Manassas Park, Virginia, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 1.97 acres from the R4 (Single Family Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 20 townhomes at a density of 10.15 dwelling units per acre. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contour. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
Reduce the minimum lot size from two acres to 1.97 acres.
§3-606(C)(3)(c), R-16 Townhouse/ Multifamily Residential, Lot Requirements, Yards, Traditional Design Option for Single Family Attached, Rear.
Reduce the rear yard setback minimum from 25 feet to 20 feet.
The subject property is approximately 1.97 acres in size and is located on the north side of Belfort Park Drive (Route 891), the east side of Glenn Drive (Route 864) and the east side of Davis Drive (Route 868) in the Sterling Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 032-25-5420. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Compact Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for a mix of housing types including Small-lot Patio Homes, Townhomes, Duplexes, and Multi-family Residences at a recommended density of 8 – 24 dwelling units per acre.
SPEX-2019-0041 & SPEX-2019-0042 TANJA & WALID AHMADI (Special Exceptions)
Tanja and Walid Ahmadi of Aldie, Virginia, have submitted applications for the following: 1) A Special Exception to permit an automotive service station in the RC (Rural Commercial) zoning district; and 2) A Special Exception to permit motor vehicle sales and service in the RC (Rural Commercial) zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Section 2-904. The subject property is located within the VCOD (Village Conservation Overlay District-Village of Loudoun Heights). The subject property is approximately 2.43 acres in size and is located on the west side of Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671), south of Turneysville Road (Route 833), at 11173 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville, Virginia, in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 472-15-6385. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Rural Policy Area (Rural Historic Village and Rural North Place Types)), which designate this area for small Residential or Commercial core that provide for the daily needs of village residents, surrounding rural residents, and visitors; and pastoral and forested landscapes that serve mostly Agricultural and Agricultural Supportive uses with limited Residential.
ZMAP-2019-0017 & SPEX-2020-0022 H & M PROPERTY (Zoning Map Amendment and Special Exception)
Amazon Data Services, Inc. of Seattle, Washington has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 100.18 acres from the MR-HI (Mineral Resource – Heavy Industry) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-GI (Planned Development – General Industry) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 1,745,570 square feet of data center uses; and 2) A Special Exception to permit an increase to the maximum floor to area ratio (FAR) from 0.40 to 0.60. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4606. The subject property is located within the (AI) (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher aircraft noise contour and the QN (Quarry
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.: CL 20-3937 , Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg VA 20176 Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lyric Neal v. Name Change The object of this suit is name change of a minor. It is ORDERED that Spencer G. Neal appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before September 18, 2020 at 10:00 am. 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, & 8/27/20
SPEX-2019-0047 CONKLIN COMMUNITY PARK (Special Exception)
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§3-602, R-16 Townhouse/Multifamily Residential, Size and Location.
Notification) Overlay District, Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area, and the (FOD) Floodplain Overlay District. The subject property is approximately 100.18 acres in size and is located on the south side of South Perimeter Road, on the east side of Willard Road (Route 639), north of John Mosby Highway (Route 50) at 25020 Willard Road, Chantilly, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 096-18-3161. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Industrial/Mineral Extraction Place Type)), which designate this area for large manufacturing, contractor with outdoor storage, and other productive uses up to a 0.6 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
The Board of Supervisors, acting through Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit incidental structures in excess of 840 square feet within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception (SPEX) use under Section 4-1506. The subject property is located within the PD-H4 (Planned Development Housing – 4) zoning district, the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours, and partially located within the FOD. The subject property is approximately 20.76 acres in size and is located on the west side of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606) and north and east sides of Donegal Drive (Route 1248) at 25710 Donegal Drive, South Riding, Virginia in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 166-49-3841. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area), which designates this area for parks and recreation uses. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view and/or participate in the public hearing electronically. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on August 28, 2020, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on September 9, 2020. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF:
PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
8/20 & 8/27/20
NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires. All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.
