n LOUDOUN
VOL. 9, NO. 1
4 | n LEESBURG
8 | n EDUCATION
10 | n OBITUARIES
23| n LEGAL NOTICES
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Certified Vote Count Confirms Anderson’s CA Win BY NORMAN K. STYER AND ALEXIS GUSTIN nstyer@loudounnow.com agustin@loudounnow.com
Loudoun County election officers completed two days of the final canvassing of votes cast in the Nov. 7 elections Tuesday afternoon, with the certified talBob Anderson ly confirming a narrow win 50% | 68,068 for Republican Bob Anderson in the commonwealth attorney’s race. At the close of election night, Anderson held about a 1,000-vote lead over incumbent Democrat Buta Biberaj. As additional mail-in and provisional ballots were counted, that gap narrowed to just 357 votes Monday night and 300 in the final count. In the certified results, Anderson received 68,068 votes and Biberaj received 67,768 votes. On election night and again Monday, Biberaj declined to concede the race while awaiting the complete vote count. As of Tuesday night, she had not announced whether she would seek a recount of the ballots. Under state law, a recount request is permitted because the margin of victory was less than 1 percent. It requires a petition be made to the Circuit Court within 10 days of the Nov. 14 election certification. Because the margin is less than 0.5 percent, the recount would be publicly funded. The last recount in a Loudoun County election occurred in 2013. That was a House of Delegates race in which incumbent Tom Rust held on to his seat against a challenge by Jennifer Boysko. In the certified results, Rust led by 54 votes. After the recount he won by 32 votes. While Anderson’s win gives Republicans control
of all five Loudoun County constitutional offices, the result was surprising given the great disparity in size of the two campaigns. Biberaj spent $1.11 million in her bid for a second four-year term and Anderson spent just $70,000, according to campaign finance disclosure reports. Biberaj’s Buta Biberaj 50% | 67,768 investment resulted in an expenditure of $16.38 per vote, while Anderson spend $1.03 per vote. As the certification vote count entered its second day, Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Elections and Voter registration Samantha Shepherd said officials on Tuesday were hand counting 186 ballots in addition to reviewing 132 provisional ballots that were missing a check mark verifying that the voter showed the required identification. Shepherd said they used a new envelope for provisional ballots this year, which meant voters who registered on Election Day filled out their registration on the same envelope that contained their ballot. “Rather than having paperwork stapled into a form, the envelope is actually the form,” she said adding that it meant some boxes were left unchecked. She said the provisional board decided to count the 132 ballots after having a discussion on it yesterday. “Part of the reason why this has been so unexpectedly drawn out is because the ballot we had this year was 17 inches with a lot of different candidates on there and we report results by precinct, we report results by certain ballot style for towns, and so there was a lot to tabulate,” she said. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Nearly 200 Israeli Jews attend a dinner hosted by the Chabad of Loudoun County during a brief trip from Israel to New York and then Washington, DC Nov. 14.
‘Not a Distant Story’ Families of Jewish Hostages Visit Leesburg
BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Nearly 200 Israeli Jews were hosted by the Chabad of Loudoun County on Tuesday during a brief trip from Israel to New York and then Washington, DC, before stopping off in Leesburg for dinner. Each of the Israeli visitors has close family members who are being held captive by the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas following the series of coordinated attacks and kidnappings on Oct. 7. The trip was hosted and organized by the Chabad of Israel so the families could travel to New York to pray for their family members at the site of the Lubavitcher Grand Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s grave. Schneerson was a HOSTAGE FAMILIES continues on page 37
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LEA Voices Concerns Over Collective Bargaining Resolution BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
During a Nov. 9 School Board committee meeting, members of the Loudoun Education Association heard for the first time the division’s draft collective bargaining resolution and they are raising concerns about the proposal. LEA President Sandy Sullivan said her organization hasn’t been permitted to participate in the development of the resolution. “Our understanding was it would be a collaborative process and that is not what happened,” she said in an interview. She said the School Board’s work has been held privately in closed session. She also said the school division is using a law firm she characterized as “very anti-labor” and supporting “anti-union practices.” In a press release sent by LEA Nov. 14 it said the teachers union has learned the School Board has paid over $10,000 to consult with law firm Isler-Dare on their collective bargaining resolution. LEA stated in its release the firm created a resolution that “severely restricts what workers can win through collective bargaining” noting the resolution excludes whole departments from participating in the bargaining process by label-
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Loudoun Education Association President Sandy Sullivan at a January rally urging the School Board to vote to begin collective bargaining. The board voted to allow it in March and has been working to create a resolution since June.
ing them “confidential employees.” LEA believes the label is an incorrect label for some employees and believes it could lead to unnecessarily limiting who can be part of a bargaining unit. “The resolution has many things in it that are nonstarters for us,” Sullivan said. She said the division’s resolution lists
four options around working conditions with only one eventually being adopted. Sullivan said the options severely limit what collective bargaining could be. “Working conditions are a huge part of the concerns of educators and why morale is low and why they are having a hard time filling positions,” Sullivan said.
The division’s draft resolution lists four different options around nine working condition topics: duty-free lunch, planning time, dues deductions, tuition assistance for non-resident employees, leave for union business, the duration of the collective bargaining agreement, rights of the exclusive representative to access employee information, grievance resolution process and joint labor management committee. Option One states that only four topics from the list could be up for bargaining. After that it states two additional bargaining topics could be proposed. The other three options either spell out exactly what can be talked about by listing the choices by name or allowing up to four of the choices to be discussed. Sullivan said another concern about the draft resolution focuses on the election process of the exclusive bargaining representative. The resolution states the School Board will recognize an employee organization that has been certified as the exclusive bargaining representative for a bargaining unit if certain requirements are met, including a requirement that at least 50% of the employee bargaining unit participating COLLECTIVE BARGAINING continues on page 37
National Trust to Take over Management at Oatlands BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
A four-decade-old partnership governing the stewardship of the historic Oatlands property south of Leesburg is coming to an end as the National Trust for Historic Preservation takes over management of the property. The action comes nine months after Oatlands Inc., the nonprofit that provided locally controlled management of the 396-acre property, filed a federal lawsuit against the Trust seeking more funding, including greater access to an endowment established to support its operations. After a series of competing filings in the U.S. District Court, the case was put on hold to allow the two organizations to negotiate a settlement. On Nov. 6, the lawsuit was formally dismissed by District Judge Rossie D. Alston, who found the allegations brought by Oatlands Inc. failed to have merit to advance.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
The historic Oatlands mansion that sits on the property established by George Carter in 1798. The National Trust for Historic Preservation took over management of the property this month ending a fourdecade-old partnership.
On Nov. 9, the two organizations issued a joint statement confirming the Trust will take over management of the property. “Over the last two months, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Oatlands, Inc. have been working together collaboratively and by mutual agreement on the transition of the management of the historic site, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens. During the coming weeks, the two organizations will complete the planned and seamless transition of operations to the National Trust,” according to the statement. On Nov. 6 staff members at Oatlands became employees of the Trust, according to the statement. Also, the announcement makes clear that any programs or event rentals previously scheduled on the property will go forward as planned. Oatlands was established in 1798 by George Carter, who operated a farm, OATLANDS continues on page 39
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 4
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Supervisors Add Priorities to 2024 General Assembly Wishlist
Loudoun
BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Contributed
A rendering of the Rivana at Innovation Station development.
Rivana Developers Ready for Construction in Early 2024 BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Members of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday got a preview and an update on plans for the Rivana at Innovation Station development, viewed by Loudoun County leaders as a transformational project along Metro’s Silver Line extension. County supervisors in May approved the 103-acre, 9 million-square-foot urban center. Over the summer, they created a special tax district that will finance the construction of infrastructure, expected to top $235 million, on the property at the northeast quadrant of the Rt. 28/Dulles Toll Road interchange just west of the Innovation Station Metro stop. During a Nov. 13 forum moderated by Loudoun County’s Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer, representatives of developer Timberline Real Estate Partners told the chamber RIVANA continues on page 7
County supervisors on Thursday night voted to add three new items to the board’s 2024 Legislative Program and will likely add two more before it goes to a public hearing next month. The board will ask the General Assembly to enact rent stabilization and eviction-related notification laws, change the time requirements for public notice legislation, and to raise the monetary limits on job order contracts. The rent stabilization change is designed to limit year-over-year increases landlords may make by establishing a maximum rate of growth and requiring a notice to be provided to the tenant before a rent increase of a certain percentage is enacted. County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) added to the motion that a study be conducted to determine whether Low Income Housing Tax Credits may be used for attainable houses on a development basis rather than a singular building. “We want to have attainable homes dispersed throughout the community for a lot of different reasons,” Randall said. “One of them is the stigma on that building sometimes if they’re all in one building. Also sometimes, there are some, not many, but some, builders who do not use the same materials when they’re just for attainable homes.” The second addition to next year’s legislative agenda seeks to amend the public notice requirements to allow local governing bodies more flexibility for actions or intended actions. This request comes after a bill, SB417, was introduced in 2022 that directed the Virginia Code of
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
From left, Loudoun Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer discusses plans for the Rivana development with Timberline Real Estate Partners representatives Andrew Marshall and Colin Chiarode.
WISHLIST continues on page 6
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Food Waste Composting Collection Begins at County Landfill The Loudoun County government has launched a one-year pilot program for collecting food waste at a composting drop-off center located at the landfill. The program allows residents who are interested in composting their household food scraps, including fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products, pasta, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Under the pilot program, Key Compost will collect the material for processing at its composting facility in Frederick, MD. At the landfill’s recycling center, a collection area has been set up with plastic collection bins. Under the terms of the program, residents are asked to limit drop-offs to one 5-gallon container or an equivalent amount per week. The program is part of the Loudoun County Energy Strategy adopted by the Board of Supervisors in January. Its goal is to benefit the environment
by providing nutrient-rich material to improve soil health, reducing waste, and reducing methane emissions from landfills. The county will monitor the level of public interest in the program to determine whether it should be expanded to other locations. The Town of Leesburg also is weighing the benefits of a composting collection service. In September, the county landfill began offering free compost to residents made from yard waste, such as grass clippings, hedge clippings and leaves. There remains a prohibition on tire disposal at the landfill. The Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility is located at 21101 Evergreen Mills Road south of Leesburg. The landfill is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Learn more at loudoun.gov/ landfill. n
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Wishlist continued from page 4 Commission to form a work group to review the requirements for public notices and make recommendations to create uniformity and efficiency across governing bodies in the state. Two bills were formed from that work group, SB1151 and HB2161 that affected the timing of public hearing notices for ordinances and land use applications. They required that notices be published “no more than 14 days” before the body adopted an ordinance. Those changes went into effect July 1, 2023. “I think that the General Assembly members who put this forward may have thought that this leads to more transparency,” Randall said. “It’s not any more or less transparency and it makes for a more cumbersome complicated issue.” Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said it would be a good idea to find out if other localities thought the changes from bills SB1151 and HB2161 were detrimental to help build a consensus on going back to a more flexible process. “I don’t want to just assume that everyone realizes this is a mistake and we’ve got to correct it,” he said. “There may be constituents that think this was a great change for some reason that we don’t know about.” The amendment to the job order contract rules seeks to increase the monetary limit for routine projects of $500,000 per project and $6 million annually in response to inflation, according to Legislative Liaison John Freeman. All three motions to add the items to the Legislative Program passed 6-0-3, with members Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) and Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent. They will now go to a public hearing Dec. 13. Randall and Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) are likely to add two more items to the list before the public hearing. Randall said that she was concerned
about voting rights being rolled back in “Virginia and across the country.” “Two years in a row, there has been purging people from the voter rolls who should not have been purged from the voter rolls,” she said. “I’m going to wait to make a motion on this until I talk to some legislators and other people but just know that I may make a motion on this because 3,400 people being purged from the voter rolls by accident for the second year in a row, is an issue for me.” Randall said it wasn’t 3,400 people both times. Randall said she would likely send out a straw poll on the matter via email to board members and if supported by the board, add it to the Legislative Program before Dec. 13. Briskman said she would like to go through the same process for the issue of reproductive rights. She said a motion she made in January to oppose bills restricting reproductive rights and to support bills that would expand access to reproductive rights on the board’s ongoing legislative agenda needed different language. “The language [in the January motion] was ‘bills’ and I think that the language would have to be slightly different if it’s to be part of our ongoing program,” Briskman said. She said she would work on getting the verbiage right and send it out via email to be voted by a straw poll. Randall noted that the new items were being added to the board’s existing Legislative Program. “Don’t think that we’ve dropped anything because we haven’t,” she said. The 2024 Draft Legislative Program is a 26-page document that covers priorities across a range of issues including land use, transportation, taxing authority, human services, state funding, legislative and administrative initiatives, policy statements, animal services, broadband, economic development, education, elections, employment and benefits, general government, health and human services, land use and zoning, public safety, and tax and revenue. n
What happened? Local news, online always. LoudounNow.com
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Rivana continued from page 4 members that construction could begin as early as the first quarter of 2024. The first phase of the project envisions approximately 2.4 million square feet of development, including 1,600 multi-family residential units, a hotel, 100,000 square feet of office space and a retail village, with expected occupancy in 2027. High-rise office and residential buildings are slated to follow in subsequent years. The session was held after the development team released new marketing materials, including project renderings and a promotional video depicting views of the project at buildout. Colin Chiarode, a senior development manager at Timberline, said the retail village concept is an example of how the project will be differentiated from other Northern Virginia urban centers. “We’re really looking at a more human scale and immersive environment and are really thinking about the development with people coming back from COVID and back to the office. What do they want to experience? It provides a great opportunity to have unique spaces for people to gather, experience food, beverage and en-
tertainment and the like,” he said. “This type of product isn’t really offered much in Northern Virginia,” Chiarode said, noting the plan for smaller blocks for office tenants. “Everybody’s tirelessly working with entrepreneurs in Loudoun County who are developing new businesses, and this is exactly the type of incubator that we’re trying to foster at Rivana.” The property on Loudoun’s eastern boundary for decades has been viewed as a keynote location for the county and eyed for special development. It has been through a series of rezoning’s although none of the previous projects got off the ground. “It takes time. It takes effort. It takes creativity. And it does take experience to know what you can do and what you should do. And I think that as the partnership went through its own changes over the last couple of years, the clarity and the experience that the team has really ended up finding its way into the plans that you saw today. And we’re ready to build,” said Andrew Marshall, Timeberline’s real estate development executive. “The message for all of you to take out of here today is that: Rivana is real. Rivana is coming. Rivana is going to happen, so let’s make it happen together,” Rizer said. n
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Leesburg
Police Chief Looks to Expand Department Staffing BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat on Monday presented the Town Council with her 100 Day Report, a 45-page assessment of the department since she took the top post in July. The key challenge continues to be recruitment as she inherited a department that saw the departure of 30 officers during the previous two years. But even after those vacancies are filled, Pirnat sees the need for a larger staff to serve the growing town. The department has an authorized staff of 87 sworn positions and 22 non-sworn positions. Today, there are 13 sworn vacancies and four non-sworn vacancies even after the hiring of 25 new sworn officers during 2022 and 2023. “While the staffing numbers are promising, it should be noted the LPD is still struggling with the impact created by the vacancies due to the lag time necessary for training,” she wrote. The department has six recruits expected to graduate from the training academy class next month and five set to start classes in January. Based on the in-the-field training requirements and the need for
File photo
Police Chief Thea Pirnat speaks during her swearing-in ceremony in July.
additional certifications, those classes of new officers won’t be fully operational until April and October, respectively. Because of a 32% operational vacancy rate in the patrol division, the department is working with two 12-hour shifts. In addition to returning to a three-shift schedule, Pirnat wants to pull K9 teams from
general patrol duties, creating additional slots to fill. The department has 15 investigator positions, but only nine are filled. Detective positions typically used for specialized investigations such as narcotics, gangs, organized retail theft, and crime scene processing have remained vacant, she wrote. While the Sheriff ’s Office has picked up crime scene processing, Pirnat noted that the proactive work that is important to combatting narcotics, gangs, and retail theft has not been achievable without adequate staffing. “This has also resulted in the LPD having limited involvement with any federal task force,” she wrote. “This is unfortunate as task force participation is beneficial to a police department through additional resources such as monetary support for equipment, training opportunities, officer development, security clearance levels, and better collaboration with federal law enforcement and federal prosecution.” In the Traffic Unit, two of the five positions are vacant and another officer will retire in December. While the vacancy will not be filled immediately because of POLICE STAFFING continues on page 9
Council Shows Support for School Zone Speed Cameras BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Drivers flouting the lower speed limits imposed in school zones may get some unwanted mail as the Town of Leesburg advances plans to install speed cameras as part of a pilot project. The Town Council on Monday night was briefed on the status of the program by Police Chief Thea Pirnat. The department continues to review vendor options and last month worked with one operator to conduct speed studies at Cool Springs and Tolbert Elementary Schools and Harper Park Middle School. During school hours at
those locations, the study recorded an average of 2,356 cars per day and 676 average speeding violations each day. Under General Assembly authorization in 2020, violators could face fines of up to $100 per violation. Based on the experience of other Northern Virginia jurisdictions that have deployed camera systems, Pirnat is recommending the town partner with a private vendor that would be responsible for the installation and maintenance of the cameras. The company also would provide the staff to screen initial violations to be reviewed by a law enforcement officer, potentially a part-time position filled by a retired officer.
