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VOL. 5, NO. 47
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Supervisors Launch First COVID-Era Budget Work BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
Kara C. Rodriguez/Loudoun Now
Once an anchor of the Dulles Town Center shopping mall, the former Lord & Taylor store is now one of the many department stores shuttered globally, a sign of the changing whims of shoppers. The nation’s oldest department store chain filed for bankruptcy in August, but the Dulles Town Center location has been closed since last year.
Reinventing Retail
COVID-19, E-Commerce Challenge Shopping Industry’s Future BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
An industry already troubled by the rise of e-commerce pre-pandemic has only seen its future even more challenged as the nation deals with what many see as only the beginning of the second surge of COVID-19. It’s left even the retail industry’s most well-respected brokers puzzled. “I don’t think anyone has the slightest clue of what’s going to happen,” said Reid Frazier, CEO of Evolution Commercial Real
Estate in Sterling. Frazier said it could be until next summer before there is a clearer picture on what the future of the retail industry will look like, and it’s anyone’s guess how many businesses will be left standing once COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror. The other unknown is what the consumer mindset will be at that time, he said. “There’s so many different moving pieces with this,” Frazier said. The “retail apocalypse,” as some have termed it, has seen some of the indus-
try’s former giants shutter their businesses during the height of the pandemic, or even prior to it. Malls, once the darling of the shopping industry, have now given way to mostly empty department store anchors, with blacked out windows a sign of some of the vacancies within their walls. Many industry pundits have suggested that malls reimagine themselves to be more of a destination or entertainment center, with some, like Fair Oaks Mall nearby, adding a Dave & RETAIL continues on page 38
Loudoun supervisors have set county staff members to work writing the next annual budget amid the uncertain fiscal picture of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county budget staff typically begin its work writing the next fiscal year’s budget almost as soon as the current one starts, which means early revenue estimates that tend to vary widely between supervisors’ initial budget guidance and their vote to adopt a budget in April. But that uncertainty has been multiplied this year, as County Administrator Tim Hemstreet begins work to write a budget that will begin in July 2021, more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. but—vaccine or not—while the country will likely still be feelings its economic effects. One of those effects is on the county government, which has been running an emergency pandemic response since March. Hemstreet said the county is “essentially operating two separate operations”—the response, and the county’s normal operations, such as they are during the pandemic. The county’s operations have already been cut back as the government implemented social distancing, telework, and flexible leave policies while also redirecting some funding to the pandemic response. BUDGET continues on page 39
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PAGE 3
Wexton, Andrews Meet for Chamber Debate BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
Rep. Jennifer T. Wexton (DVA-10) and her Republican challenger, Aliscia Andrews, met for a debate last Thursday that pitched two different visions for Congress’ role in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The debate, organized and hosted by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, focused on issues facing businesses and drew from the Chamber’s own policy positions, ranging from relief for small businesses and the airport, to workforce development, to supporting laws that suppress unionization. Much of the debate centered around how Congress can help businesses survive and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. That included not only additional relief bills, but automatically forgiving Payroll Protection Program loans below $150,000. Andrews criticized Congress for not finding bipartisan support to do more; Wexton pointed to the bills that have been passed in the Democrat-majority House of Representatives only to sit for weeks without action in the Republican-majority Senate. “Let’s not forget that this pandemic did not have to be this bad,” Wexton said. “The president has failed in his leadership from day one.” She said more help would be needed not only for people and
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Aliscia Andrews and Rep. Jennifer T. Wexton (D-VA-10) meet for a socially distant debate organized by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Oct. 15.
businesses, but also state and local governments, and said state and local government austerity measures slowed the recovery from the previous recession. Now, negotiations remain stalled in Congress and with the White House between competing versions of a follow-up to the CARES Act. President Donald Trump earlier this month said there would be no new relief bill until after the election, then changed his mind the next day. “If we can agree on 1.8 trillion dollars of relief, and maybe we can’t agree on the other stuff, why can’t we pass that right this second, go ahead and sign that bill, give the people what they need, and then worry about taking care of the other things at a later date?” Andrews said. With an ongoing public health crisis that sickened millions and killed hundreds of thousands in the U.S., the ongoing legal battle
over the Affordable Care Act also came up. “We need to strengthen and protect the ACA, not tear it down,” Wexton said. “And meanwhile, the Trump administration is in court right now. There is a court case that will be heard one week from the election where the administration is seeking to strike down the ACA in its entirety, which means no more keeping your kids on your policy until they’re 26, no more no more protection for preexisting conditions, no more lifetime caps for medical care.” While pointing to problems with costs some people have experienced under the law, and the need of some people to change doctors, Andrews slightly differed from many national Republicans on that topic. “I don’t believe in taking things away unless we have something that’s actually going to make it
better,” Andrews said. “That’s where I differ from a lot of people in my party. I think we have to be able to make sure that Americans have what they need, especially healthcare, during the middle of a pandemic. But one of the most important things that we have to do is to make sure that we’re not punishing businesses, that we’re not punishing individuals.” Affordable housing, a perennial problem in Loudoun and the 10th Congressional District, also came up. “Land use is a local issue and needs to be handled by the Board of Supervisors,” Andrews said. “We need to make sure that the people that know the area the best, which are the people at the most local level, have the ability to make decisions for our community. The federal government has no business coming in and telling Loudoun County where they need to put things, and I stand
100% behind our Board of Supervisors’ ability to do just that.” Wexton pointed to the rental assistance program included in the HEROES Act, House Democrats’ proposed follow-up to the CARES Act, and while agreeing locals know best, said the federal government can help. “We in the federal government can help by providing funding and programs, and getting out of the way,” Wexton said. “That’s why I support things like Community Development Block Grants, tax credits to encourage private developers to develop more affordable units with their projects, and also just ensuring that we have adequate funding for things like people transitioning from instability.” They also differed on unions. The House of Representatives in February passed the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO Act, which strengthens workers’ ability to organize and weakens right-to-work laws. “I absolutely support the PRO Act, and I support the right of people to collectively bargain and come together in a union,” Wexton said. “Let’s remember what unions brought us. Unions built the middle class in this country. Unions brought us the weekend, they brought us the 40-hour work week, they brought us things like employer-sponsored healthcare, DEBATE continues on page 38
Loudoun’s COVID Case Counts Trending Up Again LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Following a statewide, national and global trend, Loudoun is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. The county’s daily average of new cases has doubled since Sept. 30, to 42 as of Monday. That increase comes as the average rate of positive tests continues to hold below 6% even as the number of daily tests reaches its highest level, nearly 700. Perhaps most concerning is the increase in COVID cases requiring hospitalization. As of Saturday, the seven-day average of confirmed COVID patients in Loudoun was 16, the highest number since midJune. The average number of patients undergoing treatment in hospitals has tripled
since Sept. 23. The hospitalization count peaked May 30 at a daily average of 42. “We have been seeing an increase in cases in Loudoun and the National Capital Region over the past two weeks,” Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend said. “It is uncertain at this time the cause of the increase, though anecdotally there appears to be some relaxing in people’s vigilance in preventing transmission through use of masks, face coverings and hand washing.” He said it will be crucially important for residents to remain vigilant against the virus in the weeks ahead. “Particularly as we start getting into colder weather, when we believe COVID-19 will be able to spread more eas-
ily, now is the time for everyone to renew their focus on reducing transmission to get our numbers as low as possible. This will help our schools and businesses reopen, and reduce the pressure on our hospitals which get busier every winter due to the flu and other winter weather infections,” he said. Cases are on the increase statewide. In Virginia there are 12.9 cases per 100,000 residents. In Loudoun, that rate has grown to 11.2, ranking 68th among Virginia’s 130 counties and cities, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute, which recommends stay-at-home orders when there are more than 10 cases per 100,000 residents. The increasing numbers also could have an impact on efforts to return students to
in-person learning. According to a new CDC metrics dashboard to guide school decision making, the 144.8 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days puts Loudoun in a “high risk” category. And the 16.5% increase in new cases per 100,000 residents during the past seven days when compared to the previous seven days ranks in the “highest risk” category. Meanwhile, the testing positivity rate and hospitalization rates fall into the moderate or low risk categories. As of Tuesday, there have been 7,599 COVID-19 cases reported in Loudoun, with 470 requiring hospitalization and 130 deaths. n
PAGE 4
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Loudoun
ON THE agenda
Data Center Boom Poses Budget Risk BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
While Loudoun’s booming data center industry has buoyed local tax revenues as other sources of county funding sink, the surging growth of the industry could also pose a risk if Loudoun’s budget becomes too dependent on it. That was the warning county budget staff members gave supervisors at the board’s finance committee meeting Oct. 13, where they said Loudoun’s data center industry has seen unprecedented growth, adding 6.4 million square feet of space in 2019, where before it averaged around a million square feet a year. In the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which does not reflect all of that growth, the computer equipment tax brought in $320 million. That boom continues as COVID-19 pandemic-era precautions have many more people working from home, video conferencing, or just staying at home watching video streaming services.
Loundoun County
A chart of projected tax revenues.
And based on even conservative trends of the industry’s growth, revenue from taxes on those data centers could eclipse the real estate tax as the county government’s largest source of income in the middle of this decade—something that may be unprecedented for a Virginia locality, said Assistant Director of Management and Budget Caleb Weitz.
“Most if not all other jurisdictions in Virginia, real property is the main source of revenue,” Weitz said. “So, we are potentially going to be in a position that the county’s largest revenue source is a revenue source that, while we have a very large and fast-growing industry right now, is subject DATA CENTER continues on page 5
Supervisors Could Take Control of Public Libraries BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
Loudoun supervisors could take over direct control of the Loudoun County Public Library, putting an end to the separate, governing Board of Trustees that has overseen the library system since its creation in the 1970s. The discussion comes after a summer that saw county supervisors clash with the Library Board of Trustees when the county sought to take over libraries to use for daytime childcare centers while schools are closed. By the time anybody in the library system knew that was a possibility, the decision had already been made. Although the Board of Trustees governs the library, the county funds the library and builds its buildings. County attorneys said that meant in a state of emergency they could repurpose those buildings as needed. Ultimately, the library buildings have not been needed for that program, as the county has seen low enrollment in its childcare program, which launched only days before online classes began. Finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said on Oct. 13 the discussion is not a result of that exchange, and has been coming for a while.
“As much as it might seem like this is somewhat of a reaction to the kind of discussion that we had, it’s really a lot more than that, and it’s a discussion how we can potentially improve our library services overall,” Letourneau said. Now, he said, libraries often function much like community centers. By most measures those library services are not suffering—Loudoun County’s public library system is considered one of the best in the country, regularly winning recognition from the Library Journal and the National Association of Counties, pointed out Interim Board of Trustees Chairwoman Christina Olorunda. She also pointed out to the finance committee that Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), County Administrator Tim Hemstreet, library Executive Director Chang Liu and then-library board Chairman Mark Miller led a panel discussion at an American Library Association in Washington, DC, on how independent Boards of Trustees and Boards of Supervisors can successfully collaborate. But county staff members said taking direct control of the libraries would let the county pursue its own initiatives more easily. “The challenge, if you want to use that term, would be, no matter what you come up with, if you want to use that space, you are going to the Board of Trustees and you’re asking for their concurrence,” said Deputy
County Administrator Charles Yudd. “… Sometimes you have a collision of programming goals.” And Hemstreet said the Board of Supervisors, in effect, funds everything the library system does, as well as extending services like payroll, Human Resources, and general services to the library. In with the possibility of collective bargaining coming to Loudoun’s public employees, Hemstreet said, the question becomes: Whose employees are they? “Who should they be discussing things like pay and benefits and working conditions with?” Hemstreet said. “My recommendation to you [the Board of Supervisors] is that it should be you, the entity that provides for everything.” And some supervisors said it fit within a discussion they launched at the beginning of the year about possibly changing Loudoun’s form of government, a debate that began with talks of standing up a county police department to take over law enforcement from the Sheriff ’s Office. Supervisors on the finance committee voted unanimously to send the discussion to the full Board of Supervisors. “I’m not seeing a downside at this point LIBRARIES continues on page 5
Rt. 7 Eastbound Lane Closured Planned at Belmont Ridge Road Beginning Friday, Loudoun County is planning to close lanes of eastbound Rt. 7 at the Belmont Ridge Road interchange for asphalt repair on the outer lane. The repairs will happen in two phases, resulting in two closures. The first phase of work is planned to begin on Friday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m., weather permitting. The first phase of repairs is expected to close two lanes, leaving only the innermost lane for traffic. The closure could last through the weekend and not reopen until sometime on Sunday, Oct. 25. Rt. 7 eastbound will be reduced to one lane during that time, leading to traffic delays. The second phase of work is expected to be done about a week after the first, and to only require closing one lane. The exact date has yet to be determined. Electronic message boards will be posted to advise drivers to expect delays beginning Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25. Drivers should use extra caution when traveling through this area and follow all directions from the posted signs and road crews. Questions about the closures can be directed to the Loudoun County Department of Transportation & Capital Infrastructure at route7-659@ loudoun.gov.
VDOT to Host Virtual Public Meeting on Metro Bike and Pedestrian Projects The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public information meeting Thursday, Oct. 22 on plans to construct missing segments in the bicycle and pedestrian network around Loudoun’s future Metrorail stops. The projects include bike and sidewalk within two miles of the future Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn Metrorail stations along Shellhorn Road, Wynridge Drive/Claude Moore Avenue, Ashburn Village Boulevard, Waxpool Road, Smith Switch Road, Rt. 606, Prentice Drive, Pacific Boulevard, and Loudoun County Parkway. The VDOT project team will make a presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. and answer questions for about an ON THE AGENDA continues on page 5
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Data center continued from page 4 to more future volatility.” Loudoun today is the largest data center market in the nation, with companies clamoring to join Ashburn’s data center alley or expand their footprint. But because the equipment inside data centers is refreshed every few years, economic development officials have warned, data centers could theoretically pick up and leave in relatively short order. “When this revenue source, a single line item, becomes such a huge component of the revenue side of our budget … if that single sector or that single industry starts to have economic difficulty, or the next new scientific achievement happens which means the way data centers work as we understand them now becomes an outdated model for providing this service, then that really then creates what could be a huge budget problem very quickly,” said County Administrator Tim Hemstreet. “We couldn’t have predicted that we’d be in the position that we’re in today a decade ago,” agreed finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “And so I’m hesitant to predict ten years from now, and be confident in saying that this revenue source is going to continue to grow at this level.” But supervisors made no immediate
Libraries continued from page 4 to eliminating a structural, bureaucratic step to achieve what everyone wants to achieve, which is to have a high-functioning library system,” Letourneau said. “We have that. We have an excellent library system, and so this isn’t necessarily a reaction to that, but we’ve had more and more discussions, and more and more momentum is built every year, about ways to use libraries in circumstances that are beyond the traditional approach.” Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said he was “largely persuaded” by arguments against the idea by current and former library trustees. “There’s a lot to keep up with in this particular position, and I think they have a
ON THE agenda continued from page 4
hour after the presentation. Project materials and details and information on registering for the meeting are available at virginiadot.org/LoudounMetroBikePed. Comments may also be submitted to
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recommendation other than to keep an eye on it for now. One option, cutting the $4.20 per $100 of value tax on computer equipment for data centers—Loudoun’s tax rate is higher than other localities seeking to attract some of the industry—could come with some blowback. “I don’t think it’s going to fly for us to essentially be giving the major corporations that make up the data center industry a tax cut on this rate and not do something for the citizens,” Letourneau predicted. It also illustrates the sway a handful of companies now have on Loudoun’s budget picture—Weitz said just a few of the major operators delaying bringing equipment online by a few months could have significant impacts on budget forecasts. The county budget staff and supervisors last year took some first steps to insulate their budget against any possible volatility on the data center business, diverting some of that money to one-time expenses so that county operations won’t be affected by a small dip. That also came as the county budget office has worked each year to refine its tax revenue projections in an industry that each year defies expectations in growth. “We’ve got to be the only county in Virginia to have a discussion about a concern on a revenue source that’s exploding into essentially 25% of our budget in potentially six to 10 years,” Letourneau said. n specific passion and some specific insight as library board members that we would never have, so I hope that in these discussions that they would remain a governing body,” Kershner said. Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) vowed to bring all parties to the table for the discussion. “I’ll be the first to say that in the past we haven’t opened things up for discussion, and got all the opinions and all the inputs, and we were wrong for that, and I said that about a thousand times,” Randall said. But she said this discussion will include the Library Board of Trustees and the public. “This is how we start a discussion,” Randall said. “We start it by putting it on the agenda on this committee, and then moving it to the full board, and then bringing everybody into the discussion.” n meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov, or mailed to Mr. Zamir Mirza, Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, by Nov. 2. The project is financed with local and federal funding, including Regional Surface Transportation Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Highway Safety Improvement Program funds.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Leesburg
Gateway Streetscape Plan Unveiled BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
A plan to spruce up Leesburg’s entrance corridors has gotten its first airing. It’s been a collaborative effort among the town staff, a working group put together to study changes to the H-2 Corridor, and the Town Council, with the goal of improving design in the five key entryways into town in the new Gateway District. Those corridors are North King Street, South King Street, East Market Street, West Market Street, and Edwards Ferry Road. “They’re all very, very different,” project manager and town planner Rich Klusek said of the corridors. “We needed to have five different streetscape concepts.” But while the plan for each corridor may be different, the goal is that the end results all provide a welcoming arrival to Leesburg, improve the sense of place, enhance the visual and aesthetic experience, and preserve character-defining elements. A series of streetscape elements for each corridor was considered, from medians, to street trees to streetlights and signage and more. To that end, Klusek said the H-2 Working Group recommended that few changes be made in the West Market Street corridor. Initial attention should be paid to the Edwards Ferry Road corridor, which Klusek noted changes dramatically from one end to the other. “It’s really difficult to come up with a unified vision,” for the Edwards Ferry corridor, Klusek said. He pointed out how the eastern end of the corridor, near the Costco shop-
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
The East Market Street corridor is one area identified for streetscape improvements in a plan expected to go before the Town Council Nov. 23.