Description
Case Number
Recovery Date
Recovery Location
Phone Number
Black Magna Hawk 2000, Model #8547-66 bicycle
SO200011201
7/11/2020
Ashburn Village/Farmwell Rd., Ashburn
703-777-0610 08/20 & 08/27/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 32
AUGUST 20, 2020
Legal Notices NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
PUBLIC HEARING MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF LEESBURG ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID IFB NO. 13301-FY21-06 TREE AND SHRUB INSTALLATION SOUTH KING STREET WIDENING PHASE II (MASONS LN. TO GREENWAY DR.) SEALED BIDS to construct the above project WILL BE RECEIVED by the Town of Leesburg, either by mail or hand delivered to the Procurement Office, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, UNTIL BUT NO LATER THAN 3:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020. Bids shall be marked “Sealed Bid for Tree and Shrub Installation – South King Street Widening Ph II Bid Date: Thursday, August 27, 2020 – 3:00 P.M.” Bids will be opened and read aloud at 25 West Market Street, Lower Level Conference Room 2, at that date and time. All questions regarding this bid must be submitted in writing via email to CapitalBidQuestions@ leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Work includes tree plantings, spreading topsoil, maintenance including watering and all incidentals related thereto. The Town reserves the right to perform all, part, or none of the work. Bid Documents are available for download from the Town’s Bid Board at http://www.leesburgva.gov/ bidboard. Contact Cindy Steyer at 703-737-2302 or csteyer@leesburgva.gov with questions about obtaining these bid documents. Any addenda issued for this project will be posted on the Town’s Bid Board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov) with a courtesy email to those firms who have registered on the Town’s Bid Board. It is the bidders’ responsibility to provide a correct email address and to be aware of any addenda. Bud Siegel P.E., Acting Manager Office of Capital Projects
8/20/20
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY PERMIT BFI TRANSFER SYSTEMS OF VIRGINIA, LLC TRANSFER STATION AND MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY The Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning in accordance with Chapter 1080, Solid Waste Management Facilities, Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, Virginia, hereby declares its intent to issue a solid waste management facility (SWMF) permit to BFI Transfer Systems of Virginia, LLC,(“BFI”) to operate an existing Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility to accept and process a maximum of 1,500 tons per day of municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste. The subject property is 7.13 acres in size and is located on the north side of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653), and west of Durham Court (Route 862) at 42228 Cochran Mill Road, Leesburg, Virginia, Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN# 15018-7679 and Tax Map Number /61///1/////4/. Pursuant to Chapter 1080, no permit shall be issued prior to completion of a 30-day public participation process. Written comments will be accepted for thirty calendar days following the first advertisement of intent to issue an SWMF permit to BFI. The public is hereby invited to submit written comments on the proposed permit regarding any aspect of alleged non-conformance contained in the proposed permit. Written comments must be submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177, Attention: Keith Fairfax, by regular mail or fax to 703-777-0441. Any and all comments must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 11, 2020. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed resolution, as well as a plat and vicinity maps serving to further identify the subject property, is on file and available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200 to request hard copies or electronic copies 8/13 & 8/20/20
The Middleburg Town Council will hold a virtual Public Hearing online, broadcasting from the Council Chambers, on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers located at 10 W. Marshall Street, to consider AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE I OF TOWN CODE CHAPTER 97 PERTAINING TO THE BUSINESS LICENSE TAX. If approved, the ordinance would (1) bring the regulations up to date with changes in the State Code; (2) set the busines license fee for new businesses at the minimum charge (currently $30) for their first business license; and (3) establish a new fee for contractors receiving identifiable federal appropriations for research and development services as defined in Section 31.-205-18(a) of the Federal Acquisition Regulations in the areas of (i) computer and electronic services; (ii) computer software; (iii) applied sciences; (iv) economic and social sciences; and (v) electronic and physical sciences at three (3) cents per $100 of federal funds received in payment for such contracts. To register to speak during this hearing, please contact Rhonda North, Town Clerk, at (540) 687-5152 or via email at rnorth@middleburgva.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 10th. A copy of the ordinance is available for public inspection in the Middleburg Town Office, located at 10 W. Marshall Street, during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted or may be viewed on the Town’s website at www.middleburgva.gov. All interested citizens are invited to participate in this public hearing to express their views. 8/20 & 8/27/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
AUGUST 20, 2020
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned”, as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice. YR.
MAKE
MODEL
VIN
STORAGE
PHONE#
1994
ACURA
INTEGRA
JH4DC4458RS046360
AL’S TOWING
703-435-8888 08/20 & 08/27/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
A message to elderly and disabled Loudoun County residents from
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.:
JJ043128-04-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
,
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Tyson Curtis Holt Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Shane Curtis Holt, putative father and, Laurel Elizabeth Veto, mother The object of this suit is to hold a 2nd permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Tyson Curtis Holt and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Laurel Elizabeth Veto, natural mother, and Shane Curtis Holt, putative father pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Tyson Curtis Holt. Laurel Elizabeth Veto and Shane Curtis Holt, are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Tyson Curtis Holt. Laurel Elizabeth Veto and Shane Curtis Holt 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 Tyson Curtis Holt; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Tyson Curtis Holt; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Tyson Curtis Holt. Further, Laurel Elizabeth Veto and Shane Curtis Holt will have no legal and /or financial obligations with respect to Tyson Curtis Holt, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Tyson Curtis Holt for adoption and consent to the adoption of Tyson Curtis Holt.