Vehicle owners would be responsible for the fines, with appeals to be handled in the District Court. Under the state code, vendors would be compensated based on the services provided, not based on the number of violations or amount of fines imposed. Council members expressed support for the program. Mayor Kelly Burk and Council member Zach Cummings both urged the Police Department to add Catoctin Elementary School to the next round of study. “It’s like a raceway,” Burk said of the road in front of the school. Pirnat said the department would continue to investigate the vendor options and report back. n
Council Approves $1.55M for Stormwater System Compliance Upgrades BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council on Tuesday approved an “unanticipated” $1.55 million allocation to bring the town’s storm sewer system into compliance as it prepared to seek renewal of its state-issued permit. The mid-year appropriation comes after the town contracted for a third-party audit of its stormwater program. According to a staff report prepared for the council’s Nov. 14 meeting, the audit was completed in September by GKY & Associates. The staff report noted the audit was pursued because of concerns about stricter regulatory requirements and staffing changes in the Department of Public Works and Capital Projects. “The audit findings concluded that gaps exist in the Stormwater Program and outlined specific tasks that should be completed by June 30, 2024 and September, 2024 to improve the Town’s compliance,” according to the staff report. “The requested supplemental appropriation will provide the funding necessary to allow staff to complete critical tasks associated with the renewal of the Town’s MS4 permit, begin the overhaul of its stormwater GIS digital mapping system, and enhance efforts to inspect, operate, and maintain both Town-owned infrastructure and privately-owned stormwater infrastructure pursuant to the permit and applicable regulation.” Loudoun Now requested a copy of the audit, however the town elected to withhold the entire 140-page report, citing two state code provisions that permit governments to not disclose records because they are deemed to be legal advice, and to be a legal memorandum or working paper. The Town Council on Monday night held an hour-long closed session briefing on the audit. On Tuesday, the council approved the allocation without comment as part of its consent agenda. The money will be transferred from the town’s $8.7 million unallocated fund balance. The staff report notes that “additional budget requests are anticipated for Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond to ensure permit compliance.” n
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Police staffing continued from page 8 the higher priority need in other areas, the chief noted that, “traffic complaints are one of the most often voiced concerns of community members, and while all officers are capable of enforcing traffic violations, the traffic unit is vital in providing dedicated enforcement in known problem areas. The unit is also trained and conducts serious crash investigations, both on duty and on a callback basis.” Despite the staffing shortage, the department has seen an increase in the number of citations, warnings, and DWI arrests this year. The nearly 3,000 warnings issued so far this year is double to all of 2022 and 55% over the three-year average. “It is important to note that officers are making a diligent effort to gain voluntary compliance through the significant increase in warning tickets and not just resorting to citations,” Pirnat wrote. “It is also commendable that the volume of traffic enforcement has been increased with the operational vacancies that currently exist in patrol and the Traffic Unit.” Looking beyond the push to fill vacant
“There is an absolute need for the LPD to increase both sworn and non-sworn positions to meet the demand of a growing population with the expectations of policing in 2023.” — Leesburg Police Chief
Thea Pirnat
positions, the chief is pressing to increase staffing to better reflect national and regional standards. She points to a 2019 U.S. Department of Justice report that found the average ratio of sworn officers per 1,000 residents is 2.4 nationally. Leesburg’s department has a ratios of 1.78 officers per 1,000 residents. “The LPD has added sworn and nonsworn positions with the growth of the
PAGE 9
Town’s population over decades, but the increase has not kept up with previous ratios of sworn officers as compared to the number of residents. The ratio of sworn officers per 1000 residents has steadily decreased over the last couple of decades,” Pirnat wrote. To meet those staffing ratios, Leesburg’s roster of sworn officers would grow from 87 to 117 and the non-sworn staff would increase from 22 to 50 positions, according to the report. “There is an absolute need for the LPD to increase both sworn and non-sworn positions to meet the demand of a growing population with the expectations of policing in 2023. It is highly recommended that a further analysis of workload be incorporated into the strategic plan for staffing based on the projections of future growth of the Town,” she wrote. She identified an immediate need to create 19 new sworn and 10 non-sworn positions. Among the highest priorities highlighted were a proposal to create a five-member retail theft team to combat shoplifting, which is often conducted by organized crime gangs, and to create a fourth K9 team. n
AROUND town
Free Holiday Parking Starts Nov. 22
Beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 22, downtown parking will be free as part of Leesburg’s traditional holiday season program. The free parking program includes the Town Hall parking garage and on-street parking, although the two-hour parking limit for on-street spaces will remain in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular parking rates will resume at 8 a.m. Jan. 2.
Freeze Your Gizzard on Saturday For the 21st year, runners will gather at Ida Lee Park on Saturday morning for the Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Cross Country Race and 1-Mile Fun Run. The 5K race kicks off at 9 a.m. and the fun run begins a 9:45 a.m. Event participants help fill the shelves at the Loudoun Hunger Relief food pantry in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday food distribution. For registration and details, go to potomac.enmotive.com. n
Witness Loudoun’s top innovators at this can’t-miss pitch event. Join us for the Loudoun Innovation Challenge: November 29, 2023 at River Creek Club RSVP at LoudounInnovationChallenge.com You be the judge! Vote for your favorite finalist at LoudounInnovationChallenge.com Blue Vigil, LLC CodeLock Intalus, Inc Measured Risk, Inc
Mehrdel LLC Nsmart Inc Onclave Networks, Inc Opal Minds LLC
OpsSmart Global Route 7 Provisions SkyRFID, LLC Vinterra Winery Services
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LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
SCHOOL notebook
Education
Donohue Says She Sought Hatch Act Compliance, Despite Violation Ruling BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Newly elected At-large School Board member Anne Donohue said she learned an investigation into an allegation she violated the Hatch Act had concluded by reading about it on X, formerly known as Twitter, last Thursday, the same day everyone else found out. Donohue received the Loudoun County Democratic Committee endorsement in support of her countywide campaign for a School Board seat. She said she did not seek or publicize the endorsement. The Hatch Act is a federal law passed in 1939 that prevents federal executive branch employees from running as partisan candidates in elections. The penalty for violating can include fines, termination, and a temporary ban from future work in the federal government. Donohue, who would have worked for the federal government for 10 years in
Anne Donohue
Recently elected At-large School Board member Anne Donohue.
February, submitted her resignation as an attorney for the Department of Justice on Oct. 10. Her last day was Nov. 3. She said she became aware an investigation had been opened on her when she was contacted Sept. 22 by the Office of Special Counsel, a federal agency tasked with investigation and prosecutions within the executive branch of the federal government. She said she was not given any details about the complainant or what the specific allegation was and was told to provide information to investigators including communication between herself and the Loudoun County Democratic Committee. Donohue said no response date for the requested information was given. She was also told she would be interviewed as part of the investigation. She said she questions the timing of the complaint and the motivation behind DONOHUE continues on page 12
School Leaders Want State to Act on JLARC Report, Outlines Legislative Priorities BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
Agustin@loudounnow.com
The outgoing School Board members Nov. 9 morning presented their legislative priorities to Loudoun’s General Assembly delegation, including a request to enact the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s recommendations to improve the state public education model and properly fund local schools. During the annual legislative breakfast meeting, board members said the study showed the current public education funding model didn’t reflect the true cost of the state’s obligation to provide public education. “The commonwealth has not fully funded its share of the true cost of public education in decades,” according to a statement in the School Board’s legislative program. The board is also requesting the Gen-
eral Assembly end the support cap and re-instate some staff categories removed in fiscal year 2009, and calculate salaries using the division average instead of the linear weighted average. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby said eliminating “Great Recession-era cost reduction measures” like ending the support cap and the federal fund deduction method, would result in $26 million more for the division. She also said a Cost of Competing Adjustment would bring additional funding to the division—$13 million if the adjustment increases to 24.6% and $45 million if it increases to 41% to reflect the current cost of living rate. The current COCA rate is 18%. COCA recognizes the higher cost school divisions in Northern Virginia experience because they compete for staff in a highly competitive market, according to the report.
The report noted Northern Virginia is the state’s most expensive labor market and schools pay much higher salaries than other divisions around Virginia. The report also recommends the state recognize two sub-markets in Northern Virginia instead of using the recommended COCA for seven divisions. “I’ve been told for the last four years, JLARC is coming, JLARC is coming. And when we finally got the JLARC report it was really gratifying to see that many of the recommendations are things that have been in the Loudoun County School Board agenda for the last four years or beyond—when you talk about the cost of competing formula, eliminating the support cap and many others,” Chair Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said. Other priorities outlined in the proSCHOOL PRIORITIES continues on page 11
Leesburg Police Investigate Weapon at Smarts Mill Middle School Administrators at Smart’s Mill Middle School on Nov. 14 conducted a search after receiving a tip that a student was possibly carrying a weapon. They located an unloaded flare gun and a BB gun in the student’s belongings. After consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the school resource officer obtained charges on two juveniles for carrying a concealed weapon, in relation to the possession of the flare gun. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who has additional information is asked to contact Detective M. Pacilla at 703-771-4500 or mpacilla@leesburgva.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.
44 Blue Ridge Students Inducted into Tri-M Music Honors Society Forty-four Blue Ridge Middle school students were inducted into the inaugural Blue Ridge Middle School Tri-M Music Honors Society on Oct. 18. Tri-M is a community for academically successful students who also have a passion and talent in music. The group helps develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, and compassion as well as other leadership skills by having students participate in performance and community service. Blue Ridge Middle School Tri-M officers were officially sworn in by the Loudoun Valley High School officers and Blue Ridge music teachers. The Blue Ridge officers include Catalina Nemes, Jonah Janisko, Gracie Gollenberg, Max Burrus, Izzy Dodge, Amelia AROUND TOWN continues on page 12
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
School priorities continued from page 10 gram and presented during the breakfast include: school mental health support, free school meals for all students, addressing the teacher and substitute shortage, an audit of higher education teacher prep programs to make sure they are aligned with the requirements in the Virginia Literacy Act, funding for a hazing education curriculum pilot, a regional governing board for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, funding for electric buses and infrastructure, changes to state code so School Boards get information on student arrests within 24 hours, an overhaul of the attendance requirement for accreditation including adding an attendance withdrawal code to be used in preplanned situations where a student is gone for more than 15 days, universal access to affordable high speed broadband, greater access to dual enrollment by implementing a statewide uniform tuition rate and a balanced assessment model. Superintendent Aaron Spence said across the country there is an increase in depression and anxiety that needs to be addressed and said schools can’t handle it alone.
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LOUDOUNNOW.COM “We know these issues existed before the pandemic and there is clear evidence that the pandemic has exacerbated these issues and that we are not out of those woods. And so we need help. Schools weren’t built and equipped to deal with mental health issues,” he said. He said the wait lists to get help are too long and there are not enough options. “We have to work on it together, but we need those resources. … We as a school division need to work with our legislators, we need to work with our board and we need to make sure more options exist to support our students,” he said. Spence took it a step further and addressed substance abuse as part of the mental health needs for students, addressing the recent 11 suspected drug overdoses within the Park View High School community. He said schools aren’t equipped to deal with substance abuse or students who are struggling with addiction, but said the division is trying to help by providing support in school, such as student assistant specialists who are trained in substance abuse prevention. He also pointed out the majority of school staff members are trained in the administration of Narcan to combat an overdose. “We have enacted life saving measures in our buildings as recently as this month.
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But we shouldn’t have to do that. We have to solve this problem together. This is a real issue in our community. Fentanyl is on the rise. We all know it. It’s scary. It’s shocking. It’s gut wrenching and schools want to be part of the solutions but we can’t do it alone,” he said. Spence said policy is needed to help combat the issue. Outgoing School Board member and Delegate-elect Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian) said it should be a legal requirement to notify the School Board of any student arrests. “I think it’s really important that we have clear rules so we know what the expectations are so if there is a breakdown in communication it can be specifically pinpointed and improved upon,” she said. “I am in the unique situation where I am both advocating for this as a School Board member and I may have the opportunity to advocate for it as a legislator.” She said it’s been on the agenda for a couple of years and requires a change to state code. Reaser, who emceed the event, was elected to the 27th District in the House of Delegates on Tuesday. For the past four years, she served as the chair of the School Board’s Legislative and Policy Committee, which is respon-
sible for initiating, recommending, and monitoring the School Board’s legislative program, according to the division’s website. During Thursday’s breakfast, she got to serve in both roles. “I’m very excited to be able to take the experience I have gotten over the last four years and take that to the next level. I think we’ve seen a lot over the last four years how what happens in Richmond and the state legislature affects all school divisions and I think being on a local board, hopefully I can lend a voice to what will work and what might be difficult for school boards and school divisions to implement,” she said in an interview. Her advice to the incoming School Board, which will have all new members in its nine seats, was to listen, communicate, and build relationships. “When we know each other I think we trust each other and we learn better from each other. It’s really important to listen and to realize you don’t already have the complete answers. Be willing to change your position if someone tells you something that makes good sense,” she said. Several members of the recently elected School Board, as well as student School Board representatives, were in attendance. n
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PAGE 12
Donohue continued from page 10 it, being late in her campaign. “It made me wonder if they were doing it to try to make me drop out. Ballots were already printed, tons of people went out to [early] vote that day. It was too late to get a different candidate. I had to wonder is that why? If the concern is really just about me committing an ethical violation, then why wasn’t it filed earlier?” she said in an interview Sunday. On Sept. 28 she was told the investigation was finished with investigators concluding she violated the Hatch Act by injecting “partisan politics” into her campaign. “I said, ‘how is that possible? You haven’t interviewed me and you didn’t wait to get my information,’” she said. She was told investigators felt they had enough to go on and said she could “come into compliance” by quitting her job or dropping out of the School Board race. She said she was given two weeks to make a decision. “I did everything I could to comply with the rules in the way I conducted my campaign,” she said. Donohue, who began her campaign for the School Board in late March said she expected someone to file a complaint at some point because her status as a federal employee wasn’t a secret. “I was very careful to do my absolute best to follow the law and follow the requirements,” she said. She said when she decided to run for office she was aware of the law and said she reached out to the ethics officer and the professional responsibility officer at the DOJ about her interest in running for the School Board. She was told she couldn’t run a partisan race and given guidance for
“I was very careful to do my absolute best to follow the law and follow the requirements.” — Anne Donohue Loudoun County School Board Member (At-Large ) what she could and couldn’t do. Donohue said after multiple conversations and research, she felt like she could run and still comply with the law, also making her staff aware that as a federal employee she was “bound by the Hatch Act” and told them to talk to her first before they agreed to anything on her behalf. “I was stunned that the OSC found that there was merit,” she said. “I don’t agree with their conclusion that I violated the Hatch Act. I followed the rules they put out and I think they would have come to a different conclusion if they had all the information, but they didn’t give me a chance to provide that.” A Nov. 9 letter posted to an X account called Loudoun County Moms from the OSC stated it found Donohue in violation because she was endorsed by the LCDC and “that she also acted in concert with the LCDC to further her candidacy.” “Therefore, we concluded that (1) the presumption of nonpartisanship in the election for Loudoun County School Board At-large was rebutted and thus the
SCHOOL notebook
Heritage, Loudoun Valley Earn IB Status
Din, and Beckett Egee. The induction ceremony included individual and small group music performances by several members. One student, Zach Thorn, played his own original composition on the Cello. “Seeing so many students inducted into a music society, excited to perform and play, shows the value of the arts as a robust part of middle school curriculum,” Principal Brion Bell said.