ping center, is more of an auto-oriented area where pedestrian improvements would be an asset. Going further west, the road goes from apartment and townhome communities to the older, historic homes outside of the downtown area. The western part of the corridor calls for more preservation of its current aesthetics, Klusek said. The East Market Street corridor has a limited vision, given how its landscape will change dramatically with the opening of the Rt. 7/Battlefield Parkway interchange next year. “That’s going to be a game changer,” Klusek said. “It’s hard to envision what that’s going to look like.” Initial recommendations are to make the East Market area a more prominent gateway, with improved aesthetics and a visual transition. On North King Street, the goal in that
corridor is to preserve and enhance the open space character, and add in pedestrian improvements in what is a highly foot-trafficked area. On South King Street, which has more of a suburban and commercial character than its northern counterpart, recommendations are to install new street furniture and plantings and perform bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The plantings are already a work already in process, thanks to new trees being planted as part of a Journey Through Hallowed Ground project. The Planning Commission endorsed the initial plan at its meeting last week, and the Town Council is expected to get its first look at its Nov. 23 meeting. Ultimately, the plan would be incorporated into the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan re-write. “We envision this plan to be the starting point for conversation,” Klusek said. n
Commonwealth’s Attorney Declines to Prosecute Man Charged with Assaulting Leesburg Officer BY PATRICK SZABO AND KARA C. RODRIGUEZ pszabo@loudounnow.com krodriguez@loudounnow.com
It was a year and a half ago that Michael Benet Wyche, a Black man from Manassas, was pulled over for speeding through Leesburg. An altercation with the arresting officer landed Wyche in jail with a bloody lip and felony and misdemeanor charges. Loudoun prosecutors opted to forgo prosecuting either charge, under the direction of Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj, who found the evidence did not support the charges. And in an email to the Washington Post, Biberaj wrote “we were concerned that the
Commission Endorses Catoctin ES Expansion
events of this case could and would fracture the trust our community has for our justice system. This is a case that will provide our law enforcement partners the opportunity to use to educate their members, provide additional training, and ensure that the events resulting in the death of George Floyd never occur in Loudoun County.” Biberaj has not returned Loudoun Now’s requests for comment. At about a half hour before midnight on May 5, 2019, Leesburg Police Officer Jonathan Graham was patrolling the area of East Market Street when Wyche, 32, passed him in a 2004 Ford Explorer traveling 35-40 mph in a 25-mph zone, according to Graham’s testimony in a Sept. 24 preliminary hearing. When Graham commenced a traffic stop, Wyche pulled over at the Sunoco/7-Eleven
gas station located at the corner of East Market Street and Fort Evans Road Southeast. There, Graham testified during the preliminary hearing, he “observed in plain view scrap marijuana in the center console” of Wyche’s car. Graham asked Wyche if he smoked marijuana, to which Wyche replied that he did, but only in Washington, DC— where it is legal for anyone aged 21 and up to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and smoke it on private property. Graham said he then called for backup, which brought Officer Matthew Connell to the scene. Graham testified that when Wyche refused to exit his car, he started the ignition and began rolling his window up. Graham then tried to grab Wyche through DROPPED CHARGES continues on page 7
Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg is one step closer to an expansion. The Leesburg Planning Commission has unanimously endorsed plans to add a one-story, 6,000-square-foot addition to the rear of the existing 76,800-square-foot school. The expansion would accommodate three new classrooms, a resource room, an office, and storage space. It would also increase the school’s base capacity from 697 to 743 students. According to a staff report, the school had an enrollment of 658 students last September. Also included in the project are safety and security vestibule improvements at the entrance to the school. Once the special exception is approved by the Town Council, the school staff hopes to begin construction next spring, and have it wrapped up by fall 2021. The project first came before the commission for review in June, but commissioners opted to give time for school staff to meet with nearby residents over concerns about stormwater from the property. Residents who spoke at the Oct. 15 meeting said they had made inroads with the staff over their concerns, but still wanted assurances that more maintenance would be done to ensure runoff does not affect their nearby properties. A lingering concern voiced during the meeting was the size of a proposed berm on the school property, but the school staff said that detail is something that is worked out during the site plan review. “We have heard loud and clear their concerns about the height of the berm and maintenance. We understand. The ultimate height of the berm will be contingent on the town requirements to address stormwater drainage issues,” said Sara Howard O’Brien, land management supervisor with Loudoun County Public School’s Planning Services. The special exception application now goes to the Town Council for final approval.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Dropped charges continued from page 6 the window, at which point his right arm got stuck and Wyche began “clawing” at his wrist, Graham testified. Graham said he believed Wyche was reaching for a gun, which is why Graham said he used a “closed-hand distraction technique” on Wyche. Graham clarified that technique is a “punch to the face,” which, he testified, he performed multiple times. Graham and Connell were eventually able to open the car door and bring Wyche to the ground. Graham testified that he told Wyche to “stop resisting” numerous times during the scuffle. When asked if Graham was able to later test the marijuana scraps he saw on Wyche’s center console, Graham said there was not enough of the substance to effectively test it. Wyche, who was taken from the scene with a bloody lip and facial bruising, was arrested and charged with felony assault and battery on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor obstruction of justice. He was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 secured bond and was required to submit to drug and alcohol screening and a mental health evaluation. Ten months later, in March this year, a Loudoun Circuit Court judge granted then-Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy McMullen’s March 5 motion to not prosecute the felony assault charge. And earlier this month, Wyche’s misdemeanor obstruction of justice charge was dropped,
TOWN notes Halloween “Wave” Parade Route, Schedule Set Because of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the Leesburg Kiwanis Club will take a new approach to its annual Halloween parade. On Saturday, Oct. 31, two wave-parades, featuring eight decorated vehicles, will travel through Leesburg neighborhoods, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Detailed routes are available at leesburgkiwanis.org. Residents may also choose to download the GLYMPSE app and follow along on their smartphones. The link will be posted to social media prior to each parade. Everyone is asked to practice social distancing during the parade. There will be no distribution of candy. Non-perishable food items for Loudoun Hunger Relief will not be collected this year. Instead, residents are encouraged to make donations online at loudounhunger.org. Leesburg’s Halloween parade is one of the oldest in the eastern United States, first held in 1957. For more information about the event, email Bob Wright at rcwright_va@ comcast.net or go to leesburgkiwanis.org.
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM also at the request of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. According to Biberaj’s Sept. 3 motion to dismiss the misdemeanor charge with prejudice, there were “considerable inconsistencies” in the Sept. 25, 2019, criminal complaint, in the police report, in the police bodycam video and in the preliminary hearing transcript. Those findings resulted in “a lack of confidence” in Graham’s testimony. “There is no reasonable expectation by the Commonwealth’s Attorney that any trier of fact will render a finding of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Biberaj’s motion read. Leesburg Town Councilman Ron Campbell, also a Black man, said he didn’t question the decision of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to dismiss the charges against Wyche. The Leesburg Police Department stands by its officers’ actions. Police Chief Greg Brown asserted that the charges filed against Wyche were justified. He stated that the magistrate issued the warrants of arrest because “[Graham] established probable cause to do so.” “Although the Police Department and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office don’t always agree on that course of action, the officers of the Leesburg Police Department will always strive to provide quality police services in order to keep the community safe,” he stated. As for the use of force the officers used
against Wyche, Brown stated that his department found that to be appropriate. To come to that conclusion, Brown said the Leesburg Police Department conducted an in-depth administrative review of the incident that included a review of the officers’ bodycam video footage, departmental policies, internal reports and training procedures. Brown recently discussed those policies with the Citizens for a Better Leesburg civic group, which Campbell heads. Campbell said the Wyche incident goes beyond the events of May 5, 2019. “If we start going issue to issue, incident to incident, we’ll just be chasing issues rather than looking at policy,” he said. Brown noted that the department conducts comprehensive administrative reviews on all use-of-force incidents. Last year, the department investigated 28 use-of-force incidents among 48,262 documented contacts. Burk asserted that the officers’ actions were in line with the law and that Biberaj was merely doing her job by determining that there was not enough evidence in the case to prosecute Wyche. “I firmly support any and all efforts to make sure all interactions between the police and the public are fair and justified, upholds the rule of law, and protects the dignity of all people,” she said. “I’m not in a position to second guess the prosecutor’s position. I believe the chief and the Police Department
PAGE 7 gave us a plausible explanation and that the officer followed the law.” Burk noted that Biberaj “did not at any time during the case assert there was officer misconduct.” Brown stated that it’s rare for motorists to not comply with officers during traffic stops. “The officers and staff of the Leesburg Police Department have consistently exemplified high standards in service to the community, and maintained an excellent reputation of integrity, accountability, transparency and restraint,” Brown stated. Still, because some Leesburg Town Council members don’t question the performance of the Leesburg Police Department, Campbell said, he feels citizen involvement moving forward would be key, noting that “there can be amicable differences of opinion in cases like these without creating opposition.” “There are things that can happen in terms of outcomes that none of us may like,” he said. “If we have to issue course corrections or want a different type of enforcement in our community, we have to have that difficult type of conversation without trying to create sides.” Burk said the Leesburg Town Council does not need to take any action on the incident since the Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney “took the action they both felt was necessary.” n
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Public Safety
SAFETY notes
Fairfax Paddleboarder Dies at Beaverdam Reservoir BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
After a three-day search, the body of woman who didn’t return from a paddleboarding outing Oct. 15 was recovered Sunday at Beaverdam Reservoir near Ashburn. Leilani Funaki was reported missing by her husband around 7:12 p.m. Thursday. Members of the Sheriff ’s Office and Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Combined System searched the reservoir with the help of the Virginia State Police, Search and Rescue K9 teams and the Fairfax County Police Department’s helicopter. Rescue teams recovered Funaki’s body from the reservoir on Sunday morning. Sheriff ’s Office Public Information Office Kraig Troxell said Funaki was not wearing a lifejacket when she paddled into the reservoir last Thursday. Alex Lecuona, the owner and head instructor of the Paddle NOVA paddleboard and kayak company, said he knew Funaki and that she had rented equipment from the company a few times. Lecuona said it’s uncommon for paddleboarders to find themselves in dangerous situations, especially on the Beaverdam Reservoir where the water is typically calm and absent of
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Loudoun County Fire-Rescue dive team members load up the boat they used last week to search for a missing woman in the Beaverdam Reservoir in Ashburn.
a current. However, Lecuona said he observed the winds pick up around dusk the evening Funaki was reported missing. “This is a very, very rare situation,” Lecuona said. Lecuona, who founded Paddle NOVA in 2014, said safety is the company’s number-one priority and that wearing a lifejacket is at the top of the list. He said it doesn’t matter if a paddleboarder is a strong swimmer because winds can quick-
ly put them in a hypothermic condition. Although the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources requires people aboard all boats—including paddlecraft—to possess a lifejacket when out on the water, there exists no requirement to actually wear them. “The best place to have a life jacket when you most need it is to have it on you. … They’re there for a reason,” Lecuona said, noting that a paddleboard can additionally be used as a buoyancy aid. n
Leesburg Man Arrested for $2.5M CARES Act Loan Fraud LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
A Leesburg man was arrested Tuesday on charges of fraudulently obtaining over $2.5 million in loans through the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and spending the money on luxury items. According to court documents, Didier Kindambu, 48, obtained two PPP loans intended to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pay sal-
ary or wages to their employees. Investigators allege Kindambu created fraudulent payroll documentation for two businesses he owns and submitted that documentation in support of the PPP loan applications. In total, Kindambu obtained approximately $2,501,753 in loan proceeds, and then spent those funds, in part, on items unrelated to any legitimate PPP-related expense, including a Lexus automobile and a Cessna aircraft. Kindambu is charged with one count of
bank fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Kindambu is president of Papillion Air Inc., a cargo and chartered company based at Leesburg Executive Airport. The company provide flight lessons and performs aircraft maintenance services at the airport. The Cessna aircraft was seized at the Leesburg airport by an IRS representative early Tuesday morning. n
Virginia Supreme Court Approves Loudoun’s Jury Trial Return BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Virginia Supreme Court has approved the Loudoun County Circuit Court’s plan to resume jury trials, but not until at least the end of next month. On Oct. 15, Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons notified Loudoun County Circuit Court Chief
Judge Douglas L. Fleming, Jr. that the county’s plan was approved and effective immediately—although Loudoun’s plan stipulates that the first jury trial won’t begin until at least 45 days after the Supreme Court’s approval, Monday, Nov. 30. On March 16, Lemons signed into effect a Declaration of Judicial Emergency that required all civil, traffic and criminal matters, including jury trials, to be continued in an effort to keep as many people as pos-
sible out of courthouses to help slow the spread of COVID-19. On Oct. 19, Lemons extended that order for a 12th time, holding it in effect through Nov. 22. To proceed with jury trials, the Loudoun County Circuit Court on Aug. 17 submitted a plan to the state Supreme Court outlining the protocols it will set in place to safely resume jury trials. JURY TRIALS continues on page 9
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Crash The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is investigation a fatal crash that happened last Wednesday afternoon in Sterling. According to the report, the driver of a 2002 Honda Civic was eastbound on Old Ox Road and making a left turn onto Relocation Drive when his car was struck by a westbound 2019 Lexus ES 350. The crash happened at 4 p.m. Oct. 14. The Honda driver, Nicholas Harrison, 38, of Sterling, was taken to Reston Hospital where he died. The driver of the Lexus was also taken to Reston Hospital where he was being treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Teacher Charged with Intoxication at School A teacher at J. Lunsford Middle School was charged with public intoxication on campus Monday morning. According to school division Public Information Officer Wayde Byard, a school resource officer was notified about a possibly intoxicated teacher at 9:45 a.m. Oct. 19. The teacher Sarah A. Curzon, 45, is a computer applications instructor. She had no contact with students that day. Byard said staff members in situations involving serious allegations typically are placed on mutually agreed upon administrative leave, pending an investigation.
Thieves in Superhero Masks Mug Jogger The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating robbery reported by a jogger in South Riding on Saturday night. The victim called county dispatchers at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 17 and said he was jogging in the area of Adamstown Court at approximately 6 p.m. when two men asked to borrow his phone. When he refused, they surrounded him and prevented him from leaving. One of the suspects reportedly brandished a pocketknife and demanded money. The suspects are described as white and 18-20 years old. One was wearing a Batman face mask, orange Nike jacket, black pants, and basketball shoes. The other was wearing a Superman face mask, black North Face sweatSAFETY NOTES continues on page 9
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Jury trials continued from page 8 The 45-day implementation period will allow court personnel to complete modifications to the courtrooms, ensure sufficient inventory of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment, issue juror summons, and allow prospective jurors a reasonable period of time to request the court for jury deferral, and time for the court to review such requests. Loudoun’s plan calls for the court to issue jury summonses to at least 300% of the number of jurors who would be needed to report on the trial date. That’s because the court anticipates it will defer a substantial number of summoned jurors based on its approved COVID-19 questionnaire, which includes questions posed to determine those who are at increased risks of COVID-19 or have childcare responsibilities. Loudoun’s plan for a jury return places the highest priority on resuming felony and misdemeanor cases involving incarcerated defendants who have been in jail for the longest period of time. The second-highest priority is on felony cases in-
volving non-incarcerated defendants. The third-highest priority is on misdemeanor cases involving non-incarcerated defendants. Lastly, the Loudoun Circuit Court will hear civil trials. Loudoun’s plan predominantly outlines requirements for all people involved in the jury process to maintain social distancing and wear face masks; and for the court to remotely review jury deferral requests from those who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and to commence advanced cleaning of courtrooms before and during jury trials. The plan calls for only two courtrooms to be used for jury trials. Courtroom 2A— the Loudoun Circuit Court’s largest courtroom—will be used for 14-person jury trials for felony criminal cases. Courtroom 2D—one of three identical courtrooms used for Circuit Court hearings—will be used for eight-person jury trials for criminal misdemeanor and civil cases. Courtroom 2B or 2C will be used as a jury recess/deliberation room for 14-person felony jury trials. Courtroom 2E, which is smaller than the other courtrooms, will be used as a jury recess/deliberation room for eight-person criminal misdemeanor and civil juries.