PAGE 33
Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Residents 65 and older or totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2020 Personal Property (vehicle) Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the September 1, 2020 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 21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 100 Internet: www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Phone: 703-737-8557 Email: trcor@loudoun.gov Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 8/6, 8/13, 8/20 & 8/27/20
TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLZM-2020-0003, LEESBURG PREMIUM OUTLETS
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider rezoning application TLZM-2020-0003, Leesburg Premium Outlets. The applicant, Simon Properties (Owners), are requesting a Concept Plan and Proffer Amendment (rezoning) to amend the previously approved proffers and concept plan for TLZM-2013-0004 and ZM150 to allow for approval of: 1. 2.
The addition of internal retail “kiosks” for an increase of 6,000 square feet to the existing approved 500,671square feet of retail on the site, and; The addition of retail uses for the site that are permitted by the B-3 Zoning District but are currently not allowed by the existing proffers for the site.
The 54-acre Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall is located at 241 Ft. Evans Road, which is at the intersection of the Route 15 Bypass and Ft. Evans Road. The subject property is zoned B-3, Community Retail/Commercial District and is further identified by the following Loudoun County Property Identification Number (PIN): 189-49-6489. The subject property is located in the Northeast Planning area of the Town, and the Town Plan further designates the subject property as “Regional Retail” on the Planned Land Use Policy Map with a recommended density of between 0.35 and 1.0 FAR (Floor Area Ratio). With this addition to the outlet mall, the commercial FAR in the B-3 District would be approximately 0.22. Additional information and copies of this rezoning application are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Scott E. Parker, Senior Planning Project Manager at 703-771-2771 or sparker@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 8/20 & 8/27/20
PUBLIC NOTICE The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
SBPL-2020-0003 Huntwick Ms. Karyn Minnix, of Carrington Builders at Ivandale Farm, LC, of Leesburg Virginia, is requesting preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately one hundred thirty- one point zero nine (131.09) acres into twenty-six (26) single family detached lots, open space parcels, right-of-way and accompanying easements. The property is located on the east side of the intersection of Ivandale Road (Route 709) and Piggott Bottom Road (Route 711). The property is zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1) and FOD (Floodplain Overlay District- Major) under the provisions of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as Tax Map /37////////11/ (MCPI # 417-40-8338) in the Catoctin Election District. Additional information regarding this application may be found on the Loudoun Online Land Applications System www.loudoun.gov/LOLA by searching for SBPL-2020-0003. Complete copies of the above referenced application(s) are also available for public review at the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Land Development File Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical public access to the file may be interrupted. You may contact the project manager to arrange for alternative access to the file if necessary. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Jewell at eric.jewell@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by September 24, 2020. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 8/20/20
Don’t miss the show.
It is ORDERED that the defendant Laurel Elizabeth Veto natural mother, and Shane Curtis Holt, putative father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before September 15, 2020 at 2:00 pm.