Heritage and Loudoun Valley High Schools have been authorized by the International Baccalaureate organization as IB World Schools and can now offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The IB program is geared toward empowering students to take ownership of their learning while helping them develop future-ready skills to make a difference in the world, according to an announcement. Superintendent Aaron Spence said he
continued from page 10
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
election was for a partisan political office and (2) Ms. Donohue’s campaign was not independent of the Democratic Party as required in order for her candidacy to have been permissible under the Hatch Act,” the letter stated. The letter was posted to the account anonymously. Loudoun Now also received a copy of the letter. The OSC also stated reasons why it found her in violation, including her LCDC endorsement, she campaigned with only Democratic candidates, and was listed on the Democratic sample ballot. “I didn’t ask them to do it, in fact the LCDC chair asked if I was going to apply for endorsement and I said ‘no because it violated the Hatch Act,’” Donohue said, adding that she also didn’t ask anyone to apply for the endorsement on her behalf. “I never advertised that either. Yes, they chose to endorse, but it’s not on my website or my campaign literature and I did not at any place speaking publicly say I was the LCDC endorsement. In the guidance, it said you can’t solicit or seek endorsement of a political party and if they chose to endorse you, you can’t advertise it. I followed those rules. If they meant I had to publicly say I ‘reject this’ that is not what the rules said,” she said. Donohue said she also did not ask or approve the LCDC putting her on the party’s sample ballot. Asked about campaigning with other Democrats, she said she was invited to canvas some weekends with other candidates but said she learned later there were published links that invited people to campaign and included her name but said at the time she didn’t know about them. The OSC letter stated once Donohue was informed of the office’s conclusion she resigned, and no other action would be taken.
Donohue said she sent the OSC her resignation letter the same week she sent it to the DOJ. “They responded that they would close the file and once my resignation was final, they would send me a letter to confirm they closed the file,” she said. She learned it was closed through social media Nov. 9. She said walking away from her job with the DOJ was a tough decision and one she didn’t take lightly but said for a while she had been considering a change and said she got into law to be a prosecutor and missed that aspect of it and wanted to be with her kids more. She said she would have rather left on her own terms rather than this way. She said as she weighed the options of quitting her job, fighting the OSC decision or to keep campaigning, the one that felt less wrong to her was to keep campaigning. “That option is definitely scary but it didn’t make me feel sick, that uncomfortable, this is wrong feeling,” she said. Donohue said she plans to apply for jobs soon. I have not really done much job hunting yet because I’ve been a little busy for the last couple of days, but I have looked and I’m aware that there are vacancies for attorneys around here,” she said. After a vote to raise School Board pay during the budget adoption process in February, the incoming School Board will make $27,456 a year with the chair making $30,201. State law does not allow School Board members to raise their own salaries during their terms, so the raise will go into effect with the new board Jan. 2024. This was the first raise for School Board members since 2008. Prior to the raise, School Board members made $20,000 a year with the chair making $22,000. n
was “beyond thrilled” and proud of the authorization for the schools and the division. Achieving IB authorization is a demanding and lengthy process and requires schools to complete two extensive applications during various stages and prepare for an onsite authorization visit from an IB-certified team, similar to an audit. Schools are also responsible for training teachers to understand the program and implement the framework during the process. Once a school is approved it joins a worldwide community of over 5,000 schools in 157 locations like Paris, Lon-
don, Lima and Tokyo. The IB Programme will be fully implemented in 2025-2026 with the first class of IB Diploma candidates. There will be community information sessions on the IB program in November and December in addition to staff visits to all LCPS middle schools to speak with eighth grade students about the program. For more information about the IB progam in the division go to lcps.org/ ib. For more information about the IB Diploma Programme at Heritage and Loudoun Valley, go to www.lcps.org/ HTHIB and www.lcps.org/LVHIB. n
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 13
Western Loudoun Secondary Schools to See Boundary Changes BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com
The School Board on Tuesday night discussed eight attendance zones in western Loudoun being recommended for boundary changes that could affect about 200 middle and high school students. In an email sent to parents Nov. 9, school administrators said the attendance zones along the Rt. 287 corridor north of Purcellville are being looked at for changes that would go into effect fall 2024. The zones include several neighborhoods north of Rt. 7, including Wheatland Estates, Glenmore Farm, Reserve at Wheatland and the Reserve at Waterford, Catoctin Greens, Touchstone Farm, Wright Farm, Gateway Farms, with Milltown Creek as the northern boundary. Also included is an area around Harmony Middle School and Kenneth W. Culbert Elementary School, including a part of Harmony Meadows and the Francis Farm subdivision on the south side of Colonial Highway. The zones are currently in the Culbert, Harmony and Woodgrove High School attendance zones, and the proposed change would only shift students to Blue Ridge Middle School and Loudoun Valley High School. The proposal also includes the ability for rising eighth, eleventh and twelfth grade students for the 2024-25 school year to stay at their original school, as well as high school students who have siblings who will be a senior in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Nov. 14 discussion. The proposal stated bus transportation would be provided to high school students requesting to stay at their original school for the first year only, after that they will have to provide their own transportation. Transportation will not be provided to middle schoolers seeking the exception. According to the division, in September the identified planning zones included 75 middle school students, representing 6.6% of the 1,142 students enrolled at Harmony; and 127 high school students, representing 8.2% of Woodgrove’s 1,547 students. The zones had 132 elementary school students. School Board policy allows for an abbreviated attendance zone change process in certain circumstances, like addressing minimal overcrowding and/or cluster alignment and a small percentage of students moving together to a secondary school. “If less then 10% of the school population is being moved generally it would follow the abbreviated process instead of
Loudoun County Public Schools
A map showing eight attendance zones in western Loudoun that are being looked at for changes.
the full process like for when a new school opens,” Chair Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said in an interview Nov. 10. Serotkin said the division’s planning services staff members have had a number of conversations about the areas with the middle and high school principals as well as the School Board members who represent the areas. He said the conversation was driven by potential future overcrowding at Harmony and then Woodgrove. The changes will also better use Blue Ridge Middle School, according to the email. He said the division staff members recommended a plan that would see the Culbert students split into only two middle schools. Currently, students at Culbert advance to three different middle and high school clusters. Serotkin said that has been a community concern since the school opened in 2009. The proposed changes would have fifth graders matriculate into Blue Ridge and Loudoun Valley or Smarts Mill and Tuscarora High School. During the Nov. 14 discussion, Chair Ian Serotkin asked for another option that showed what the numbers would look like if the board delayed any change to the attendance zones for a few years. “The problem is in the future and not right now and I think we have time to ac-
commodate that by letting students currently in secondary school finish where they are,” he said. “I would be interested in seeing an option that includes that as well and see what the estimated capacity projections would look like.” According to enrollment projections, Harmony Middle School’s current base capacity is 1,254 students with projected enrolments growing minimally over the next seven years, then a projected drop in students to 1,238 by 2029-2030. At Woodgrove, the base capacity is currently 1,745. It is projected to drop by 206 students next year to 1,539 and grow minimally until 2029-30 for a projected 1,704 students. At Blue Ridge the current base capacity is 1,161 and is also expected to lose students over the next seven years, including about 415 next year alone. By 2029-2030 the projected enrollment is 727 students. Valley will also see a reduction in students over the next seven years, losing about 165 students starting next year and steadily declining to 1,120 students by 2029. John Beatty (Catoctin) supported Serotkin’s comments and asked if the process had to be done so quickly and suggested a normal attendance zone change process to make sure everyone is happy with it. Planning and GIS Services Director
Beverly Tate said it could be possible but noted that if they delayed the process it would mean the changes wouldn’t go into effect next fall but rather would take 18 months to initiate. A community meeting to review the recommended change will be held Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Woodgrove High School cafeteria. Serotkin said he wanted residents to have a chance to speak about the potential changes, so he asked for a community meeting before the School Board votes on the proposed changes. Another public hearing will take place Dec.12 followed by the School Board taking action on the proposed changes that night during its regular School Board meeting. Information on the abbreviated attendance zone change recommendation is posted at lcps.org. To determine what LCPS geographic planning zone you live in, use the LCPS Attendance Zone locator tool by going to webinter.lcps.org. After agreeing to the disclaimer, select “Current School Year” and enter your house number and ZIP code, then click on “Find Address.” Contact the Division of Planning & GIS Services at lcpsplan@lcps.org or 571252-1050 for any questions. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 14
Loudoun Jail Deputy Charged with Sexual Assault of Inmate
Public Safety
LCFR Photo
Two residents were injured in a Nov. 13, 2023, house fire on North Fillmore Avenue in Sterling.
Family Displaced After House Fire Caused by Candles Two Sterling residents were injured after an early morning house fire that investigators determined was caused by unattended candles. The fire on North Fillmore Avenue was reported to county dispatchers just before 2 a.m. Nov. 13. Fire-rescue crews from Sterling Park, Cascades, Kincora, and Fairfax County were dispatched to the scene. Additional units were dispatched to assist, including a Rapid Intervention Task Force, the LCFR Rehabilitation Unit and the Mobile Air Unit. Two occupants were safely out of the house when crews arrived, but were taken to the hospital for treatment of burn injuries. The family dog was safe and placed in the care of Loudoun County Animal Services. One cat was found dead, with two others missing, according to the report. The three residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire to be accidental, resulting from unattended candles. Damages are estimated at nearly $500,000. Fire officials remind residents to use candles in a safe manner. Candles should be placed on a sturdy, nonflammable surface, away from children, pets and anything that can burn. Candles require constant supervision by an adult and must be completely extinguished before leaving the area. A safer alternative is using flameless candles that still look and smell like real candles, the agency recommends. Additional fire prevention and life safety information is available at loudoun.gov/fire.
Suspect Arrested in Leesburg BB Gun Shooting A 20-year-old Leesburg man faces multiple criminal charges in connection
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
with a Nov. 9 shooting. Leesburg Police have charged Christian Mincey with one count of brandishing, two counts of destruction of property, and one count of discharging an air gun within town limits. The charges stem from the early morning shooting Thursday on Buttonwood Terrace. According to the report, officers were called to Leesburg Volunteer Fire Co. Station 20, next to the Police Department headquarters on Plaza Street, at approximately 3:30 a.m. Nov. 9 after a man said he had been shot at while in his vehicle. Investigators determined that four adults, including the victim, were at a Buttonwood Terrace home when the victim and suspect began to argue. The suspect, an adult male, brandished a black pistol at the victim, who left and walked to his vehicle parked nearby. The suspect followed and the argument continued. The victim entered his vehicle, and as he began to back out of the parking spot, the suspect fired, striking both the driver’s side of the vehicle and a vehicle parked nearby. The victim, who was not injured, drove to the fire station to seek police assistance. Investigators identified Mincey as a person of interest in the case and subsequently determined that he had discharged a BB gun at the victim, striking and damaging two vehicles. Investigators found that the individuals are known to each other and that the shooting was an isolated incident. The department’s police dog, Elmore, assisted with the case, leading officers to the location of the BB gun, which had been discarded in a nearby wood line. Mincey has been released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center pending his trial.
On Monday the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office filed criminal charges against a former correctional deputy following allegations of sexual battery and delivering an article to an inmate at the Adult Detention Center. Yesenia Jusino Ramos, 43, of Mount Wolf, PA, is accused of inappropriately touching an inmate during a search and delivering a vaping device to the inmate between Aug. 8 and Aug. 13. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the arrest follows an investigation conducted by the agency and consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. The victim has been transferred from the Loudoun jail to Alexandria. Jusino Ramos was hired by the Sheriff ’s Office on Jan. 22, 2022. She was placed on administrative leave when the allegations were reported. She was terminated Sept. 20, according to the report. She is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 12.
Man Stabbed by Masked Assailants at Mall The Sheriff ’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred in the Dulles Town
Center parking lot Friday night. According to the report, deputies were called to the mall at approximately 9:45 p.m. Nov. 10. The victim reported that he was leaving the mall and as he got into his vehicle, two males wearing masks approached his vehicle. The suspects opened the vehicle door, pulled the victim out, and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing in a dark-colored four-door sedan. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries described as non-life-threatening. One suspect was described as a male of unknown race, 5-foot 6-inches to 5-foot 8-inches tall, with a stocky build, wearing blue jeans, a yellow shirt, a black jacket, black gloves, and a black ski mask. The other suspect was described as a male of unknown race, tall, and slender, wearing black pants, a blue shirt, a black jacket, black gloves, and a black ski mask. Detectives are looking into the motive behind the assault, and the case remains under investigation. Anyone who was in the area and may have seen anything is asked to contact Det. M. Grimsley at 703-777-1021. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703777-1919 or submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app. n
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Nonprofits
Ability Fitness Center Hosts Renamed Bill Grey Memorial Golf Tournament In its 10th year, the newly-renamed Billy Grey Memorial Golf Tournament raised support for thousands of hours of guided exercise for people with paralysis, mobility-related disorders and neurological conditions at Ability Fitness Center based at The Arc of Loudoun. “The Ability Fitness Center board is grateful for the community’s generous response to memorialize Billy Grey,” the center’s Board of Directors Chair Freddie Hetzel said. “A beautiful day of golf will provide over 3,500 hours of guided exercise to those who are in financial need.” The Oct. 12 tournament at Purcellville’s Loudoun Golf and Country Club was renamed this year in honor of the late Billy Grey, one of the founding directors of Ability Fitness Center and one of its first clients. “Billy was not only a committed board member and golf tournament co-chair, he was a client of Ability Fitness Center and brought cheer and encouragement to others in the gym,” board member Kelly Carberry said. “We are grateful to all of Billy’s family and friends who continue to support Ability Fitness Center.” Grey, who suffered a spinal cord injury as a teenager, and his wife, Shannon, were founding directors of the center and they served as chairs until 2013 when they moved to North Carolina. All proceeds from the tournament go to fund scholarships and new equipment. To date, the center has given out more than $240,000 in scholarships to help people in the community who would not otherwise be able to attend.
Ability Fitness Center
Shannon and Billy Grey and Grace Kopf-Grey take part in the Ability Fitness Center’s annual fundraiser golf tournament, which Shannon and Billy Grey chaired from its creation in 2013 until they moved away in 2021. In its 10th year, the tournament has been named the Billy Grey Memorial Tournament.