Courtroom 2B or 2C will be used as a remote viewing area for the general public and press via a closed-circuit broadcast. Initially, only one trial will be permitted to proceed at a time. There are several high-profile cases in Loudoun awaiting jury trials. Perhaps the most anticipated centers on the case of Brian Welsh, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the January 2018 shooting deaths of Mala Manwani and her adult son, Rishi Manwani, at their Aldie home. That trial was scheduled to run from Oct. 5 to Nov. 6. It is now on the Oct. 29 docket for review. According to Kristi Wright, the Virginia
Supreme Court’s Executive Secretary Office’s public relations director, all 31 of Virginia’s circuits—which encompasses 122 individual circuit courts—have submitted plans seeking returns to jury trials. Of those plans, a panel of the Virginia Supreme Court had approved 20 as of Tuesday—for the Albemarle, Alexandria, Alleghany, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Fredericksburg, Henrico, Loudoun, Newport News, Norfolk, Prince William, Richmond, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Stafford and Virginia Beach Circuit Courts. n
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shirt, khaki pants, and basketball shoes. The case remains under investigation.
Sterling Man Faces Assault Charges After School Altercation A 30-year-old Sterling man was arrested Thursday for entering Stone Mill Middle School while carrying a hammer. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, Ever A. Rivera Aleman was charged with two counts of unlawful entry—for entering the school as well as a home on Cypress Glen Square in the nearby The Woods of Birch-
wood neighborhood—and two counts of simple assault after allegedly threatening school employees who were outside of the school. He was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. According to the report, the agency received a call about 12:15 p.m. reporting that a man carrying a hammer had made entry into the school and that administrators had placed the school in lockdown. At the time, the school was occupied by staff members and a small group of students. Deputies located the male in an empty classroom and he was taken into custody without incident. The suspect had no contact with students and no injuries were reported.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Education
Expected Enrollment Rebound Forms Foundation of School Budget Talks BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Loudoun County school administrators are starting their FY 2022 budget work with an expectation of needing a single-year funding increase of $121.5 million. The School Board was briefed on the budget outlook Monday night. There are many unusual factors in play, including lagging enrollment counts and uncertainty over whether $60 million in schools funding frozen because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be released during FY 2021. The Sept. 30 enrollment figures, a count used in the formula for state funding support, came in more than 5% below projections. For the first time, there were 2,671 fewer students than enrolled last year, an anomaly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the division’s pivot to online learning. “The major driver of this is, of course, is more families choosing to home-school their students or perhaps send them to private school,” Assistant Superintendent of Business and Financial Services Sharon Willoughby told the School Board. Looking ahead to next year, Superintendent Eric Williams is urging the School Board to assume those students will be
Loudoun County Public Schools webcast
Superintendent Eric Williams lays out his Fiscal Year 2022 budget strategy during Monday’s School Board meeting.
coming back and that there will be significant growth. He is proposing to base the budget planning on a projected enrollment of 87,619. That’s 1,864 above the original FY21 projection of 85,755—and 6,115 above current enrollment levels.
“Predicting enrollment is difficult in a normal year, but the pandemic has really compounded how difficult that process is,” Willoughby said. As part of his strategy to plan for a larger enrollment, Williams said that it would
be easier to adjust staffing levels to lower-than-expected student counts than to deal with over enrollment. The first case could result in involuntary teacher transfers and layoffs, but the second scenario would likely result in higher class sizes, he said. Using the 87,619 enrollment projection, $26.2 million would be needed to hire additional staff, according to the presentation. Williams also is eyeing two step increases for employees, one to make up for frozen salaries imposed because of the money held in reserve in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget due to the pandemic, and another for the new year. The make-up step would cost $18.9 million and the Fiscal Year 2022 step would cost $19.5 million, according to the presentation. School leaders are hoping the Board of Supervisors will begin releasing reserve funds as early as next month. The School Board already has earmarked the earliest released money for pay increases. Under real estate tax rate scenarios under consideration by the Board of Supervisors, school administrators are predicting a shortfall in school operations funding next year ranging from $38.1 million to $62.9 million. The School Board will be asked to provide formal budget planning direction to the staff at its Oct. 27 meeting. n
SCHOOL notebook School Board to Green Light Alternative High School Plan An effort to combat dropout rates among students facing daunting life challenges is getting strong support from the School Board. Administrators are laying the groundwork to establish an alternative high school program within Park View High School. The initiative could launch next fall with as many as 60 students. The program, which would be led by its own principal, a counselor and a roster of 10 teachers, will offer students at risk of dropping out specialized class offerings designed to push them to a diploma. Among those expected to benefit are young mothers, English language learners, students having trouble passing required Standards of Learning tests and others who struggle
in traditional classrooms. Those enrolled can expect more personalized attention and flexible schedules that could even include night classes. Park View Principal Kirk Dalson and a team of Loudoun administrators have been working with leaders from the commonwealth to explore options for the program. Among the proponents is the Virginia Department of Education, which recommended the program during a visit to Sterling in February. Loudoun is the largest school district in Virginia without the offering. School Board Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) said she was grateful to see the proposal coming forward. It would help Park View maintain its accreditation status in the face of poor graduation rates, but more importantly ensure that students leave with diplomas in hand, she said. Dalson noted the Park View has a sub-
stantial number of homeless students—157 students, or more than 11% of the student body—and many have language barriers that make it difficult to pass the required tests. He termed the program an important pathway for those students. School Board members voiced strong support for the project and expect unanimous endorsement at their Oct. 27 meeting.
Class Rank Elimination Moves to Vote A proposal to scrap the tradition of ranking each member of graduation classes is expected to come for a vote Oct. 27. The proposed alternative is to move to a system of cut points for the top 5%, 10% and 20% of students. And they would adopt the Latin honor system that assigns acco-
lades of summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude. There would no longer be valedictorians or salutatorians. The board got another briefing on the proposal Monday night. Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Ashley F. Ellis said the intended benefits of the change include reducing student stress, encouraging course exploration and improving mental health. The proposal reflects a national trend and recognizes that colleges no longer value class rank in their evaluations. School Board members aren’t lined up behind the change yet. Jeffrey Morse (Dulles), for one, questioned whether the new system would actually reduce student stress and worried the ranking segments would not accurately reflect the performance of some students. He said he hoped to get more input from parents.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Business
A New Taste in Town:
Community Leaders Celebrate Mocatinas BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Five months after opening her new shop at the height of the COVID-19 business shutdown, Monica Pindell was surrounded by community leaders, family and well-wishers last Friday afternoon to celebrate the formal ribbon-cutting for Mocatinas. The upscale dessert house on Loudoun Street in the heart of Leesburg’s historic district already is a popular destination for those attracted by super-size French macarons in colorful, creative designs and flavors, ice cream, pastries, cakes, and variety of drinks from espressos, lattes, cremosas and “shakearatos.” Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk and Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard were among the delegation of supporters on hand and both noted the difficulty of opening a
Optimum Technologies Tapped to Support Space Force Project Leesburg-based Optimum Technologies has been selected by Northrop Grumman to design and develop protected tactical satcom payload structures in support of an on-orbit demonstration for the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. Under Phase 1 of the contract, OpTech will be supporting Northrop Grumman’s payload development efforts through the preliminary design review. Subsequent phases will complete the detailed design, manufacture, and test of the payload enclosure structures. Northrop Grumman was selected for its award through the Space Enterprise Consortium. “OpTech is very excited to support Northrop Grumman in their efforts to develop Protected Tactical Satcom Rapid Prototype Payloads,” President Jeffrey Gick said. “Being on the ground floor for the development of this important technology is a great opportunity for OpTech to expand our footprint in hosted payload integration.”
business under the best of circumstances and marveled at the accomplishments of Pindell, her family and the staff. Mocatinas was scheduled to open in March, but due to the pandemic, a normal grand opening was delayed. The shop opened in April, and as the pandemic restrictions were slowly rolled back, people began to come in to support it. “I want to thank the entire town and community for all the wonderful support we have had throughout the last five months. It’s been pretty cool opening in the middle of a pandemic. This was not part of the plan, but we are doing it and it is all thanks to the community and the support we are receiving and the support of our wonderful team that has really picked up and helped us strategize and making sure we’re taking all the precautions possible to make sure our employees and customers are safe.” Mocatinas is at 3 E. Market St. Learn more at Mocatinas.com. n
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Mocatinas owner Monica Pindell, right, poses with her staff during the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the downtown dessert shop.
BUSINESS announcements
OpTech was founded in 2015 and is a Space Enterprise Consortium registered Non-Traditional Contractor and a member of the Small Business Association. OpTech offers multi-discipline aerospace engineering and program management services and experts who architect and develop spacecraft, payload structures, and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) payloads that support commercial and government needs. Learn more at optechspace.com.
JK Expands Office Installation Offerings JK Moving Services has added Mark Dineen and Alyson Nash to its commercial business division to expand and enhance the furniture and workplace installation service provided to clients. The company is offering turnkey furniture installations and workplace designs to meet the increased demand from people across the nation returning to work. The company cited Dineen’s and Nash’s extensive networks of relationships across
the installation, manufacturing, and dealer design arenas. Dineen will focus on operations in his new role as project director, Installation Services, with more than 20 years of experience managing relocation and procurement projects in the Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) space. Prior to starting at JK, he worked at KI as a Mid-Atlantic District Manager. Nash will concentrate on business development in her role as director, Installation Services, with more than 15 years of experience in business development, sales, and project management space. Before joining JK, she worked at Talu as a senior project manager. Learn more at jkmoving.com.
Fosness Named CFO of HCA Northern Virginia HCA Northern Virginia has named Dustin Fosness as its new chief financial officer, overseeing financial operations for Reston Hospital Center, StoneSprings Hospital Center, and Dominion Hospital.
Fosness previous held HCA Healthcare CFO roles at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, FL, and Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. He began his HCA Healthcare career in 2015 as the associate CFO and vice president of finance at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Prior to that role, he served in a variety of finance and accounting positions at Fortune 500 companies in the Richmond area, including Dominion Energy and Anthem, Inc. A native of Duluth, MN, Fosness graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He later earned an MBA from the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond in 2013. “Dustin is a focused and detail-oriented leader with a proven track record of strong financial management,” stated John Deardorff, President and Chief Executive Officer of HCA Northern Virginia and Reston Hospital Center. “I am confident that Dustin’s experience and financial acumen will be a significant asset to our hospital operations.”
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 13
HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Large family practice in Loudoun County with 6 locations and 28 providers looking for FT LPN’s or MA’s with a dedication to excellence. New LPN graduates welcome to apply. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer competitive pay rates, health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. Please send your resume to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax10:58 to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa NHLEmployerCard2.pdf 1 9/3/19 AM
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Please fill out an application at trafficplan.com or come to our office on Tuesdays or Thursdays (8am-10am) 7855 Progress Ct. Suite 103, Gainesville, VA
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.
NowHiringLoudoun.com
C
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Regular Full-Time Positions
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To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Nonprofit
GIVING back Holiday Coalition Gears Up for Giving Season
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
The Mobile Hope team stands in front of their bus on the property of their forthcoming new campus, just outside of downtown Leesburg.
From the Bus to the ‘Burg
Mobile Hope Announces New Leesburg Campus BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
A dream almost 10 years in the making has become reality for Mobile Hope of Loudoun, as the nonprofit unveiled plans to move into a large campus in Leesburg. Mobile Hope began under the umbrella of Inova Loudoun Hospital in 2011, and branched off as its own nonprofit in 2014, with the goal of serving the often-unseen homeless or precariously housed youth in Loudoun County. In its early years, Mobile Hope was best known for its bus that it would drive around the county, giving out clothing and food donations to area youth, but the nonprofit has evolved to provide lodging and job training assistance, among other services, in addition to still operating its bus. It’s been a years-long search to find a property that could house all of the nonprofit’s needs, from accommodating its large amount of donations and volunteer foot traffic, to providing space for its teens to train for work or recreational opportunities. “We’ve been really hard to place,” CEO Donna Fortier admitted. “But now we’re right in the heart of Leesburg and we’re thrilled.”
The Loudoun County Holiday Coalition is kicking off efforts to assist neighbors who otherwise would be left without any means to celebrate the holiday season. In program’s 24th year, community support is more vital than ever. According to Gloria Mpofu, the executive director of Help for Others, the Coalition expects to receive more than 1,000 applications for the winter holiday program from Loudoun families affected by the economy and the pandemic. The coalition’s holiday store will operate Dec. 1-21 and will provide gifts to children ages infant to 18 in eligible families, as well as to eligible seniors and adults with disabilities. The program is made possible by an army of volunteers and the donation of new clothes, toys, gifts, and stockings given by thousands of Loudoun County residents each year. Buchanan Partners and Lerner Enterprises have donated space for the program and Loudoun County Toys for Tots is the largest toy donor. The coalition has lost several corporate sponsors and donors because work-at-home policies have reduced the number of collection sites. Monetary donations and gift card are encouraged. Volunteers may sign up at givingothers.org/id20.html. For more information, contact Mpofu at info@givingothers.org.
ChangeX Launches Community Challenge Fund
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Mobile Hope CEO Donna Fortier showcases the drop-off portion of the nonprofit’s new location just east of downtown Leesburg off Parker Court.
Hope’s Village will be located at 302 Parker Court, a short walk to the historic downtown. It’s a central location to all of the nonprofit’s clients in the eastern and western parts of the county, and also nearby transit stops and the W&OD Trail, Fortier said.
The property contains six outbuildings behind the main building, which will all serve a purpose, Fortier said. “One of the buildings will be our store.
ChangeX, supported by a Community Empowerment Fund award from Microsoft, has launched the Loudoun County Community Challenge, a $50,000 fund for local community groups, schools, and organizations that want to create thriving communities. The Challenge aims to support up to 25 teams to get new projects
GIVING BACK continues on page 15 MOBILE HOPE continues on page 15
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Martínez Appointed to State Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism Priscilla Martínez, the special projects director of the Loudoun Literacy Council, has been appointed by Gov. Ralph Northam to a three-year term on the commonwealth’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism. The 20-member panel has the mission of being proactive in the support of initiatives to build stronger communities and enhance existing
Mobile Hope continued from page 14 That’s always been kind of a training center for our kids, also so they can learn how to do retail, interact with clients. One building will be our trade school where they can learn and hopefully get certified on trades. One building will be our teen lounge that we currently have at our [Miller Drive] location but is very, very small and can only accommodate maybe three kids. The other outbuilding will be our gym and boxing ring. We have some professional boxers who want to come in and work with us to give the kids a better way to deal with anger and frustration, and get them in shape. And then we’ll have one of the other buildings be the welcome center and donation center, and where volunteers check in. The upstairs of the two-story brick building will be where our operations are,” Fortier said. Lodging is not envisioned in the first phase of the project, but there is a parcel on the campus that is zoned for residential use that could be a potential down the
relationships that address local educational, community development, economic, health, environmental and other social/cultural needs by identifying and involving diverse community service volunteers. Martínez is the second Loudoun resident serving on the board. Omari J. Faulkner of Bluemont is serving a term that expires in June 2021. n
road, she said. In addition to the much-needed extra space, the new campus will also give Mobile Hope the opportunity to apply for some grants for which it has previously not been eligible. Expectations are to begin moving into the campus by mid-November, Fortier said. The move comes at a time when, not surprisingly, the nonprofit is finding itself even more needed. Mobile Hope is serving around 50 individuals monthly aged 24 and younger, which is up since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The nonprofit also has served more than 132,000 area residents on its mobile bus since March. “It’s humbling,” Fortier said of the new campus. “After even five years of just looking for space that would accommodate us, I think it just speaks volumes to the support we have in the community. But most important it is the impact that it gives to the kids. We’ve taken a bunch of the kids over to see [the new campus] and they’re overwhelmed with the potential of what can happen for them at this new place.” For more information about Mobile Hope, go to mobilehopeloudoun.org. n
PAGE 15
GIVING back continued from page 14
up and running. People can choose from 12 ideas that have already proven to have a positive social or environmental impact, both in the U.S. and Europe. Among the ideas to choose from are a virtual Girls Who Code Club, a free extra-curricular program teaching girls about computer science in a fun and safe environment; a neighborhood Open Streets initiative to make the most of public space as the community complies with COVID-19 guidelines; and Community Fridge, an initiative diverting food from waste to people who need it. Upon applying, each team has 30 days to build a team and design an action plan to be eligible for seed funding. The Challenge grants range from $500 to $5,000. The program is open to people living in Loudoun or Prince William counties and seed funding will be allocated to applicants on a first come, first served basis. In the communities where Microsoft operates datacenters, its mission is to establish a positive presence in the com-
munity, contributing to long-term social, economic, and environmental health. ChangeX has funded more than 100 teams in communities across the U.S.