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR: CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ASHBURN RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER, RFP No. 283782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, September 16, 2020. Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/ purchasing . If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
8/6, 8/13, 8/20, & 8/27/20
getoutloudoun.com
WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT 8/20/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 34
AUGUST 20, 2020
Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION
ORDER OF PUBLICATION ABC LICENSE Taco Zocalo LLC, trading as Taco Zocalo, 44927 George Washington Blvd Ste 110, Ashburn, Virginia 20147-4290 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On Premises Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Basir Ahadi, Owner 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. 8/13 & 8/20/20
Case No.:
JJ040484-06-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.:
,
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Carter Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. David Craig Johnson, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Christian Carter It is ORDERED that the defendant, David Craig Johnson, putative father appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before September 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm
JJ044071-08-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
,
Case No.:
JJ024579-09-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Abigail Rivera Hernandez
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Isaiah Matos
Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Nelson Bismarck Rivera Espinoza, putative father and Rosibel Hernandez Zepeda, mother
Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Earl Marshal, putative father
The object of this suit is to hold a 3rd permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Abigail Rivera Hernandez. It is ORDERED that the defendants, Nelson Bismarck Rivera Espinoza, putative father and Rosibel Hernandez Zepeda, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect their interests on or before September 9, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
,
The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Isaiah Matos. It is ORDERED that the defendant, Earl Marshal, putative father appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before September 8, 2020 at 11:00 am. 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, & 8/27/20
8/20, & 8/27 & 9/03/20
8/6, 8/13, 8/20, & 8/27/20
ABC LICENSE
Resource Directory
X & M Deli Inc, trading as Beer Wine and Grocery Shop, 44927 George Washington Blvd Ste 125, Ashburn, Virginia 20147-4290 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer Off Premises/Delivery Permit license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Sandra P. Burgos - President Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 8/13 & 8/20/20
ABC LICENSE GMT LLC, trading as Baku Market, 46321 McClellan Way, Sterling, Virginia 20165 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Gunduz Tahirli, Owner 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. 8/20 & 8/27/20
ABC LICENSE Old Rook Imports LLC, trading as Old Rook Imports, 604 S. King Street, Ste 210, Leesburg, Loudoun County 20175 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine Importer and Wine Wholesaler license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. James P. Magner 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. 8/20 & 8/27/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.:
CL19004041-00 , Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176 Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Shaia Noriega v. Louis Gerardo Noriega
The object of this suit is to be granted divorce. It is ORDERED that Louis Gerardo Noriega appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before November 6, 2020 at 2:00 PM. 8/20, 8/27, 9/03 & 9/10/20
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Opinion Beyond Balloting Mission Statement: The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. Politicians and union bosses have spent the past week ratcheting up alarms about threats from the president to undermine mail-in absentee voting. Congressional committees were assembled and lawsuits were filed. Now it appears most involved are ready to move on to the next chaotic emergency. Lost in the hysteria is a far more fundamental concern. The Postal Service is in dire financial straits. That’s not new news. Mail volume peaked in 2001. The agency is weighed down by tremendous employee and retiree obligations. It has lost business to companies that have proven to be much more efficient and agile. Loudoun already has seen changes resulting from cost-cutting initiatives. Post offices have been consolidated and more people pick up their mail at ganged community boxes, for example. Additional measures have found resistance, but remain on the table. More changes—and more unpopular changes—are likely to be proposed. The decisions are hard enough without throwing them into today’s hyperpolitical battleground. Threats to withhold funding don’t just jeopardize the integrity of elections; every business and family could feel the impacts. Dating back to the Continental Congress with Benjamin Franklin at its helm, the post office provides an essential service. It is essential to commerce; essential to heath care; essential to many other facets of daily life. Failure is not an option. n
Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com
Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC
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15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176
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ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com
LETTERS to the Editor Independent Voice Editor: I was honored to appear on all five of the Town Council members’ lists for appointment to the vacant seat. When the vote on July 28 resulted in a tie, I was puzzled. That evening, I barely slept. As I was looking for inspiration, I came across a quote that demonstrated true leadership. “I never lose, I only win and learn.” When I saw this, I reflected on the man who said these words. Nelson Mandela. I thought to myself, how would he handle this? Mandela would not see it as a defeat, but an opportunity to learn, which is what I have done. Since that sleepless night, I have learned about the influence the AFLCIO, Laborers International Union, and Sheet Metal Workers Union have on Councilman Martinez and Mayor Burk. These Unions have been funders of their various political campaigns. I have learned these special interests do not want me on council. Let me be clear: Reliable sources have told me these lawmakers reversed course because of my employment at the Associated Builders and Contractors, a pro-merit shop, inclusive organization hated by union lobbyists.
I applied for this appointment because residents and business leaders asked me to. They knew I could be a fresh and objective voice of reason on council throughout the remaining term. They knew my leadership could help bring this council together and deliver to taxpayers the transparency, accountability and effectiveness they deserve from government. After learning that my appointment was blocked by union lobbyists, it is clear, Leesburg voters need an independent voice on council free of control from special interests. I have learned why the unions were interested in blocking my confirmation. They were concerned I would expose that Project Labor Agreements and Prevailing Wages Laws, which are policy schemes supported by unions and will be discussed in future Leesburg capital improvement budgets, do not benefit the workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia or Leesburg. Most importantly, these schemes do not benefit the taxpayers. They benefit the union bosses who signed the checks that funded Burk, Martinez and the current majority in the General Assembly. Lawmakers who support anti-competiLETTERS continues on page 39
AUGUST 20, 2020
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Readers’ Poll
PAGE 37
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: The kids are going back to school, are you back in the office/to work?
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: Do you feel your household adequately prepared for online learning next month?