Based at The Arc of Loudoun in Leesburg, Ability Fitness Center is a gym for people with disabilities, providing therapeutic fitness and wellness with expert clinicians, specialized equipment, and innovative, customized and activity-based interventions that increase functional
ability for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, balance disorders, developmental disabilities, and other neurological conditions. More information about Ability Fitness Center is online at abilityfitnesscenter.org. n
Scouting for Food Collects Over 11,000 Pounds of Food Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and leaders of the Goose Creek District of the National Capital Area Council on Saturday collected 11,916 pounds of non-perishable food items from the front porches of Loudoun residents to help families in need. The annual Scouting for Food campaign helps stock up area food pantry shelves before the holiday season. “These donations could not come at a better time each year. Often, we can start using the Scouts’ food the very next week to restock items such as cereals, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, and meats, such as tuna,” Loudoun Hunger Relief ’s Chief Executive Jennifer Montgomery said. Scouts Nov. 4 left notifications in the form of a 4X6 Scouting for Food Post-it note with information and food items needed on the doors of several county residents letting them know they would be back the following week to collect food items. They then collected the non-perishable food on Nov. 11 from doorsteps and delivered it to pantries across the county. Scouting for Food started in 1988 as Scouting’s “Good Turn” to the community. The food collected by the Scouts goes a long way in meeting the emergency food requirements of local agencies, not only during the holiday season, but well into the next year. Many Scouts log additional community service hours beyond collecting the food by working in the collection sites, unloading vehicles and bags and sorting donations. n
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Business
Bear Chase Brewing Named Small Business of the Year BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce hosted the 29th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards on Friday, with 500 members of the county’s business community gathering to celebrate. This event is a celebration of Loudoun’s small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs and their contributions to the community. The 2023 finalists and winners were chosen by blue-ribbon committees featuring dozens of Loudoun’s business and community leaders. Bear Chase Brewing Company walked away as the big winner of the night, earning the top award of 2023 Loudoun Small Business of the Year, as well as the People’s Choice Award and Destination Business of the Year. “I’d like to thank the Loudoun Chamber,” Bear Chase Chief Operating Officer Stephen Macoff said. “This means so much because Loudoun County itself is a destination. And it’s full of amazing locations and destinations and to be recognized among some of those great locations is a real honor for us.” Apart from the three awards that Bear Chase took home, there were six other categories. Essay Cure, a company that helps students stand out in their college application essays through coaching, earned the Home Based Business of the Year award. “All of my Loudoun County Chamber connections have helped me to do what I do and I’m reaching kids,” Essay Cure founder Christine Gacharná said. The Loudoun Coalition of Women and Girls, a nonprofit that promotes leadership development and fosters a community for women and girls earned the Nonprofit Organization of the Year award. “LCWAG is really a labor of love. It’s all passionate volunteers. Truly, it’s an honor for us,” LCWAG chair Ferri Riar said. Leesburg’s Birch Tree Bookstore beat out Casa de Avila and Crismon Wealth Strategies to win Main Street Business of the Year. “We’re just not about just selling books,” Birch Tree owner Leah Fallon said. “Our
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Bear Chase Brewing Company was named Small Business of the Year during the 2023 Loudoun Chamber Small Business Awards Nov. 10.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Founder of Function-N-Fitness Shannon Curvey hugs Loudoun Chamber Small Business Awards co-emcee Erica Rowe after winning the Wellness Business of the Year Award.
business model is truly anchored in serving our community by providing a warm and inviting space in downtown Leesburg. It’s a place where people can gather to talk about books and interests that are important to them.” Fleur De Cuisine, a catering and private chef service founded by Natalie Ramos in 2018, was named Superior Service Business of the Year. “This was about a community that got together and they believed in a family,” Ramos said about the founding of her company. “A family that had fallen. A family that was at their worst. And they lifted this family so they could stand up and give back to the community, that this family could do for the community, and be part of this community. So, this award is not necessarily for Fleur De Cuisine but it represents all of you that have
supported us.” The Wellness Business of the Year award was presented to Function-N-Fitness health, a post-rehabilitation personal training, corrective exercise and therapeutic massage center. “This award today is tangible proof that I’m walking in my purpose,” owner Shannon Curvey said. Melissa Hinton founder of Loudoun Serenity House won the Loudoun Exceptional Entrepreneur of the Year award. Loudoun Serenity House is the county’s first women’s recovery house and was spearheaded in 2018 by Hinton. “I was a person with a fire in my belly like a lot of you. Just driven by personal experience and just wanting to see some things get better as far as substance abuse disorder,” Hinton said. Learn more at loudounchamber.org. n
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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Botanical Café Opens in Leesburg BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
A new small business is coming to downtown Leesburg and was scheduled to open Wednesday. Shake and Bops Botanical Café combines two of Loudoun native Alexandra Patton’s loves: coffee and plants. Patton said the name of the shop is inspired by her and her husband’s nicknames for their daughters, which is fitting because Patton decided to open the shop after her previous job didn’t allow her the freedom to spend as much time with her daughters as she wanted. “It always came back to wanting to spend time with my children, because who doesn’t?” she said. Patton said in addition to providing more time for her family to be together— her husband’s State Farm Insurance office is upstairs—she hopes the shop will become a place where the community gathers and feels welcome. “I haven’t had a coffee shop before, but I was sort of inspired by all the little cafes in Italy when I lived there, just the environment that they provided,” she said. She said in keeping with the family theme, the shop will have a small “kid’s corner” with coloring books and stories so parents can come and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and feel comfortable bringing their children. The shop’s products will be sourced locally, as well. Patton is a member of the Leesburg Garden Club and she has propagated many of the plants that Shake and Bops will have for sale. “In the windows, we have test tubes that are mounted on little wooden blocks that I’ve propagated the plants from and are now in the store,” Patton said. The coffee beans will be sourced from Winchester roastery Lone Oak Coffee Company and Patton said the walls will be decorated with work from local artist Stefanie Waller. “[She’ll do] an installation of four to six paintings every season, that customers can obviously enjoy when they’re here but also purchase,” Patton said. She said this is her first real experience opening a small business. “The coffee world is very forthcoming with tips of the trade and what you need to know and educating fellow coffee people,” she said. She also said they found getting the needed permits through the town and the county to be easier than expected.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Alexandra Patton is opening Shake and Bops Botanical Café in downtown Leesburg, selling coffee and plants.
“There’s a lot of response and help from folks in both of those areas. It seems like the town is incentivized to have small businesses and want to help make it a smooth process,” she said. Patton said initially Shake and Bops will have prepackaged snacks for sale, but she is hoping to partner with local bakeries to provide fresh food soon. “That’s super important to me,” she said. “I would like to sort of cross-pollinate and talk with as many local businesses as possible.” She said, while she has her own ideas about what she envisions the shop becoming, she’s excited to see where it naturally goes. “I feel like with ventures like this, they end up taking on their own little life,” she said. Because the shop is inspired by her love for her daughters, Patton said she wants Shake and Bops to give back to teachers in some way. “I’m not sure what that looks like yet, but I want to stay with the theme of cohesiveness within families and gathering and something that’s conducive to bringing your children to. And to me, that goes sort of hand in hand with our children’s educators,” she said. “They’re such a huge part of the fabric of our communities.” The menu will feature classic drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos with seasonal flavors as well as tea and noncaffeinated drinks like lemonade. Patton said, while there is no designated parking for the café, the Town Hall parking garage has a corridor that leads right across from the shop’s front door. Shake and Bops is located at 19 Wirt St. and will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Nov. 15. n
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LIVING 50+
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Living
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AARP: Support Available for Veteran Caregivers Family and others who provide care for veterans spend on average $11,500 of their personal income on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving each year—1.5 times higher than what other family caregivers spend, according to AARP data. And 43 percent of veteran and military caregivers experienced at least one financial setback—such as having to take on more debt or dip into personal savings, according to research from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Across the country, more than 6.5 million veteran and military caregivers provide $14 billion in unpaid labor for America’s wounded warriors every year— putting their own financial well-being aside—and at risk. “The financial challenges veteran and military caregivers face are too often invisible or ignored,” said Pete Jeffries, national director of AARP’s Veterans &
Military Families Initiative. “Caregiving responsibilities and expenses add up over time. From cleaning clothes at the laundromat or gassing the car for a medical appointment, these caregivers need support to make it easier for loved ones to live independently in their homes for as long as they can.” The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers support and resources for caregivers of veterans enrolled in VA health care through the VA Caregiver Support Program. This program provides caregivers with access to VA health care benefits, caregiver education, financial aid, mental health services and up to 30 days of respite care. But only 34% of veterans have used their earned benefits at VA health care, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For more information on AARP’s support for veterans and military families, go to aarp.org/veterans. n
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LIVING 50+
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U.S. News & World Report Releases Nursing Home Ratings Four Loudoun County nursing homes received high marks in the latest in-depth analysis conducted by U.S. News & World Report. Out of the 15,007 nursing homes evaluated, only 467 nursing homes across the country ranked as “high performing” in both short-term and long-term care. Ashby Ponds in Ashburn was among that top 3%. In the study, 1,918 homes were high performing in short-term rehabilitation. Included on that list were the Johnson Center at Falcons Landing in Cascades and Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation in Leesburg. Also, 1,353 homes ranked as high performing in longterm care. Heritage Hall in Leesburg is included in that grouping. The Johnson Center is a 60-bed skilled nursing center, certified for Medicare and is open to the public for anyone, regardless of military or government service, looking for long-term care nursing or short-term rehabilitation. “Our residents and amazing staff are the reason we do what we do and what leads to this incredible recognition. Falcons Landing residents share a common bond through military and/or government service, and we have been serving our residents for over 27 years. They truly are the heart of what we do and why we do it,“ said Leah Daily, Falcon’s Landing’s director of sales and marketing. n
Four Loudoun Caregiving Facilities Earn Top Spots
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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Towns
AROUND towns
Hamilton Raises Utility Rates for First Time in 5 Years
Hamilton Hears Next Steps for Pedestrian, Traffic Safety
BY HANNA PAMPALONI
BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
The Hamilton Town Council on Monday voted to increase the town’s utility rates by 10% after holding a public hearing during which no community members spoke. The motion passed unanimously with no discussion by the council members. The change will move the current water rate of $5.71 per 1,000 gallons and up to 8,000 gallons to $6.29 per 1,000 gallons for in-town users and from $7.71 to $8.49 under those same conditions for out-of-town users. Sewer rates for in-town users will increase from $10.88 per 1,000 gallons and up to 8,000 gallons to $11.97 and from $14.68 to $16.15 for out-of-town users. After the first 8,000 gallons of water or sewer use, customers move to another tier with higher rates. Town Treasurer Sheri Jackson told the council at Monday’s meeting that utility customers will see first see the new rates on their February 2024 bill. n
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
The Hamilton Town Council on Monday heard a report from town Zoning Administrator Martha Mason Semmes on the results of the pedestrian and traffic safety design charrette held in August. Loudoun’s Design Cabinet, a group of volunteers who provide support for public and private planning design efforts in the county, hosted the charrette with town leaders. The group has been putting together a report on the public meeting for the town to use as a tool to address pedestrian and traffic concerns voiced by residents. “We had a lot of ideas generated,” Semmes said. “… we understand that in order to get funding, we need to have an engineering concept plan. Something that shows enough detail that the engineer can then do some cost estimates for us.” Approximately 25 Hamilton residents gathered at the town’s safety center Aug. 4 for the charrette with Hamilton Mayor Kenneth Wine, Town Council members, town staff, a Virginia Department of Transportation representative, a Kimley-Horn representative, county Design Cabinet members, and both long-term and new Hamilton residents. Ideas generated through the commu-
nity work session included completing fully accessible sidewalks throughout the length of the corridor, adding crosswalks, improving vehicular and crosswalk signage, considering potential traffic calming measures, adding/enhancing entrance features, and creating a streetscape that helps tell Hamilton’s story through signage, streetlights, and street furniture, according to the report from Semmes. The Town Council discussed whether its next steps should be to hire a consultant right away to help narrow the ideas into something actionable or try to do some of that themselves. Council member Craig Green said he thought the ideas from the charrette were too vague to hand over to a consultant as they were. “This [list of ideas] goes from redesigning the way the town looks to rerouting Rt. 704. It’s a lot of stuff, like 50 years of projects,” he said. Project Manager Earl Dubin agreed and said the town should focus on “the lowest hanging fruit” first and develop a long-term plan for the other projects. Semmes suggested the council could have a scoping meeting with a consultant to get their expertise on narrowing down what is doable out of the array of ideas. HAMILTON SAFETY continues on page 23
Lovettsville Council Adds Excess Water Usage Surcharge to Town Code BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
The Lovettsville Town Council last week amended the Town Code to add an excess water usage surcharge previously included in the Schedule of Fees, following a public hearing on the matter. Since 2021, the fee has been omitted from the adopted Schedule of Fees. Town Manager Jason Cournoyer said this change reintroduces the fee and moves it from the Schedule of Fees, adopted every year, to the Town Code, where it will not need to be updated as regularly.
He said the fee is rarely used and he hasn’t seen it needed during his time as the town’s manager since August 2022. “Town staff works diligently to regularly monitor the water meters town-wide and any excess water usage is usually identified quickly and communicated to the water user as soon as possible,” according to a Nov. 9 staff report. The fine is charged to those who repeatedly exceed the maximum allowed usage based on the capacity they purchased, without voluntarily buying additional capacity. For instance, a 5/8-inch water meter allows usage of 500 gallons per day. The amended Town Code states
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
that if a customer repeatedly exceeds that without purchasing a larger water meter in a 90-day period, they are eligible to be fined $200 for each 10-day period the meter upgrade process is not completed, not to exceed $5,000. “The excess water usage fee is an important component to addressing recurring, consistent water usage beyond the capacity purchased with the availability fee for any given property,” the staff report states. The council voted to adopt the amendment 4-0, with one vacancy on the council and Jennifer Reed absent. n
MIDDLEBURG Hunting Museum Expands to Middleburg Since 1985, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting has been housed in the north wing of the mansion at Morven Park. Now, the collection is expanding to a new display space on Hunt Country’s main street. The Middleburg Town Council last week approved a special use permit to allow the museum to operate in the Duffy House, at 11 W. Washington St. The museum directors expect to have the new exhibit space ready for the public by Dec. 1. The museum was founded to preserve the art, artifacts, and memorabilia of the centuries-old sporting tradition. Over the years, the museum has received additional art and artifacts which had to go into storage because of a lack of display space at Morven Park.
PURCELLVILLE Police Department Celebrates Office Renovations The Police Department is holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate the newly renovated station Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. The station is located at 125 Hirst Road, Suite 7A. Residents will have the opportunity to view the lobby and community room and take guided tours of the rest of the station. The renovation began in March and included a secure lobby and ADA compliant public restroom, safe and secure interview/interrogation room, a family and victim friendly interview/conference room, a more efficient property and evidence area, hardened armory, additional lockers, an officer wellness area, and an increase in storage for equipment needs for both officers and administrative staff. The new construction added an additional 1,994 square feet to the office, for a total of 6,312 square feet. AROUND TOWNS continues on page 23
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Round Hill’s Hynes Completes Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute Round Hill Town Administrator Melissa Hynes recently completed the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute, a partnership between Virginia Hynes Women Leading Government and the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center to provide women aspiring to become local government leaders with connections, content, tools, and opportunities to further develop their skills and broaden their network. Hynes was among 25 candidates from across the commonwealth selected to attend the sessions. Offered through the Roanoke Center of Virginia Tech, the institute is coordinated by Bonnie Svrcek, the first female city manager of Lynchburg before her retirement in 2020. Across Virginia, 17% of local chief administrative officials are women. Among Loudoun’s five town managers, Hynes is the only woman. Participants joined in eight monthly gatherings, alternating between virtual and in-person sessions around the state. Virginia Tech faculty members and other experts presented workshops on topics
Hamilton safety continued from page 22 “I don’t want to waste our consulting hourly fees trying to come up with a list with them,” council member Cathy Salter said. “I’d rather that money be used better.”