DryHome to Donate New Roof DryHome Roofing is seeking nominations for a struggling family or nonprofit in need of a new roof. It is the 19th year that owner Steve Gotschi is sponsoring the holiday giveaway as a thank you to the community. Nominations will be accepted during November and the winner will be selected in early December. To submit a nomination, go to dryhome.com and click on the nomination form or send an email to info@dryhome. com. Nominators should include their name and phone number as well as nominee’s name, address, phone and reason why they are being nominated. Since the program’s inception, the company has donated 18 roofs valued at nearly $175,000. Past beneficiaries include a Leesburg piano teacher with health issues, a Stafford County mother of three who lost her husband and nonprofits Cornerstones and Good Shepherd Alliance.
64th Annual Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade “Not Your Parade Down King Street” Sat., Oct. 31 (no rain date)
Info: Morning Parade: 9am (inside Route 7/15 bypass)
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
On Halloween check the club website and Facebook (@leesburgkiwanis) to get the GLYMPSE app code for following the parades on their routes
For details on routes, viewing tips and information:
Afternoon Parade: 1pm (outside Route 7/15 bypass) Each parade will be 2-3 hours and approx. 25 miles
https://k04757.site.kiwanis.org/halloween-and-kiwanis-go-together-in-leesburg/
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PAGE 16
OCTOBER 22, 2020
TOWN notes
Our Towns
HAMILTON Town to Host Pumpkin Carving Contest Oct. 30
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
The Town of Hamilton will host a pumpkin carving contest from 5-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at the town park. Residents are invited to bring their already-carved pumpkins to win in the categories of funniest, scariest, best classic, most original and best pumpkin family. Judging will begin at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes to the event. For more information, go to hamiltonva.gov or call the town office at 540338-2811.
The future entrance to the 91-acre Lovettsville Community Park across East Broad Way from the Lovettsville Community Center.
Lovettsville Community Center, Park Projects Making Progress BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
Western Loudouners will have an expansive new park to have fun in by summer 2021 and a brand-new community center to visit by summer 2022. Construction crews continue to make progress on the Lovettsville Community Park, which is located across Broad Way from the community center. As that happens, the county staff is busy evaluating a list of contractors interested in resuming work on the new Lovettsville Community Center.
Community Park Since July, Dustin Construction crews have worked under an $11.15 million
contract with the county to complete utility infrastructure installations, excavation work and site clearing on the 91-acre community park. Crews are now working to install parking lots, athletic fields and more utility infrastructure, including storm water piping and water and sewer lines. They will soon be working to improve the southern entrance and install a new asphalt play area at the Lovettsville Elementary School, site lighting, fencing, retaining walls, flag poles, storm water grading, piping, landscaping, and athletic field lighting, irrigation systems and accessories. Once complete, the park will feature equestrian and walking trails, off-leash dog areas, a pond, an amphitheater, four
softball/baseball fields, three soccer fields and an equestrian area. Those amenities will connect to the town’s water and sewer system and pay out-of-town rates. Out-of-town water rates are set at $13.44 per 1,000 gallons of use and out-of-town sewer rates are set at $21.35 per 1,000 gallons. For more information on the Lovettsville Community Park project, go to loudoun.gov/5352/Lovettsville-Community-Park.
Community Center Across the street, the Lovettsville Community Center building, which operated as a school from 1927 to 1974, is still slatCOMMUNITY CENTER continues on page 18
Lovettsville Council Censures Consaul for Facebook Post They Say ‘Disparaged’ Town BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Lovettsville Town Council Oct. 8 voted unanimously to censure Planning Commissioner Kris Consaul for a post she made to her personal Facebook page. Consaul said she posted the image—in which a speech bubble was added to the bird from the town logo reading “Nazi Punks F— OFF!”—as the cover photo of
her personal Facebook page the day after the Sept. 29 presidential debate, when President Donald Trump did not explicitly condemn white supremacy when asked if he would. The next day, some social media users, including Consaul, began publishing posts explicitly condemning white supremacy. Her post featured an image of the town CENSURE continues on page 18
LOVETTSVILLE New Town Office Building on Track for October Completion The Town of Lovettsville’s new administrative office is on track for completion by the end of this month. Work on the 2,125-square-foot building, which is being built directly next door to the existing town office, is ongoing. Crews are finishing the interior, HVAC duct work and computer cabling. Fuog/InterBuild is handling the project under a nearly $500,000 contract. Once the town staff moves into the new building, the existing 1,250-squarefoot office will be converted into a larger Town Council chambers.
Town Seeks Applicants for Planning Commission Vacancy Lovettsville interested in serving on the Planning Commission have until Oct. 28 to submit their applications to the town. On Oct. 8, Stacey Evans resigned from the panel, creating the vacancy. The Town Council will interview candidates at its Nov. 19 meeting. The selected candidate will serve out the remainder of Evans’ term, which expires on June 30, 2023. An application can be found on the town website lovettsvilleva.gov and should be dropped off at the town office or emailed to Town Clerk Candi Choi at clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov. The Town Council last week also voted to appoint Planning Commissioners to town committees—Bob Custard to the Parks, Infrastructure and Utilities Committee and the Tree TOWN NOTES continues on page 19
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 17
Purcellville Creates Resident-Led Committee to Advise on Police Policies BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
After months of debate, the Purcellville Town Council has created a new resident advisory panel to provide input into operations of the Police Department. The council voted unanimously last Tuesday night to create the Community Policing Advisory Committee, a resident-led group to provide the council with recommendations on how the community at large feels the town’s police officers should carry out policies and practices. The vote followed discussion centered on confusion over whether town employees should, or could, be on the committee and to whom committee members should report police officer complaints. Ultimately, the council voted to prohibit town staffers from being appointed to the committee and to require committee members to forward complaints to one of five department heads—not directly to the Town Council. The council will appoint nine voting members to the committee. Two seats will be reserved for in-town business owners or managers; two seats will be reserved for high school students; two more seats will be reserved for “persons who identify as persons of color;” one seat will be filled by an individual with five or more years of experience in the field of criminal justice; one seat will be filled by someone with five or more years of experience in the field of social work or mental health; and another seat will be filled “without regard to particularized experience.” All members need to be at least 16 years old and reside within the town’s corporate limits. There will also be one Town Council liaison and one town staff liaison, both of whom will not be allowed to vote. During the final round of debate last Tuesday, Councilman Ted Greenly said he disagreed with prohibiting town staffers from applying for appointment to the committee’s ranks, since some staffers are also
town residents who pay taxes. Vice Mayor Mary Jane Williams agreed with Greenly, adding that she felt it would be wrong to disallow, for instance, a part-time staffer who works 10 hours a week from applying for appointment to the committee. “That’s my sticking point,” she said. But Mayor Kwasi Fraser said he was “totally against” allowing town employees on the committee. “I see that as setting a precedent that can be borderline conflict of interest to have an employee of the town be a member of an extension of council,” he said. Town Attorney Sally Hankins agreed, noting that it’s good to have separation among appointed committee members and the town staff liaison, who will act as a professional advisor. From a legal perspective, Hankins said she would be more comfortable if town employees were not on advisory committees. The ordinance the Town Council approved to create the policing advisory committee will be used as a template for all other town committees, commissions and boards. Moving forward, the new town practice—although it’s not explicitly written— will be for the Town Council to not appoint town employees to the Arts Council, the Board of Architectural Review, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee and the Train Station Advisory Board. “We’ll look at this as an opportunity to enhance that language in other committees, commissions and boards,” Fraser said.
Officer Complaints Go to Department Heads, Not the Town Council Under the adopted procedures, when a committee member hears a complaint about a town police officer, they will be required to forward those to either Town Manager David Mekarski, Hankins, Police Chief Cynthia
Rock the vote. I WAS BORN TO RUN FOR TOWN COUNCIL. LEESBURG HAS BEEN MY HOMETOWN FOR 30 YEARS, WE’RE GOING TO REVITALIZE OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, MAINTAIN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, AND MAKE SURE THEY DON’T PAVE PARADISE AND PUT UP ANOTHER DAMN PARKING LOT. IT’S HIGH TIME WE SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT AND BRING ON THE END OF DIVISIVENESS ON OUR COUNCIL AND IN OUR COUNTRY. WHETHER IT’S WESTPARK OR CLIMATE CHANGE, WE CAN NO LONGER TOLERATE THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE. WITH YOUR HELP, WERE GOING TO BREAK ON THROUGH AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE GET READY, FROM KING STREET TO PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, A CHANGE IS GONNA COME.
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McAlister, Deputy Police Chief Dave Dailey or Human Resources Director Sharon Rauch. Hankins previously emphasized that the committee would be different than others because of the legal liability it would present the town once someone other than a department head hears about an officer complaint. Councilman Stanley Milan last Tuesday questioned why complaints should not also be brought to Town Council members. He said he did not want to be “blindsided” by remaining unaware of a complaint. Hankins said it’s necessary for the Town Council to know about most personnel issues because the town staff effectively deals with them in accordance with the town personnel manual, town policies and state and federal laws. “Most of them you don’t need to know about,” Hankins said. “And when you do need to know about one, we tell you.” Since June 2015, only 21 resident complaints have been filed against Purcellville Police officers, only five of which were sustained, according to a Sept. 8 audit of administrative police investigations provided by McAlister. Of those five sustained complaints, four resulted in verbal counseling and one resulted in a written reprimand. None resulted in the termination of an officer.
Goals and Powers: Enhance Communication, Recommend Solutions According to the ordinance to create the committee, the group will predominantly strive to enhance communication and community engagement between the Town Council, the town police and residents on matters of police-community relations, police training, and police protocols. Committee members will review community policing issues and make recommendations concerning the procedures and policies officers use, how officer complaints are handled, and how bias and deadly force cases are investigated. They will recommend solutions to the Town Council. Fraser and Williams have noted that the committee is needed because of the Black community’s views on police. “There is a perception of mistrust for the police,” Fraser said at the Sept. 8 Town Council meeting. Milan has said the committee will be a preventative measure to keep the town’s police force in check. Councilman Tip Stinnette said last Tuesday the committee will merely advise the Town Council on recommendations to improve the police force. n
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Community center continued from page 16 ed for demolition to make room for the construction of a new building. To prepare for that, the county is working to complete underground utility relocations on site. Those are expected to wrap up this month. The county also has received responses from five firms interested in resuming work on the project, which stalled in January when the county
One Smile At A
terminated a $10.8 million contract with Meridian Construction Co. following a series of delays that set the project back four months. From July 2019 to January 2020, the county paid Meridian $752,686. The Board of Supervisors’ Finance/ Government Operations and Economic Development Committee lastw Tuesday night agreed to review those bids quickly and recommend a contract award to the full board as early as November. The county staff anticipates construction on the new community center to resume early next year and for the building
One Smile Time At A Time
to be opened to the public by summer 2022. County Public Affairs and Communications Officer Glen Barbour said the county staff should have more information on that timeline by January or February. The new Lovettsville Community Center will replace the existing 10,000-squarefoot building with one featuring more than 15,000 square feet of space that will include a full-size gymnasium, five classrooms, a multipurpose room, a kitchen, administrative offices, meeting space and
storage areas. The project also will expand the 1,200-square-foot pool house by 600 square feet. Although residents have pushed the county to preserve the existing century-old community center building and build the new one across the street on the community park land, that recommendation has not caught on with county leaders. For more information on the Lovettsville Community Center project, go to loudoun.gov/5227/LovettsvilleCommunity-Center. n
Censure
bow flag and the Virginia flag. Consaul said she had taken four of those seven flags down by Sept. 24— six days before her Facebook post. She said town Kris Consaul leaders may have thought that she was calling them “Nazi punks” and to “f— off ” after the town required her to remove a majority of her flags. But, Consaul said, her post was related strictly to Trump’s participation in the presidential debate. “I felt like all of it was very tongue in cheek,” she said. Still, Consaul acknowledged she should not have used the town seal to get her point across. “They could censure me for that,” she said of the Town Council’s vote to do so. Mayor Nate Fontaine and Town Manager Rob Ritter met with Consaul early last week to discuss the Facebook post and its repercussions. Fontaine said that “was a good conversation.” “I think we relayed the message from council,” he said. Fontaine said that while everyone has the right to express their passion for the issues they believe in, it’s important for elected and appointed town officials to be cognizant of the posts they publish on social media—especially if they have influence in the town other than through their government roles. Consaul ran against Fontaine for mayor in 2018. She was appointed to the Planning Commission by a 4-3 Town Council vote in 2019, with Councilmen Chris Hornbaker, David Steadman and Buchanan Smith voting against her appointment. Her term on the commission ends June 21, 2021. n
continued from page 16
LOVE sign that was installed on the Town Square in June and uses the town seal as the “O” in LOVE. Offering the latest technologies & newest treatment options Offering the latest technologies & newest treatment options Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging The council censured Consaul “based Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging Russell Mullena free upon her violations of the town code of Dodona consultation Terrace SE Ste 201, Russell 703-771-9887 Mullen Call orCall text us us for a for 1509 DDS, MS Leesburg, VA 20175 complimentary consultation! DDS, conduct MS in appropriating to her private 1509 Dodona Terrace SE Ste 201, (703) Next to the Russell Mullen Call or text us for a 771-9887 use the LOVE sign artwork in a way that Leesburg Wegmans! complimentary consultation! Leesburg, VA 20175 disparaged the town, its policies and its ofDDS, MS ficers, constituting malfeasance in office,” www.mullenortho.com Find us! Next to the (703) 771-9887 according to the motion read by CounLeesburg Wegmans! cilwoman Renee Edmonston. “The use of the image and profanities in a public social media post does not meet the professional www.mullenortho.com expectations of an appointed member of Find us! the town government.” Under the Town Council Standards of Conduct and Ethics, which the council updated in January, elected and appointed officials should “provide high quality service to the public … and carry out one’s responsibilities with integrity by conducting Town business in a responsible, conscientious, ethical and professional manner.” Councilman Chris Hornbaker pointed out during the Oct. 8 meeting that the Town Council’s vote was to censure, not censor, Consaul—meaning it disapproved of Consaul’s post, but was not blocking her from posting it, or from future posts. Consaul said she felt the censure was tied to an incident in September when she met with Town Planner John Merrithew to discuss a citation for violating the town’s sign ordinance, which defines flags as signs and allows residents to display only three on their properties. Consaul at the time had seven flags on her porch. She said those signs were to show marginalized groups of people that “we see you”—a Black Lives Matter flag, a peace sign flag, a planet earth flag, a Human Rights Commission equal sign flag, an American Indian Movement flag, a rain-
One Smile At A Time
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
OCTOBER 22, 2020
TOWN notes continued from page 16
Board; Adam Baumgardner to the Love Summer Committee; Shaun Cobbs to the Love Mayfest Committee; Greg Ratner to the Commerce and Business Development Committee; and Mike Tooke to the Oktoberfest Committee.
MIDDLEBURG Littleton to Deliver Virtual State of the Town Address Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton will deliver a virtual State of the Town address at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Littleton will discuss town updates, including COVID-19 management, response, relief programs and outlook; the town’s financial status; the completion of key projects and the initiation of long-term planning efforts; and the status of the new town office project. At the end of the address, residents will have a chance to ask questions by calling into the meeting at 540-339-6355 or by watching the meeting at uberconference.com/ rnorth6. Those who wish to ask questions are requested to let the town staff know in advance by emailing Town Manager Danny Davis at ddavis@middleburgva.gov. For more information, call the town office at 540-687-5152.
Community Center Holds Final Concert in the Park The Middleburg Community Center will host its final Concert in the Park from 6-8 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 23 on its picnic grounds, at 300 W. Washington St. Bryan Fox & Friends will perform. There will be lite bites and drinks for purchase during the event. Attendees are asked to bring their own blankets or chairs. For more information, go to middleburgcommunitycenter.com or call 540-687-6373.
PURCELLVILLE Town to Host Pumpkin Hunt, Movie Event, Costume Contest
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM voucher to be used at any of the businesses participating in the voucher program. The Purcellville Parks and Recreation Division will also host a showing of the movie “Hotel Transylvania” on Friday, Oct. 30 in Dillon’s Woods, with a rain date of Oct. 31. Check-in will be between 4:30 and 5 p.m. A costume contest will be held from 5:15-5:45 p.m. Families are asked to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. Concessions will be sold by the Bush Tabernacle. Candy will be given to all groups registered for the costume contest. Winners will receive two $10 vouchers to be used at any in-town business participating in the voucher program. Reservations are required for the night by going to purcellvilleva.gov/720/ Events-Activities. Face coverings must be worn when outside of reserved spots.
Town Council Recognizes Officer for Valor Award The Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday recognized Police Officer David Camp for receiving the Bronze Medal of Valor in the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Valor Awards ceremony Oct. 2. On June 26, 2019, Camp responded to a domestic violence call in the Catoctin Meadows neighborhood, in which a man was armed with a knife, had threatened to harm himself and his family and was pouring gasoline throughout the house and on himself. When Camp arrived on the scene, he ensured the family was at a safe distance from the house before entering the home, which had lit on fire. When the man with the knife ran out of the house engulfed in flames, Camp tried to put the fire out with his hands and a shirt. Although he was off duty, Purcellville Volunteer Firefighter John Carney responded to the call and helped to fully extinguish the flames with a garden hose and keep the man’s airway open. The man remained in the hospital for five months with burns on 95% of his body. “This is our way of thanking you for your service to this community,” said Mayor Kwasi Fraser. “Our community is eternally grateful.”