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Loudoun’s Rural Policies: The Gap Between Intentions and Realities BY JOHN ELLIS, CHAIRMAN Save Rural Loudoun
Loudoun County’s strategy for preserving its rural areas is based on a false premise. Our 2019 Comprehensive Plan asserts that, if we cluster rural housing in low density residential subdivisions (called “clustered subdivisions”), then the land surrounding those subdivisions will be preserved for farming and other rural businesses. In reality, this strategy is producing the opposite of its intent. A recent study by the American Farmlands Trust found that Virginia farmland adjacent to “low density residential” development—in other words, a clustered subdivision—is seven times more likely to be urbanized than farmland surrounded by other farmland. Clustered subdivisions fundamentally change the character of rural land in ways that eventually destroy the rural economy. For one thing, they fragment the land in a way that makes it more difficult and expensive for farmers to monitor and manage their fields. Heavy farm equipment must be moved around on congested public roads, raising both cost and safety issues. In addition, farmers come under increasing pressure from non-farming neighbors who object to the unavoidable sounds and smells of an active farming operation. As the number and size of farms decreases, the cost of providing fertilizers, chemicals, machine maintenance, and other farm services rises. Some service providers have already moved out of Loudoun, making it even more difficult for local farmers to procure the services at
VIEWPOINT
“The big question will be whether they can resist the rising pressures from pro-development interests and follow through with decisive actions.” affordable prices. Our current zoning regulations promote this kind of rural fragmentation. In comparison with neighboring counties, Loudoun stands out as a champion for building clustered subdivisions, particularly in the northern part of our rural areas. Fifteen years ago, the county Board of Supervisors decided to allow developers to put three times more houses in those subdivisions than is allowed in neighboring Clarke and Fauquier counties. This created a powerful financial incentive for developers to look our way when searching for farmland to build on. The results have been predictable. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Loudoun lost a total of 67 square miles of farmland between 2002 and 2017, an average of about 4 square miles per year. That total was twice as much farm-
land as Fauquier lost during the same period, even though Loudoun had much less farmland to begin with. As a proportion of the total, Loudoun lost 26 percent of the farmland it had in 2002, while Fauquier lost “only” 9 percent. Unfortunately, powerful local interests do not consider this to be a problem and are actively advocating with the county government to maintain Loudoun’s developer-friendly rural zoning rules as they are. In their view, the county’s priority should be to prop up the value of large rural properties by maximizing their potential for residential development. We can expect them to argue that a long-gone Board of Supervisors’ decision to allow developers to build three times more houses in rural Loudoun than is allowed in rural Fauquier is a sacred privilege and entitlement. These interests apparently do not worry that, if unchanged, the current zoning policies will result in further destruction of irreplaceable prime farmland, tourism attractions, water resources, natural habitats, and historic legacy. Nor are they concerned by the impacts on smaller property owners’ real estate assessments or the affordability of rural housing for working class families. They do not mind the increased traffic congestion or the additional tax burdens these policies will impose on citizens in the eastern part of the county, who must pay the bulk of the cost of expanding roads, schools and other public services in the west. It is, of course, perfectly legitimate for different individuals to advocate for county policies that benefit their own in-
terests. Don’t we all? However, our elected officials must balance the interests of our large landowners against the interests of local farms, wineries, and other rural businesses that may be severely injured by the continued fragmentation and destruction of Loudoun’s farmland and rural scenery. They must also consider the potential impacts on all Loudoun citizens’ pocketbooks and quality of life, not just a relative few. To do so, the county will need to reconcile its rural policies with established realities, including by ditching the false premise that clustered subdivisions help to preserve rural areas. At the very least, we need to align our zoning rules with our neighboring counties and remove the incentive for developers to target rural Loudoun for low density residential development. There is at least one bright spot on the horizon. Our new Board of Supervisors is clearly more aware of the threat to rural Loudoun and more willing than their predecessors to try to address it. Their recent approval of an initiative to preserve prime soils and address other problems associated with clustered subdivisions is a promising start. The big question will be whether they can resist the rising pressures from pro-development interests and follow through with decisive actions. Your voice matters: please let them know what you think. Loudoun’s fertile farms and vibrant tourism businesses help to make this county a unique and special place to live. If we preserve the land, they will continue to thrive. Let’s make it happen. n
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Praising with Purpose PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE
BY NEIL MCNERNEY Parenting With Purpose
In my book “Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out!” I discuss the idea that there are three ways that we can lead our children. Most, if not all, of the ways we lead as parents can be categorized in one of these roles: The Supporter, The Consultant, and The Boss. I have been doing quite a bit of thinking about the role of The Supporter recently and thought I would share some of my ideas. The Supporter is the parent that supports through “supportive” statements. The supporter is there to praise when things go well and to offer condolences and a shoulder to cry on when things go poorly. It is the easiest role for most of us since it can come so naturally. But just because it is the easiest role when compared to The Consultant and The Boss, it does not mean that it always comes naturally. There are many ways we can end up messing it up. One of the ways of undermining praise is by providing what I call “reverse praise.” Reverse praise usually