AROUND towns continued from page 22
Police Department Conducts Resident Survey The Purcellville Police Department is conducting a survey open to Purcellville residents, business owners and their employees to solicit feedback about safety and quality of life issues, as well as opinions about the department’s effectiveness of law enforcement services.
including technical duties such as budgeting, skills such as public speaking, and life as an executive woman in local government. “I feel honored to have been in the same cohort with such a stellar group of savvy, passionate and dynamic women. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from their experiences and gain from their thoughtful advice on how to become a stronger leader,” Hynes stated. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Institute over the next few years to help other women across Virginia to feel empowered to step up into executive positions in local government.” “The Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute is developing a new generation of leaders who are poised to enhance local government across the commonwealth with a wealth of diverse perspectives and skills," said Scott Weimer, executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives. “Through this program, we’re helping these leaders and the communities they serve achieve their full potential.” Applications for the institute’s 2024 cohort will be accepted later this year, with sessions running from March to October. n Council members decided to take the report home and come back at their December meeting with their top five priorities to help form a consensus and then bring that to a consultant for further development. The council has budgeted $15,000 in fiscal year 2024 for concept planning on the projects. n Questions in the survey include what the department is doing well, where it can improve, and what concerns residents have. The results will be used to enhance policing services and to direct the department in the future. The survey is available online via Survey Monkey at surveymonkey.com/r/ PPDSurvey2023. Town residents, business owners, and their employees are requested to complete the survey online by Friday, Dec. 15. n
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Obituaries Jane Delane Piercy
February 10, 1943 – October 24, 2023
Roland Stewart Hannahs Roland Stewart Hannahs, 85, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away from congestive heart failure on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Spring Arbor of Leesburg. Roland was born in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of the late Catherine Stewart Hannahs and John Henry Hannahs. He was the last of 10 sisters and brothers. He was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 44 years, Jan Hannahs; and his daughter Kimberly Hannahs. He leaves behind his daughter Joylyn Hannahs and her husband Edward Riccobene, and his grandchildren, Georgia and Nolan Riccobene who loved him beyond measure and affectionately called him “Dad”. Roland was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1956. He later worked for Bethlehem Steel Corporation, GAF, and finished his career at TAMKO Asphalt Products working in sales throughout the north and southeast. Roland leaves a legacy of love and gratitude that lives on in the hearts of his family. He loved God, his family, and his country. His keen sense of humor will be dearly and profoundly missed by all who knew him. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, November 20, 2023, from 10 to 11 am at Cornerstone Chapel 650 Battlefield Parkway, Leesburg, VA 20175. Funeral services will follow at the church on Monday at 11 am. Interment will be held privately in Union Cemetery Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rolands’s memory to Loudoun Hunger Relief 750 Miller Dr. Ste 110, Leesburg, VA 20175. https:// loudounhunger.org/donate-now/ Please share condolences with the family www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
Jane Piercy peacefully passed into the arms of our Lord on the morning of October 24, 2023. She was a proud mother of four and grandmother of eight who lived in Western Loudoun County, Virginia, for the past 47 years. Born in Newman Grove, Nebraska, Jane grew up in the Midwest before moving East where she worked and raised a family, first in Falls Church and then in Waterford, Virginia. She was a member of Catoctin Presbyterian Church and spent countless hours volunteering at church, local schools, events and charities. She worked for numerous organizations throughout her career including Loudoun Mutual Insurance Co., of Waterford, the library at Lucketts Elementary School, the Loudoun County Health Department and Caulkins Jewelers in Leesburg – all while serving as partner of Piercy’s Garage in Waterford. She loved to read and to write, loved the company of her many pets through the years, loved the outdoors and most of all loved spending time with family. Jane is survived by her two brothers Dennis and Daniel Newhoff, four children Alan Piercy, Roger Piercy, Lisa Piercy and Sarah Denson, daughters-in-law Laura Piercy and Jennifer Piercy, son-in-law Raymond Denson, and eight grandchildren, Jillian Piercy, Charley Piercy, Allyson Piercy, Evan Piercy, Bethany Piercy, Nathan Piercy, Grace Brooks and Megan Piercy. The family will be holding a celebration of life at the Old Stone Schoolhouse in Hillsboro, Virginia on Sunday, November 19 from 2-5 p.m. with a brief eulogy at 3 p.m.
Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.
To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email sstyer@loudounnow.com
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
T U O GET LIVE MUSIC NICK MICH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com ALEX THE RED PAREZ OPEN MIC NIGHT 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 Dynasty Brewing, 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn. dynastybrewing.com WILL BASKIN 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. spankyspub.com CHRISTIAN LOPEZ BAND 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20. tallyhotheater.com DENNIS WAYLAND 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com TODD BROOKS 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com JESS JAMS 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com NOVEMBER MORNING 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com BRITTON JAMES 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg spankyspub.com RAYS OF VIOLET 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com SUMMER & ERIC 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 25
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Members of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chantilly educated guests on the recent completion of the largest Hindu temple in the country that opened last month in New Jersey.
Loudoun Celebrates Diwali
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Community members gathered at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chantilly on Saturday to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu New Year. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most vibrant and meaningful festivals in the Hindu calendar around the world. During the holiday, the dispelling of darkness with light symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Diwali’s message of faith, hope, goodness, and strengthening communities is central to the festival’s celebrations across the world. Approximately 4,200 Loudoun and Fairfax residents attended this year making it the largest Diwali celebration in the DMV area, according to event organizers. Attendees were encouraged to enjoy all the colors, lights and tastes of the festival, including “Annakut,” a mountain of food, that is made up of many vegetarian delicacies and offered in front of the god, Bhagwan, as a form of devotion. The food is offered as a symbol of apprecia-
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Community members stand in line to take a tour through the mandir and view the “Annakut” offering during Diwali Nov. 11.
tion and gratitude. Participants sang Thal devotional songs while offering food to Bhagwan. Thal is a form of devotion in which devotees offer pure vegetarian food to the murti, sacred images of Bhagwan. During Thal, participants sing devotional verses describing the different types of food being offered and thank Bhagwan
for providing them with the basic necessities. After that, the Sadhus (monks) and devotees joined together to perform the Aarti, the symbolic waving of a lighted wick in a clockwise motion in front of the murti of Bhagwan while singing a prayer. It symbolizes the removal of darkness by true spiritual enlightenment. Aarti is a tradition dating back thousands of years. Today, millions of Hindus perform Aarti in their homes or attend Aarti at mandirs, a Hindu place of worship. Visitors were also welcomed on a tour of the mandir to learn about the recent completion of the largest Hindu temple in the country that opened last month in New Jersey. There, 12,500 volunteers gathered to build it “putting aside their personal and professional lives,” they said. The place of worship is significant for all Hindus and stands as an enduring symbol of love, peace, hope and harmony while preserving traditions across generations, according to the mandir’s website. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Best Bets
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
PAGE 25
MITCHELL TENPENNY 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Hollywood Casino, $55 hollywoodcansinocharlestown.com
FREEZE YOUR GIZZARD RACE 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Ida Lee Park leesburgva.gov
BRET MICHAELS 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Ion Arena ionarena.com
The multi-platinum country artist who hit the charts with “Drunk Me” performs at the events center.
It’s the 21st year for the annual 5K cross-country race through the fields of Ida Lee Park. The 1-mile fun run starts at 9:45 a.m. Participants help stock the shelves at the Loudoun Hunger Relief food bank.
Michaels performs with Steve Augeri from Journey, Bill Leverty from FireHouse, Gavin Evick and 8 Track Jones for a tribute to hometown heroes, first responders, and active-duty military.
GET OUT LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 24 JASON MASI 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com ELIJAH MYERS 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com MARK DUNN 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com MANGLI 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 The Michael & Son Sportsplex at Dulles, Dulles Sportsplex, Sterling. events.sulekha.com TED GARBER 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com TEJAS SINGH 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com LANCO 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $35. tallyhotheater.com SIDEPIECE 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. spankyspub.com DUNLAP AND MABE 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville.
monksq.com MITCHELL TENPENNY 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Hollywood Casino, 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, WV. $55. hollywoodcasinocharlestown. com DAVE MININBERG 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com GUYS IN THIN TIES 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com SCOTT KURT 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com HUGH & THE VAGABONDS 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com PETE LAPP 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com ANDY B 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com JIM STEELE 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com MERCY CREEK 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com DAVID ANDREW SMITH 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035
Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavernwinery.com KEN WENZEL 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. the barnsathamiltonstation.com WILL SHEPARD 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com ROWDY ACE 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com BRAD DOGGERT 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com LEVI STEPHENS 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com JAKE PHILLIPS 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com THE LEFTOVERS BAND 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com STEVE GEORGE & FRIENDS 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com MICHELLE SWAN AND CHERITH YULY 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Dynasty Brewing, 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn. dynastybrewing.com DELTA SPUR 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
JUSTIN SUEDE 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com ANNIE STOKES & ERIN LUNSFORD 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Leesburg Listening Room Concert Series. $15. leesburgmovement@gmail.com TEJAS SINGH 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com BRITTON JAMES 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com BRET MICHAELS PARTI-GRAS 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Ion Arena, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $65 to $150. ionarena.com STARLETT & BIG JOHN 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts. $22. luckettsbluegrass.org SOUL OF AMERICA 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville. $25. franklinparkartscenter.org VAN HALEN NATION 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20. tallyhotheater.com HAND PAINTED SWINGER 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. spankyspub.com LIBERTY STREET 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville.
monksq.com DOIN’ TIME CLASSIC COUNTRY 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com JOSH SOWDER 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com BLUE BOTTNECK BAND 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com TRAVIS TUCKER 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com KERRY MCCOOL 1:30 to 4:40 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com JIM STEELE 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstaton.com JOE DOWNER 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com GRAYSON MOON 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com JOEY HAFNER 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com JASON MASI 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com
LAURA FARRELL 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com DENNIS WAYLAND 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com JASON MASI 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com HOMEY DON’T PLAY DAT 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E Market St, Leesburg. spankyspub.com SHORT HILL MOUNTAIN BOYS 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com DE LA GHETTO 9 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Nov. 22 Rio Cantina, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, Sterling. facebook.com/ RioCantinaSterling K-PAZ DE LA SIERRA 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Nov. 23 Rio Cantina, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, Sterling. facebook.com/ RioCantinaSterling
HAPPENINGS JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 1 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Capital Community Church, 20430 Ashburn Village Blvd., Ashburn. $20. thepickwickplayers.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 26
PAGE 26
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
GET OUT LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 25 AUTHOR TALK: LARRY ROEDER-DIRT DON’T BURN 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. SW., Leesburg. Free. loudounmuseum.org HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Harmony United Methodist Church, 380 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. harmonyva.org VILLAGE AT LEESBURG HOLIDAY CELEBRATION 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com LEONID METEOR SHOWER WATCH PARTY 5 to 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Aldie Mill Historic Park, 39401 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. novaparks.org FREEZE YOUR GIZZARD RACE 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Ida Lee Park leesburgva.gov
ENGLISH TEA AND OPEN HOUSE 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. $70. oatlands.org BIRDING BLES PARK 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Bles Park, 44830 Bles Park Drive, Ashburn. loudounwildife.org LOUDOUN BALLET NUTCRACKER TEA PARTY 12 Sunday, Nov. 19 – sold out 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW., Leesburg. $50 lbpac.org PROFS & PINTS NORTHERN VIRGINIA: THE SEARCH FOR LIFE BEYOND EARTH 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive, Sterling. $13.50. crookedrunfermentation.com COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $22 to $32. tallyhotheater.com
ASHBURN FARM THANKSGIVING DAY RACES 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn. $25. runsignup.com
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE BOARD 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, Virtual meeting. loudoun.gov SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, Loudoun County Public Schools, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn. lcps.org BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE COMMITTEE 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., Leesburg. loudoun.gov
Miracle on 34th street
www.GooseCreekPlayers.com
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
PAGE 27
Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Communications Technician (Police Dispatch)
Police
$53,000-$97,651 DOQ
Open until filled
Events Coordinator
Parks & Recreation
$55,650-$104,900 DOQ
Open until filled
Groundskeeper
Parks & Recreation
$52,000-$96,200 DOQ
Open until filled
Maintenance Worker I (Streets Division)
Public Works & Capital Projects
$51,000-$94,350 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$65,000-$104,000 DOQ
Open until filled
Project Manager for Construction
Public Works & Capital Projects
$81,012-$152,707 DOQ
Open until filled
Senior Engineer – Capital Projects
Public Works & Capital Projects
$74,596-$140,614 DOQ
Open until filled
Utilities Process Engineer
Utilities
$87,979-$165,840 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Instrumentation/SCADA System Technician
Utilities
$63,248-$119,223 DOQ
Open until filled
Flexible Part-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Library Associate or Senior Library Associate
Thomas Balch Library
$21.20-$37.55 DOQ
Open until filled
Receptionist I
Executive
$20.51-$33.42 DOQ
November 16th, 2023
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.
Construction Project Manager/Project Engineer Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to handle all aspects of construction project management. Duties include Preparing, scheduling, coordinating and monitoring the assigned projects. Monitoring compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards and specifications. Interacting daily with the clients to interpret their needs and requirements and representing them in the field. We are looking for an accountable project engineer/project manager to be responsible for all engineering and technical disciplines that projects involve. You will schedule, plan, forecast, resource and manage all the technical activities aiming at assuring project accuracy and quality from conception to completion.
Qualifications
Contact Info:
• BS degree in Engineering/Construction Management or relevant field • Prior federal government project experience is preferred, but not required • Entry-level/mid-level Position
Katherine Hicks 305 Harrison Street STE 100 Leesburg, VA 20175 Send Resume to: khicks@meridiengroupllc.com (703) 777-8285
ATTENTION: PERSONAL TRAINERS Well established fitness facility looking to contract Certified Trainers. Excellent pay and great opportunity for the right professional. Contact 703-626-1075 to discuss and schedule a meeting.
CAREGIVER Caregiver in Loudoun County with more than 10 years experience is ready to take care of your love ones day or night shift.
Please call: 240-593-5901
Post your job listings anytime at NowHiringLoudoun.com
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 28
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LEESBURG TOWN CODE AMENDMENTS: CHAPTER 34.1 (UTILITIES) AND ASSOCIATED PROVISIONS OF APPENDIX B – FEE SCHEDULE Pursuant to Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, 15.2-2111, 15.2-2119, 15.2-2122 and 15.2-2143
Water Use Rates: Class Residential Individually Metered (Single Family) Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Inside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Tier 1: 0 - 6,000
$5.86
$5.86
$5.86
$5.86
$5.86
$5.86
Tier 2: 6,001 - 15,000
$7.35
$7.35
$7.35
$7.35
$7.35
$7.35
Tier 3: 15,001 - 30,000
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
Tier 4: > 30,001
$11.46
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons
THE LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at Town Hall located at 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176
Tier 1: 0 - 6,000
$8.27
$8.27
$8.27
$8.27
$8.27
$8.27
Tier 2: 6,001- 15,000
$10.37
$10.37
$10.37
$10.37
$10.37
$ 10.37
at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the proposed amendments to Town Code Chapter 34.1 and associated provisions of Appendix B – Fee Schedule.
Tier 3: 15,001 - 30,000
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
Tier 4: > 30,001
$16.16
$16.53
$16.53
$16.53
$16.53
$16.53
The following Town Code amendments are proposed: Sec. 34.1-111. Discontinuance of service generally. Adds cross-reference to associated service charges adopted in Appendix B. Sec. 34.1-123. Damage or obstruction of water system property: cross connections; unauthorized connections. Adds authorization for town manager to develop administrative policy. Sec. 34.1-128. New Section Violators of article liable for expenses, damage, etc., incurred by town. Clarifies violator responsibility for town response cost. Sec. 34.1-146. Miscellaneous fees, charges, and general utility billing. Clarifies section title; amendment for consistency of water and sewer billing provisions. Sec. 34.1-147. New Section Automatic flushing device. Adds requirement for automatic flushing devices in certain circumstances. Sec. 34.1-153. Administration and enforcement. Technical correction. Sec. 34.1-204. Approved method of disposal of human excrement and other polluting waste—What constitutes; generally. Amendment to clarify when required to connect to town sewer system. Sec. 34.1-205. Duty of owner of building to install water closets, make sewer connections and discontinue use of privies. Amendment to clarify when required to connect to town sewer system and responsibility for town response cost. Sec. 34.1-215. Discontinuance of service. Adds cross-reference to associated service charges adopted in Appendix B. Sec. 34.1-242. Miscellaneous fees, charges, and general utility billing. Clarifies section title; amendment for consistency of water and sewer billing provisions. Sec. 34.1-253. Administration and enforcement. Technical correction. The following amendments are proposed to Appendix B – Fee Schedule: Sec. 34.1-107. Public facility permits. Fee for installation of the meter is revised from $50.00 (current) to $75.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-111. Disconnection of service generally. (1) Disconnection of water service is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). (2) Resumption of water service is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). (3) After hours disconnection water service is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (4) After hours resumption of water service is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-112. Denial or discontinuance of water service due to leaks. (1) The service charge for re-establishing water service is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-123. Damage or obstruction of water system property; cross connections; unauthorized connections. (c) The charge for tampering is revised from $50.00 plus the town response cost (current) to $100.00 plus town response cost (proposed). (d) The charge for unauthorized turn on or off (activate/deactivate) of water meter is revised from $50.00 plus the town response cost (current) to $100.00 plus town response cost (proposed). (e) The charge for tampering is revised from $50.00 plus the town response cost (current) to $100.00 plus town response cost (proposed). Sec. 34.1-127. Cross connection and backflow prevention control program. (1) Disconnection and resumption of water service for failure to comply with Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention Control program: revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). (2) Charges for annual cross connection/backflow inspections per connection, premises or account revised as follows: Meter Size Current Proposed 5/8”
$25.00
$50.00
3/4”
$32.50
$50.00
1”
$47.50
$50.00
Sec. 34.1-128. New Fee Schedule Violators of article liable for expenses, damage, etc., incurred by town. The charge shall be $50.00 plus the Town response cost. Sec. 34.1-132. Water service deposit for new accounts: (1) Residential individual meters and commercial users estimated water flow equal to or less than 350 gallons per day per public facilities permit is revised from $75.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). Sec. 34-.1-134. Water use rates. Adopts rates for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows:
Water Use Rates: Class Residential Master Metered (Apartments) & Nonresidential Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$7.92
$7.92
$7.92
$7.92
$11.17
$11.17
$11.17
$11.17
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Inside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Tier 1: All Use
$7.92
$7.92
Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Tier 1: All Use
$11.16
$11.17
Water Use Rates: Class Irrigation and Cooling Tower Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Inside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Tier 1: 0 - 240,000
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
$8.81
Tier 2: > 240,001
$11.46
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
$11.72
Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Tier 1: 0 - 240,000
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
$12.42
Tier 2: > 240,001
$ 16.16
$ 16.53
$ 16.53
$ 16.53
$ 16.53
$ 16.53
Sec. 34.1-135. Fixed water and account charge per quarter: Adopts rates for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows: Fixed and Account Charge per Quarter: Class Residential Individually Metered (Single Family) Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$10.08
$10.33
$10.59
$10.85
$11.12
$11.40
5/8” to ¾”
$30.82
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
¾”
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
$30.97
1”
$33.48
$33.90
$33.90
$33.90
$33.90
$33.90
1½”
$47.96
$47.96
$47.96
$47.96
$47.96
$47.96
2”
$49.86
$49.86
$49.86
$49.86
$49.86
$49.86
Account Charge Water Meter Size
Fixed and Account Charge per Quarter: Class Residential Master Metered (Apartments) & Nonresidential
Account Charge
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$10.08
$10.33
$10.59
$10.85
$11.12
$11.40
Water Meter Size 5/8”
$30.82
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
¾”
$44.07
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
1”
$72.77
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
1½”
$152.67
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
2”
$233.14
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
3”
$444.73
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
4”
$683.79
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
6”
$1,340.89
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
8”
$2,169.79
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
PAGE 29
Legal Notices Fixed and Account Charge per Quarter for Water Use: Class Irrigation and Cooling Tower
Account Charge
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$10.08
$10.33
$10.59
$10.85
$11.12
$11.40
Water Meter Size 5/8”
$30.82
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
¾”
$44.07
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
1”
$72.77
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
1½”
$152.67
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
2”
$233.14
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
3”
$444.73
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
4”
$683.79
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
6”
$1,340.89
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
8”
$2,169.79
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
Sec. 34.1-143. When due and payable; notice, late fee and second billing to delinquent accounts; discontinuance of service to delinquent account (1)Delinquent Account Processing Fee is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-146. Miscellaneous fees, charges and general utility billing. Section heading is revised to “General utility billing; miscellaneous fees and charges.” The following subsections are amended as shown: (1) Trip fee (subsequent trips or missed appointments): During normal town working hours is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). After normal town working hours is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (2) Tampering charge is revised from $50.00 plus the town response cost (current) to $100.00 plus the town response cost (proposed). (3) Unauthorized turn on or turn off (activate or reactivate meter after discontinuance of water and/or sewer service) is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (5) Customer-requested leak check: During normal town working hours is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). After normal town working hours is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (6) Inspection services performed after normal town working hours is revised from $70.00 per hour (current) with two-hour minimum to $100.00 per hour (proposed) with two-hour minimum. (7) Water or sanitary sewer hydraulic model is revised to remove sanitary sewer hydraulic modeling from this section, and to add the cost of any engineering services required as a fee to the customer (proposed additional language). (11) Hydrant flow test fee is revised from $300.00 (current) to $350.00 (proposed). (12) Reinspection trip fee is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (13) Reinspection fee for television sewer connection inspection is revised from $100.00 (current) to $200.00 (proposed) per commercial reinspection and is revised from $50 (current) to $100 (proposed) per residential reinspection (14) Customer requested utility service location of town infrastructure is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-147. New Fee Section Automatic Flushing Device. Water Use Rates: Class Auto-Flusher Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
$5.86
$5.86
5/8” Meter
$25.00
$50.00
3/4” Meter
$32.50
$50.00
1” Meter
$47.50
$50.00
Sec. 34.1-213. Inspection. (1) Re-inspection fee for CCTV is revised from $100.00 (current) to $200.00 (proposed) per reinspection for a commercial connection lateral and revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed) per reinspection for a residential connection lateral. (2) Minimum per trip re-inspection fee for CCTV of mains is revised from $500.00 (current) to $750.00 (proposed). Sec. 34.1-215. Discontinuance of service. (1) Disconnection sewer service is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). (2) Resumption of sewer service is revised from $30.00 (current) to $50.00 (proposed). (3) After hours disconnection of sewer service is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (4) After hours resumption of sewer service is revised from $50.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed). (5) If sewer is plugged due to noncompliance, the charge is revised from $50.00 (current) plus the town response cost to $100.00 (proposed) plus the town response cost. Sec. 34.1-217. Sewer service availability charge: Adopts charges for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows: (1) Residential uses shall be as follows: Current Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective 07-01-2023 07-01-2024 07-01-2025 07-01-2026 07-01-2027 07-01-2028 a. Multifamily dwelling, townhouse or mobile home, per unit:
$5,852.00
$6,666.00
$7,332.00
$8,067.00
$8,871.00
$9,759.00
b. Single-family detached dwelling, or two-family attached (duplex), per unit:
$7,292.00
$7,777.00
$8,554.00
$9,412.00
$10,350.00
$11,386.00
(2)
Nonresidential uses: Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
a. All nonindustrial uses:
$7,292.00^
$7,777.00^
$8,554.00^
$9,412.00^
$10,350.00^
$11,386.00^
b. All industrial uses*:
$7,292.00^
$7,777.00^
$8,554.00^
$9,412.00^
$10,350.00^
$11,386.00^
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$5.86
$5.86
Sewer Availability Fee per gallon per day of the estimated sewer flow
Fixed and Account Charge per Quarter for Water Use: Class Auto-Flusher
Account Charge
Effective 07-01-2024
^ or, if greater, as specified below per gallon per day of the estimated sewage flow from the user. * plus an additional charge in proportion to the excess biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids or other pollutant discharge of the user above the average pollutant discharge of residential users of the system. 3) If an additional use or change of use is proposed, fees shall be:
Inside Town or Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons $5.86
tions and discontinue use of privies. The charge for any response, replacement or repair shall be $50.00 plus the town response cost. Sec. 34.1-206. Rules and regulations/Sewer Use Regulations. (1) Charges for annual pretreatment inspections of non-single family residential plumbing systems connected to the town’s sanitary sewer system revised as shown for each inspection per connection, premises or account: Meter Size Current Proposed (Revised)
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
$10.33
$10.59
$10.85
$11.12
Effective 07-01-2028 $11.40
Water Meter Size 5/8”
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
¾”
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
$46.23
1”
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
$77.05
1½”
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
$154.10
2”
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
$246.56
3”
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
$493.12
4”
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
$770.50
6”
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
$1,541.00
8”
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
$2,465.60
Sec. 34.1-205. New Fee Section Duty of owner of building to install water closets, make sewer connec-
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Non- Industrial
$20.20
$22.22
$24.44
$26.89
$29.57
$32.53
Industrial uses
$20.20
$22.22
$24.44
$26.89
$29.57
$32.53
(4) In the event the actual usage at any time exceeds the amount stated in the public facilities permit, the additional fee shall be: Sewer Availability Fee per gallon per day of the additional sewer flow Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Non- Industrial
$20.20
$22.22
$24.44
$26.89
$29.57
$32.53
Industrial uses
$20.20
$22.22
$24.44
$26.89
$29.57
$32.53
Sec. 34.1-226. – Prohibition against discharge into sewer system. The cost to eliminate illegal connections is revised to state $50 plus the town response cost. Sec. 34.1-232. – Security deposits for new accounts. (1) Residential individual meters and commercial users estimated water flow equal to or less than 350 gallons per day per public facilities permit is revised from $75.00 (current) to $100.00 (proposed).
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Legal Notices Sec. 34-.1-234. Sewer use charge where connection made to both water and sewer system: Adopts rates for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows: Sewer Use Rates: Class Residential Individually Metered (Single Family) Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
0 – 36,000
$7.84
$8.55
$9.32
$10.16
$11.07
$12.07
> 36,001
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$11.92
$13.00
$14.17
$15.45
$16.83
$18.35
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Sewer Use Rates: Class Residential Master Metered (Apartments) & Nonresidential
Inside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
$7.84
$8.55
$9.32
$10.16
$11.07
$12.07
$14.17
$15.45
$16.83
$18.35
Outside Town - Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons Outside Town
$11.92
$13.00
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Account Charge (Per Bill)
$10.08
$10.33
$10.59
$10.85
$11.12
$11.40
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028 $70.72
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Private Water Supply Water Meter Size (Per Meter)
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
$7.84
$8.55
$9.32
$10.16
$11.07
$12.07
5/8 “ to ¾”
$30.64
$50.10
$54.62
$59.53
$64.89
Full ¾”
$45.96
$50.10
$54.62
$59.53
$64.89
$70.72
1”
$76.60
$83.50
$91.03
$99.23
$108.15
$117.88
$11.92
$13.00
$14.17
$15.45
$16.83
$18.35
Effective 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
5/8
$30.64
$33.40
$36.41
$39.69
$43.26
$47.15
¾
$30.64
$33.40
$36.41
$39.69
$43.26
$47.15
1”
$30.64
$33.40
$36.41
$39.69
$43.26
$47.15
1½”
$30.64
$33.40
$36.41
$39.69
$43.26
$47.15
2”
$30.64
$33.40
$36.41
$39.69
$43.26
$47.15
Fixed Charge per Quarter for Sewer Use: Class Residential Master Metered (Apartments), Nonresidential and Cooling Tower Water Meter Size
Effective 07-01-2025
Inside Town - Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons
Sec. 34.1-235. Fixed sewer charge per quarter where connection made to both water and sewer system: Adopts rates for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows: Fixed Charge per Quarter for Sewer Use: Class Residential Individually Metered (Single Family) Water Meter Size
Effective 07-01-2024
Fixed and Account Charge per Quarter for Sewer Only Use when metered private water supply:
Outside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons > 36,001
Current 07-01-2023 Inside Town
Inside Town – Consumption Charge per 1,000 gallons
0 – 36,000
Sewer Use Rates for Commercial sewer only with private water supply
Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
5/8”
$30.64
$50.10
$54.62
$59.53
$64.89
$70.72
¾”
$45.96
$50.10
$54.62
$59.53
$64.89
$70.72
1”
$76.60
$83.50
$91.03
$99.23
$108.15
$117.88
1½”
$153.20
$167.00
$182.05
$198.45
$216.30
$235.75
2”
$245.12
$267.20
$291.28
$317.52
$346.08
$377.20
3”
$490.24
$534.40
$582.56
$635.04
$692.16
$754.40
4”
$766.00
$835.00
$910.25
$992.25
$1,081.50
$1,178.75
6”
$1,532.00
$1,670.00
$1,820.50
$1,984.50
$2,163.00
$2,357.50
8”
$2,451.20
$2,672.00
$2,912.80
$3,175.20
$3,460.80
$3,772.00
Sec. 34.1-238. Flat sewer charge, account charge and fixed sewer charge per quarter where residential or approved rainwater connection made to sewer system only: Adopts charges for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows: Current 07-01-2023
Effective 07-01-2024
Effective 07-01-2025
Effective 07-01-2026
Effective 07-01-2027
Effective 07-01-2028
Inside Town Flat Charge
$117.58
$128.25
$139.80
$152.40
$166.05
$181.05
Inside Town – Sewer Only Fixed and Account Charge
$40.71
$43.73
$47.00
$50.54
$54.38
$58.55
Outside Town – Flat Charge
$178.70
$194.94
$212.50
$231.65
$252.40
$275.20
Outside Town – Sewer Only Fixed and Account Charge
$40.71
$43.73
$47.00
$50.54
$54.38
$58.55
Sec. 34-1-239. Commercial fixed and account charges and sewer use charge per quarter where connection only to sewer system with metered private water supply: Adopts charges for the following five fiscal years (effective 7/1/24, 7/1/25, 7/1/26, 7/1/27, and 7/1/28) as follows:
1½”
$153.20
$167.00
$182.05
$198.45
$216.30
$235.75
-2”
$245.12
$267.20
$291.28
$317.52
$346.08
$377.20
3”
$490.24
$534.40
$582.56
$635.04
$692.16
$754.40
4”
$766.00
$835.00
$910.25
$992.25
$1,081.50
$1,178.75
6”
$1,532.00
$1,670.00
$1,820.50
$1,984.50
$2,163.00
$2,357.50
8”
$2,451.20
$2,672.00
$2,912.80
$3,175.20
$3,460.80
$3,772.00
Sec. 34.1-242. New Fee Section specific to sewer charges. General utility billing; miscellaneous fees and charges: (1) Trip fee (subsequent trips or missed appointments): During normal town working hours: $50.00 After normal town working hours: $100.00 (2) Tampering charge: $100.00 plus the town response cost. (3) Unauthorized turn on or turn off (activate or reactivate meter after discontinuance of water and/or sewer service): $100.00. (4) Customer-requested meter test found to be accurate: $75.00 for up to 2” meters; $250.00 for meters larger than 2” (5) Inspection services performed after normal town working hours: $100.00 per hour with two-hour minimum (6) Water or sanitary sewer hydraulic model: $250.00 each plus engineering services as required. (7) Replacement materials to be used in town water or sewer system: cost of the replacement material and administrative overhead of 15 percent plus $15.00 processing fee per billing. (8) Reinspection trip fee: $100.00 (9) Reinspection fee for television sewer connection inspection: $200.00 per commercial reinspection; $100.00 per residential reinspection (10) Customer requested utility service location of town infrastructure: $50.00 (11) Customer requested sanitary sewer property line cleanout: $50.00 plus the town response cost. (12) Utilities collection fee: (a) If unpaid after 60 days: $30.00. (b) If unpaid and a judgment is obtained: $35.00. Sec. 34.1-263. – Devices Charges for device inspections of non-single family residential plumbing systems connected to the town’s sanitary sewer system revised as shown: Meter Size
Current
Proposed (Revised)
5/8” Meter
$25.00
$50.00
3/4” Meter
$32.50
$50.00
1” Meter
$47.50
$50.00
The advertised rates are the highest rates within the range of rates that may be adopted. The final rates as adopted may be lower. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by emailing clerk@leesburgva.gov or calling 703-771-2733. Additional information regarding these proposed amendments is available in the Department of Utilities 1385 Russell Branch Parkway, Leesburg, Virginia, with advance notice during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) by emailing Amy Wyks, Director of Utilities at awyks@leesburgva.gov or calling 703-737-7119. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 11/16/2023 & 11/23/2023
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
PAGE 31
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following: LEGI-2023-0027, INNOVATION GATEWAY: ZMAP-2022-0001, SPEX-2022-0002, ZMOD-2022-0005, ZMOD-2022-0006, ZMOD-2022-0007, ZMOD-2022-0008, ZMOD-2022-0009, & ZMOD-2022-0010
PIN
Tax Map Number
Acres Enrolled
477-25-1320-000
//7///3/////5/
3.01
(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, & Zoning Modifications)
477-25-1547-000
//7///3/////6/
3.01
FRH REALTY, LLC and BCG JV STERLING, LLC have submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment, a special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 29.13 acres of land located west of Shaw Road (Route 636), east of Sully Road (Route 28), and south of Old Ox Road (Route 606) in the Sterling Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as:
477-25-5206-000
//7///3/////7/
3
PIN 035-45-7494-000 034-16-0552-000
PROPERTY ADDRESS N/A N/A
TAX MAP NUMBER /94////////33E /94////////33B
For ZMAP-2022-0001, the applicants seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the PD-TC (Planned Development – Town Center) and PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 425 multifamily attached (MFA) dwelling units at a density of approximately 40 dwelling units per acre within the proposed PD-TC zoning district and to develop 700,000 square feet (SF) of data center and office uses within the proposed PD-OP zoning district. For SPEX-2022-0002, the applicants seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the PD-OP zoning district from 0.6 to 1.0. For ZMOD-2022-0005, ZMOD-2022-0006, ZMOD2022-0007, ZMOD-2022-0008, ZMOD-2022-0009, and ZMOD-2022-0010, the applicants seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: allow a PD-TC District of a minimum of 12 acres, allow a Town Center Fringe without a Town Center Core in the PD-TC district, allow a minimum five foot setback between the parking spaces within the PDTC district and the eastern boundary of the PD-OP district, to allow for 100 percent of the total gross floor area within the PD-TC district to be devoted to residential use, to eliminate the requirement for a minimum 3 percent of total gross floor area used for civic uses and/or other public uses, educational uses, cultural uses, or community rooms and buildings in the PD-TC district, to allow a block perimeter of a minimum of 3,200 feet without a through-block pedestrian linkage in the PD-TC district, to allow a minimum five foot setback between the parking spaces within the PD-OP district and the northernmost drive aisle of the PD-TC district, and to allow a building height of up to 110 feet if it is set back from streets or from lot lines that do not constitute boundaries of districts with lower maximum height restrictions, in addition to each of the required minimum yard dimensions, a distance of not less than one foot for each one foot of height that it exceeds the 60 foot limit in the PD-TC district.
478-18-8316-000
/15///////101/
15
478-38-1442-000
/15////////74A
73.28
478-48-9524-000
//7////////62/
25.25
512-10-9039-000
//7///3/////2/
3.01
512-10-9209-000
//7///3/////1/
3.06
The New Hillsboro Agricultural and Forestal District currently has a 4-year period that will expire on April 10, 2026, and is subject to a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are on file and may be examined at the Office of County Administrator, 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 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (11-6-2023 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: https://www. loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
REQUEST FOR WITHDRAWAL OF LAND BELONGING TO SARAH M. AND TODD A. BRAMBLETT, FROM THE NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-4314 and the New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District Ordinance, Sarah M. and Todd A. Bramblett, of Paeonian Springs, Virginia, have submitted an application to withdraw a 20.34-acre parcel from the New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District. The subject property is located north of Hurley Lane (Route 703) and east of Clarkes Gap Road (Route 662), in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly identified as PIN 306-49-7263000, Tax Map # /38////////77/. The New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District currently has a 4-year period that will expire on June 1, 2024, and is subject to a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres.
LEGI-2023-0082, EVERGREEN ENERGY CENTER: CMPT-2023-0008 (Commission Permit)
East Point Energy, LLC has submitted an application for Commission approval to establish an electric battery storage facility under the “Utility Substation, Transmission” use in the AR-1 zoning district in accordance with Section §5-616 et seq. of the Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is approximately 2.9735 acres in size and is located east of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) and south of Crimson Place (Route 1077) in the Little River Election District. The subject property is more particularly identified as 20831 Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, Virginia; PIN: 277-29-6320-000; Tax Map # /60////////63A.
REQUEST FOR WITHDRAWAL OF LAND BELONGING TO MOONBRIGHT, LLC, FROM THE NEW HILLSBORO AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-4314 and the New Hillsboro Agricultural and Forestal District Ordinance, Moonbright, LLC has submitted an application to withdraw 190.4-acres contained within 13 parcels from the New Hillsboro Agricultural and Forestal District. The subject property is located east of Harper’s Ferry Road (Route 671) and north and south of White Rock Road, in the Catoctin Election District. The subject properties are more particularly identified as: Parcel Listings: PIN
Tax Map Number
Acres Enrolled
477-15-1094-000
//7///3/////4/
3
477-15-1162-000
//7///3/////3/
3.01
477-15-3542-000
//7///3/////8/
3
477-16-0547-000
//7////////58B
15
477-17-8752-000
//7////////60A
37.77
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are on file and may be examined at the Office of County Administrator, 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 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (11-6-2023 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: https://www. loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet). Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www. loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Legal Notices Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.
Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.
11/16 & 11/23
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.:
CL23-5482
Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Eva Adriana Rios Ventura /v.
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.:
CL23-5784
Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Serene M. Irani v.
Name Change
Muhannad F. Jweinat
The object of this suit is to name change of minor. It is ORDERED that Edgar Angel Rios Ventura appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before 12-15-2023 at 10:00 AM. 11/16, 11/23, 11/30 & 12/7/23
The object of this suit is a Complaint for Divorce and Motion for Pendente Lite Relief It is ORDERED that Muhannad F. Jweinat appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before 12/15/2023 at 2:00 p.m. 11/2, 11/9, 11/16 & 11/23/23
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR: POLICE-DIRECTED TOWING – REISSUE, RFP No. 639821 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, December 20, 2023. An in-person PreProposal Conference will be held on December 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in the Dulles Conference Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 1st Floor, Leesburg, Virginia 20175 for clarification of any questions on the specifications. 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. 11/16/23
BY ORDER OF:
MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER MINOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSPEX2023-0004; PETCO VETERINARY HOSPITAL (BATTLEFIELD SHOPPING CENTER) Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Minor Special Exception TLSPEX2023-0004, PetCo Veterinary Hospital (Battlefield Shopping Center). The subject of the application is an existing commercial space addressed as 1031 Edwards Ferry Road. The property is zoned Community Retail/Commercial District (B-3) and is further described as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 147-25-2096. Special Exception Application TLSPEX2023-0004 is a request by Onyx Creative (applicant) for a 1,749 square foot Veterinary Hospital as part of a proposed 12,199 square foot PetCo retail store pursuant to Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) Section 6.5.2, Use Regulations. The proposed PetCo retail store is a permitted use within the Community Retail/Commercial (B-3) zoning district and is not part of the special exception request. The Subject Property is located in what the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan (LLTP) describes as an “Area to Transform or Evolve” on the Area Based Land Use Initiatives Map (LLTP pg. 72). The property is further designated within LLTP as a “Retail Center” on the Character Areas for Preservation and Change Map (LLTP pg. 76). The property is also within the Gateway District (Overlay). Since this proposal is primarily an interior use with only minor exterior alterations, it is anticipated that compliance with the Gateway District may potentially be accomplished administratively. Additional information and copies of the application are available at the Department of Community Development located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Scott E. Parker, AICP, at 703-771-2771 or sparker@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 11/16 & 11/23
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
: JJ047045-03-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Maria Jose Nunez Torres Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.
Mario Obel Nunez, putative father, and Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-281 for Maria Jose Nunez Torres. It is ordered that defendants, Mario Obel Nunez, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. 11/02, 11/09, 11/16 & 11/23/23
SOLITICATION OF INTERIM APPOINTMENT TO TOWN COUNCIL The LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL currently has a vacant Council Member seat with a term that expires December 31, 2026. An interim appointment is to be made by Town Council in anticipation of a special election on November 5, 2024. Any person qualified to vote in town elections is eligible for appointment. Council Members appointed to fill vacancies on the Council shall have the rights, privileges, powers, duties and obligations of an elected member. All interested parties must complete an Application for Town Service that can be found on the Town’s website at www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/council-subcommittees and submit to the Town Clerk before 4:30PM on Friday, November 17, 2023. Submission can be made via email at clerk@ lovettsvilleva.gov or in-person at the Lovettsville Town Hall, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia between the hours of 8:30AM and 4:30PM weekdays, holidays excepted. 11/9/23, 11/16/23
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
PAGE 33
Legal Notices Loudoun County Public Schools Proposed Western Loudoun Secondary School Attendance Zone Change On November 14, 2023, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone change process to consider assigning secondary school students residing in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) geographic planning zones WL10, WL14.1, WL22.2, WL29.1, WL57, WL58.1, WL60 and WL61 to Blue Ridge Middle School and Loudoun Valley High School. The attendance zone change would take effect in the fall, with the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. The identified planning zones are currently in the Kenneth W. Culbert Elementary School, Harmony Middle School and Woodgrove High School attendance zones. No elementary school attendance zone changes are being recommended. Additional information on the proposed secondary school attendance zone change is posted on the LCPS webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/253489), including how to determine in what LCPS planning zone a specific address is located. Date / Location
Time
Attendance Zone Meeting Detail
November 14, 2023* LCPS Administration Building 21000 Education Ct, Ashburn
4:00 p.m.
School Board Overview of Recommended Secondary School Attendance Zone Change
November 27, 2023 Woodgrove High School (Café) 36811 Allder School Rd, Purcellville
7:00 p.m.
Community Meeting on Recommended Secondary School Attendance Zone Change
December 12, 2023* LCPS Administration Building 21000 Education Ct, Ashburn
6:30 p.m.
School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Action on the Recommended Secondary School Attendance Zone Change
*Regular School Board Meeting Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, in order to participate meaningfully at any of the attendance zone meetings, should contact the Clerk of the School Board at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Division of Planning & GIS Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG 11/16/2023, 11/23/2023, 11/30/2023, 12/7/2023
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ046742-02-00, 04-00, 05-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ava May Harmony Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Ava May Harmony and hold a hearing on the Petitions for Termination of Parental Rights of Johnette Mae Nickens, mother, and Unknown Father pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Ava May Harmony. Unknown Father is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time
may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of his residual parental rights with respect to Ava May Harmony. Unknown Father is hereby further notified that if his residual parental rights are terminated, he will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Ava May Harmony; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Ava May Harmony; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Ava May Harmony. Further, Unknown Father, will have no legal and /or financial obligations with respect to Ava May Harmony, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Ava May Harmony for adoption and consent to the adoption of Ava May Harmony.. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 6, 2023 at 11:00am (PPH) & November 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (TPR) 10/26, 11/2, 11/9 & 11/16/23
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AMENDMENT TO TOWN CODE SECTION 18-165- MEALS TAX REMITTANCE Pursuant to Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, and 58.1-3840 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 6:30pm in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the following amendment to the Lovettsville Town Code Section 18-165 requiring remittance of meals tax within (20) days of the conclusion of each calendar month. The proposed amendment does not include any changes to the current tax rate as set forth in the Schedule of Fees. Proposed amendments are as follows: Sec 18-165 Reporting Of Taxes Collected; Remittance; Preservation Of Records It shall be the duty of every person required by this article to collect the taxes imposed by this article to make a report thereof setting forth such information as the treasurer may prescribe and require, including all purchases taxable under this article, the amount charged the purchaser for each such purchase, the date thereof, the taxes collected thereon and the amount of tax required to be collected by this article. Such reports shall be made and the taxes required to be collected by section 18-162 shall be remitted to the treasurer within twenty (20) days of the conclusion of each calendar quarter month. All records related to the calculation and imposition of the tax shall be kept and preserved for a period of five years. The treasurer or his duly authorized agents shall be entitled to examine such records at reasonable times and without unreasonable interference with the business of such person, for the purpose of administering and enforcing the provisions of this article, and to make copies of all or any parts thereof. All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required. Copies of the proposed Town Code amendment are available on the Town website and are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 11/16, 11/23/23
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LVRZ 2023-0002, FALCONSIX PROPERTIES REQUEST TO REZONE 51 SOUTH LOUDOUN STREET FROM THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, TO THE C-1, COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204 and 15.2-2286 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and Section 42-34 of the Lovettsville Zoning Ordinance, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 30, 2023, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Lovettsville Town Council Chambers, 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The purpose of the hearing is to consider an application filed by Falconsix Properties LLC of Ashburn, Virginia, to rezone property from the R-1, Residential Zoning District to the C-1, Community Commercial district and to convert the residence to office space. The 0.7-acre parcel is identified as 51 South Loudoun Street, and as Loudoun County Parcel Identification (PIN) Number: 370-20-1713-002. All persons wishing to speak will be given the opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required. The rezoning application is available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva. gov/government/planning-commission/. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 11/16, 11/23/23
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Legal Notices Loudoun County Public Schools Fall 2023 Elementary School Attendance Zone Process for Dulles South Area Henrietta Lacks Elementary School (ES-32) will open in fall 2024, with the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. The school is co-located on the Lightridge High School/Hovatter Elementary School campus at 41125 Collaboration Drive in Aldie. The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a series of meetings to facilitate the review of Dulles South area elementary school attendance zones in conjunction with the opening of the new school. The current boundaries for Aldie, Arcola, Buffalo Trail, Cardinal Ridge, Elaine E. Thompson, Goshen Post, Hovatter, Hutchison Farm, Liberty, Little River and Pinebrook Elementary Schools will be reviewed in the attendance zone process. Date
Time
Elementary School Attendance Zone Meeting
Thursday, October 19, 2023
7:00 p.m.
School Board Attendance Zone Overview
Monday, October 23, 2023
7:00 p.m.
School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
7:00 p.m.
School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session
Tuesday, November 28, 2023*
6:30 p.m.
School Board Review of Elementary School Attendance Zone Recommendations (Information Item)
Monday, December 4, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Tuesday, December 12, 2023*
6:30 p.m.
School Board Adoption of Elementary School Attendance Zones
*Regular School Board Business Meeting The meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and 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/webcast). Attendance zone information and data, as it becomes available (including potential attendance zone plans being considered or reviewed by the School Board), will be posted on the ‘Fall 2023 – Dulles South Area Elementary School Attendance Zone Process’ webpage (www.lcps.org/Page/236731). Detail on how to sign up to speak at the identified public hearings is provided at www.lcps.org/ Page/223425. In-person sign-up will also be available between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., on the evening of each attendance zone hearing. Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in the 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 Division of Planning & GIS Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG
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#
2002 UNK 1998 2005
PONTIAC LOADRITE TRAILER KAWASAKI CHEV
SUNFIRE UNKNOWN KX60 COLORADO
1G2JB124327469442 UNKNOWN JKAKXXBC7WA048337 1GCDT136458148160
ROADRUNNER TOWING ROADRUNNER TOWING AL’S TOWING BLAIR’S TOWING
703-450-7555 703-450-7555 703-435-8888 703-661-8200 11/9 & 11/16/23
Loudoun County Public Schools Fiscal Year 2025 – 2030 Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2025 – 2030 Capital Asset Preservation Program The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled meetings for the Fiscal Year 2025 - 2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Capital Asset Preservation Program (CAPP) budget process. Date
Time
Capital Budgets Meeting
Tuesday, November 14, 2023*
4:00 p.m.
Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2025-FY 2030 CIP & CAPP Budgets Presented to School Board
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
6:30 p.m.
School Board FY 2025-FY 2030 CIP & CAPP Public Hearing/Work Session
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
6:30 p.m.
School Board FY 2025-FY 2030 CIP & CAPP Public Hearing/Work Session
Tuesday, December 12, 2023*
6:30 p.m.
School Board Adoption of FY 2025-FY 2030 CIP & CAPP Budgets
*Regular School Board Business Meeting The meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and 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 (https:// www.lcps.org/webcast). Detail on how to sign up to speak at the identified public hearings is provided at www.lcps.org/ Page/223425. In-person sign-up will also be available between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., on the evening of each budget public hearing. Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in the 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. Kevin L. Lewis, Chief Operations Officer Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1385 Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG
In your hand, anywhere, anytime. In your hand, anywhere, anytime.
10/5/2023, 10/12/2023, 10/19/2023, 10/26/2023, 11/2/2023, 11/9/2023, 11/16/2023, 11/23/2023, 11/30/2023, 12/7/2023
11/9/2023, 11/16/2023, 11/23/2023, 11/30/2023, 12/7/2023
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Veterans Day in Loudoun: Beyond ‘Thank You for Your Service’ NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The service of U.S. military veterans and their families was honored Saturday at the George C. Marshall International Center in Leesburg on Saturday. The 19th annual Veterans Day Commemoration featured keynote remarks by Brig. Gen. Adam C. Volant, U.S. Army, Ret., who enlisted at age 17 and ended his career as the director of operations for U.S. Army Information Warfare Command. Volant commended the community members for attending the program and recalled his own early introduction to the annual reflection on military service. As a member of a school marching band selected to participate in Chicago’s Veterans Day parade, he worried about the mile-long trek through the city. “It seemed so long of a march and it was cold and rainy and in Chicago, right? So it’s windy,” he recalled. “But after the parade, we were invited to lunch at a local VFW and we sat with veterans. And over the next minutes, we ate ham and beans, but we digested wisdom. We heard it from each and every member there. It turns out that they had been called a time or two, they had walked a mile or two and suddenly the story that I had written for myself walking off that bus it didn’t seem that important, really that playing music marching through the streets wasn’t so complex or demanding. I’m grateful that as a country, we take pause on this day, here and everywhere.” He said it was important to not only recognize the sacrifices of those serving in the military, but their families as well. “You know, there is a phrase that has been adopted over the recent years, and it’s a welcome part of our lexicon for sure: ‘Thank you for your service.’ These are great words of gratitude. It swept our country. These words, candidly, were not always heard,” Volant said. “So to those who did not hear it so many years ago, I hope you embrace it now. I hope you hear it from someone recently in uniform and that it’s something more than ‘thank you’ to family members that are here. There are family members that support veterans— we owe you a debt for your support, as well. I could not have served without family support—I joined the Army in 17, I needed a signature.” Today in the private sector, Volant continues to combat cyberattacks and works to enlist veterans in that effort. He said veterans’ continuing role of leadership was something that George Marshall recognized and promoted. “We all each of us stand on the shoulder
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Brig. Gen. Adam C. Volant, U.S. Army, Ret., delivers the keynote address during the 2023 Veterans Day Commemoration at the George C. Marshall International Center in Leesburg.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Sergeant Edward E. “Eddie” Johnson, USMC Ret., speaks at the Lovettsville Veteran’s Day ceremony Nov. 11.
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
A young girl from Destiny School of the Arts gives World War II Hartley Wright a card at the end of the school’s Veterans Day program Nov. 10.
Contributed
World War II veteran Franklin Payne, center, is surrounded by other Middleburg veterans during the Nov. 11, celebration of the town’s Hometown Heroes banners.
of giants and their legacy people before us who did difficult things. In veterans, they represent that very idea. Their service is essential to our freedom and our way of life. We are indeed grateful for their sacrifice.
But it’s also the veteran who contributes to the society even after they leave the uniform. We should gladly celebrate that truth at the home of General George Catlett Marshall that is emblematic of that very
concept one serving. Veterans return with experience and new insights that make them effective leaders, innovative solution providers. and tireless workers.” He noted the high demand for veterans to serve as police officers, paramedics, and pilots and in government positions. He said those working to combat cyberattacks in the miliary also are increasingly in demand, bringing essential skills needed to protect banks and businesses. “In the field of cybersecurity where I work, there’s an endless appetite for technical skills, we are in an era of sustained an increase in competition. It’s an information environment, we used to say there are computer attacks, and these are unseen, some magic light turns on the back of a box is plugged into a wall,” he said. “But today we see clearly it’s misinformation, and a twist-the-truth that the data spins, it’s not just the network. And this all is enabled at no or low cost. It’s digitized and exported across the world. We may take a picture with our phone, but we transmit on location. We do search for something on our device, but we’re providing information and have to seek authentication. This is a space that I was privileged to work in while in uniform serving as a flag officer and Army Cyber Command I had a bird’s eye view of this borderless conflict, this adversary without a passport of thousands of attacks daily, and our increased reliance on our technology and systems in every walk of life.” Volant said of the 2,000 people hired by his company last year, 30% were veterans. “We learned from their insights. Sure, they had clearances, but they had values we tested. They are an inspiration. We’re better as a country because of the service of veterans,” he said. County Chair Phyllis Randall, the daughter of a career Army veteran, called for more support for veterans, especially for their mental health. “We rightly think of veterans. We thank them for their sacrifices. We thank them for their service. And we should do that. And we should do it every single day,” Randall said. “But the message is thanking the veteran is just not enough. We have to do more than just say thank you for your service.” She noted that according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 20 veterans die by suicide each day suffering with anxiety and PTSD. She said more should be done to connect veterans with support services and housing. “And finally, if you ask my father who served 26 years, what he wanted most, after his service, he would say this: Take care of my family,” Randall said. n
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Collective bargaining continued from page 3 in the election. “Fifty percent turnout for an election is not reasonable. It’s a really high threshold,” Sullivan said. The resolution also states if less than 50% participate, there can only be one rerun election, but it has to take place within 30 days of the original voting. The division’s resolution has 17 sections that list guidance on topics including bargaining units, strikes and lockouts, impasse resolution, prohibited conduct, notices and governing law among others. “Transparency and collaboration with employees is critical to the success of LCPS,” Sullivan said in the release. “LCPS uses these words frequently, though their actions say something entirely different. This was never the transparent, collaborative process that we were assured would occur. By their actions, it became clear that LCPS never had any intention
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to work with its educators to ensure an outcome that would be mutually beneficial. They lied to both educators and the public.” Superintendent Aaron Spence disagreed with the idea that LEA wasn’t being allowed to be part of the discussion, saying the organization presented its ideas in June. “I think the concern is they were not asked to be part of drafting of the resolution. And my response to that is it would be inappropriate for the school division to allow a party that wants to be the bargaining representative to be part of the initial resolution,” he said. Spence said although LEA has declared it wants to be the bargaining representative, it doesn’t mean it will be selected, noting that Teamsters are bargaining for some school divisions. “It makes perfect sense from a division perspective that we don’t have expertise in this. No school in Virginia has been engaging in collective bargaining, so it makes sense that we engage with legal counsel outside of the division with the
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expertise,” Spence said. “The resolution process has been about the board engaging in legal counsel to provide this level of expertise to present publicly once our counsel thinks it’s legal and good for the school division. Now LEA can express their concerns and the board has the opportunity to discuss, to accept, to reject or to amend it. It’s an ongoing process and it will be ongoing.” In June, Sullivan, English Learner teacher Cory Brunet, and Virginia Education Association staff attorney Moriah Allen presented LEA’s collective bargaining resolution to the School Board’s Legislative and Policy Committee at the request of the committee. LEA’s resolution included policy statements, definitions including what bargaining units are, and the scope of collective bargaining, and rights of employees and the employer. Sullivan said the resolution was modeled after the National Labor Relations Act. It included the ability for employees to speak to one another about the union and working conditions and stated that
Hostage families continued from page 1 significant leader for the Jewish people as he spread a message of hope and unity to the world, according to Rabbi Asi Spiegel of the Chabad of Israel. “He taught us the value of loving each other and community. Of course among ourselves, Jews, but also everybody. This is a very big part of our ideology,” Spiegel said. Yarden Greenfeld who lives in Kfar Yona, a city north of Tel Aviv, said her nieces, Aviv,2, and Raz, 4, and sister-inlaw, Doron, were kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7. They were visiting Doron’s mother, Efrat, who was killed, near the Gaza border at the time of the attacks. Efrat was a member of kibbutz Nir Oz, where 25% of the members were either killed or taken captive. “I just hope they are together,” Greenfeld said of her nieces. “And in some way, OK.” She said her sister-in-law, who had to leave behind her mother’s body to escape, was traumatized. “We’re looking at a lifetime of recovery,” she said. Greenfeld said she believes that the prayers offered on her nieces’ behalf at Schneerson’s grave will bring a miracle. “This journey was not easy,” she said.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Daniel Waiss performs a song during a dinner hosted by the Chabad of Loudoun County, that his father, who was killed during the recent attacks in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hama, would often sing.
“We came here to hold hands and pray. We are really expecting a miracle. We know there will be miracles.” Greenfeld said she believed there is a lot that people around the world can do to support Jews right now.
“It’s a significant time and it’s time to choose which side of history you are going to be on,” she said. “And you have to realize all the arguments going on are irrelevant. It’s not an argument about land. It’s not. It’s about life versus death.”
collective bargaining would not infringe on School Board managerial decisions like hiring, drafting job descriptions and establishing budgets. It also outlined the duties and rights of the exclusive bargaining representative, the union elected by employees to represent them in bargaining, along with certification and decertification procedures for the exclusive representative, procedures for elections including, procedures for bargaining, and what happens if there is an impasse, prohibited conduct or unfair labor practices. The committee was directed to draft a resolution for the full board to consider and asked to hear LEA’s recommendation. The Legislative and Policy Committee will meet to discuss the resolution once more Nov. 27 before it is scheduled to be voted on by the full School Board Dec. 12. LEA is holding a rally Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the administration building before the School Board meeting that night. The board has said it would adopt or reject a resolution by Dec. 31. n Greenfeld added that visiting the United States caused her to feel that there was more support for the Jewish people than she had thought. “I also understood that there is greater support than we can see in the media. Sometimes in the media we see other things,” she said. Daniel Waiss said his father, Shmuel, was killed and his mother, Judith, is missing. During the dinner, Waiss performed a song with his guitar that his father would often sing. “Now I just wander Israel and perform,” he said. “I think the best thing to do is to meet people and connect to ourselves first of all and then to others.” “This is not a distant story,” Rabbi Chaim Cohen, of the Chabad of Loudoun County, said. “This is a close story. We talk to our children about it. We pray for the family members. To host them in Leesburg is a merit.” The group also met with members of Congress in Washington, DC, and attended the rally in support of Israel that was held at the National Mall on Tuesday. Spiegel said he had seen the Jewish community pull together in the aftermath of Oct. 7. “Everyone is obviously devasted by these atrocities,” he said. “… But I’ll tell you just in general, as an Israeli, the level of unity and support of each other is incredible.” n
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Opinion Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723
NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Minority Rule Once again, Loudoun County residents surrendered the fate of their tax bills, their child’s education, their family’s safety, their commute—their quality of life—to the minority of voters who participated in last week’s local elections. This year’s voter turnout was just shy of 48%. Yes, that level of participation was a slight improvement from four years ago and it was the third round of local balloting with increasing turnout. But it marked the seventh consecutive local election in which less than 50% of registered voters participated. Not since 1991 has a majority of Loudouners gone to the polls to choose their slate for the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. At this time next year, we can expect more than 80% of voters to cast ballots—potentially to determine which old white man gets to go back to the White House. Those who believe that their presidential vote is more impactful to their lives just aren’t paying attention. But that is the problem, isn’t it? n
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LETTERS to the Editor Not Aware? Editor: When is a penalty, not a penalty under the Hatch Act? That is a very pertinent question when it comes to Anne Donohue, recently elected as the AtLarge member of the Loudoun County School Board. The Hatch Act is an arcane 1939 regulation meant to keep federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities. The penalty structure for violations of the Hatch Act by federal employees includes removal from federal service, reduction in grade, debarment from federal employment for a period not to exceed five years, suspension, reprimand, or a civil penalty. As an executive level attorney with the Department of Justice, Donohue should have been acutely aware of her obligations. The election for Loudoun County School Board is designated by statute as nonpartisan, however Donohue was endorsed by the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, campaigned only with Democratic candidates, and
was listed on the Democratic sample ballot—all clearly violations of the Act. When advised by the Office of Special Counsel that she was in violation, Donohue resigned her position. Because she took that step, the OSC closed the case without taking further action. However, she was warned that if “in the future” she engaged in activity prohibited by the Hatch Act while in a job covered by the act it would be considered a willful and knowing activity and could result in disciplinary action. So, my question is, can Donohue now apply for, and expect to receive, a similar executive level job within the federal government? A federal level shell game for which there is no accountability. Just seems like it’s only the students in LCPS who can’t catch a break. — Ellie Lockwood, Ashburn
Thank You Editor: The elections are over (for now) and we can get back to our families, and the upcoming holidays. I want to sincerely thank all the
people across Loudoun and beyond that supported our campaign for the School Board however they were able. While I may not have been successful, I am proud of the fact that we were able to reach the hearts and minds of close to 61,000 voters. I am comforted that I was able to raise awareness across the county about issues that plague our public schools and hopefully inspired more parents and taxpayers to become active in the school governance process. Loudoun County has been at the epicenter of controversy with the school board and the administration, and I am saddened to say that I do not see that controversy ending any time soon. Again, thank you Loudoun County. Please support the new conservative School Board members as I hope they will continue to shed light on what is happening within LCPS and refocus on children and academic excellence. — Michael A. Rivera, Leesburg LETTERS continue on page 39
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
READERS’ poll
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CHIPshots
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:
After the election, how do you feel about the direction of the county? • 30.1% Much worse • • 25.7% A Little Better • • 17.3% Nothing will • change • 14.9% Not so good • • 11.9% Much Better • THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 38
Honoring Veterans Editor: On Monday, I noticed the Loudoun schools were once again closed for a holiday. After checking, I was able to determine it was another appropriate religious holiday. However, what I, at nearly 90, fail to understand is why the Loudoun School Board elects to celebrate many holidays, but yet fails to celebrate the one that over these past hundred plus years made today’s and all the other celebrations possible? Even the United States of America holds it as a national holiday, whereas Loudoun County Schools does not. It is simply called “Veterans Day” in these United States of America. I do believe, if it were not for our veterans this country would not be celebrating any of the many holidays Loudoun County Schools enjoys. I guess it might be looked at in a different way. Our students and teachers are in the classroom and the parents enjoy a student-less day at home. — John Gibbs, Leesburg
Oatlands continued from page 3 mills, and vineyard on nearly 2,000 acres. By the 1860s, the operations were supported by more than 100 enslaved people. After the Civil War, in 1903, the property was acquired by William Corcoran Eustis. His heirs donated Oatlands—400 acres including a Greek Revival mansion—to the National Trust in 1965, along with a $500,000 endowment for its upkeep. Since 1979, a locally controlled board has managed the property under a co-stewardship agreement—a rare arrangement for the Trust, which owns and operates 27 historic sites across the country. Oatlands Inc.’s contract was executed in 1984 and amended in 2019. Oatlands Inc. in February filed a seven-count breach of contract lawsuit in Loudoun County Circuit Court alleging the Trust has improperly restricted the nonprofit from accessing funds intended for its use and obstructed other initiatives that could generate income for the prop-
Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls erty. The case was transferred to the Federal District Court. The lawsuit cited friction between the two partners starting four years ago. In 2014, Oatlands Inc. purchased the adjacent Oatlands Hamlet property with the goal of protecting the viewshed from development. By 2019, Oatlands was struggling to pay the mortgage on the property and agreed to transfer the land to the Trust. According to the lawsuit, the Trust then used part of the Oatlands endowment—$1.35 million from a fund established by a gift of A.V. Symington in 2004—to pay off the note. As part of that transaction, according to the suit, the Trust agreed to place a conservation easement over the Oatlands property, a transaction expected to generate about $2 million in revenue from the sale of tax credits to add to the endowment. However, it was later discovered that because the Trust was an easement holder on other properties, it was ineligible to sell the tax credits. Caleb M. Schutz, who took over as Oatlands’ CEO in 2018, argued that the Trust could have taken
Correction Last week’s election article incorrectly reported the unofficial vote totals in the At Large Chair race. In the final certified tally, Incumbent Phyllis Randall recorded 65,763 votes, 2,533 more votes than her 2019 total. Loudoun Now regrets the error.
other steps to provide the anticipated revenue, but declined to do so. The Trust’s responses indicted more fundamental concerns about the local board’s stewardship, saying Oatlands Inc. had not been meeting its responsibilities to preserve and manage the property and failed to address those concerns, instead opting to file the lawsuit. Oatlands Inc.’s lawsuit acknowledges the level of disrepair of the property, stating $2.5 million was needed, including $1.5 million for roof replacement and mold remediation at the manor house. The judge ruled that, under the terms of the agreement, Oatlands Inc.—not the Trust—bore the chief responsibility for the property’s expenses and upkeep. “In return for its essentially rent-free lease of the Oatlands House, Oatlands agreed to be financially responsible for all costs of maintaining, operating, and preserving the Property,” he wrote. And, Aston noted, the co-stewardship agreement makes clear the intent for the Oatlands Inc. to operate and maintain the property on a financially self-sufficient basis, including through local fundraising, specifically that Oatlands would “continue to use its best efforts to operate a financially sustainable business model for the Property that aims at achieving self-sufficiency, taking into account both funds provided by or through the National Trust and those raised by Oatlands.” n
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NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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