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tus, documentation that they are authorized by Virginia law to receive grants from localities, a certificate of good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, a description of how their services have been impacted by the pandemic, and a description of the services they provide. Nonprofits can submit their applications on the town website, mail them to the town or drop them off at the town hall. For more information, go to purcellvilleva.gov/959/Purcellville-Non-Profit-Business-Interruption, email nonprofitgrants@ purcellvilleva.gov or call 540-751-2312.
is written, the selected firm could lease the land from the town for 15 years, during which time the town will receive a percentage of the gross revenue generated from the sale of the credits. Nutrient credit banks are composed of farmland that is forested in perpetuity. The nutrient credits they generate are regulated by the state and are sold to developers to help protect the Chesapeake Bay from stormwater runoff of impermeable areas— since nutrient credits are intended to offset the developed land by creating a natural habitat.
Town Works to Solicit Interest in Nutrient Bank
Town Suspends Outdoor Seating Regs for Restaurants
The Purcellville Town Council last Tuesday discussed a draft request for proposals that will be used to solicit responses from entities interested in setting up a nutrient bank on the town-owned Aberdeen property to sell nutrient credits to developers and generate revenue for the town. Already, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has approved the town to sell 77 nutrient credits on 94 acres of the Aberdeen property. Town Attorney Sally Hankins has said the credits are marketable at a rate anywhere between $18,000 and $25,000 a piece. Under the draft advertisement, the town intends to receive a portion of that amount. Depending on how the advertisement
The Town of Purcellville has suspended its outdoor seating regulations to accommodate restaurants’ needs to set up outdoor dining amid the pandemic. So far, the town staff has issued 10 authorizations for outdoor dining. Those authorizations have been extended in three-month increments, with the most recent extension granted to Magnolias at the Mill through Jan. 15. Restaurants are allowed to install tents to cover their outdoor seating areas, but they must be at least 900 square feet in size, according to county regulations. Two primary restaurants in town currently use those types of large tents—Magnolias and Smokin’ Willy BBQ.
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pumpkin scavenger hunt beginning this Sunday, Oct. 25 and a showing of “Hotel Transylvania” on Friday, Oct. 30. From Oct. 25-31, families can search for pumpkins at businesses around town. The town will post a list of participating businesses on its website and at facebook.com/ PurcellvilleParksandRec by Oct. 25. When families find a pumpkin, they should take them home, snap a photo and write down the code on the pumpkin to complete the online form. For each pumpkin they find and register, families will receive one $10
The Town of Purcellville has reopened an expanded nonprofit grant program in which all IRS-designated nonprofits can apply for up-to $15,000 grants through Monday, Oct. 26. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply for assistance to ensure they continue to provide core human services for residents in need, such as food and/or medical services, rent/mortgage payment, utility payments and help for the homeless. To be eligible, nonprofits must provide documentation of their IRS tax-exempt sta-
A Community Foundation Fund in the Spotlight Congratulations to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for building permanent endowment to support its mission to inspire, motivate, and engage people to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Credit: Dulles Area Association of Realtors
The number of single-family detached homes sold in the third quarter outpaced sales in the first two quarters of 2020 as demand surged.
Housing Market’s Summer Surge Carries into Fall LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Home sales are surging in Loudoun County, driven by the single-family detached market. According to the latest figures available from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, the county’s housing market continues to rebound from the sluggish start to the year. There were 782 sales recorded
in August, a 15.3% jump from last year. The sales of single-family detached homes increased 19.1% in August, while sales of townhomes and condos declined 2.5%. With a large spike in pending sales, the stage is set for a busy fall market. The 850 pending sales in the pipeline throughout the county during August was the most in six years and 264 more than the previous
August, according to the report. The surge of demand combined with continued very low inventory is pushing prices up as well. At $560,000, the August median sales price in Loudoun County rose 8.7% from last year, a gain of $45,000. Price growth is occurring across property types. Although new listings rose for the
third consecutive month, by the end of August the association reported only 480 active listings—less than a month’s supply and less than half the number of homes on the market a year ago. The DAAR will release its September market report in the coming days. Find it in the Resources section of the association’s webpage, dullesarea.com. n
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Ready to Renovate? It’s a COVID-Era Trend
PAGE 23
Clint Good, AIA
Residential & Commercial
Architect Member of Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals
LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
After months huddling with family members in the safe indoor confines of home or logging in from the couch for work or school, many residents are getting the itch to upgrade their surroundings. Whether that is to finally start tackling the long-postponed projects on the honey-do list or to push ahead with reimagined spaces that has come to mind in the hours of COVID-isolation idle time, you’re not alone. In fact, the coronavirus left many of Loudoun’s contractors with more jobs than they can handle. We’re hearing that is all areas of the home-improvement market—from carpenters to carpets sales. If you are ready to tackle a project, experts offer these tips to navigate the process in the current climate:
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Make a Plan List your renovation priorities and match them to your finances. Evaluate the level of disruption you can tolerate; are you ready to live in a job site?
Create a Budget Before you begin any renovation, start by creating a budget and know whether you’re willing to spend more money as your project progresses. It’s best to start on the smaller side to provide a financial cushion to prepare for the inevitability that things to cost more than expected. To protect your mental health, expect everything to cost more and take longer.
Assess Your Own Skills With many contractors and laborers already booked and others staying out of the public for their own safety, your renovation may be better addressed as a family DYI project. You may not be up to hanging drywall or building a deck, but replacing floor laminate or painting rooms may be within your wheelhouse.
Don’t Rush Into It Do your research. Get several bids. Cover the details in the contract, including costs, time, materials and work.
Consider Minor Changes Instead If you come to the realization that your bright idea may not be easily achieved, don’t be afraid to scale back. Small upgrades can have big, satisfying and long-lasting impacts. n
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cy. However, there are many simple actions you can take to breathe better in your home: • Monitor carbon monoxide: This potentially deadly gas can be emitted by a faulty gas-burning home appliance. Monitor for carbon monoxide using detectors placed in major areas of the home, especially the bedrooms. AIR QUALITY continues on page 25
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Air quality • Make the switch to VOC-free: Most paints and stains, along with aerosol sprays, air fresheners and other household products, contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which emit gases that can result in respiratory problems, headaches and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, among other health problems. Take a cue from forward-thinking institutions like the Getty Museum and Google and swap out conventional paints in your home interiors for an eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative such as ECOS Paints. The brand, which has a 35-year history of offering VOC- and odor-free paints and stains in virtually any color, uses sustainable ingredients and can deliver directly to a home or business. To learn more, visit ecospaints.net. “We want people to feel good about what they are bringing into their homes. This is why we are transparent about ingredients and VOC testing results,” said ECOS Paints CEO Julian Crawford.
dust cloth. Vacuum often as well using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which traps small particles. • Eliminate moisture from the air: Moisture promotes mold, which can cause serious health problems when left unabated. Reduce moisture by eliminating sources of water leaks, installing exhaust fans in kitchens, using air conditioning, and positioning dehumidifiers in high-moisture rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements. • Reduce airborne particles: Install an air purifier to trap irritating particles, including mold, pollen and pet dander, which are particularly bad for people with respiratory problems like asthma. Brush pets often—outdoors if possible—and give pets regular baths. • Decrease dirty air: Replace HVAC filters regularly. While the optimal frequency that you perform this task depends on the type of filter, the number of pets at home and other factors, a good reference point is the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Keep airborne dust to a minimum: Dust carries a variety of contaminants, including bacteria and allergens. Mop and dust often using a wet mop and
When it comes to creating a healthy home sanctuary, taking steps to manage the most common indoor air pollutants should be a top priority. n
continued from page 24
PAGE 25
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
LOCO LIVING
What’s On Tap for Halloween in the Scariest of Years? Kids in costume can drive by and pick up a goody bag at 401 Old Waterford Road NW in Leesburg. For details, go to facebook. com/VFWPost1177.
BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
We finally get a full moon on a Saturday night Halloween. Everything’s perfect except for the global pandemic. But COVID doesn’t have to spoil the fun. Around Loudoun, communities and organizations are looking for fun, safe ways to celebrate in this scariest of years. What will Halloween look like this year? The Loudoun County Health Department is discouraging traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. But for the most part, it’s up to communities and individual families to decide what the holiday will look like. Around Loudoun, folks are coming up with ways to collect candy more safely, including attaching treat bags to clotheslines and giant spiderwebs and placing pre-packed bags on tables in the yard or driveway. In Round Hill, 14-year-old Sam Hunter spent last weekend building a candy chute to allow trick-or-treaters to collect candy without coming up to the door. Sam and his parents live in the town’s Lakepoint neighborhood, a popular trick-or-treating destination both for neighborhood kids and guests from surrounding rural areas. Sam is a Halloween aficionado who was initially concerned trick-or-treating might not happen this year. “I thought we weren’t going to be able to do it,” he said. “I wanted to find a way to do it safely.” Thanks to ingenuity (and Pinterest), he came up with a candy chute made from painted PVC pipe with feet attached for stability. He and his parents can man the chute from the top of the stairs while trick-ortreaters can line up safely on the sidewalk. “Lakepoint gets a lot of kids from the neighborhood but also from the people who live more rurally,” said Sam’s mom Jenny Hunter. Everyone’s trying to be creative and wants to make it safe for the kids. ... I think solutions can be found to the obstacles that the pandemic brings.” If you’re not comfortable with traditional trick-or-treating and costume parties, the Loudoun County Health Department recommends the following alternatives: • Pumpkin carving or decorating outside at a safe distance. • Decorating homes. • Outdoor movie night at a safe distance. • Neighborhood costume parades at a safe distance. • Outdoor touch-free scavenger hunts in which children look for Hallow-
Inova Loudoun’s NICU Grad Costume Parade Inova Loudoun Hospital is hosting a special socially distanced parade for Inova NICU “graduates.” Kids can come in costume to the hospital’s south entrance, grab a treat bag and go. 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 31. For more information, go to inova.org.
VAL Virtual Costume Contest
Renns Greene
Sam Hunter shows off his creation, a treat-dispensing tube that lets him stay safely distant from trick-or-treaters.
een-themed items. • Virtual Halloween costume contests. • Online photo contests for decorations and costumes. In addition, local businesses and nonprofits are coming up with creative alternative ways to celebrate. Here are a few favorites:
Virtual Scares with Shocktober Named one of the top haunted houses in the country, the ARC of Loudoun’s Shocktober takes things virtual this year. In partnership with the VIDI SPACE streaming platform, Shocktober will air celebrity guest “Scare-through” experiences on October 23, 24, 30 and 31 from 9 to 11 p.m. along with a bonus episode, “Ghost Hunt at Carlheim Manor.” Shock fans can watch Nikki Blonsky of “Hairspray,” Nick Groff and and local celebrity Wayde Byard walk through the manor and the fan-favorite basement. Then, on Halloween night, Shock Fans will experience Shocktober as if they are walking through the entire haunted house themselvesTickets start at $10 per episode or purchase all four episodes and bonus for $25. For tickets and information, go to shocktober.org
A “Scary Spectacle” in Neersville
with their Scary Spectacle Drive-In Haunted House. It’s an artist-designed experimental scary spectacle. Visitors can drive in one car at a time (windows rolled up) and be scared. According to organizers, it’s “not designed with children in mind, but also not inappropriate for children.” Organizers also warn that the spectacle features flashing lights, loud noises and strobe effects, and guests may not leave their cars. The installation is open Thursday, Oct. 29-Saturday, Oct. 31 and Thursday, Nov. 5-Saturday, Nov. 7. Hours are 5 to 7 p.m. each night. Suggested donation is $5 per car. The event takes place at the Between the Hills Community Center at 11762 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville. For details, go to facebook.com/v4larts.
Ion’s FabBOOlous Drive-Thru Parade Ion International Training Center hosts its FabBOOlous Drive-Thru Parade Friday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Kiddos can check out performances and favorite characters from their vehicles and a goody bag for the first 100 cars. The event takes place at Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway in Leesburg. For more information, go to ionitc.com.
VFW Candy Drive-Thru in Leesburg The artists who brought us the popular
Wayside Wondercabinet drive-in art installation in Hillsboro this summer are back
VFW 1177 is offering a Halloween candy drive-thru Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m.
Village at Leesburg replaces its popular annual Monster Mash festival with a virtual costume contest. The center will offer an on-site photo backdrop to be used for the contest. The backdrop will be up throughout the month of October, and people and pets can submit photos for judging after November 1. The center is also offering a socially distanced pumpkin carving event Sunday, Oct. 25. Go to villageatleesburg. com for more information.
Haunted Hike at Notaviva For some socially distanced scare for a great cause, check out Notaviva Craft Fermentations and BSA Troop 961’s Haunted Hike at the vineyard. The haunted trail features scary zombies, wraiths and more, and proceeds benefit the troop. The event takes place Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24 and Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $5 per person. Reservations are required and groups are limited to six people. Masks are required. Notaviva is located at 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. For more information and reservations, go to facebook.com/notavivacraftfermentations
Halloween at Highroad Camp Highroad near Middleburg is offering a socially distanced, timed-entry Halloween at Highroad event. The outdoor fun includes s’mores, archery, and a hayride on a customized schedule in two-hour increments. The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 and must be purchased in advance. Additional options including zipline, a family-oriented trick or treat trail and pony rides can be added for an additional fee. HALLOWEEN continues on page 27
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 27
THINGS to do HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Village at Leesburg Pumpkin Carving Pop-Up Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com VAL hosts a socially distanced pumpkin decorating pop-up with tables spread out throughout the main plaza. Pre-registration for specific time slots is required, and masks are strongly recommended for all participants.
Salamander Resort Haunted Trail Wednesday, Oct. 28-Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:30-9 p.m. Salamander Resort and Spa, 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg Details: salamanderresort.com This socially distanced 0.6-mile trail will feature 10 actor scenes from 7 to 9 p.m. and is geared toward children ages four through 12. Children can walk the trail with no scary scenes at 6:30 pm. Last trail entry is at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $14. Advance reservations are required.
Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing The weekend features food trucks, tie-dye and live music from Ginada Pinata Saturday at 3:30 and Mark Cullinane Sunday at 1 p.m.
Details: macsbeach.com This blues quartet is known and loved throughout the region for a versatile repertoire covering everything from Mississippi country blues to the urban Chicago sound and beyond.
Black Hoof Oktoberfest
Live Music: Acoustic Moose
Saturday, Oct. 24, noon-10 p.m. Black Hoof Brewing, 11 S. King St., Leesburg Details: blackhoofbrewing.com Celebrate Oktoberfest in downtown Leesburg in Black Hoof’s outdoor backyard space. Reservations are required and can be made in groups of four to six people. Tickets are $80 for four and $120 for six. Seatings are noon to 3 p.m. or 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com The two-day festival features food trucks, craft vendors and live music both days from 1 to 5 p.m. The Virginia Hipnecks play Saturday and the Melissa Quinn Fox Trio play Sunday.
Harpers Ferry Brewing Anniversary Celebration Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25, noon-7 p.m. Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center
Halloween continued from page 26 Camp Highroad is located at 21164 Steptoe Hill Road, Middleburg. For details, go to facebook.com/cmphighroad.
Friends of Animal Services “Boo Squad” If you want to keep your littles at home and still have plenty of fun, volunteers with Friends of Loudoun County Animal Services will send a “boo squad” to hide 30 decorated Halloween eggs filled with candy in your yard for a $50 donation. It makes things super easy and supports a worthy cause. To sign up, go to facebook.com/ friendsofloudounanimals. Check out getoutloudoun.com and next week’s Loudoun Now calendar for more Halloween tips and tricks. n
Live Music: The Larry Keel Experience with Frank Solivan Saturday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com It’s a bluegrass throwdown as Larry Keel celebrates his latest album release. He’s joined by Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Tickets are $30.
LOCO LIVE
Live Music: Rowdy Ace
LIBATIONS Breaux Vineyards Harvest Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 p.m. Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com This south-central PA duo offers acoustic guitar and dynamic vocal harmonies with a variety of folk rock, blues and classic rock favorites.
Courtesy of Hard Swimmin’ Fish
Live Music: Hard Swimmin’ Fish Friday, Oct. 23, 5:30-9:30 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg
Saturday, Oct. 24, 5-8 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Kick back with country, rock, blues, Americana and pop from Rowdy Ace.
Live Music: Katie and Kelly Saturday, Oct. 24,7-10 p.m. American Legion Post 293, 112 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: facebook.com/americanlegionpost293 These Northern Virginia sisters are award-winning Americana folk singers. Now’s your chance to check them out in Loudoun.
Live Music: Flamenco Guitar with Ricardo and R.J. Saturday, Oct. 24, 7-10 p.m. Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg Details: facebook.com/blackwalnutbrewery Noted Flamenco guitarist and Gypsy Kings-style rumba performer Ricardo Marlow is joined by R.J. Uebersezig on rhythm and vocals.