starts out fine, but then we add a kicker to the end that changes the message entirely. Hit and Run Praise This is one of those simple techniques that, if used well, can be enormously powerful. Hit and Run Praise means pretty much just that. You praise your child and then get out of there before it gets screwed up. As parents, it can be hard to stop ourselves from giving advice, tweaking things a bit, and fine-tuning. But sometimes those extras are the very things that ruin the situation. Example: You daughter has been struggling with a certain subject, getting Cs and Ds on quizzes. Today, she tells you she got a B. She’s excited. So are you. You say, “Great job. I’m really impressed.” So far, so good, right? But you know what comes next. You add, “Now why couldn’t you have gotten Bs on the other ones?” Or “So let’s figure out how you can get an A next time.” Or “I hope you can
keep this up for the next quiz.” Or “I told you that if you studied harder you would get a better grade.” The problem with every one of these statements is that they tend to deflate the happiness of the moment and puts her on the defensive. Although these statements have merit, it is much better for our kids to think these thoughts on their own. The minute we say these thoughts, the chances of our kids saying them decreases to almost zero. Let’s use an example from the working world. After a great presentation, your boss says, “Great job. Now why can’t you present that well every time?” or “Let’s look at what you can do to make it better next time.” Do you feel the wind being sucked right out of your sails? Instead, think about how it would it feel if your boss just said, “Great job.” Observing and Summing Up I love how the book “How To Talk So Kids Will Listen” deals with the issue of observation. By observing, we are describing what we see, and then, if appropriate, summing it up in a word.
For instance: Your child has completed her work, reviewed tomorrow’s work, and has organized her school area. “I see you’ve got all your homework done, you’ve reviewed tomorrow’s work, and you have your school space organized. That what I call being prepared.” The Supporter’s main tool is using praise effectively. You are trying to show the good progress your child is making and giving her a chance to evaluate herself. You are connecting with her and sharing in her progress without taking credit. You are setting your own ego, and your worries, aside and letting your child recognize and savor her accomplishments. The better we become at being the Supporter, the more likely our kids will stand on their own. n Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of “Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out!” and “The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s.” He can be reached at neil@ neilmcnerney.com.
P.E. Teachers are About to Get Some (Long Overdue) Love BY CHRIS CROLL
When we reflect back on our favorite teachers from childhood, few of us conjure images of physical education teachers. In fact, I cannot remember the name of any P.E. teacher I had in years K-12. Because it is an elective, phys ed class has always been considered secondary in importance to core school subjects. But that is changing now that we are in the middle of a pandemic. In fact, I would argue that P.E. is the most important class your child will take this year. If “sitting is the new smoking,” as doctors are fond of saying these days, our kids are about to develop the equivalent of a pack-a-day habit. Spending 6-7 hours (at least) every day sitting in one place could wreak havoc on their developing bodies. Many pediatricians report that a majority of their patients have already gained weight during the pandemic. This makes sense since sports are canceled, playgrounds are closed and gallivanting around the neighborhood with other kids is generally discouraged. If we project out another 6+ months of relative inactivity
for our kids, many of them are at risk for becoming overweight or even obese. This includes children who were physically fit prior to the start of the pandemic. Fortunately, Loudoun County Public Schools plans to offer online P.E. classes to elementary and secondary students as part of their distance learning program. This is a good time for parents to become familiar with your child’s P.E. curriculum and teacher. It is also a good time for parents to model healthy exercise habits at home. Let’s hope the P.E. teachers are developing assignments that get our kids moving 5-7 days a week, not just during the days they have synchronous P.E. instruction. If your high school student is not taking online physical education, you might consider signing them up for a “backyard P.E. class” being offered by a local fitness trainer who will come to your yard or neighborhood to lead classes. There are also many fitness programs online, including yoga instruction that does not require a lot of space. Your high schooler can even do some good for the community while exercising. A local nonprofit, Ryan Bartel
Foundation, is sponsoring a Virtual Color Run this fall where teens (and their parents) can log miles in an online 5K by running outside, walking in a local park or even racing up and down the stairs of an apartment building. Doing events like these as a family provide the benefits of exercising while also giving parents the opportunity to spend time with their children. Plus, families are raising money for a good cause. Win-win-win! (Author’s Note: I serve on the Board of Directors for the Ryan Bartel Foundation and hope you will all join us for this fun event.) If you need further motivation to get your family moving, some doctors are now saying obesity increases the risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 by 20 percent. We know exercise boosts the immune system too so some predict that regular exercise can even protect you from contracting the virus. Whether or not these claims turn out to be true, we can all agree that keeping ourselves and our kids moving has indisputable health benefits. Distance learning classroom teachers plan to incorporate ‘movement breaks’
and ‘shake it out’ exercises during their online classes. But those are meant to help kids focus, not get their heart rates up. Until our children are back running at recess, playing in after school sports and attending P.E. class, it is important for parents to play a leading role in making sure our kids get enough exercise. Like the local grocery workers and Amazon delivery people, I believe our P.E. teachers will go down in history as heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are working hard to help us keep our kids healthy. Thank you to not only all of the P.E. teachers out there today but to my former P.E. teachers who kept me moving as a kid (even if I don’t remember any of your names.) n Chris Croll is a writer, community activist and former member of the Loudoun County School Board (Catoctin District). She lives in Leesburg with her husband and two children.]