Live Music: Hudson River Line Billy Joel Tribute Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com This group of talented musicians recreate the energy and emotion of a Billy Joel concert covering the catalog from Piano Man to Storm Front. Tickets are $20-$30 for this seated, socially distanced show.
VALFresco: The Continentals German Duo Saturday, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m. Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg
THINGS TO DO continues on page 28
It’s Time to Move Up. If you’re looking for the best in assisted living or memory care, look no further. Tribute at One Loudoun has all the amenities, programs, and care that you deserve. Shopping, restaurants, and movie theaters are just a short walk away. Enjoy our lush terrace and restaurant overlooking a brand-new public park or kick back at the bistro and bar with high-backed booths and a fireplace. COVID-19 can take away a lot of liberties we once enjoyed, but it can’t prevent us from serving up the little things that make the world go ‘round. Please reach out and let us know how we can help you. Contact us to schedule a tour.
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PAGE 28
Legal Notices
THINGS to do continued from page 27
Details: villageatleesburg.com This week’s plaza concert has an Oktoberfest theme featuring The Continentals German Duo.
TICKETS ON (703) 777-1665 wwww.TallyHoTheater.com SALE NOW!
Live Music: Jake Phillips and Pete Thomas Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Native Loudouner Jake Phillips of the ’90s jam band Less Traveled returns to his old stomping grounds for a great night of music.
Live Music: Acoustic Soul Sunday, Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m. The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Guitar and vocal duo Steven Shaffer and Bruce Turner cover legendary classic rock, blues, soul, country and Americana hits.
Live Music: Brisk Sunday, Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Enjoy an afternoon of MTV Unplugged-style covers from the ’90s and 2000s from Brisk.
Live Music: Tyme and Lace Sunday, Oct. 25, 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: Luke Andrews Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m. Greenhill Vineyards, 23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg Details: experiencegreenhill.com An eclectic mix of country, folk, Americana and more from an up and coming young Loudoun musician.
Live Music: Travis Book and Andy Falco Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Grammy winners Travis Book and Andy Falco of celebrated bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters come out for a special duo show. Tickets are $25 in advance.
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fall 2020 Elementary School Attendance Zone Change Process
ZACH DEPUTY
Live Music: Chris Timbers Saturday, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m. Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com Timbers calls his unique sound “alternative soul,” with hints of Stevie Ray Vaughn, the rhythm of blues, the lyrics of soul, the melodies of country and some good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
COWBOY MOUTH
FEB 1
10/23/20 DOORS: 7PM THE SHOW: WAILERS8PM FEB 13
UFO FAREWELL TOUR
FEB 21
HUDSON RIVER LINE:
SOUL ASYLUM WITH LOCAL H
PERFORMING THE UNCLE OF BILLY CARBON LEAF MUSIC JOEL BROTHERS IN ARMS TOUR KRACKER
FEB 28 10/24/20 DOORS: 7PM 19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA SHOW: 8PM FEB 22
For a full schedule please visit
www.TallyHoTheater.com
FEB 29
ND 2/7 COBS BA CHRIS JA FIRE 2/8 TRIAL BY 2/14-15 o Nights ANIA Tw 6 EAGLEM YEARS 3/ AN AG THE RE
BEATLEMANIA 10/30/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
SUNDOGS: A TRIBUTE TO RUSH 11/6 & 11/7/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
TAB BENOIT 11/14/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
JASON MASI 11/20/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School (ES-23) and Hovatter Elementary School (ES-29) are scheduled to open in fall 2021, with the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School is sited within the Arcola Center development at 24200 Pissarro Drive in Sterling. Hovatter Elementary School is co-located on the Lightridge High School site at 41135 Collaboration Drive in Aldie. In establishing attendance zones for the two new schools, the current attendance boundaries for Aldie, Arcola, Buffalo Trail, Cardinal Ridge, Creighton’s Corner, Goshen Post, Hutchison Farm, Legacy, Liberty, Little River, Madison’s Trust, Pinebrook, Rosa Lee Carter, and Sycolin Creek Elementary Schools will be reviewed. The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a series of meetings to facilitate the necessary attendance zone changes.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Overview
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Work Session
Monday, November 9, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Work Session
Tuesday, December 1, 2020*
School Board Review of Elementary School Attendance Zone Recommendations
Monday, December 7, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Tuesday, December 15, 2020*
School Board Adoption of Elementary School Attendance Zones
*Regular School Board Business Meeting All attendance zone meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meetings will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org). In-person comment will be accepted at the identified public hearings. Speakers may sign up in advance by contacting the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 or sending an email to public.comment@lcps.org, in which case the sender will receive a reply with a link to complete an online Citizen Participation/Public Comment registration form. All speakers must sign-up prior to 5:00 p.m. the day of the School Board attendance zone public hearing. Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in School Board meetings or public hearings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org
THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND EXPERIENCE:
CROWDED STREETS 11/21/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
DC IMPROV PRESENTS: COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG 11/27/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
THE AMISH OUTLAWS 12/04/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
Elementary School Attendance Zone Meetings
Date
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#
2013 1998 1994 2008 2000 2016
FORD HONDA LORI KAWASAKI TOYOTA SURE-TRAC
F150 CIVIC BOAT TRAILER VULCAN CAMRY TRAILER
1FTEX1EM4DFA12920 1HGEJ8246WL090040 4L2FKSJ10R2000581 JKAVN2D158A021349 4T1BG22K7YU684351 5JW1D1429G4144735
ASHBURN TOWING ASHBURN TOWING AL’S TOWING AL’S TOWING BODYWORKS TOWING ROAD RUNNER
703-585-8770 703-585-8770 703-435-8888 703-435-8888 703-777-5727 703-450-7555
10/15 & 10/22/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 29
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 THURSDAY, November 12, 2020 in order to consider:
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS’ REQUESTS FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION BY DESIGNATION
NEW BLUEMONT
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 58.1-3651, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage an Ordinance designating certain personal property owned by the following nonprofit organization as exempt from local personal property taxes:
NEW BLUEMONT
585-29-8433
/43/////////2/
4.34
NEW BLUEMONT
586-29-8968
/43/A/1/////7/
8.32
CAN’T SHAKE ME, INC.
NEW BLUEMONT
611-10-3799
/42//49/////3/
23.48
The 2020 assessed value of the tangible personal property owned by Can’t Shake Me, Inc., for which an exemption is requested is $600.00, resulting in an actual total 2019 tax levy assessed against such property of $25.20. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed Ordinance, as well a copy of the above organization’s application and supporting documentation, 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, 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 LOUDOUN WATER 20272 Savin Hill Drive Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider granting a 15-foot wide waterline easement and 30-foot wide temporary construction easement to Loudoun Water through and across a portion of County property known as the Ashburn Sheriff’s Office substation for the purpose of installing, constructing, operating, maintaining, adding to or altering and replacing present or future sewer mains, manholes, and other appurtenant facilities. The subject property is approximately 13.33 acres in size, and is located on the north side of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) and east of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) at the intersection of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) and Savin Hill Drive at 20272 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn, VA, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 057-18-3144. 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”).
INTERIM ADDITIONS TO AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICTS Applications have been received by the Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning and referred to the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC) and the Planning Commission pursuant to Chapter 43, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia to amend the ordinances for the following Agricultural and Forestal Districts to add the following parcels PIN
Tax Map Number
Acres Enrolled
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
261-28-4870
/19//22////A2/
10.00
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
264-45-29880
/28///8/////6/
1.68
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
268-49-0956
/38////////82C
10.00
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
302-35-9580
/28///1/////1A
11.34
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
343-35-1601
/37///6/////4A
10
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
409-28-2043
/16//19/////1/
10.01
NEW MOUNT GILEAD
425-17-8473
/57////////51D
49.05
NEW LOVETTSVILLE
439-36-9594
//8/////////1/
3.07
NEW MOUNTVILLE
465-15-4047
/74///1/////2/
10.00
NEW FEATHERBED
466-19-6389
/88/////////7A
15.30
NEW BLUEMONT
525-45-7516
/44//17/////5/
24.67
NEW BLUEMONT
556-10-6861
/44//17/////2/
33.71
NEW BLUEMONT
556-30-0868
/35////////87/
23.85
NEW BLUEMONT
557-30-6646
/44//17/////6/
39.77
NEW BLUEMONT
557-47-7025
/43////////59/
72.52
District
558-15-7565
/43///9/////1/
14.24
NEW BLUEMONT
558-26-5503
/43////////55A
5.66
NEW BLUEMONT
585-10-5180
/43////////65/
128.50
NEW BLUEMONT
611-19-3378
/42//49/////1/
20.00
NEW BLUEMONT
612-39-4260
/42////////74A
40.00
NEW BLUEMONT
612-49-4815
/42//49/////2/
20.06
MIDDLEBURG WEST
623-25-8238
/85///1/////4/
10
NEW UPPERVILLE
665-29-0318
/53///3////10/
10.02
NEW BLUEMONT
586-48-3323
/43////////13/
20
NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH
302-35-9908
/28//26/////2A
7.92
NEW BLUEMONT
525-25-4868
/44//17/////7/
38.78
Any owner of additional qualifying land may join the applications with consent of the Board of Supervisors, at any time before the public hearing that the Board of Supervisors must hold on the applications. Additional qualifying lands may be added to an already created District at any time upon separate application pursuant to Chapter 43, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. Any owner who joined in the application may withdraw their land, in whole or in part, by written notice filed with the Board of Supervisors, at any time before the Board of Supervisors acts pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-4309. The conditions and periods of the foregoing Agricultural and Forestal Districts to which parcels are being considered for addition are as follows: District
Period
Subdivision Minimum Lot Size
Period Start Date
New Catoctin South
4 Years
20 Acres
June 2, 2020
New Mount Gilead
10 Years
20 Acres
December 7, 2011
New Lovettsville
4 Years
20 Acres
January 3, 2017
New Bluemont
4 Years
20 Acres
June 2, 2020
New Mountville
4 Years
50 Acres
January 3, 2017 November 4, 2018
New Featherbed
4 Years
40 Acres
Middleburg West
4 Years
50 Acres
July 18, 2019
New Upperville
4 Years
40 Acres
December 7, 2017
Each of these Districts will be reviewed prior to its expiration date pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. Received applications were referred to the ADAC for review and recommendation. The ADAC held a public meeting on August 24, 2020, to consider the applications. The report and recommendations of the ADAC were considered by the Planning Commission at its public hearing on September 22, 2020. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing. In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the application(s) 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 by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (8-24-2020 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). 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 Public Hearings Packet).
ZMAP-2019-0009, ZCPA-2019-0015, SPMI-2019-0022, ZMOD-2019-0024, ZMOD-2019-0058, ZMOD-2019-0059 & ZMOD-2019-0060 ARNOLD PROPERTY (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Modification)
South Riding Union LLC of Sterling, Virginia, and South Riding Proprietary of South Riding, Virginia, have submitted applications for the following: 1) To rezone approximately 0.97 acres from the R-1 (Single
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 30
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Legal Notices Family Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-H4 (Planned Development – Housing), administered as R-8 (Single Family Residential), under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of four single family detached dwelling units at a maximum density of approximately 4.12 dwelling units per acre; and 2) To amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-2004-0004, Estates at Elk Run in order to incorporate the 0.97-acre site into the existing development and modify the location of 0.23 acres of common open space with no resulting change in density. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The modification of the Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans applicable to the proposed use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-1409, Waivers and Modifications, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
Table 5-1403(B), Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Other Major Collector Roads.
Reduce the minimum building setback along Braddock Road (Route 620) from 75 feet to 50 feet.
The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s):
Section 7-803(C)(4), pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modifications: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §7-803(C)(1)(a), R-8 Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Yards, Single family detached, suburban and traditional, Front.
PROPOSED MODIFICATION When a sidewalk and landscape strip totaling 8 feet is provided in front of a lot then reduce the front yard setback requirement from 15 feet to 12 feet. Modify the 8-foot side yard for end units as follows:
§7-803(C)(2)(b), Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Yards, Single family attached units, Side. §7-803(C)(2)(c), Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Yards, Single family attached units, Rear.
•
Eliminate for attached garages
•
Reduce to 6 feet between separate garages; and
•
Reduce to 5 feet when adjacent to open space.
Eliminate 15-foot rear yards along partially common walls and reduce to 5 feet along open space.
The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§1-205(A) Interpretation of Ordinance; Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms; Lot Access Requirements. §3-511(A) R-8 Single Family Residential, Development Setback and Access from Major Roads, Private Streets.
Allow access to detached single- family residential lots from (Category C2) private streets.
ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §1-205(A)(1) Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurement of Lots, Yards and Related Terms, Lot Access Requirements.
§1-205(A) Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurement of Lots, Yards and Related Terms, Lot Access Requirements.
§4-110(B) Planned Development – Housing, Site Planning – Internal Relationships. §3-502 R-8 Single Family Residential, Size and Location.
Permit a zoning district size less than two acres.
§3-506(B) R-8 Single Family Residential, Lot Requirements, Width.
Reduce minimum lot width from 50 feet to 15 feet.
§3-506(C)(1) (a) & (c) R-8 Single Family Residential, Lot Requirements, Yards, Single Family Detached Dwellings and Manufactures Housing, Front & Rear.
Reduce minimum front and rear yards from 25 feet to 15 feet.
§3-509(A) R-8 Single Family Residential, Additional Development Standards, Active Recreation Space
Reduce the amount of active recreation space from 5,000 SF to 759 SF.
§4-111(A) Planned Development – Housing, Open Space, Open Space.
Eliminate requirement to provide open space.
The subject Property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 1.20 acres in size, including a 0.23-acre portion of a larger parcel, and is located on the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) and south side of Kimberley Rose Drive (Route 2872) at its intersection with Daniel Shane Drive (Route 2873) at 42930 Braddock Road, Chantilly, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The property is more particularly described as PINs: 167-40-4968 and 167-40-1451(portion). The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)) which designate this area for master planned neighborhoods of predominantly residential uses arranged on medium-to-large lots at a density of up to four dwelling units per acre (up to six dwelling units per acre for infill development).
§3-511(A) R-8 Single Family Residential, Development Setback and Access from Major Roads, Private Streets.
Permit access to Braddock Road, a major collector road, without an existing or planned median break.
Permit private roads to serve single family residences
Table 5-1102 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required, Residential, Single Family Attached Dwelling Unit.
Eliminate requirement for 0.5 parking spaces per single family detached residence to be provided off lot.
§5-1303(B)(4) Tree Planting and Replacement, Canopy Requirements, For development requiring a plan of subdivision, but not a site plan, property not zoned A-3, A-10, AR-1, AR-2, i.e. single family and duplex dwellings.
Eliminate requirement to provide trees along both sides of all areas dedicated for use for vehicular access.
For all quadruplex lots: •
§5-200(B)(5) Permitted Structures in Required Yards and Setbacks. In any yard or setback, except the front yard or setback.
Reduce the distance a nonhabitable, one-story structure (garage) can be from street rights-of-way or private easements at the front of a regular lot from 60 feet to 18 feet; and
•
Reduce the distance a nonhabitable, one-story structure (garage) can be from street rights-of-way or private easements at the side of a regular lot from 25 feet to 8 feet for corner lots and to 5 feet for lots adjacent to open space.
§7-803(B)(2) R-8 Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Lot width, Single family attached duplex, triplex, or quadruplex units.
Reduce the minimum lot width requirement for SFA quadruplex end units from 24 feet to 20 feet.
ZMAP-2019-0019, SBEX-2020-0001, SBEX-2020-0002, SPEX-2020-0019, ZMOD-2020-0005, ZMOD-2020-0006, ZMOD-2020-0007, ZMOD-2020-0017, ZMOD-2020-0018 & ZMOD-2020-0019 HOGAN KENT GREENE (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, Zoning Modification)
Loudoun South LLC of Bristow, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 37.63 acres from the TR-1LF (Transition Residential – 1 Lower Foley) and the TR-3LF (Transition Residential – 3 Lower Foley) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential with Affordable Dwelling Units) zoning district, under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of up to 144 single family dwelling units at a density of 3.83 dwelling units per acre; and 2) a subdivision exception under Section 1243.13, Exception Procedures, of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO) to request exceptions to Facilities Standards Manual (FSM) Section 4.200(A)(2)(a) and LSDO Section 1245.05(1)(c) which require the streets within and contiguous to any development shall be designed and constructed so as to ensure coordination with other existing or planned streets within the general area as to width, grade, location, and drainage. The subdivision exceptions would permit development of the site without connection to Gathering Glen Street, an existing public roadway that is contiguous to the proposed development. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The modification of the minimum yard requirements applicable to affordable dwelling unit developments is authorized by Special Exception under
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
The subject Property is located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District), minor floodplain. The subject property is approximately 37.63 acres in size, including a 9.44-acre portion of a 12.44-acre
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 31
Legal Notices parcel, and is located on the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) west of Royal Hunter Drive (Route 3307), east of Mindful Court (Route 1259), in the Blue Ridge Election District. The property is more particularly described as: PIN
ADDRESS
206-26-3209
41947 Braddock Road, Aldie, Virginia
207-46-1171 (portion)
41999 Braddock Road, Aldie, Virginia
206-16-1540
N/A
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Transition Policy Area (Transition Compact Neighborhood Place Type)) which designate this area for a variety of single family detached, duplex, triplex and accessory dwelling unit homes arranged around a focal point such as civic use, park, green or small commercial center at a density of three to five dwelling units per acre.
CPAM 2020-0001 PUBLIC FACILITIES IN THE RURAL POLICY AREA (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2225 and 15.2-2229, and a motion adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 16, 2020, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) to add text and policies relating to the extension of central water and wastewater to serve public facilities located on contiguous parcels within the RPA (Rural Policy Area) and immediately adjacent to the western boundary of the TPA (Transition Policy Area). The amendment will also revise the 2019 GP Existing Facilities Map to identify a potential future public middle school site as a feature shown on a property located along the eastern edge of the RPA where it adjoins the TPA. The potential future public middle school site is approximately 172.9 acres in size and is located on the west side of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), on the south side of Red Hill Road (Route 617), and southwest of Ryan Road (Route 772). This site is more particularly identified as PIN: 242-18-1260 and PIN: 242-28-8988. The amendment proposes revisions to Chapters 6 and 7 of the 2019 GP and the Existing Facilities Map, and such other Chapters, policies, and provisions of the 2019 GP as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the policies of, the above-mention section of the 2019 GP. The proposed CPAM would apply within the Rural Policy Area. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following: Amendments to Chapter 6 - Fiscal Management & Public Infrastructure:
Establish new and/or revise certain existing policy language in regard to the extension of central water and wastewater to serve public facilities located on contiguous parcels within the RPA and immediately adjacent to the western boundary of the TPA.
Revise certain existing policy language in regard to the definition of utility system service areas.
Amendments to Chapter 6 - Fiscal Management & Public Infrastructure, Loudoun County Existing Facilities Map (Map Number 2018-147):
Revise the existing map in regard to the identification of a future middle school as a feature shown on a property located along the eastern edge of the RPA where it adjoins the TPA.
Amendments to Chapter 7 - Implementation, Implementation Matrix, Chapter 6, Fiscal Management & Public Infrastructure:
Establish new and/or revise certain existing policy language in regard to the extension of central water and wastewater to serve public facilities located on contiguous parcels within the RPA and immediately adjacent to the western boundary of the TPA.
Revise certain existing policy language in regard to the definition of utility system service areas.
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). Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on October 30, 2020, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on November 12, 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
10/22 & 10/29/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 32
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Legal Notices A message to Loudoun County Property Owners regarding the Land Use Assessment Program from Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue The Land Use Assessment Program provides for the deferral of real estate taxes on property that meets certain agricultural, horticultural, forestry, or open space use criteria. Real property owners who wish to apply for land use assessment for the first time must submit to my office an application along with the required fee by the filing deadline. Forms are available online, in my office, or can be mailed to you. Owners of real property currently enrolled in the land use assessment program must renew their land use status every 6th year by submitting a renewal form along with documentation corroborating the qualifying land use along with the required fee by the filing deadline. Renewal forms will be mailed the first week of September to those currently enrolled who are up for renewal. You may check your renewal year online at www. loudoun.gov/parceldatabase by entering the property’s address or parcel identification number and selecting the LAND USE STATUS tab. Properties renewed in 2015 are up for renewal this year.
DEADLINES First-time Land Use applications and Renewal applications must be submitted to the Commissioner of the Revenue by Friday, November 2, 2020. Applications submitted after the deadline; November 3, 2020 through December 7, 2020, are subject to a $300 per parcel late filing fee in addition to with the standard filing fee. No firsttime applications or renewal applications will be accepted after the December 5th deadline.
FILING FEES For submissions received or postmarked by November 2, 2020 -$125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof For submissions received or postmarked between November 3, 2020 and December 7, 2020 - $125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof plus a $300 per parcel late filing fee Online: www.loudoun.gov/landuse 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 Overnight Deliveries 1 Harrison Street, SE, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20175-3102
An additional deferral of taxes is available to current program participants if they sign and record an agreement to keep the property in its qualifying use for more than 5 but not exceeding 20 years. The commitment must be filed with my office by November 2, 2020 and recorded in the Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court´s office by December 17, 2020.
Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street, SE 1st Floor Leesburg, VA 20175 Sterling Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Ste 100 Sterling, VA 20166
Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.
9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22 & 10/29
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:
BE
ACCEPTING
SEALED
DULLES TRANSIT CENTER RENOVATION, IFB No. 321782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, November 17, 2020. The plans and specifications for this project are contained on a CD that you can obtain by sending an email to the Invitation for Bid point of contact. Until further notice, you will not be able to pick-up a CD in person. A Geotechnical Report Release form must be signed and submitted prior to obtaining a CD. There is no cost for the CD. Bid forms can be downloaded from the Loudoun County website at www.loudoun.gov/procurement. Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/ procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 10/22/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
Case No.: JJ037196-20-00; 21-00; 22-00; 23-00
Case No.:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Malek Conner Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Damon Smith, putative father and Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a 6th 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 Malek Conner and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Damon Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Malek Conner. Damon Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father 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 Malek Conner. Damon Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Malek Conner; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Malek Conner; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Malek Conner. Further, Damon Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father will have no legal and/ or financial obligations with respect to Malek Conner, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Malek Conner for adoption and consent to the adoption of Malek Conner. It is ORDERED that the defendants Damon Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before October 23, 2020 at 10:00 am.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
JJ039889-08-00; 09-00,
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Karley Bryner-Kerr Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Michael Smith, putative father and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is to hold a hearing on Petitions for Termination of Parental Rights of Michael Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1283 for Karley Bryner-Kerr. Michael Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order terminating their residual parental rights with respect to Karley Bryner-Kerr. Michael Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Karley BrynerKerr; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Karley Bryner-Kerr; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Karley Bryner-Kerr. Further, Michael Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Karley Bryner-Kerr, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Karley BrynerKerr for adoption and consent to the adoption of Karley Bryner-Kerr. It is ORDERED that the defendants Michael Smith, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before December 10, 2020 at 10:00 am. 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, & 10/22/20
10/01, 10/08, 10/15, & 10/22/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ044463-01-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Giszelle Perez Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing in child in need of services’ matter pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-228 and 16.1-241 for Giszelle Perez. It is ORDERED that the defendant, Unknown Father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before October 28, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, & 10/22/20
ABC LICENSE
LoCo Kitchen, LLC, trading as LoCo Kitchen, 1306 Squire Ct Unit D, Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia 20166 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Caterer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Patrick Steffens, Managing Member 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. 10/15 & 10/22/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
OCTOBER 22, 2020
PAGE 33
Legal Notices NOTICE OF TRUSTEES’ SALE 301 East Marshall Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 In execution of a certain Purchase Money Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Assignment of Contracts, Leases and Rents dated July 31, 2018 (the “Deed of Trust”), granted by Orion Portfolio Management LLC, a Florida limited liability company, as grantor and borrower, securing the repayment of a loan in the original principal amount of $325,000.00, which Deed of Trust was recorded on August 2, 2018 among the Land Records of Loudoun County, Virginia as Instrument No. 20180802-0045240, and subsequently assigned by virtue of a certain Collateral Assignment of Deed of Trust dated July 6, 2018 and recorded on August 17, 2018 among the Land Records of Loudoun County, Virginia as Instrument No.20180817-0048324, a default having occurred in the payment of the Promissory Note thereby secured and at the request of the holder of said Note, the undersigned Trustees will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Circuit Court building for Loudoun County (18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20178), on
November 13, 2020, at 10:00 o’clock AM the Property described in said Deed of Trust, located at the above address and described as: 3,214 Square feet, more or less, as more particularly shown on plat entitled “Boundary Survey, Land of Keith E. & Deborah P. Douglas,” prepared by Ken W. Erikson L.S., dated March 22, 1985 and attached with Deed recorded in Deed Book 868 at Page 1338 and Plat Cab D, Slot 105 at Page 5 among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia, Parcel ID No.:
538292993000
Subject to any and all covenants, conditions, restrictions and easements, if any, affecting the aforesaid Property.
TERMS OF SALE: A deposit of $30,000.00 or 10% of the sale price, whichever is less, cash or certified check, will be required at the time of sale. Settlement shall be by cashier’s check or wire transfer of immediately available federal funds and shall occur within thirty (30) days from date of sale, TIME BEING OF THE ESSENCE. The Trustees reserve the right to extend the date of settlement as may be necessary to complete arrangements for settlement. The deposit, without interest, shall be applied to the credit of the successful bidder at settlement. If the successful bidder fails to complete settlement the deposit shall be forfeited and the Trustees may resell the subject Property at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser. The Trustees reserve the right to cancel the sale, postpone the sale or remove any or all portions of the Property from sale at any time before the sale is announced as final for any reason, to reject any and all bids, waive deposit requirements, extend time for settlement, and announce additional terms of sale. Terms of sale announced at the public auction will supersede all advertised terms of sale. All closing costs, including the preparation of the Trustee’s deed and the grantor’s tax, shall be paid by the successful bidder. In addition, at settlement, the successful bidder shall pay all current and past due assessments, sewer or water charges, and real estate taxes, and any penalties and interest due on any of the foregoing, with respect to the Property. The risk of loss or damage to the Property shall be assumed by the successful bidder from and after the bid strike-down at the time of sale. The Trustees will not deliver possession of the Property to the successful bidder, who shall be solely responsible for obtaining possession of the Property. The Property and all personal property applicable thereto shall be sold “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS” and subject to any and all (i) senior deeds of trust, judgment liens, tax liens, lis pendens, (ii) outstanding homeowner association assessments, (iii) existing housing and zoning code violations, (iv) filed or unfiled mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens, and/or (v) tenants, leasehold interests and other parties in possession, if any. Neither the Trustees nor the holder of the Note, nor their respective agents, successors, and assigns, make any representations or warranties with respect to the Property including, without limitation, representations or warranties as to the structural integrity, physical condition, construction, workmanship, materials, habitability, fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability of all or any part of the Property. The purchaser recognizes and agrees that any investigation, examination, or inspection of the Property being sold is within the control of the owner or other parties in possession and their agents and not within the control of the Trustees, the holder of the Note, or their respective successors or assigns. Immediately upon the conveyance by the Trustees of the Property to the purchaser at foreclosure, all duties, liabilities and obligations of the Trustees, if any, with respect to such Property shall be extinguished. Should Settlement not occur for any reason on the part of the Trustees, the purchaser’s sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. Trustees: W. Martin Williams, Esq., 201 North Washington Highway, Suite 203, Ashland, Virginia 23005 (Tel: 804-362-4501, Email: wmwilliams@offitkurman.com); Alfredo Acin, Esq., 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1400 Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182 (Tel: 703-745-1827, Email: aacin@offitkurman.com). INTERESTED BIDDERS are encouraged to contact Trustees for additional information and materials concerning the Property; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, all such information and materials will be provided without any representations or warranties whatsoever. 4837-1519-9694, v. 1 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, & 11/05/20
OFFICIAL VOTING INFORMATION The Constitution of Virginia requires that you be registered in the precinct in which you live in order to be qualified to vote. For the convenience of the citizens of Loudoun County, the Voter Registration Office at 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C, Leesburg, is open each week Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additional information regarding voter registration, registration status, absentee voting, what’s on the ballot can be found by visiting www.elections.virginia.gov.
EARLY VOTING Effective July 1, 2020, all registered voters in Virginia are eligible to vote early in-person, no excuse required. Near the Office of Elections - 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite F, Leesburg, 20175 (look for the signs) •
Extended hours start - Saturday, October 17, 2020 o Saturdays October 17, October 24 and October 31 - 9::00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Weekdays October 19 through October 30 • Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. • Tuesday, Thursday - 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Loudoun County Government Office at Ridgetop - 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, 20164 •
Early voting hours: o Saturdays October 17, October 24 and October 31 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Weekdays October 19 through October 30 • Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. • Tuesday, Thursday - Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Dulles South Senior Center - 24950 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly, 20152 •
Early voting hours: o Saturdays October 17, October 24 and October 31 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Weekdays October 19 through October 30; • Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. • Tuesday, Thursday - Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Carver Senior Center - 200 E Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville, 20132 •
Early voting hours: o Saturdays October 17, October 24 and October 31 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o No weekday hours at this location
Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to submit an application immediately. Completed applications can be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail or online – www.elections.virginia.gov. The official deadline to request a ballot be mailed to you is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5 p.m. Voters are encouraged to mark and return their ballots early to ensure they arrive in time to be counted. Voters can hand deliver their ballot up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots arriving by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day AND be received no later than noon on the Friday following the election (November 6) to be counted. Please feel free to give us a call at 703 777-0380 if you have any questions about absentee voting.
10/22/20
Judith A. Brown, General Registrar 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C Leesburg, VA 20175-8916 703 777-0380 703 777-0622 FAX Email: vote@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/NovemberElection
[
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In the mail weekly. Online always.
LoudounNow
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PAGE 34
Legal Notices
OCTOBER 22, 2020
NOTICE TOWN OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Remote Public Participation Available
ABC LICENSE
PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids in the Procurement Office, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, until 3:00 p.m. on November 18, 2020 for the following:
IFB No. 500630-FY21-16 Kenneth B. Rollins Memorial Water Filtration Plant (WFP) Roof Repair Modifications The Town is soliciting sealed bids from qualified contractors for the assessment, repair and modifications of the roofs at the Chemical and Maintenance Building. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2020 at the Water Filtration Building located at 43234 Edwards Ferry Road Leesburg, VA 20176. For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 10/22/20
Baron Francois Limited trading as Baron Francois Limited, 22675 Dulles Summit Court Suite 175, Sterling, Loudoun, Virginia 20166 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine Wholesale license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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. 10/22/20 & 10/29/20
Members of the public who wish to speak during the petitioners’ section of the October 27, 2020, Leesburg Town Council Meeting can do so remotely. Information on how to participate remotely can be found on the Town of Leesburg’s website www.leesburgva.gov/ agendas or on the agenda that will be posted outside of the Clerk’s Office and in the lobby of Town Hall (25 West Market Street) by close of business on October 21, 2020.
ABC LICENSE
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for an Day Spa license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
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Town of Lovettsville Planning Commission The Lovettsville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on November 4, 2020. Pursuant to and in compliance with Town of Lovettsville Ordinance 2020-03-0006 (adopted by the Lovettsville Town Council on March 26, 2020) this meeting will be held electronically. The Planning Commission, and staff will be participating remotely.
Construction
Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting.
CONSTRUCTION GROUP
The purpose of the amendment is to allow decks in the R-C, Retirement Community zoning district to extend to one foot from the rear and side yard property lines. The R-C district has a minimum side and rear yard setback of 8 feet. Current requirements of Section 42-290 prevent installing a deck in the side yards of a residence in the R-C district and would allow only a 3-foot deck in the rear yard. The proposed amendment would allow a 7-foot deck in either the side or rear yard provided the deck was 2 feet or less above the ground. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review on the Town website www.lovettsvilleva.gov. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by calling the Town Office at (540) 822-5788 or contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 10/22 & 10/29/20
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Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically.
Exterior door, 80” x 36” Call between 5pm-7pm
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Judson H Bach/Michelle Khau 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.
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If you need more information, contact the Clerk of Council at eboeing@leesburgva.gov or 703-771-2733.
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PAGE 35
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Opinion A Trickle-Down Budget As county leaders begin looking ahead to the FY2020 budget cycle, they are acknowledging the incredible uncertainty facing them in the months ahead. Yet, it is not clear if they are preparing adequately for the decidedly un-rosy scenarios that could unfold. This is going to be a trickle-down budget year. Shortfalls in the state budget will be passed on as reduction in funding to local governments. It is important for county leaders to recognize that residents can’t afford for it to trickle down on them. Tough choices must be made. School administrators already are gearing up for a remarkably optimistic return to business as usual. Actually, they’re looking to achieve a retroactive business as usual, with plans to restore promised pay raises that, prudently, have been on hold this year. The approach astonishingly fails to recognize there will be no such relief for those footing the bill. Not only will county residents and businesses not be recouping income lost during the pandemic, but because of the shifting market forces that will devalue office and retail properties, homeowners
LETTERS to the Editor
will be be called upon to pick up an even greater share of the overall tax burden. Great measures have been taken, with the help of important federal support programs, to protect public employees from economic catastrophe. But, as so many business owners know, that cannot be sustained in perpetuity. Government can’t presume to be insulated from that unfortunate reality. As our elected representatives enter into this difficult budget year, it will be important to remember that it is county residents and business that are their constituents. They were not elected to serve the staff, but to provide the level of service the community requires and can afford—and can reasonably be placed on the backs of taxpayers. It can’t all trickle down to them.
n
Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com
Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723
EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com
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Have Trust Editor: Anyone still worrying about voting in the upcoming election should be reassured to know that we in Loudoun have been blessed by the competence of our registrar, Judy Brown and her staff. A true daughter of Loudoun, born and brought up here, she has had to deal for decades with a population that has more than doubled requiring new polling places and informed poll workers, even as we transition into the new digital age. Since the 1980s, when I first worked with her, our elections, unlike those in—say—Florida have been smooth and efficient and fair, so much so that we take our ease of voting for granted. But like the proverbial duck, the process may seem calm on the surface, yet an enormous amount of work goes into that process below the surface. Whether voting on Election Day, voting early, or voting absentee by mail, we can count on professional service. I trust Judy. I think you can, too. —David Williams, Lincoln
My Censure Editor: I’m the woman the Lovettsville Town Council censured on Oct. 8, and the first CORRECTION
thing I want to say is, they had the right to censure me. I appropriated town imagery for a Facebook post telling Nazi punks to F off, and that was against the Town Code. I mean to say, misappropriating town imagery is against Town Code—not telling Nazi punks to F off. (If I had been in the Town Council’s place, I probably would have called the offender first to have a conversation to rectify the situation instead of going with the highest level reaction I could legally use, but that’s just me. There’s probably a reason I haven’t been elected to town office here; I did misappropriate town imagery for my personal use after all.) I suppose I could argue that any reasonable person would have seen that post and assumed it meant that all of Lovettsville was united in telling Nazi punks to F off, but I did misappropriate town imagery, so they were right to censure me. (I’d happily show you the post so you could decide for yourself, but I have been warned against misappropriating town imagery.) I take full responsibility for my actions. Going forward I will continue to tell Nazi punks to F off. I just won’t use town imagery to do it. —Kris Consaul, Lovettsville
In an article in the Oct. 15 issue, the School Board vote on whether to accelerate the implementation of the hybrid learning program was incorrectly reported. The vote was 4-5, with School Board members John Beatty (Catoctin), Leslee King (Broad Run), Jeffrey Morse (Dulles), and Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) in support. Loudoun Now regrets the error.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
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Readers’ Poll
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:
Will your family be trick-or-treating next weekend?