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AUGUST 20, 2020
Pet pilots continued from page 1 United States. Some of them were bound for Loudoun, including a dog named Theo who was instantly in love with Lance Leviner. “A friend of mine was letting me know about the whole operation, and asked if I was interested in adopting,” Leviner said. “And at first I was hesitant, but then I saw her face and I absolutely fell in love.” He adopted Theo knowing very little about her, but as soon as she was off the
Hammer attack continued from page 3 Tyler, TX, and was extradited back to Loudoun. That arrest, Vogel said, was made possible through matching DNA obtained from the hammer Cellucci left at the scene and from DNA obtained from Cellucci while at his residence in Georgia. Vogel said former Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Wittmann played a big role in the case, as she retained the help of Dr. Mark Perlin, whose company, Cybergenetics, was able to make the DNA match police needed to make Cellucci’s arrest. Vogel said that if Cellucci had not dropped the hammer on his way out of the Ralph Lauren outlet, investigators might never had obtained enough evidence to make the arrest. “The hammer was the key,” he said. According to a letter Cellucci read to
LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 36
tive policies that steer taxpayer-funded public works contracts to unionized political donors should be ashamed for not putting taxpayers first. In conclusion, I have learned that if we do not shed light and fight back against these special interest schemes, the very principals that have made Virginia and Loudoun County the best place to do business will disappear. Whether on council or as a citizen, I will continue to fight corruption and give a voice to the entire community. — Nick Clemente, Leesburg
PAGE 39
plane, she was eager to play and make friends on the tarmac in Leesburg. “I just knew that she came from a litter that they had found, and this was back in mid-March,” Leviner said. “And I started getting pictures, and I was like, I love you already.” The two dogs and a cat who flew to Leesburg were on a flight of 10 animals from New York with stops in Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Alabama. They were flying with Pet Rescue Pilots chief pilot Julian Savor. He said he has been flying pets for three years, and when SPCA International asked him to help out
with some stranded animals in New York: “I was like, ‘heck yeah’ in the nicest terms possible. I was a little bit more enthusiastic than that.” He planned to a fly 34 animals to new homes over three or four days, with Leesburg the second stop of a 16-hour day of flying. Many of those animals are being reunited with the U.S. service members and contractors who first met them in Iraq—SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups program was founded in 2008 to rescue and reunite them with those pets, and to date has rescued more than 1,000 animals
from countries in the Middle East, Central Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. “All of these animals are strays when we find them,” said SPCA International Executive Director Meredith Ayan, who accompanied those animals on their journey Friday. And they already have families waiting for them when they fly to the U.S.: “We don’t want them to have to come back to the U.S. and wonder what is going to become of them.” To find out more about SPCA International, go to SPCAI.org. To find out more about Pet Rescue Pilots, go to PetRescuePilots.org. n
Pedroza before being sentenced, Cellucci at the time of the crime was dating a girl whom Pedroza had previously dated. Cellucci said the girl told him that Pedroza had raped her several times, which angered him. He said that belief, coupled with sorrow of not having seen his mother in several years, led to irritability, hostility, low self-esteem and anger. Cellucci told Pedroza that at that time in his life, he was regularly drinking, smoking marijuana and taking Klonopin, but that he became sober and very religious once he moved to Georgia and married his wife, who introduced him to Pentecostal Christianity. Cellucci’s defense attorney, John Sando, said “rampant drug use” played a role in the assault and that Cellucci was gullible and “had trouble processing his emotions”—referring to the claim from Cellucci’s then-girlfriend that Pedroza had raped her. Pedroza testified that he was “a really