Is it too soon for Loudoun students to get back in the classroom?
Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls
The Fight for Voting Rights BY JOHANNA GUSMAN Political Action Chair, NAACP Loudoun
If you haven’t had the chance to watch “All In: The Fight for Democracy,” Stacy Abram’s new documentary on Hulu, I highly recommend using any extra time in your day while social distancing at home to watch it. It’s a sobering, yet inspiring film that reminds us how intertwined race and voter suppression is. When we talk voting rights in America, we must examine our nation’s history—with its legacy of slavery and oppression—to understand that from the moment that slave ships hit our Virginian shores in 1619 to the events on Edmund Pettis Bridge Selma in Selma in 1965 and to this very moment (because you can vote now, not just in November), the fight for voting rights is ongoing. Even though African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities were guaranteed the right to vote by the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, states and local municipalities continued to use voter suppression tactics like poll taxes, literacy tests and Black codes to stop people, mostly minorities, from casting their ballots. And if the law didn’t stop you, bullets, ropes and burning crosses would. For so many, to exercise their right to vote meant to be met with intimidation, violence and even death. That is the backdrop of voting rights in America. That is where we must always start the conversation and that is what informs the work of the NAACP. In this upcoming election, we are already seeing a barrage of voter suppression, not too unlike the techniques used prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a
bedrock of civil rights law. Florida’s fight to reinstate voting rights for those previously incarcerated for felony convictions amounts to a modern-day poll tax, where they are required to pay restitution in full before they are allowed to cast a ballot. Many fines exceed what any person could pay many lifetimes over, thus preventing them from ever being truly able to vote. In Kentucky and Georgia, large swaths of those states had only a single polling location, so that wait times were upwards of eight hours before those communities— majority Black and Brown—could exercise their right to vote. Voter suppression and, of course, the difficulty that voting during a global pandemic brings, require specific advocacy needs, especially regarding the expansion of vote by mail. The NAACP and many other civil rights groups advocate that officials must maintain, and in some cases even expand, in-person voting options. Eliminating or reducing in-person options can inadvertently disenfranchise many Black voters, voters with disabilities, and indigenous voters.
Here’s how: Communities of color and the housing-insecure are disproportionately disadvantaged by mail-in voting. For example, Black Americans are more likely to have changed their address and have traditionally rely on in-person voting. For voters who frequently move or lack permanent addresses, in-person voting options may be the only way that they can vote. Furthermore, eliminating in-person options, including early and Sunday voting, will likely have negative effects on voter turnout among Black Americans given their
historic reliance on such policies dating back to the civil rights era. During the 2018 midterm election, more than onefifth of Black voters relied on in-person early voting. Voters with disabilities often require in-person accommodations. For 1 in 6 voting-age persons living with a disability, voting by mail may not be easy or accessible. This is particularly true for individuals who are blind as well as those with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities who may require in-person accommodations to vote privately. For in-person voting, all polling places must ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which may not be preserved in any vote-by-mail system. People living on tribal lands may not have access to reliable postal service to even receive ballots. More than 1 in 5 American Indian and Alaskan Native voters live on reservations or other land trusts. Many living on tribal lands do not have official street addresses and rely on P.O. boxes, which are sometimes shared. Residents in these remote areas often travel extremely long distances to reach their postal office or the official polling station at the county seat. This can make voting inaccessible for those without some form of transportation and long journeys make it extra difficult to obtain and return ballots by the required deadlines. To prevent disenfranchisement, these populations must be authorized to designate in-person ballot distribution and collection sites on tribal lands. For voter rights advocates, these problems have long existed, but in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, they are receiving much needed attention. But the thing is, with or without the coronavirus, in-
creased access to the ballot box is always needed. The need for expanded opportunities for on-line registration and sameday voter registration existed well before we know about this virus. In Virginia, our bill for no-excuse absentee voting that finally passed this year was originally filed in 2019 and differing version many years prior. The need for robust voter education initiatives has never waned. And big-ticket issues like re-instating voting rights and modernizing and safeguarding our elections process existed well before 2020 even began. Yes, this upcoming election may be marred by intense voter suppression, driven by systemic oppression and partisan electoral politics. Yes, you may be told your voice doesn’t matter, your vote won’t make a difference, and this election will be stolen. But do not believe a word of it. People lose their power when they think that they don’t have any. We are told these messages precisely because of the power we do hold. Democracy is saved by our participation. By our loud and unstoppable right to vote. Use it. Vote early. Vote often. One of the best pieces of advice that I read on what people can do today to protect the right to vote is simple: There is someone in your life that only you can reach in this election. It is your job to get to them. In Loudoun County, the NAACP has made that job even easier. We are hosting March to the Poll events to encourage people vote early, in-person. The final two will be held Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 from noon to 2 p.m. that you can join to help get out the vote. Go to NAACPloudoun. org to find out more. In the meantime, register your friends, neighbors and family to vote. n
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Retail continued from page 1 Busters in a former department store space last year. An August report by Coresight Research estimates that 25% of the country’s remaining 1,000 malls are expected to close in the next three to five years. Speculation has only grown over the years about the future of Loudoun’s only traditional mall, the Dulles Town Center in Sterling, which opened in 1999. While the mall has lost its fair share of department store anchors and retailers over the years, it has done little to quell the whispers of a closure or reinvention of some sort. Kimberly Mazhari, director of marketing for Dulles Town Center, declined to comment for this article, but said there would be more to share in two weeks. One development of note, though, is a recent listing of parking lot space available for lease or sale outside of the Macy’s department store. The listing by KLNB lists three pad sites, from three-quarters of an acre to a full acre. KLNB declined to comment for this article. Buddy Rizer, head of the county’s Department of Economic Development, has been working on a book for several years called “The Retail Conundrum.” “I’m amongst the people who believes there’s a great future for retail, but we need to rethink it,” he said. “I think that we do have the opportunity to look forward to a time when we have a vaccine, when we have a little more confidence. I still think the right kinds of retail are going to be very successful.” Rizer said he sees retail destinations that offer more of an outdoor gathering place are going to be the ones most successful going forward. While he would not divulge any
Debate continued from page 3 and they are absolutely vital to maintaining the strong middle class that we have.” Andrews said things are different now from the 1930s, “when unions really did need to be there to protect the American worker.” “We need to make sure that the American worker is empowered, and they’re not going to be empowered by unions,” Andrews said. “We’ve seen in the past several months exactly what unions do. Many times, unions protect the bad guys, as we’ve seen in some recent criminal justice scenarios in the country.” Businesses at either end of the county and the district also rely on immigration— whether on agricultural labor at wineries and farms, or high-tech workers at data cen-
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
conversations between his department and Dulles Town Center’s developer, Lerner Enterprises, he expressed optimism about the center’s future. “When you look at Dulles Town Center, Lerner Enterprises is a smart developer and they know what they’re doing. I think you’re going to see us working with them on integrating more uses in and around Dulles Town Center, and thinking about how that can still be vital. I still think there’s great opportunity there, but it’s hard to say exactly what it is. Something more like a mixed-use opportunity is something we’re going to have to look really hard at,” he said. While malls have shown signs of decline over the past several years, experiential retail has been the growing trend, for those who seek an experience they can enjoy outside of the e-commerce world. But even that industry has been challenged, as it can sometimes contain a high-touch environment many consumers are weary of in the COVID world. It’s an industry that many malls have latched onto, with the same Coresight report noting that 90% of mall tenants nationwide are of the experiential retail variety. Other uses that have been suggested for malls include fulfillment or shipping centers for e-commerce giants, like Amazon, with a recent report citing discussions between Simon Property Group and the global giant to use vacant department store space as warehouses. Locally, Simon Property Group is also the owner of the Leesburg Premium Outlets, which were closed for a little over two months during the height of the pandemic in the spring. While the outlets have shown no apparent signs of trouble, the property owner is seeking permission from the Leesburg Town Council to add more personal service uses, like hair salons and tailor shops.
Simon Property Group explained in its statement of justification that allowing the additional uses will help the outlets to keep pace with its competitors, offer greater retail choice, and a more robust shopping experience for its visitors. “Doing so will help meet shopper expectations and keep the Center financially competitive,” the statement read. Frazier said that shopping-center type developments that encourage a “live, work, play” atmosphere will continue to be successful, even post-COVID. He noted that having an outdoor atmosphere as part of the shopping experience is going to be more desirable than large, enclosed spaces that many shoppers are looking to avoid. It might surprise some that, even with the current economic uncertainty, retail deals are still being closed. Frazier attributes the still robust market activity to many would-be entrepreneurs having the opportunity to finally write up their business plans and execute them during the months of at-home social isolation, or businesses that were already looking to expand finally pulling the trigger. “It’s going to be a little bit of a roller coaster ride through the next 12 months, what businesses are closing, what businesses will backfill those. It’s going to really rely on landlords and tenants to make very educated decisions. It’s going to be more important than ever for tenants and retail operators to evaluate their real estate more so than what they’ve done before. How much space do you really need? How do we set up our retail establishments that post-COVID are still going to work while not sacrificing our culture in a sense,” Frazier said. Dave Parker, who has spent more than 30 years in the commercial real estate industry and now runs a consulting firm out of his Round Hill home, also said he has been hearing mostly good news about the
current state of the local retail market. But some statistics give him pause. Retail vacancy in Loudoun at the end of the first quarter of 2020 stood at 3.4%. That number now stands at 6.2%. “In two quarters in Loudoun retail what happened is your vacancy climbed by 82%. You have 200,000 square feet more [available]. These vacancy numbers can be pretty volatile in a small market like this. If it becomes a sign, a signal, that’s not a good trend,” he said. Parker also thinks it could be well into 2021 before the retail industry picture, for better or worse, comes more into view. He also pointed to the mystery surrounding whether there will be any more government assistance programs to businesses, and if some loans will be forgiven. Another wrinkle is whether lenders will start asking for more money from borrowers if retail buildings begin to lose value. “When value decreases the lender has the right to ask the borrower to put up more cash. It happened in 2007-2009, it happened in the ’90s. It happens periodically. The hope is if you own these buildings, you’re hoping you magically stay leased up at a rental rate that says to anyone who wants to appraise or value the building ‘I’m doing fine.’ I’ve seen a number of defaults on buildings, and large retail projects that have already collapsed under this,” he said. Overall, Rizer said he is bullish on the future of the retail industry in Loudoun. “Both [the Department of Economic Development] and the landlords and developers, we all understand that we’ve had a real seismic shift that has only been accelerated by the pandemic,” he said. “It may be painful in the short term, but I think in the long term the right kind of retail especially in a place like Loudoun still has a great chance of success.” n
ters or other technology companies. Both candidates said the country’s immigration system needs reform, a common campaign issue for years. Wexton pointed to her vote to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a reform bill which passed the House in December and now remains in committee in the Senate. She also pointed to long backlogs of people waiting for green cards. Andrews said that immigration paperwork and processes need to be much simpler to make them accessible such as to people without much education who are seeking asylum in the U.S. “I love immigration, I think it’s the best thing our country has ever done, to be a beacon of hope to those around the world in need, but we have to fix it,” Andrews said. With the final phase of the Silver Line Metrorail extension years behind schedule and facing problems with faulty construction materials, the candidates were asked about the federal government’s role.
Andrews said eventually, the country will move past the pandemic and workers will once again get on the train to go to work. “We want to be able to provide that access, but as far as the federal government is concerned, my biggest takeaway there is there needs to be oversight,” Andrews said. “…When we’re putting these contracts forward, we need to have strong engagements with the community so they know exactly where their money’s going.” Wexton said the federal government “has skin the game and has a role to play in operating expenses.” Although a major portion of the federal workforce took Metro to work before the pandemic, the federal government contributes only to Metro’s capital budget, not to its operating budget. And they also faced questions about cybersecurity and infrastructure, including not only broadband and 5G wireless expansion, but also bridges across the Potomac River. Efforts from Virginia to find a
spot for a new Potomac crossing have never advanced in large part because Maryland localities have said they have no interest in a new bridge. Both said the federal government can’t push Maryland to change stances on the idea of a new bridge. On 5G, Andrews said the government should get out of the way. “The tech industry’s been the one to step up and fight for us,” she said, warning that regulating big tech could give China the advantage in attracting international tech companies. Wexton, on the other hand, said the U.S. needs to be cautious about deploying 5G, pointing to concerns that network equipment imported from China may allow surveillance by the Chinese government. The two met on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the National Conference Center for an in-person but socially distant debate with no crowd that was streamed on the Loudoun Chambers’ Facebook page. Voting is already underway. n
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Budget continued from page 1 Additionally, all new spending in this year’s budget remains frozen. The current fiscal year’s budget was mostly written before the pandemic, sending supervisors scrambling in March to adapt to the new pandemic as schools and business abruptly closed. They mostly achieved this by freezing new spending and hiring. Even if a recovery is swift, Hemstreet advised, the county will be limited in how fast it can catch up to supervisors’ goals—hiring new employees and integrating them into the county’s operations takes time. The pandemic has also had variety of impacts on real estate values, the main source of local tax revenues. “Residential prices are continuing to increase, but commercial values are decreasing, and in some cases significantly as an impact, or a forecasted impact, of the pandemic,” Hemstreet said. “When it comes to tax policy, that makes it very tricky in terms of deciding what to do with the real property tax rate when you have such a difference based off of property class within your real estate portfolio.” The continued growth in the price of residential land more than balances the sinking values of many types of commercial land in the county overall, leading to a
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM forecasted 0.5% increases in assessed values overall in the next year. County supervisors often talk about the real estate tax rate in terms of the equalized tax rate—the rate at which the average property owner pays the same dollar figure in taxes despite changing values. But with commercial and residential property values headed in different directions, the next tax rate is a more complicated discussion—and the difference is a warning sign to those watching the county’s tax revenues. “I don’t think in the last ten years we have had such a large forecast variance between the homeowners’ rate and the commercial rate,” said Assistant Director of Management and Budget Caleb Weitz. “So, what this is indicative of is the highly uncertain situation, and a lot of volatility in our largest and historically most stable revenue source. So, as staff, we can’t underscore that enough, that that gives us some concern that our main revenue source, that is very stable, is experiencing these levels of volatility.” It also means that a tax rate that splits the difference, for an overall equalized rate, will actually mean higher tax bills for homeowners—“a pretty significant tax increase, the biggest that I’ve certainly had on my part of during my time on the board,” said finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). And a lot can happen between now and supervisors’ budget discussions in the
spring. Hemstreet cautioned it’s too early to fixate on a specific tax rate because revenue projections are still preliminary. Supervisors on the finance committee recommended preparing a budget at the equalized tax rate, currently forecasted to be $1.035 per $100 of assessed value—the same tax rate as today. They also asked for options for a three-cent decrease to $1.005, the current estimate for an equalized tax rate for residential property, and a one-cent increase, which is typically done to give supervisors some idea of what else department heads would like to get if they had the funding, and give them the option of swapping those requests for ones that are funded at a lower tax rate.
PAGE 39 Loudoun County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) asked to revise a version of the guidance which asked for options for up to a 3-cent increase. “People are really hurting, and I don’t think we’ve done it correctly in years past, when we’ve gone down when we didn’t really need to, but this is the time when we should go down,” Randall said. The board’s finance committee passed that recommendation 3-2, with Supervisors Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) opposed, on Oct. 13. It will now go to the full Board of Supervisors for a vote. n
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