active guy” before becoming paralyzed and that it’s now difficult to perform everyday tasks. When the attack happened, he had just graduated high school and was planning to attend college that fall. “That really pushed me back several years,” Pedroza said. “There’s nothing that can be done to fix it or give me my life back.” Cellucci apologized to Pedroza for his actions. “I regret this stuff ever happening,” he told Pedroza. “This has been the biggest mistake of my life. … I’m sorry.” Shamis said the assault was on the worst side of crimes that the aggravated malicious wounding law is intended to punish. He asked Fisher to deviate from the sentencing guidelines and sentence Cellucci to 30-35 years in prison. “There is almost nothing more horrible than the set of circumstances that have befallen [Pedroza] in this case,” Shamis said. Sando requested Fisher sentence Cel-
lucci to 10 years in prison. But Fisher’s sentencing went well above both. He noted that, while Pedroza’s sentence to a wheelchair is for life, Cellucci’s life sentence could be cut short by parole. To address that concern, Fisher imposed an additional three-year suspended sentence on top of the life sentence and made it clear that if Cellucci were to be released on parole, he would have to undergo five years of active supervised probation. Fisher said Cellucci’s crime was a “blow to the concept of civility” and that he wanted to impose “a sentence that he’ll never escape.” Vogel said the case was the longest investigation he has ever been a part of. While he’s happy to see it come to an end and see Cellucci put away, “the whole situation is sad all the way around.” He said if he and the many people involved in the investigation had not been able to capture Cellucci, the case would have haunted him for the rest of his life. n
Be Vigilant
whether the switch to natural gas means they won’t be burning any coal, there was no response. And their letter to the West Virginia EPA notifying them of the change claims, “The adjustment in use of raw materials will result in no change in emissions.” They also contradict themselves and in that same letter say that ”the change to firing only on natural gas will be a reduction to regulated air pollutants.” But some studies claim that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of natural gas are even higher than coal, to say nothing of the potential for groundwater contamination. Many Rockwool critics think they are just using natural gas to start the furnace, and that burning coal will ultimately be the backbone of the manufacturing process. According to the company’s PR and
social media, “We’re planning to start up factory operations using natural gas instead of coal.” ”Start up” does leave some room for doubt. You can’t blame their critics for thinking Rockwool is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Rockwool likes to portray its operations as environmentally friendly, because the insulation they manufacture combats climate change by keeping homes from using as much power to heat or cool them. But there seems to be a lack of transparency when it comes to the environmental impact of its manufacturing process. Living in Loudoun County, you might think this is a West Virginia issue, since that’s where the plant will be sited. But air pollution knows no boundaries. We need to be vigilant and informed. — Bill Replogle, Leesburg
Editor: After reading that Rockwool, the fiberglass insulation plant being built in Ranson, WV, was going to migrate to natural gas instead of coal, I was initially encouraged. After all, they had planned to burn 84-97 tons of coal a day, sending pollutants into the atmosphere and over the border to Loudoun County and beyond. Then I read this comment by Michael Zarin, Rockwool’s vice president of group communications: “The emissions are going to go down or be neutral across the board.” That was not the most encouraging declaration. And the more I looked into it, the less encouraged I got. For instance, when asked on their Facebook page
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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE
AUGUST 20, 2020
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UNDER CONTRACT
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10995 HARPERS FERRY RD | HILLSBORO
505 SUNSET VIEW TER SE #104 | LEESBURG
$389,000 | Completely renovated Cape Cod with mountain views and scenic vistas from the lovely front porch. Hardwood floors are found throughout, brand new paint, upgraded appliances & counters, newly tiled bathrooms, loads of storage basement. Enjoy the country and be close to commuter routes.
$225,000 | Amazing main level 1 BD/1 BA luxury condo in the gated community of Westchester at Stratford in Leesburg. Built by luxurious home builder Toll Brothers. Features a bright and open floor plan, freshly painted interior, beautiful updated floors, gourmet kitchen, and a private balcony overlooking a peaceful serene view.
Mary Kakouras 540.454.1604
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
S I M P LY B E T T E R . | AT O KA P R O P E R T I E S . C O M MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV