n LOUDOUN
Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG
Pg. 8 | n PUBLIC SAFETY
Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES
Pg. 25 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
Pg. 28
Shop at home MIDDLEBURG Pgs. 20-21
VOL. 5, NO. 52
We've got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always at LoudounNow.com
Farmers Feel Changing Holiday Demand During Pandemic
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
AG: Academies Admissions ‘Discriminatory’ BY RENSS GREENE
BY PATRICK SZABO
rgreene@loudounnow.com
pszabo@loudounnow.com
Thanksgiving 2020 went on as planned and provided Loudoun’s poultry farmers with just as much business as ever. But with fewer family and friends seated around dinner tables, those farmers will have to reconsider their business models for next year. As for the Christmas tree industry, the outlook for this season is still up in the air. The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent government-mandated restrictions and effects on societal norms have actually helped the farmers who raise turkeys for Thanksgiving and other meat year-round, contrary to what it’s done to other industries. Elaine Boland, the founder and owner of Fields of Athenry Farm in Middleburg, said that’s because of “panic buying.” She said that when the pandemic took hold of the nation in mid-March, demand for her farm-raised, hormone- and steroid-free meats quadrupled overnight and stayed that way for the next two-anda-half months. “Just like toilet paper and paper towels, they were just stockpiling,” she said about the meat orders she was receiving. She said business spiked so much that she had to spend $100,000 on improvements to her operations—to purchase new computers, develop a new website to handle increased web traffic, to lease a second refrigerated truck and to buy two new freezer units. Boland said that while her team be-
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Blue Mojo Farm Owner Eddie Beuerlein captures one of his heritage-breed turkeys to slaughter for Thanksgiving. Although many people wanted smaller birds this year, Blue Mojo’s are always on the larger size—about 25 pounds.
fore the pandemic was packaging 30 to 50 orders a week, by March they were packaging 170 orders in a week and working 14- to 16-hour days, seven days a week. She even had to put a cap on the amount of ground beef customers could purchase, since many were ordering 50 to 100 pounds of it at a time. Now, orders are back down to 60-80 a week, Boland said. The same was true for Blue Mojo Farm
CHANGING DEMAND continues on page 15
AG REPORT continues on page 37
PROPANE COSTS COSTS TOO MUCH! PROPANE TOO MUCH! PROPANE COSTS TOO MUCH! This Winter is theWinter Ideal Time Make the to Switch. This is thetoIdeal Time Make the Switch. ThisNow Winter is the Ideal Time Make Switch. 540-687-3608 is the Ideal Time to to Make thethe Switch
540-687-
“So very happy we switched to Hunt Country. My only regret is that wetodidn’t it sooner. How regret is“I that havewe been buying about a year now. from My Hunt Country for about a year now. My “So very happy we switched Hunt do Country. My only didn’t do itpropane sooner. from How Hunt Country “I have for been buying propane 540-687 huntcountrypropane.com huntcountrypro “So very happy switched tosaved…However, Hunt Country. My only regret isprevious thatright wepropane didn’t it sooner. How “I have been propane from Country forThe about year rude now.and My much money we would have saved…However, we finallywewe made thehave right choice about our much higher priced. Thebuying staff was rude much money would wepropane. finally made the choicedoprovider about ourwas propane. previous propane provider wasand muchHunt higher priced. staffa was huntcountryp much money we been would have low saved…However, finally the right propane. previous propane wasthem muchbusiness higher priced. staff wasshopping rude and For years I have been receiving offers from companies offering rates,from only other to we findcompanies out made didn’t seem to careabout if you gave them business orseem not. When I ifwas Forother years I have receiving offers offering lowchoice rates, only toour find out didn’t to careprovider youshopping gave or not.The When I was years Itohave been offers from other companies offering low rates, only to find out I found didn’tHunt seem to care if you or not. WhenThe I was shopping you have to enter a contract with them. ItFor never made sense toreceiving me that you could around for ayou new company, thankfully The staffgave is them business you have enter a contract with them. Itdrive never made sense around to me that could drive around around forCountry. a new company, thankfully I found Hunt Country. staff is you have enter contract with them. It never made sense tonice me to that could drive around around for a newthat company, thankfullyand I found Hunt cared Country. town and shop for fuel for your car, but not for yourtoshop home. nice seecar, that owner professional, knowledgeable genuinely cared you gave town and foraIt’s fuel for to your buta business not for your home. It’sfriendly, seeyou that a business owner andfriendly, professional, knowledgeable genuinely thatThe youstaff gaveis understands this and caters to the customer. We our Saturday business. Hunt Country are consistently lowerHunt than their prices town andreceived shopthis forand fuelfirst for delivery your butpast not for your home. our It’sthem niceyour to see that business ownerprices them friendly, knowledgeable and cared thatthan you gave understands caters to car, the this customer. We received first delivery thisapast Saturday yourprofessional, business. Country aregenuinely consistently lower their and the owner himself brought it out. Theunderstands service wasthis excellent. Of course, I’m not service surprised, recommend call Hunt if youthat and caters to the customer. We received ourcompetitors. first thisnot past Saturday that youcompetitors. them yourCountry business. Hunt Country prices than iftheir and the owner himself brought it out. The was excellent. Of delivery course,I highly I’m surprised, I highlyPropane, recommend you are call consistently Hunt Countrylower Propane, you as the initial account set-up was easy and lady in the officeset-up was so pleasant!” T. the don’t, making BIG($) mistake. Thanks Hunt Leesburg and the owner himself brought it easy out. The service excellent. Of you’re course, I’m nota—Caroline surprised, competitors. I highlya—Ed, recommend that Thanks you callHunt Hunt Country• Propane, if you asthe the initial account was and—Caroline the ladywas in office was so pleasant!” T. don’t, you’reCountry!” making BIG($) mistake. Country!” —Ed, Leesburg Less • Local Honest Less • Local 540-687-3608 “I have been buying propane from Hunt Country for about a year now. My as the initial account set-up was easy and the lady in the office was so pleasant!” —Caroline T. don’t, you’re making a BIG($) mistake. Thanks Hunt Country!” —Ed, Leesburg Less • Loca huntcountrypropane.com
ECRWSS Postal Customer
PROPANE COSTS TOO MUCH! This Winter is the Ideal Time to Make the Switch.
“So very happy we switched to Hunt Country. My only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner. How much money we would have saved…However, we finally made the right choice about our propane. For years I have been receiving offers from other companies offering low rates, only to find out you have to enter a contract with them. It never made sense to me that you could drive around town and shop for fuel for your car, but not for your home. It’s nice to see that a business owner understands this and caters to the customer. We received our first delivery this past Saturday and the owner himself brought it out. The service was excellent. Of course, I’m not surprised,
in Aldie, which raises ducks, ostriches and heritage-breed turkeys, which were once wild and can fly and breed on their own but take longer to raise. Owner Eddie Beuerlein said that since the pandemic took hold in March, he has been inundated with requests for birds. “Pretty much anything we had avail-
An investigation into admissions policies at the Academies of Loudoun by Attorney General Mark Herring’s Division of Human Rights has found they had a discriminatory impact on Black and Hispanic students, backing up assertions by the Loudoun NAACP when it requested the investigation. The investigation was launched in last 2019 after a request by the Loudoun NAACP, alleging discriminatory admissions policies at the Academies of Loudoun, after a year in which only one Black student was included in the inaugural class. The School Board launched an overhaul of the admissions policies at the Academies of Loudoun in August to address those complaints and address the racial gap in the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering and Technology. Those changes, which altered the testing requirements and promote a geographic allocation of available seats, are under challenge in federal District Court by a group of parents alleging they discriminate against Asian students seeking admission. The Attorney General’s determination, released Friday, found in part that while the school district’s admis-
previous propane provider was much higher priced. The staff was rude and didn’t seem to care if you gave them business or not. When I was shopping around for a new company, thankfully I found Hunt Country. The staff is friendly, professional, knowledgeable and genuinely cared that you gave them your business. Hunt Country prices are consistently lower than their competitors. I highly recommend that you call Hunt Country Propane, if you
Less • Local • Honest
540-687-3608 | huntcountrypropane.com
Permit #1374 Merrifield VA
PAID
PRESRT STD U.S. Postage
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 2
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
GRANITE COUNTERTOPS | KITCHEN CABINETS GRANITE - MARBLE - SILESTONE - CAMBRIA - ZODIAQ - CEASARSTONE FABRICATION & INSTALLATION
FREE ESTIMATE
703.956.9470
ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR ALL YOUR REMODELING NEEDS
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 3
Lovettsville Government Rifts Spark Turmoil Fontaine Vetoes Spangler Re-appointment
Town Manager Fired, Finz Steps Back In
BY PATRICK SZABO
BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
pszabo@loudounnow.com
On Nov. 19, the Lovettsville Town Council voted to re-appoint Andru-Scot Spangler to the Oktoberfest Committee, five months after it voted to remove him for a comment he made on a North Carolina-based newspaper’s Facebook page. That vote, which Mayor Nate Fontaine later vetoed, prompted at least three people to resign from their posts on town commissions and committees. At the June 11 Town Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to remove Spangler from the Oktoberfest Committee for commenting on the Facebook page of The Shelby Star—a daily newspaper in Cleveland County, NC—on an article with the headline “Confederate Battle Flags Removed From Graves.” Spangler commented: “That’s not hate. Blacks are filled with more hate, than any other race in America.” At that time, the Town Council consisted of Fontaine, Vice Mayor Jim McIntyre and Councilmen Mike Dunlap, Chris Hornbaker, Matthew Schilling, Buchanan Smith and David Steadman. On Nov. 19, the Town Council voted to appoint former Planning Commissioner Kris Consaul to the Love Winter Committee—a vote that prompted Horn-
Lovettsville Town Manager Rob Ritter has been fired from his post after two years in town. The Lovettsville Town Council on Thursday night, following a closed session, voted 5-1 to fire Ritter and appoint former town manager Sam Finz in the role on an interim basis. Councilman Buchanan Smith was the only member to vote against. “This council has determined that it’s in the best interest of the town to go in a different direction,” said Mayor Nate Fontaine. “… This is solely just to head in a different direction.” In his Nov. 20 email newsletter, Fontaine recognized a few projects the town completed under Ritter’s management: The town implemented virtual meetings, brought the new town office building project close to completion and replaced its antiquated water meters with new radio-read meters. Ritter also developed “conservative” budgets and worked with the town staff to refinance debt. Rumors have been circulating that the Town Council voted to fire Ritter because he fired former town planner Josh Bateman earlier this year. But Fontaine said Bateman resigned from that post.
Mayor Nate Fontaine
baker to make a motion to re-appoint Spangler to the Oktoberfest Committee. Hornbaker made that motion because he felt the council should give Spangler a second chance since it was giving Consaul a second chance, only one month after it voted unanimously to censure her for a Sept. 30 Facebook post in which she edited in a speech bubble to the bird from the town logo reading “Nazi Punks F— OFF!” Mayor Nate Fontaine on Monday said the vote to censure Consaul was appropriate, and that a vote to remove her VETO continues on page 38
Former Town Manager Rob Ritter
When asked this week if Ritter’s termination had anything to do with Bateman’s departure, Fontaine said the two situations were unrelated and that a new Town Council “wanted a new town manager.” “That’s all it came down to,” he said. The Town Council in November 2018 voted unanimously to appoint Ritter among a pool of 41 applicants for the job. He was paid $103,000 at the outset and replaced Larry Hughes, who managed the town on an interim basis for three months following Finz’s July 2018 retireRITTER continues on page 38
COVID Cases Climbing; Sterling Man Charged with Assault BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
With Thanksgiving approaching and some people planning to travel or visit family for the holiday, COVID-19 cases are approaching their highest point in Loudoun and have already begun setting records across the country and state. As of Nov. 24, the Virginia Department of Health is reporting a seven-day average of 80 new COVID-19 cases a day in Loudoun. The highest rate of spread ever reported was in late May, with 108 new cases a day. The number of new cases is higher than any time since June 1, and trending upwards.
But not everyone is working to stop the spread. A 61-year-old man from Sterling was charged Sunday with misdemeanor assault after he was caught on video deliberately exhaling on two women protesting outside Trump National Golf Club, where President Donald J. Trump was playing. According to Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office Public Information Officer Michele Bowman, deputies served a warrant to Raymond Deskins, who was charged with simple assault and released on a summons. “As the incident was not witnessed by law enforcement and the video did not capture the entire interaction, an investigation was conducted on scene and both
parties were advised they could go to a Loudoun County Magistrate and seek a citizen obtained warrant,” Bowman wrote in an email to county supervisors who requested an investigation of the incident. The incident was caught on video by Reel Political News correspondent Douglas Christian and shared on Twitter. Christian also captured a photo of a Loudoun County Sheriff ’s deputy speaking to the man, and tweeted “officers seemed to know who he was.” The incident made national headlines. Before the Sheriff ’s Office announced the charge, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Vice Chairman Supervisors Koran Saines (D-Sterling) and Supervisors Michael R. Turner (D-Ash-
burn), Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) and Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) signed a Nov. 22 letter to Sheriff Michael L. Chapman and Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj asking that “a full investigation be completed to ascertain if the man seen coughing in the video has violated any laws, and if so are charges applicable.” It was not Deskins’ first brush with the law. In 2012, Deskins, a former air traffic controller, was convicted of worker’s compensation fraud. An investigation had found that from 2005 through 2008, while receiving federal disability benefits and certifying an inability to do work of any kind, Deskins worked as a construcCOVID CLIMBING continues on page 24
PAGE 4
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Loudoun
ON THE Agenda Survey Examines Impact of COVID-19 on Women
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Pro-gun protesters, organized by the Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, rally outside the county government center Tuesday, Sept. 1 before a vote to write a new ordinance prohibiting guns in government facilities.
Supervisors Send Gun Ban to Public Hearing BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
County supervisors have advanced a proposed ordinance banning guns in county government buildings, polling places, and possibly parks to a public hearing. As written, the regulation would ban firearms and ammunition from buildings or parts of a buildings controlled by the county government, any county public
park, any county recreation or community center, and any parts of any building being used for a governmental purposes, such as polling places during voting. It would not apply to sworn law enforcement, private security hired for county-permitted special events, active duty military personnel conducting official duties, historical reenactments, and managed hunts. Firearms could be stored out of sight in a locked private vehicle. Some supervisors who support the
move have already talked about dropping the prohibition on carrying guns in county parks, and have also said they would support installing metal detectors and screening stations at the three largest administrative buildings, the county government center, the Shenandoah Building, and the offices on Ridgetop Circle in Sterling. Doing so is estimated to cost $550,000 a year, plus one-time costs of $150,000 to retrofit GUN BAN continues on page 6
County Moves Toward Admissions, Cigarette, Bag Taxes BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
County supervisors took steps toward enacting three new local taxes at their Nov. 17 meeting, including taxes on admissions, cigarettes, and single-use plastic bags. The county will seek to join the Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board, which would allow Loudoun to levy a tax of two cents per cigarette, or 40 cents a pack. The towns of Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville,
Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill are already members. Supervisors are after not only the estimated $2.4 million in revenue, but the discouraging effect on smoking that taxes have been shown to have. Some of those studies were cited in the staff report provided to supervisors. “Nicotine is an incredibly dangerous drug, and it costs a lot of money when you smoke and have all the other medical problems that come with it down the line,” said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-
At Large). “If I could, I would double the price of cigarettes. I would price cigarettes so high no one would ever smoke again if I could. I’ll take 40 cents, but I gotta tell you, this tax right here saves lives, and there’s not too many times you can actually say that a tax on anything literally saves lives.” “I am adamantly opposed to smoking, I’m just not sure that raising taxes on cigaTAXES continues on page 7
The Loudoun Commission on Women and Girls is seeking to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in Loudoun. A new survey is posted at lcwag.org/survey. “We are seeing very concerning national trends, including loss of income, increased rates of domestic and intimate partner violence, and intensifying stress and other mental health challenges,” stated commission Chairwoman Angela Mitchell. “This survey will help us understand the local nuances of those trends, which we can alleviate and continue to monitor.” The anonymous survey is estimated to take 5-10 minutes to complete. The commission will use that feedback to inform programming and develop a framework for local nonprofits, policymakers, and other community leaders to address the impact of COVID-19 on women. One focus area of the survey concerns women’s economic security. In September, four times as many women than men left the U.S. labor force. Groups such as the Institute for Women’s Policy Research have called the current recession a “shecession,” because of its disproportionate effects on women, especially women of color. Faith leaders, community organizations, and other local leaders are also encouraged to share the survey with their members. The commission will report on the results soon after the survey period is completed. The survey will close on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.
Loudoun County Parkway Traffic Signal Work Begins Traffic signal work at the intersection of Loudoun County Parkway and George Washington Boulevard is scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 30, weather permitting. Work is scheduled for Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for about five days, ending the week of Dec. 6. It will include removing the existing temporary traffic signals and installing four new traffic signal poles, mast arms, signal heads, pedestrian poles and other related activities work. ON THE AGENDA continues on page 5
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Board Approves Broadband Push BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
County supervisors are pushing to get broadband into underserved areas of Loudoun County more quickly. They have backed a multi-pronged approach developed by county staff members that includes streamlining government approvals for telecommunications projects. One change would eliminate the fees for Special Exceptions to zoning, currently necessary to build communications towers, in underserved areas of the county. They would be replaced with a single $6,990 fee. That would eliminate the possibility of higher fees to review projects on parcels that also include environmentally sensitive areas such as floodplains, wetlands, and steep slopes—fees that help cover the cost of more extensive review of those projects. Other changes help applicants seeking to build telecommunications infrastructure navigate the process of winning government approval such as designating an ombudsman to serve as the single point of contact for those applicants, and meeting with each of those applicants to help them through the process. And a budget adjustment will send $191,000 to fund the Remote Site Connectivity Project, which begins with launching a Request for Proposals to find a vendor to connect five far-flung county facilities with fiber optic cable, possibly making it subsequently easier to connect other areas to that network. Supervisors will also get quarterly updates on a number of other ongoing efforts to expand broadband in Loudoun, including efforts to contract with last-mile broadband providers, the search for grant
ON THE Agenda
opportunities and funding, and opportunities to partner with power utilities to expand broadband. “I do believe that COVID, and many of our young students who are doing distance learning, have brought this to the forefront,” said Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin), who pushed to further accelerate broadband efforts. “Every time we talked about broadband we get a lot of email saying ‘Thank gosh we’re finally got broadband coming,’ and then we get another significant number of emails, ‘Don’t ruin the viewscape and the view shed of Western Loudoun County.’ And so I’m an eastern Loudoun County Supervisor, I’m here to tell you, you can’t have it both ways,” said Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). “If you actually want to connect to the 21st century, you’ve got to get over this aversion to monopoles, as effectively as we can screen them now. So those are coming. Just get over it. COVID has illustrated how important it is to be connected on the internet and those are coming.” “As my colleagues know, clearly, broadband is no longer a nice convenience, it’s a necessary necessity, and we shouldn’t have folks in one part of our county that don’t have it, especially at the times that we’re in today,” said Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge). “And so we can no longer wait for the private market to fix the problem for us, because they’re never going to get to a position where it looks lucrative for them to do so. Without our help, it’s not going to happen.” Supervisors voted 8-0-1 on Nov. 17 to support the package of measures, with Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) absent. n
Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17. Both have spent years in service to the continued from page 4 county through their work on various boards and commissions. That will lead to flagging operations, The Whitmores have both served on lane closures and temporary traffic stopthe Planning Commission, which Terepages while installing the mast arms and sa chaired multiple terms; and John has poles over traffic. Traffic stoppage are exserved the Loudoun Water Board of Direcpected to last for about five minutes. More information about this proj- tors, the Housing Stakeholder Group, the ect, including a link to sign up for Open Space Advisory Committee, and the project updates, can be found at Industrial Development Authority, now the Economic Development Authority. loudoun.gov/riversideparkway. John is a life-long Loudouner whose ‘Farmer John,’ Teresa grandfather M.H. Whitmore served on Whitmore Honored the Loudoun County Board of SuperviLoudoun’s own “Farmer John,” John sors from 1901-1943, and whose family has Whitmore, and his wife, Teresa, were farmed Prosperwell Farm south of Luckhonored with a ceremonial Resolution of etts since the 1700s, growing wheat, corn, Appreciation from the Loudoun County fruits, vegetables, cattle and hogs.
PAGE 5
OUR PATENTED PRODUCT MDF 500
IS PROVEN TO KILL CORONAVIRUS
GOT MOLD? We do it all from start to finish! • Repair Moisture Source Basement / Crawlspace Sealing / Encapsulation • Treat to Kill All Mold / HEPA Vacuum • Remove Damaged Debris Off-Site • Reinstall Drywall / Baseboard
Call Tod Schedu ay to le a NO OBL FREE IG In-Home ATION Evalu and Esti ation mate
Our Patented Product MDF-500® Safely and Effectively Removes 100% of Mold / Spores / Allergens / Improves Air Quality – Removes all Bacteria / Viruses / Odors
Green Solutions www.greensolpro.com
• 703-858-2000
“Dentistry with a Gentle Touch.”
Atiyeh Emam, DDS, PLLC Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
44135 Woodridge Parkway, Suite 280 • Lansdowne,VA 20176-1244
703.858.9200
www.lansdownedental.com
PAGE 6
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Loudoun Offers Outdoor Seating Grants for Businesses
business community during the ongoing health pandemic,” stated Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer. “We salute the resiliency of our businesses and understand that this money goes a long way toward their ultimate survival.” The Board of Supervisors allocated $250,000 of CARES Act funding for the
grants. Businesses are encouraged to apply and must demonstrate the following: That they are a for-profit business operating a restaurant, winery, brewery, distillery or tasting room that is located in Loudoun County; That they are permitted or approved for outdoor seating, and have incurred
costs since March 1, for a tent, heater and/ or ongoing expenses such as heater fuel; and That they have not received funding for similar expenses from any of the incorporated towns in Loudoun. The timeline for the outdoor seating grant is accelerated, in part, because of the deadline for localities to disburse CARES Act funding by the end of the year, or return it to the federal government. Businesses will be evaluated on a first-come, first-serve fashion until funds are expended. In order to market the grant and properly verify applicant information, Loudoun Economic Development will work with Visit Loudoun, as well as Loudoun Building and Development, the Loudoun Fire Marshal, and the incorporated towns. The grant program is similar to a CARES fund initiative organized by the Town of Leesburg, where town-based eating and beverage establishments that offer outdoor seating can apply for up to $2,500 in reimbursable grants for the purchase or rental of heat lamps; and up to $5,000 for the purchase or rental of tents. To learn more about the Loudoun County outdoor seating grants or apply, go to LoudounBusinessFund.org. n
cates—including on the Board of Supervisors—have pointed to a section of the opinion written by late Justice Antonin Scalia, which holds that “like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose,” highlighting some exceptions to that right. “I feel that all we are doing is making ourselves and the general public that comes to these meetings and our staff less safe by doing so, because the only people that are going to listen to his new law would be law-abiding citizens,” said Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), who along with Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) attempted unsuccessfully to include an exemption for concealed-carry permit holders. Supporters of the new rules, including Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian), pointed out that guns are already prohibited in federal and state government buildings—the only government buildings where they are permitted are county buildings. “Simply put, our residents have the right to attend meetings, walk into public buildings, vote in public polling places and utilize public parks without fear of weapons being present, either to intimidate,
which happens in this board room quite frequently, or increase the likelihood that someone would be killed or severely injured if some sort of altercation with guns out of control,” Briskman said. “If you came here speaking, we’re tromping on your rights and all that stuff, please show me the emails of you mailing your congressmen and your senators, your presidents, your judges, asking for the same things you’re asking for us here for this proposal,” said Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling). “Please send us these emails.” County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said she would not support banning guns in public parks, as she sees it as unenforceable, and would support setting up screening areas and metal detectors. She also condemned the behavior of some people opposed to the rule. She said she, too, has gotten many death threats—both in her previous work as a substance abuse therapist in prisons, and since being elected to the board. “And by the way, I’ve gotten death threats from some of the people who are in the group that walked in here tonight to speak to us,” Randall said. “And yesterday, one of those groups shared some of our private home phone numbers on that site, to the point I had to actually take my
phone off the hook last night. And I gotta tell you, some of us have children, so calling our homes is a punk thing to do. Sharing my number is a punk thing to do. Do not come at me about how tough you are, when you’re calling my home and calling people’s home with children. That is not tough, that is ridiculous and disrespectful. I have a work cell phone number, I have an email, I have an office cell phone number, I am not hard to reach.” In fact, most people in government buildings are already prohibited from bringing in guns—county policy already prohibits county staff members from carrying firearms while working, a policy adopted in 1995. The proposed rule will now go to a public hearing before final revisions and a vote. The public hearing has not yet been scheduled. The Nov. 17 vote to advance the proposal to the public hearing was 6-2-1, with Kershner and Buffington opposed and Letourneau absent. Randall ruled Umstattd’s motion to add the exemption for concealed carry permit holders out of order, and a later motion to add that exemption by Buffington was voted down 5-3-1, with Kershner, Buffington and Umstattd in favor. n
LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Loudoun restaurants and beverage establishments are encouraged to apply for a grant that can help keep their customers comfortable during the winter months, as outdoor seating continues to be the more attractive option in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Loudoun Is Ready Outdoor Seating Grant program, which opened at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, is designed to provide up to $5,000 in funding to approximately 50 businesses. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the application window will close once it becomes apparent that the funds have been awarded. The grants are intended to offset the costs associated with outdoor seating, including tents, heating systems and heating fuel. Businesses can be reimbursed for previous purchases since March 1, or the grants can pay on invoice for orders businesses make. “With the winter months right around the corner and COVID-19 cases on the rise, Loudoun restaurants and craft beverage businesses are doing everything they can to maintain sales and keep customers safe. This is one, very important way in which Loudoun County is supporting our
Gun ban continued from page 4 those facilities. The proposal has faced sustained outcry from gun rights activists in public comment sessions and in a protest outside the government center, but has been welcomed by gun safety advocates. But only a minority of supervisors outright oppose the new rules. “They weren’t talking about whether [District of Columbia v. Heller] was decided correctly or incorrectly, they were talking about their ability to protect themselves in places like a park,” said Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin), “And a vote yes on this tonight is going to prevent them from doing that. I’ve had death threats in my line of work. By removing my ability to carry a gun, this board is making it more possible for, when I walk out of this building, for someone to attack me with lethal force, and I have the inability to protect myself with equally lethal force.” District of Columbia v. Heller is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in Second Amendment law that affirmed the individual right to bear arms unconnected with service in a militia. Gun control advo-
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
A tent outside Delirium Café in Leesburg shelters diners on a rainy day in October.
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Taxes
PAGE 7
Here to help you find your forever home!
continued from page 4
“I am adamantly opposed
rettes is going to make a difference in how to smoking, I’m just not many people smoke,” said Supervisor Tony sure that raising taxes R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge). on cigarettes is going to “I’m not sure if the correct policy process is, we impose taxes on people because make a difference in how we want to control their behavior,” said Sumany people smoke.” pervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin). “That’s really not the purpose behind our Edwinna L. Kimble — Tony R. Buffington ability to tax.” (R-Blue Ridge). Randall called those arguments “bafedwinnakimble@kw.com | 720-723-1814 | 50 Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, VA 20176 fling.” “It will save hundreds of millions of dol- until at least January 2022, when the counlars if we decrease the amount of smoking,” try is hoped to be clear of the COVID-19 Discounts Available For Patients Randall said. “If you are fiscally conserva- pandemic. Welcoming Welcomingallallnew newpatients! patients! Without Insurance! tive, this is the most fiscally conservative “If you do the stream cleaning in your Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at thing you could possibly do. And honestly, neighborhood, which a few of us up here Welcoming allallnew patients! Welcoming new patients! Conveniently located Cochran Family Dental are in if you are pro-life, because of how much that I know of personally have done over The Village of Leesburg 2020 Welcoming new patients! committed to providing a comprehensive dental Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at office What weall offer FAVORITE damage it does to babies in utero, this is the the years, you’re going to see nothing but 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 FAVORITE Conveniently located in with aCochran caring andFamily gentle style that will Dental areserve most all of • Cheerful, serene, Cochran state of thestaff artand officehis Dr. Brian Cochran and his at Leesburg, VA 20175 Dr. Brian staff at most pro-life thing you can do.” plastic bags in those streams and ponds your family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance The Village of Leesburg • Digital x-rays (reduces radiation by 90%) to providing a comprehensive dental office committed 703-771-9034 Supervisors voted to petition the and whatnot, so this is a way to prevent Cochran Family Dental are friendly office offering budget wise payment options. Dr. 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 Cochran Family are • WeDental file all dental benefi t claims with a provided caring and gentle style that serve most all of Vice Chairman Cochran has trusted dental care to thewill citizens Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board for that from happening,” said committed to providing a comprehensive dental office Leesburg, 20175 Dr. Dentistry Brian(veneers, Cochran and hisVA staff at one • Cosmetic whitefamily’s fifor llings, Zoom Whitening) of Loudoun 13 and years. your dental needs under roof. Insurance membership on a 6-2-1 vote, with Buffing- Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling). HOURS: WHITENING SPECIAL committed to providing aalland comprehensive dental office withand a caring gentle style that will serve most all of WHITENING 703-771-9034 • Crowns Bridges, Family phases of & Implants, Rootoffering Dentures Conveniently located inCanals FREE Teeth Whitening Kit options. Dr. Cochran Dental friendly office wise payment Retailers keep a portion of the tax. The Mon. Wed.: 8am -are 6pm and budget ton and Kershner opposed and Supervisor SPECIAL with every scheduled The Village Leesburg facing your family’stherapy dental needs under one roof. Insurance • We offer periodontal to restore your oral health asUse well as oral cancer screening. Tues. - at Thurs.: - 4pm your benefits before the end to the citizens in $430,000 in the and Cochran has7am provided trusted dental care Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) absent. tax is expected to bringwith cleaning or procedure. Route 7providing between Wegmans andcomprehensive a caring gentle that will serve most all of office 1503committed Dodona Terrace style to a dental of the year and receive a FREE Fri.:Fitness 8am - 1pm Offer Expires 8/31/16. LA friendly office offering budget wise payment options. Teeth Whitening Kit with everyDr. The possible new taxes on tickets and first year, increasing to $570,000 over the Suite 210 Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg of Loudoun for 13 years. Please present coupon to Sat.: 8am 1pm (once/month) Mon & -Wed: 8-6pm HOURS: scheduled cleaning or procedure. WHITENING SPECIAL with a20175 caring and style that will serve Leesburg, receive the offer. Not to bemost all of Cochran hasTerrace provided trusted dental care the citizens keepfamily’s a smaller dental TuesEmergency & Thurs: 7-4pm 1503VA Dodona #210 •gentle Leesburg, VA 20175 • to 703-771-9034 WHITENING your needs under one roof. Insurance Expires January 1, 2016. plastic bags were both prompted by new next two years as retailers 24hr Service Conveniently located inOffer FREE Teeth Whitening Kit Please present coupon to w/any receive the offer. Mon. & Wed.: 8am 6pm combined other Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Mon. & Wed.: 8am - 6pm • Tues. - Thurs.: 7am - 4pm • Fri.: 8am -to1pm • 24hrwith Emergency Service Notfacing be combined any other offer. SPECIAL 703-771-9034 with every scheduled local authorities granted by the General portion of tax revenues. The Village Leesburg 24hr Emergency Service ofyour Loudoun for 13 years. family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance Tues. - at Thurs.: 7am - 4pm Use your benefitsDr. before the end friendly office offering budget wise payment options. cleaning or procedure. Route 7 between Wegmans and By state law, revenues from the plastic Assembly, with the admissions tax having WHITENING 1503 Dodona Terrace Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com of the year and receive8/31/16. a FREE Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Fri.:Fitness 8am - 1pm Conveniently located in LA Offer Expires friendly office offering budget wise payment options. Teeth Whitening Kit with everyDr. 210 at Leesburg been on the county’s legislative agenda for bag tax must be used for cleaning the enSPECIAL TheSuite Village facing Please present coupon to Sat.: 8am 1pm (once/month) Mon & -Wed: 8-6pm Cochran has provided trusted dental care to the citizens scheduled cleaning or procedure. Use your dental benefits before the endthe Leesburg, VA 20175 programs receive offer. Not to be Cochran has provided trusted care to the citizens the state after announcing the deal to bring vironment, providing education Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Route 7 between Wegmans and Offer Expires January 1, 2016. 24hr Emergency Service 1503 Dodona Terrace of(Once/month) the year and receive a combined FREE Please present coupon to w/any receive the offer. other Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm designed to reduce environmental waste, LA Fitness Loudoun United and Segra Field to Philip Whitening Kit every with any other offer. Not towith be combined of Loudoun 13 years. Suite 210 for703-771-9034 24hryears. EmergencyTeeth Service of Loudoun for 13 Mon & Wed: 8-6pm mitigating pollution and litter, or providscheduled cleaning or procedure. A. Bolen Memorial Park near Leesburg. Leesburg, VA 20175 Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Expires January 1, 2016. Visit our website of SuppleBut with that new authority granted this ing reusable bags to recipientsConveniently Conveniently located inPleaseOffer present coupon to receive the offer. located in Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Program or Not to be combined with any other offer. Emergency year, supervisors are now seeking to limit it mental Nutrition Assistance703-771-9034 The24hr Village at Service Leesburg facing The Village facing benefits. at Leesburg Use your benefits before the end to professional sporting events rather than Women, Infants, and Children Routeat: 7 between Wegmans andbenefits Use your before thereceive end a FREE 1503 Dodona Terrace Visit our website TheLeesburgVADentist.com of the year and According to a staff report, Loudoun’s govRoute 7 between Wegmans and taxing events generally. Supervisors 1503 voted Dodona LA Fitness Terrace of the year and receive a FREE Teeth Whitening Kit with every Suite 210 for Fitness 8-0-1, with Supervisor Matthew F. Letour- ernment would likely use the money LA Mon & Wed: 8-6pm scheduled cleaning or procedure. Teeth Whitening Kit with every Suite 210 Leesburg, VA 20175 and special neau (R-Dulles) absent, to ask Attorney community clean-up events Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1, 2016. Mon & Wed: 8-6pm scheduled orGrow procedure. recycling events. Lifetime Wealth Management Please present coupon to receive the offer. General Mark Herring whether localities Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) cleaning Leesburg, VA 20175 Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1,Wealth 2016. Not to be combined with any other offer. Your Supervisors voted 6-2-1 to set the coun24hr Emergency Service have the authority to make that distinction. is offering a complimentary Please present coupon to receive the offer. Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) The General Assembly also this year ty staff to work implementing that tax, with Not to be combined with any other offer. review of your investment Use your benefits before the end 24hr Emergency Service granted localities the power to levy a Supervisors Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue 5-cent tax on single-use plastic bags, but Ridge) and Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catocportfolio to see how your of the year and receive a FREE supervisors don’t plan to use that power tin) opposed. n Teeth Whitening Kit with every
Cochran Family Dental Cochran Family Dental Cochran Family Dental Cochran Dental CochranFamily Family Dental
Cochran Family Dental Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients!
Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients! Welcoming all new patients!
LoudounNow
W I N N E R LOUDOUN’S
LoudounNow
2 0 1 9
LOUDOUN’S
LoudounNow
W I N N E R
LOUDOUN’S
FAVORITE
2018
Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at Cochran Family Dental are committed to providing a comprehensive dental office with a caring and gentle style that will serve most all of your family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance How wellbudget has your managed your friendly office offering wiseadvisor payment options. Dr. WHITENING WHITENING Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com investments and preservedSPECIAL your retirement SPECIAL Cochran has provided trusted dental care to the citizens or education funds? of Loudoun for 13 years.
WHITENING Conveniently located in 703-771-9034 SPECIAL The Village at Leesburg facing 703-771-9034 Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com 1503 Dodona Terrace Route 7 between Wegmans and LA Fitness Visit current plan and advisor Suite 210 our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Mon & Wed: 8-6pm up. scheduled cleaning or procedure. measures Leesburg, VA 20175 Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1, 2016. Manage
Enjoy
If you value 703-771-9034 quality local Jeffrey.Maged@LWM.US.COM Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com journalism ... WWW.LWM.US.COM Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) For More Information: 24hr Emergency Service 703-728-9387
Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now. In your home weekly, online always.
PleaseYour present the offer. Wealth coupon to receive Your Wealth Not to be combined with any other offer.
Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/ SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., A Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Lifetime Wealth Management are not affiliated. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, VA and WV. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside the specific state(s) referenced. Lifetime Wealth Management is located at 44084 Riverside Parkway, Suite 120, Lansdowne, VA 20176.
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 8
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Leesburg
Town Council Discusses Affordable Housing Options BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council broached a challenging topic during its Monday night work session: how to provide more affordable housing within town limits. The town entered into a memorandum of agreement with Loudoun County in 2009 to administer the Affordable Dwelling Unit program in town. The program offers newly constructed, affordable rental and for-sale housing units for income-eligible residents. However, to date the town with 16,000-plus households only has 30 such units. Another 14 potential units are on the books for future development, according to Planning and Zoning Department Director Susan Berry-Hill.
The town’s program was limited for years because the original MOA capped the number of ADUs the county would administer within the corporate limits to 30. As the town approached the 30-limit mark, the application of the ADU ordinance in town had to be temporarily suspended, according to a staff report. A March 2018 update to the town-county MOA increased the in-town ADU cap to 120. To date, residential projects that have proffered ADUs include PMW Farms, the Church and Market project in downtown, and the White Oak subdivision on the Rogers Farm property. “After all these years 44 units doesn’t sound like a lot,” said Vice Mayor Marty Martinez. Several council members pointed to the missed opportunities of providing
more affordable housing in some of the larger residential projects that were approved in recent years when the ADU cap was still in place, including Leegate, Crescent Place, and Crescent Parke. “It needs to be an initiative of this town, of this council,” Councilman Ron Campbell said of affordable housing. “Things happen because we push for them to happen.” Others questioned what additional tools the council could use to provide affordable housing in town. Berry-Hill suggested looking into a Zoning Ordinance change that was undertaken by Round Hill to allow for accessory structures on residential lots that can be used to house elderly or millennial family members, or provide homeowners with rental income to offset their own mort-
gages. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox found support for having a future work session discussion on whether such a change could work in Leesburg. Martinez also suggested the staff consider what kind of incentive or program could be provided to have more town staff members reside in the town limits. Perhaps the larger question for the council is whether affordable housing should be a priority. “One of the things I have realized is development and affordable housing are mutually exclusive. You can’t have one and have the other at the same time,” Fox said. “I have a feeling we’re going to have to decide as a town which way we want to go. It’s going to have to be one or the other for it to work.” n
A Place to Simply Be Tree of Life Expands Leesburg Operations with New Coffee Shop BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The cost of a cup of joe at Leesburg’s newest coffee shop will benefit a growing nonprofit that has seen its needs surge in 2020. Tree of Life Ministries recently celebrated the opening of its SimplyBe Coffee shop at 940A Edwards Ferry Road in the former Walmart shopping center. It’s a coffee shop with a unique mission, as it employs special needs adults, providing them work skills in a comfortable environment. “[It’s] an opportunity to provide special needs adults not only a place they can be themselves but to give them an opportunity to work,” said Isabel Mayer, director of Tree of Life’s Leesburg operations. The coffee shop is an extension of Tree of Life’s ministry for the special needs community, which was started by the nonprofit’s founder Paul Smith in its Purcellville location. The program, called Simply Be, has been growing in its Leesburg community the past few years, providing opportunities for special needs individuals to gather together for fellowship. “From that we continued to talk through what more could we do,” Mayer said. When the former pawn shop space became avail-
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
SimplyBe Barista Joseph A. prepares a coffee for a midday customer at the coffee shop’s Shenandoah Square location.
able in the shopping center, the opportunity was right. The employees at the SimplyBe coffee shop are guided by manager Beth Newton, a special education teacher and former Cornerstone Chapel employee. Tree of Life
partners with ECHO and Loudoun County Public Schools’ CAST program to find employees for the shop. Mayer said they view this as a pilot season for the shop, but are hopeful for its mission. Right now, they have a rotating schedule with 12 employ-
ees. Tree of Life did its homework in finding the best beans and baked goods to provide in the coffee shop. To find its coffee products, it partnered with Michael Amouri, whose Vienna-based Caffe Amouri has become a destination for area coffee drinkers. “Anyone that knows Michael or is in the coffee industry in the DMV area knows him very well,” Mayer said. “He has been amazing teaching and training the employees as well.” “I think if you’re a coffee drinker, you’re really going to enjoy it,” she said of the beverage offerings. To round out the menu, SimplyBe’s baked goods are provided by a local caterer. Among the highlights are toffee brownies, cookies, and even gluten-free baked goods. “We wanted to ensure not only is it a feel-good type of thing, but we want to make sure we had a very good product,” Mayer said of the offerings. Dotting the walls of the coffee shop space is artwork done by members of the local special needs community. The shop is cashless, accepting only credit and debit cards as forms of paySIMPLYBE COFFEE continues on page 9
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 9
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Frank and Anita Henry, left, pose with daughter Tanya and her fiancé Jarryd during the Nov. 22 celebration of Rouge Boutique and Spa’s 18th anniversary.
Rouge Celebrates 18 Years When Anita and Frank Henry opened Rouge Boutique and Spa on South King in 2002, they were the new kids on a block occupied by some of the town’s longest standing retailers. As they celebrated their 18th anniversary Sunday, only one business, China King, has been in operation longer. In addition to a full line of bath and beauty products and spa treatments, Anita’s training as a perfumist allows her to offer pure custom fragrances to her clients. Providing customization for everything from body butter, sugar scrubs, lotions, serums, bath fizzies to shave oils sets Rouge apart from other boutiques and makes the business a reginal destination. n
SimplyBe Coffee continued from page 8 ment, and currently operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the potential to expand the hours in the future. All the proceeds from the coffee shop directly benefit the SimplyBe special needs ministry. The Edwards Ferry shop also serves as an expansion of Tree of Life’s Leesburg operations, with the rear of the 2,000-squarefoot building used for the nonprofit’s local food pantry. It’s another opportunity to engage the coffee shop’s employees. “When there’s downtime [the employees] are not only staying there and preparing for the next wave of customers, they can also go into the back and help out with the pantry and do some volunteer work. They’re constantly being offered the opportunity to learn more skills. It’s really wonderful because they really enjoy that as well,” said Kristen Hickman, director of communications for Tree of Life. The need for a Leesburg-based food pantry has become clear in the past few years, but perhaps never more than in 2020. The number of individuals served with food donations from Tree of Life has climbed 300 percent this year alone, Mayer said. Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived stateside in March, Tree of Life has increased its food distributions from once to twice weekly, and now serves more than
50 families weekly. The nonprofit partners with local churches in both of its Loudoun-based communities, Leesburg and Purcellville, to provide support to its five branches of service. Those include food assistance; life skills, including English language instruction and tutoring services for needy families; subsidized housing; healthcare vouchers; and other relief services. On the latter point, Tree of Life has handled 900% more financial relief requests since the pandemic hit with almost 300% additional funds allocated against the prior year. The community has risen to the occasion to provide Tree of Life with the volunteer and financial support to keep the services running during the trying economic 3 injectors with over year. 25 years of experience “They bless us,” Hickman said. combined. New state of the art services: At the heart of Tree of Life’s mission is its faith and hope in Jesus Christ, Mayer said. Coolsculpting, Vivace, prp hair Botox by What is unique for the nonprofit, she says, growth, facials, lasers Amy, Meredith and Ashley is how it views those they serve. “We’re building a relationship with those we serve. We don’t use the word clients; we 44095 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 270, use the word partner. We don’t want to do Ashburn, VA 20147 a handout, we want to do a hand-up. That’s where our five branches come together,” 571-266-1776 Mayer said. botoxbyamy More information on the SimplyBe botoxbymere coffee shop can be found at facebook. Schedule online at: com/SimplyBeCoffee. For more inforwww.mountcastleplasticsurgery.com mation on Tree of Life Ministries, go to 44095 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 270 Ashburn, VA 20147 We offer: tolministries.org. n
Botox fillers & Vivace
New 3000 square foot office!
$11/unit
Allergan top 250 in the country
571-266-1776
•sculptra
botoxbyamy botoxbymere
www.mountcastleplasticsurgery.com
PAGE 10
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Public Safety
Chantilly Man Sentenced to 42 Years for Wife’s 2017 Murder BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage on Nov. 18 sentenced Frank D. Price, Jr. to 42 years in prison for the 2017 murder of his wife in their Chantilly home. On Oct. 28, 2017, Price, now 50, slit the throat of his 36-year-old wife, Winsome Marie West Price, after their children went to bed. According to a Sept. 7 letter to Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj from Eve Marie Barner Gleason, the woman who adopted the Price’s three children, West Price had attempted to leave her husband that night. The next day, Sheriff ’s Office deputies responded to a 6 a.m. head-on crash involving Price. Two hours later, the agency received a 911 call from a family member inside Price’s home. An investigation determined Price had asked that family member to attend to the couple’s children. Price was released from the hospital Oct. 31 and charged with first-degree murder, stabbing in the commission of a felony and reckless driving. In court last week, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute all but Price’s murder charge,
Price
for which Sincavage imposed a sentence of life in prison with all but 42 years of that time suspended. That means Price will remain in prison until at least 2059, when he’s 89 years old. That sentence aligned with a plea deal prosecutors reached with Price’s defense counsel, Wayne Kim. Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Bruce Johnson said that deal, which goes above the recommended sentencing guidelines, was made “in full consultation with the family” and that it would bring
them “appropriate closure,” as opposed to moving forward with a trial that would have brought out the graphic details of the murder. “The nature of the offense demands [42 years of active prison time],” Johnson told Sincavage. Before pronouncing that sentence, Sincavage heard impact statements from Price’s two daughters. His older daughter, Celina Gleason, said her mother was “selfless, honorable, graceful and determined” and that she “never missed a beat” cooking extravagant meals for her children every day. Price’s younger daughter, Arielle Gleason, said her mother “worked over the top” to care for her children. Celina testified that her mother’s relationship with her husband worsened about a month before her death. She said at that point, her mother began cooking simpler dishes, was often heard crying in her room and was seen to frown more. Celina said her mother got into more fights with her husband. She said her father once beat Arielle “like a lightweight punching bag.” Celina said that when she told her mom they had to leave, her mother said she wanted to stay to give Celina’s father one more chance.
Celina testified that the situation escalated one day when her mother took her and her siblings to their aunt’s house while Price was asleep. Price, Celina said, followed them and took his children away from his wife before she was able to reach their aunt’s house. “I have never felt so scared in my entire life,” she said. Celina said her mother went to three separate counties seeking a protective order against her husband, but none of the police agencies she visited would issue one. The night of Oct. 28, 2017, Celina said she kissed and hugged her mother goodnight and that she later heard a “sigh.” The next morning, she testified, her brother told her that he saw their mom sleeping. Celina said she then saw her mother’s naked body lying on the floor in her parents’ room with her eyes open, her throat cut so badly that it was “almost completely cut off,” and blood all over the bed sheets and walls. The Price children were immediately thereafter cared for by their aunt, and later adopted by Barner Gleason. PRICE SENTENCED continues on page 11
SAFETY briefs Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Ashburn Stabbing Case Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Irby last week rejected a plea deal between prosecutors and 18-year-old Erick A. Joya-Morales, who is charged with stabbing three men in Ashburn Joya-Morales earlier this year. The altercation occurred at 9:15 p.m. May 8 near Blossom Hill Terrace in The Grove at Flynn’s Crossing neighborhood. Joya-Morales was charged with three counts of felony aggravated malicious wounding. According to his defense attorney, Tony Paracha, Joya-Morales acted in self-defense in two
of the three stabbings. In August, Paracha worked out a plea deal with prosecutors in which they agreed to not prosecute two of the charges and to reduce the remaining charge to felony unlawful wounding. Prosecutors also agreed to push for all of Joya-Morales’ jail time to be suspended if he were to be convicted of that single reduced charge. The deal was dependent on the outcome of a separate, unrelated conviction in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. In September, Joya-Morales pleaded guilty to the reduced charge. However, during the scheduled sentencing hearing Nov. 19, Irby rejected that deal, meaning all three of Joya-Morales’ aggravated malicious wounding charges are again active. Paracha is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 12 to schedule a jury trial for the case.
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Loudoun County Deer The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease in a deer harvested in Loudoun County during archery season last month. The deer was located less than 10 miles from the closest previous detection in Clarke County and less than 2 miles from the West Virginia border. Although no cases of the fatal neurological disease that strikes deer, elk, and moose had previously been reported here, Loudoun County is included in DWR’s Disease Management Area 2, where the spread of the disease is being monitored. That area includes Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, Madison and Page counties.
According to the DWR website, chronic wasting disease is caused by abnormal infectious proteins called prions that can pass between deer through saliva, feces, urine, and through contaminated water or soil. The disease poses as serious concern for Virginia’s white-tailed deer population, although it has not been shown to pose a health risk to humans or domestic animals. While there is no evidence that the disease can infect humans, experts advise not eating the venison from CWD-positive deer. DWR’s surveillance and management efforts are aided by hunters, taxidermists, processors, and others who submit samples of harvested deer at collections sites for testing. The information is used to track the infection rate and map its spread.
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 11
Jury Trials Allowed to Begin on Monday BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
Jury trials in Loudoun Circuit Court are approved to begin this coming Monday, Nov. 30, but they most likely won’t start just yet. On Oct. 15, a panel of the Virginia Supreme Court approved Loudoun’s plan to resume jury trials amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That approval skirts Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons’ Declaration of Judicial Emergency, the most recent extension of which requires all jury trials in Virginia to be continued until at least Dec. 13. Loudoun’s plan to safely return to jury trials stipulates that the first jury trial won’t begin until at least 45 days after the Supreme Court’s approval—or Monday, Nov. 30. That month-and-a-half grace period is allowing court personnel to complete proposed modifications to the courtrooms and ensure sufficient inventory of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment. And the work is still ongoing. Already, Courtroom 2A—the Loudoun Circuit Court’s largest courtroom—has been retrofitted to accommodate 14-person jury trials for felony criminal cases, Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj said, adding that work to Courtroom 2D is ongoing. There, eight-member jury trials for criminal misdemeanor and civil cases will be held. Two other courtrooms will be used as jury recess/deliberation rooms for those trials. Another will be used as a remote viewing area for the general
Price sentenced continued from page 10 Celina said she was forced into the role of parent to her younger brother and sister, cooking for them, bathing them and putting them to bed. “I had to become a mother, a parent,” she said. “I had to grow up so much faster because of [Price].” Celina said she often saw images of her mother lying dead that morning and would cry until her head throbbed. “She was my mom, and she was my best friend,” she said. “I don’t get to see
public and members of the press via a closed-circuit broadcast. Initially, only one trial will be permitted to proceed at a time. The plan places the highest priority on resuming felony and misdemeanor cases involving incarcerated defendants who have been in jail for the longest amount of time. The second-highest priority is on felony cases involving non-incarcerated defendants. The third-highest priority is on misdemeanor cases involving non-incarcerated defendants. Lastly, the Loudoun Circuit Court will hear civil trials. Once work is done within the courthouse, court personnel will issue juror summons to at least three times of the number of jurors who would be needed to report on the trial date—in anticipation that many of them would be unable to participate based on a COVID-19 questionnaire. Two high-profile cases are awaiting jury trials in Loudoun. The first is the double homicide trial of Brian Welsh, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the January 2018 shooting deaths of Mala Manwani and her adult son, Rishi Manwani, at their Aldie home. That trial is scheduled to run from Jan. 19 to Feb. 12. The second jury trial will center on Gavin Collins and Joshua Hunter, both of whom are charged with the first-degree murder of 24-year-old Jose Menendez. Their case heads to a Dec. 14 grand jury for review. Including Loudoun, 28 of Virginia’s 122 Circuit Courts have been approved to resume jury trials. n
her grow old. … She will forever be my number one.” Celina urged Sincavage to impose the maximum sentence on Price. “My father needs to be put in jail permanently to serve my mother justice,” she said. Price, before being sentenced, asked his family and all those impacted by the killing for forgiveness. “I am sorry for what has happened. I’m sorry for the pain that I’ve caused,” he said. If Price is released from prison, he will remain on supervised probation for the remainder of his life. n
GRAND OPENING COVID Mother’s Day Re-Opening Anniversary
CHRISTMAS SALE DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS 2-.12 CARAT .24TW Regular $495
Now $212.00 While Supplies Last
William Henry Knife
$212.00
Reg. Price $495 Limited Quantity
Vintage & Estate Jewelry 20%to 40% OFF
Daily Specials Something New Every Day Your safety is our utmost concern. Masks are required while shopping at Ketterman’s. Please observe social distancing between family groups.
Loudoun’s Best Jeweler For Over 30 Years
We Have Moved Just Up The Street
212 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA
www.kettermans.com
703-777-0033
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 12
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Education
School Board Adopts Triggers to Close Classes if Virus Spikes BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County School Board last week voted to shut down in-person learning for all students if community spread trends for COVID-19 cross two thresholds. Under the action, if the number of new cases exceeds 200 during a 14-day period and the positivity rate of coronavirus tests reaches 10%, all students will return to 100% distance learning. This week, the 14-day case number continued to exceed 200, it was at 252 on Tuesday. The positivity rate was holding just above 8%, at 8.3% on Tuesday. Those triggers were adopted on a 6-3 vote after two alternate approaches that would have provided options to keep some students in class despite increasing community spread failed to find majority support. Superintendent Eric Williams had recommended that reaching the two trigger points should initiate consideration of halting the expansion of the hybrid learning program, which includes two days of in-person learning, as well as examination of whether to return students already in
class to distance learning. He said Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend also favored that approach to allow school leaders to evaluate a variety of public health factors before rolling back in-person learning. Another option under which the case number and positivity rate triggers would halt the hybrid expansion, but allow those already in school to continue with in-person classes, also failed. The action comes just before the next planned expansion of hybrid learning, when 8,300 more students in grades 3-5 and seniors at the Academies of Loudoun are slated to join the hybrid program Dec. 1. That’s also the time period when health officials expect to see a spike in cases following the Thanksgiving holiday. Those supporting the use of automatic triggers to close classrooms said it was important to base the decisions on metrics that parents can easily track. “If we are at the highest risk, we need to take action. We are at the highest risk,” Denise Corbo (At Large) said. A push by Beth Barts (Leesburg) to reduce the test positivity rate trigger to 9%— making a shut down more likely–narrowly
failed on a 4-5 vote. Jeff Morse (Dulles), Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge), and John Beatty (Catoctin) opposed the automatic shutdown triggers. They pointed to the difference between community spread of the virus and inschool transmission. So far, the school division has experienced only isolated cases of staff members or students testing positive for COVID-19. “We are doing a good job of keeping the classrooms safe,” Morse said, adding that School Board members already were hearing positive results of having pre-K through second grade students in class two days a week. He urged the board to adopt a policy that would allow school leaders to react to changes in school conditions, rather than dictate an outcome. “There is no zero-risk solution,” he said. Under the adopted policy, Williams still has authority to close a class, a school or the entire hybrid program even if the triggers are not reached. Any closure would be expected to be temporary, with in-person learning resuming when community spread numbers decline. n
Loudoun Education Association Presses Safety Concerns BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Loudoun Education Association leaders are pressing the school division to hold off on any expansion of in-person learning, as stated during a Saturday night virtual rally that on-campus conditions are not yet safe. Starting next Tuesday, approximately 8,300 students in grades 3-5 and seniors at the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering and Technology are scheduled to begin hybrid classes—with two days of in-person instruction each week. They’ll join about 3,600 students with disabilities, preschool and pre-kindergarten students and some English language learners and another 6,900 students in grades K-2 who already have returned to class as part of the hybrid program. Under current plans, middle and high school students will begin hybrid classes at the
start of the second semester, Jan. 21. LEA President Sandy Sullivan said that, based on the experiences so far, adopted safety protocols are not consistently followed, training as LEA President been inadequate, and Sandy Sullivan personal protective equipment is lacking. Standing outside the School Administration Building in Broadlands, where a planned “Enlightenment Rally” rally was scaled back to a Facebook Live broadcast because of COVID-19 concerns, Sullivan was joined by other LEA leaders who read statements from school staff members who raised a variety of concerns about on-campus safety and the lack of clarity for personnel policies governing those who are at high-risk from the virus, who
must quarantine because of a possible exposure, or who become infected on the job. The remarks can be viewed at fb.watch/1XzqRviHNX. Sullivan said educators are looking forward to getting back to the classroom and are working as hard as ever to make distance learning work well for their students. “As much as our educators want to be back in person is critically important that it is done in a safe manner. When questions regarding the return to school go unanswered, when answers to our questions change, when protocols are not followed, when those protocols are not enforced, our educators are put at risk and continuity of instruction is not possible,” she said. “Some worksites are following and enforcing protocols, but not all. And when not all worksites provide a safe teaching and SCHOOL SAFETY continues on page 13
Board Issues Reprimand for Disclosure NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County School Board on Nov. 17 issued a formal reprimand to a member who was found to have disclosed on social media confidential information presented by the division attorney during a closed meeting. Following a closed session to discuss the issue, the School Board voted unanimously to affirm that the information disclosed was subject to attorney-client privilege and should remain confidential. In a separate motion, members voted 6-2-1 to publicly reprimand Beth Barts (Leesburg) for the violation of board rules. Denise Corbo (At Large) and John Beatty (Catoctin) opposed that action. Barts declined to participate in the closed meeting. In a Facebook post following the vote, Barts wrote, “I accept the reprimand they issued to me while I remain committed to continuing to be transparent and open on social media when to comes to the greater good and safety of our community including all staff and students.” She added, “Please note—A reprimand is ‘an official rebuke’. It has no impact on voting privileges or my standing as an elected representative. Only my constituents can remove me as a representative. Despite the fact that I feel discouraged at times due to my lack of successful advocacy, I hope you will still allow me to represent you as we get through this coming winter together. I have no doubt at the end of my journey many years from now, I will look back on this as one of my most challenging times not just as an elected official but as a community advocate, friend and neighbor.” n
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Distance Learning Finds Greater Support in New Semester Survey BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
As Loudoun school leaders wrestle with ways to ramp up in-person learning, a new survey shows that more families are happy to continue learning at home. Last week, parents and students were asked to log their preferences for the second semester, which starts Jan. 21. Fifty-nine percent opted to continue with 100% distance learning and only 31% stated a preference for the hybrid program, which includes two days of in-person instruction. Those results differ significantly from a similar survey conducted over the summer in preparation for the opening of the school year. At that time, half of the division’s 81,000 students selected hybrid learning. Approximately 10% of the students did not make a selection in the survey. They will be added to the hybrid learning list by default. The highest interest in hybrid learning was at the elementary school level, with 12,365 students (35%) selecting that option. Another 3,554 made no selection and will be added to that group. Thirty percent of middle schoolers, 6,046 students in total, selected hybrid learning, with another 1,492 making no choice.
School Safety continued from page 12 learning environment we are at risk.” The event was attended in person by School Board Member Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge), with several other board members watching online. Serotkin said he was not totally surprised by the speakers citing instances of inconsistent adherence to the adopted safety protocols but expressed confidence that school leaders are doing what is required to support safe in-person learning. “We have 95 schools plus additional worksites all throughout the county. I think a lot of worksites are doing a great job in trying to keep up with the safety protocols that have been put in place, but if there are worksites that aren’t then absolutely that’s something we need to address and take a look at to allow out educators to be as safe as possible,” he said. “We want all of our worksites to following the protocols we put in place and if there are ones that aren’t, we’ll need to
At the high school level, only 24% selected hybrid learning, a total of 6,486 students. Another 3,568 made no selection. The highest interest in the hybrid option was among students enrolled at the Academies of Loudoun, where 54% opted for in-person class time. Among elementary schools, Lincoln, Culbert and Waterford had the highest level of interest in hybrid learning, with more than 60% of their students selecting that option. Goshen Post would have the most students in classrooms, with 426 students selecting the hybrid option. At Belmont Station, Buffalo Trail, Little River, and Madison’s Trust more than 300 students selected the hybrid option. The Middleburg Community Charter School and the Hillsboro Academy saw the highest satisfaction with online learning, with 90.9% and 86.1%, respectively, choosing distance learning. Harmony and Blue Ridge middle schools had the highest interest in hybrid learning, with 41% and 44%, respectively, choosing that option. Trailside (495) and Lunsford (469) middle schools would have the largest hybrid classes. Woodgrove was the only high school to have more than 30% of students selecting hybrid learning. The largest number of students selecting the hybrid options were at Freedom (614), Stone Bridge (525) and Riverside (502). n take a look at that and figure out how to correct it. “The protocols we’ve put in place follow the CDC and state guidelines with very limited exceptions. So, we’re following what the experts and agencies have told schools to do in order to be able to open safely.” The LEA is encouraging concerned parents to sign a petition highlighting the concerns and to post on social media with #lcpsitsnotsafe. Barring action by the School Board, which is next scheduled to meet Nov. 30, or by Superintendent Eric Williams, the next round of hybrid expansion is expected to move ahead Dec. 1. The School Board last week adopted a circuit breaker policy that would suspend in-person learning if the number of new cases per 100,000 residents exceeds 200 during a 14-day period and the positivity rate of coronavirus tests reaches 10%. The number of new cases has exceeded that threshold in recent weeks, but the 14-day positivity rate has held in the 8% range. n
PAGE 13
CABINET SHOWPLACE Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home
www.cabinetshowplace.com
540.338.9661
210 N. 21st St., # E Purcellville, VA 20132
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 14
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Nonprofit
Loudoun Hunger Gives More Than 3,500 Thanksgiving Meals Loudoun Hunger Relief Distributed more than 3,500 Thanksgiving dinner bags with meals for four and accompanying gift cards on Saturday. That comes as the nonprofit has seen record demand for its services during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re always astounded by the generosity of the Loudoun community and this year we’ve been particularly touched by the community kindness,” said Loudoun Hunger Relief Executive Director Jennifer Montgomery. “Neighbor to neighbor— you’ve filled lots of plates.” But Thanksgiving is just one meal—the nonprofit served nearly 900 families last week with regular grocery distribution. The number of families in need has been climbing throughout the fall, from a low of the mid-600s each week during the summer. For more information or to give, go to LoudounHunger.com/give-help. n
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Loudoun Hunger Relief volunteers unload donated fresh produce on Saturday, Nov. 21.
BURG Family Reunion Club Distributes 130 Turkeys BY KARA C. RODGRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
A Leesburg group made it their mission Saturday to ensure that local families had their Thanksgiving meal centerpiece. The “BURG” Family Reunion Club, a nonprofit organization based in Leesburg whose mission is to preserve the memories of Black descendants of Leesburg, and support the current communities of native Black-Americans residing in the town, distributed 130 turkeys to local families outside of the Leesburg Walmart on Saturday. According to Irvin Greene, president of the “BURG” Family Reunion Club, the nonprofit worked with parent liaisons at local schools to find a list of families to benefit with the turkeys. “It went very well,” he said of Saturday’s distribution. “We were pleased with the turnout and just to see the faces of people being happy that they are able to receive a Thanksgiving turkey…it just went beautiful.” Greene said the organization is plan-
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
BURG Family Reunion volunteers distribute food on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Compass Creek Walmart.
ning to distribute another round of turkeys for the upcoming Christmas holiday, and also will include toys and bicycles for children. The “BURG” hopes to continue its giving tradition throughout the year, with stuff-the-bus campaigns eyed for the spring and late summer for food items and school supplies, respectively.
The organization is also gearing up for its first annual Juneteenth celebration, currently planned for Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Ida Lee Park. Just this year, Gov. Ralph Northam, along with other governors throughout the country, declared the annual celebration marking the end of slavery as a state holiday. n
Community Foundation Launches Giving Tuesday Challenge The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has selected four nonprofits to participate in a fundraising challenge on Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of giving held each year the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The four nonprofits selected for the Giving Tuesday Matching Challenge are ECHO, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, StoryBook Treasures, and Women Giving Back. They will conduct fundraising campaigns with the goal of raising at least $5,000 on Giving Tuesday, on Dec. 1. The Community Foundation will match up to $5,000 of donations for each to double that impact. Matching grants will be provided by the Community Emergency Relief Fund, which was established by the Community Foundation in March to address the impacts of COVID-19 in the Loudoun community. Since March, the Community Relief Fund has disbursed more than $210,000 to nonprofits serving Loudoun residents in need due to the health and financial impacts of the pandemic. “We know our community and the nonprofits chosen to participate are up for this challenge,” said Community Foundation Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs Nicole Acosta. “The donations made by our generous community and matched by the Community Emergency Relief Fund will go a long way to supporting these organizations helping Loudoun residents.” n TO HELP THE ORGANIZATIONS MEET THEIR FUNDRAISING GOALS, donations may be made Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 8 to the four nonprofits participating: ECHO: echoworks.org/donors LOUDOUN ABUSED WOMEN’S SHELTER: donatenow.networkforgood.org/ lcsjlaws STORYBOOK TREASURES: storybooktreasures.org/donate WOMEN GIVING BACK: womengivingback.org/ donate-sponsor
Changing demand continued from page 1 able, they were buying,” he said. Two years ago, however, Beuerlein said the demand just wasn’t there. At Chapel Ford Farm just north of Leesburg—formerly known as If It Flies Farm—owner Alex Bates said requests doubled when COVID hit. And while requests remained high this Thanksgiving season, farmers realized a shift in their customers’ buying habits. Boland said many of her customers requested turkeys weighing 10-12 pounds, as opposed to the typical request of 18-25 pounds. Boland said she understands that the requests for smaller birds comes in response to smaller family gatherings to help stunt the spread of COVID-19. But, Boland said, requests for 10- to 12-pound turkeys are difficult to accommodate because turkeys generally grow to be much larger than that. She and her team begin raising turkeys for Thanksgiving in February, which means they couldn’t meet many requests for smaller birds, since the turkeys had already grown to a certain weight by the time fall rolled around. “It’s just not the nature of a turkey to grow that little,” Boland said. “That’s like a big chicken.” The same sorts of requests came in at Blue Mojo Farm, which slaughtered and sold only 10 turkeys this Thanksgiving. Beuerlein said many of the requests he received were for lower-weight birds. He said many people this year switched their requests from the typical 20- to 30-pound turkeys to 12- to 15-pound turkeys. “That’s more like a hen,” Beuerlein said. Beuerlein said that while only a third of his 30 birds were ready for slaughter this Thanksgiving—with the rest still growing for next year or being raised solely as breeders—he still received “massive interest” this season. He said that if he had known there was going to be such a high demand this Thanksgiving, he would have prepared sooner. It takes a year and a half to raise heritage-breed turkeys. Bates said the same types of smaller requests were true for the poultry processing plant he works at in Pennsylvania. Although his Loudoun-based Chapel Ford Farm wasn’t prepared to take any Thanksgiving turkey orders this year, about 70% of the processing plant’s requests this year were for 10- to 12-pound birds as opposed to the typical 15- to 20-pound requests.
An Uncertain Christmas Season Ahead Meanwhile, another type of seasonal farm—Christmas tree farms—are getting ready for the beginning of their seasons.
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM Steve Wolff, one of the owners of Snickers Gap Tree Farm which opens Friday, said while he’s seen an “unprecedented” number of photographers requesting shoots at the farm this year, since they’re not open, it’s too soon to tell whether that points to a huge demand for the trees. He said he’s been talking to his neighbors at B Chord Brewing, Bluemont Vineyard and Great Country Farms to understand what customers have wanted during the pandemic. “We’re hoping for a good year,” Wolff said. “You know, all the word is that people like to get outside and have fun, so we’re hoping that works well for us.” But further south at Middleburg Christmas Trees, owner Frans Kok has already decided the farm will not open at all this year—with an exception for the Russian Embassy, a longtime customer that brings its own crew to handle the trees. The decision not to open came as Christmas tree farms are still dealing with fungal infections that have begun killing some types of trees in Loudoun’s warming climate. That has also led to difficulties for people looking for Christmas trees or resellers, such as the Boy Scouts, as the fungal infections have led to a shortage of trees around the state. “Financially, it’s horrible—you have a crop, and you can’t harvest it,” Kok said. “If you walk around on our farm, you see a couple of burn piles that are like 12 feet high. It’s costly to cut them down, and then it’s costly to drag them over and pile them up, and no revenues this year other than a couple of thousand dollars from the Russian embassy, but that doesn’t even begin to make a dent in anything.” But he had to make the call early, and Kok decided safety comes first. A self-described “numbers-oriented guy,” Kok did the math on bringing hundreds of people to the 125-acre farm and realized that, almost inevitably, some of them would unwittingly be carrying the coronavirus. “They need to be guided, so they have a congregation of people, and then I have some very vulnerable personnel who are very familiar with the farm, who have worked for us for 15 or 20 years,” Kok said. “But they’re vulnerable because of heart conditions, chemotherapy because of cancer, liver transplants, and I can’t replace those people, because I can’t give them the amount of experience that they would need in order to be useful to the client.” And while many turkey farmers are taking Thanksgiving Day to themselves, they’re getting right back at it this Friday to begin preparing for Christmas themselves. At Fields of Athenry, Boland said people generally request prime rib roasts and lamb crown roasts for Christmas. But this year, those requests are also coming in at much smaller sizes than before. Boland said her customers are re-
PAGE 15
questing 3- to 6-pound prime rib roasts as opposed to 10- to 12-pound cuts. But, she said, that’s OK because it’s much easier to cut prime rib and lamb to a certain size, since customers aren’t purchasing the whole cow or lamb like they are with turkeys. The deadline to order meat for Christmas dinner from Fields of Athenry Farm is Dec. 14. While Blue Mojo typically doesn’t take many requests for Christmas dinner, they’ll still fulfill some. But customers should know the heritage-breed turkeys currently living on the farm are much larger than what they might be looking for this season. At Chapel Ford Farm, Bates isn’t planning to sell Christmas birds at all this year, since, he said, Gov. Ralph Northam’s restrictive orders aren’t allowing him the chance to sell at his usual Christmas markets. Moving past this season and toward Thanksgiving 2021, Bates said he’s plan-
ning for up to 90% of the turkey requests he receives next year at Chapel Ford Farm to come in at lower weights. To accommodate those requests, Bates said he would buy his two-month-old turkeys a month later than normal so that when it comes time to slaughter them just before Thanksgiving, they will be less mature and lighter. He said the taste of the turkeys doesn’t change if they’re harvested at a younger age. And next year, Kok hopes things will be back to normal, and he will be able to welcome people back to the farm safely with widespread immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19, and possibly widespread rapid testing if the virus lingers. “The Christmas tree, in the end, is just a Christmas tree,” Kok said. n Deputy Editor Renss Greene contributed to this report
JINGLE BELL ROCK & RUN
VIRTUAL RACE DECEMBER 1-31
2020
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
5K & 10K RACE HALF MARATHON 100 MILE CHALLENGE 1 MILE JAMMIE JINGLE
BENEFITIN
G
Register at RingingInHope.com SPONSORED BY
PAGE 16
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Our Towns
TOWN notes BLUEMONT Bear Chase to Host Old World Christmas Market Bear Chase Brewing Co. will host an Old World Christmas Market from 12-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 12. Visitors to the event will enjoy live music, food, beer, a fire pit, hot cocoa and shopping for holiday gifts from 30 local vendors including Shade’s Farm, Good Vibes Pottery, Shenandoah Candle Co., Vintage Violet, WV Woodworks, Accidentally Awesome and more. For more information, go to bearchasebrew.com.
LOVETTSVILLE Council Appoints Dumproff to Planning Commission
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Middleburg architect Bill Turnure will soon leave town for retirement after 42 years working there and 30 years serving on the Historic District Review Committee.
Turnure to Leave Middleburg After 42 Years BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
After three decades of using his architectural skills to help preserve and improve Middleburg’s historic streetscape, Bill Turnure plans to head south for retirement in the next few months. Turnure, 65, spent 42 years of his life working as an architect in town and 30 years serving on the town’s Historic District Review Committee, which ensures that applications seeking to make changes to properties in the town’s Historic District plan to preserve and protect the historic, architectural, cultural and archaeological heritage there. The Town Council appointed him to that post in 1990 and he held it until his resignation Oct. 31. Turnure’s departure came in anticipation of the next chapter in his life, as he plans to retire and dissolve Turnure Architecture once he completes a few remaining projects by March. By then, he’ll head to South Carolina to live in retirement with his wife in a lakefront home his parents built decades ago.
“I just fell in love with the place.” — Bill Turnure Turnure first set foot in Middleburg in 1978 after landing a job with Billy Dew. He said that opportunity presented itself after he lost his first post-college job in Alexandria when the project that architectural firm was planning fell through. A conversation with the receptionist at the American Institute of Architects office led Turnure to a Friday interview with Dew and a Monday start date. “I’ve been out here ever since,” he said. “I just fell in love with the place.” Turnure worked under Dew for eight years, learning all he could about residential architecture. At that point, he decided it was time to take on more responsibility
and start his own firm. Turnure teamed up with another local architect, Andrew Stewart. In 1986, the two started Stewart and Turnure Architects. That firm eventually expanded to a second office in Winchester. It employed 17 people at one point. Amid his responsibilities with that firm, Turnure in 1990 decided to use his architectural knowledge to help the town by applying for an inaugural seat on the Historic District Review Committee—a committee the Town Council formed after multiple projects came out different than what council members had anticipated. “The town has always given so much to me that my contribution seemed minimal,” Turnure said of his desire to serve on the committee. “So, I was more than happy to stay on as long as I did.” Back in his place of work, Turnure branched out on his own when Stewart’s health began to deteriorate. He started his own firm, Turnure Architecture, in 1994. During his time in Middleburg, TurTURNURE continues on page 23
The Lovettsville Town Council last Thursday appointed new town resident Jaymie Brooks Dumproff to the Planning Commission. Dumproff currently serves on the town’s Parks, Infrastructure, Environment and Utilities Committee and is a member of American Legion Post 1836. She also formerly served as the vice president of training on the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Leadership Council and serves as a public health officer in the Air National Guard. The town last month received only one application to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission following the resignation of Shiva Schilling.
Town Plans Holiday Events Through December The Town of Lovettsville is planning six holiday events from Dec. 5 to Jan. 1. The first will be a Cocoa Crawl from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Everyone is invited to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, meet up with neighbors and visit town businesses. At 6 p.m. that day, Wintertainment will begin. Everyone is invited to bring a lantern to the Squirkle to enjoy TOWN NOTES continues on page 22
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 17
One Family Plan Brewing
A schematic of the planned One Family Brewing building, which is to be located on a 27-acre property just south of the Lovettsville town limits.
One Family Brewing Seeks Lovettsville Annexation
BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
One Family Brewing is expected to officially request the Town of Lovettsville annex its 27-acre property just south of town off Berlin Turnpike. Brewery owner David Keuhner last Thursday night presented the Town Council with his plans to construct a brewery, dining area, farm-to-table restaurant, event center, rental cabins and dog park on the property. To make that happen, he’s asking town leaders to begin considering an annexation that would allow his property access to municipal water and sewer service. Keuhner, who managed multiple Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses in the 1990s, is planning an up-to 10,000-square-foot brewery where he’ll brew all kinds of beer, including those that incorporate fruit, wine grapes, whiskey, rum and wine. Keuhner also plans to open a farm-to-table restaurant featuring food from farms within 100 miles of the brewery, and to sell wine. Plans call for a two-story 5,400-squarefoot main dining area with 300 seats split between indoor and outdoor locations. Keuhner estimates 2,000 people will visit the brewery weekly. The brewery and dining area will be set up on seven acres of the property. On the remaining 20 acres, Keuhner plans to farm the land and set up rental cabins and a dog park that would be managed by brewery staff. He’s also planning to open an event center to host weddings, corporate events, team-building exercises, wine and beer
dinners, private fundraising events and cooking demonstrations. Keuhner also wants to open the county’s first on-premises smokehouse. “As much as we can do on the property, the better,” Keuhner said. “We want people to have a full experience. … This is just not about selling suds and pouring pints of beer. This is providing an entire customer experience.” But some of the amenities Keuhner is proposing might not be allowed under the town’s Zoning Ordinance, which stipulates that any property annexed into the town limits is automatically zoned Commercial and Residential Annexation District, which does not allow for lodgings or a dog park. To skirt those restrictions, Keuhner might request the town annex the seven acres proposed for the brewery and dining area and keep the other 20 acres for farming, cabins and other town zoning-restricted amenities in the county’s AR-1 Zoning District, which could allow for those uses. Keuhner purchased the property in February 2019 with the intent to open a brewery, but those plans were sidelined when he realized he needed municipal utility service. Even without having a brewhouse constructed, he has already brewed and sold thousands of cans, and nearly 200 kegs, of beer. Last year, he teamed up with Loudounbased Dynasty Brewing Co. to brew the Fall Harvest IPA, which incorporated 40 ONE FAMILY continues on page 18
As your Purcellville community Volunteer Fire and Rescue companies, we are committed to keeping you and your family safe. This year, due to the COVID-19 virus, we’ve all been extra careful… social distancing, avoiding large crowds, wearing face coverings and being extra vigilant in our day to day activities. As we approach the Holiday Season, we are even more focused on your safety. And that’s especially true for our traditional annual Christmas Tree sales fund raising activities. This year, we have put into place protocols that are designed to keep you safe as you shop for your perfect, fresh cut Christmas Tree. • We have expanded our tree lot and will limit traffic to keep everyone safe • Our volunteers will tie your tree onto your vehicle • You will have the option of touchless, curb-side tree shopping Trees will be available for sale beginning Friday, November 27, starting at 10 am and we will be open until 8 pm
Regular Tree lot hours are: • Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 5-8 pm • Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 8 pm Our North Carolina plantation grown Frasier Fir Christmas trees range from 6 feet to 12 feet. This year, there is a national shortage of Christmas trees. They will go fast, so please plan on getting yours early.
Thank you for your support of your local Purcellville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Companies Scan this QR code to take you to our website
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
Purcellville Public Safety Center 500 N Maple Street Purcellville, VA 20132
PAGE 18
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
County Awards New Contract for Lovettsville Community Center Project BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
Work on the Lovettsville Community Center is set to resume. The Board of Supervisors last week awarded an $8.7 million contract to Crisak, a Purcellville-based general contracting firm, to continue work on the community center project, by razing the existing 10,000-square-foot building—which operated as a school from 1927 to 1974— and replacing it with a 18,500-square-foot building featuring a full-court gymnasium, office space, a fitness room, five classrooms, a kitchen, storage space and several meeting rooms. Crews will also expand the existing 1,200-square-foot pool house. County Public Affairs and Communications Officer Glen Barbour said the county staff anticipates construction on the new community center to resume early next year and for the building to be opened to the public by summer 2022.
www.lbpac.org
Digital Access Passes available December 24 through January 15, 2021
One Family continued from page 17
Keep this beloved holiday tradition alive from the comfort of your own home! Watch as young Clara is swept into a fantasy adventure where she meets the mysterious Drosselmeyer, a chivalrous Prince, the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy, and a whole host of delectable holiday treats!
For tickets to this virtual performance please visit WWW.LBPAC.ORG WWW W WW.LBPAC.ORG
pounds of hand-picked Loudoun hops. One-hundred cases and 10 kegs of the beer sold out upon release. One Family also teamed up with Pennsylvania-based Funk Brewing to brew the Family Times chocolate vanilla stout ale. Brewed at Old Bust Head Brewing Co. in Vint Hill, 220 cases and 20 kegs of that beer also sold out upon release. One Family in January this year also partnered with Charlottesville-based Three Notch’d Brewing Co. to brew the Gold Star Series American Pale Ale. Three-hundred cases and 34 kegs of that beer sold out in two hours. That beer also helped fund the region’s first Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, which Keuhner unveiled on his Lovettsville-area property on Sept. 11. That memorial honors the mothers, fathers and families of America’s fallen soldiers—commonly referred to as Gold Star families. Close to 50 families of fallen veterans visited the property for that unveiling, the largest gathering of such families for a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument ever, Keuhner said. Keuhner, whose family has combined more than 100 years of military service, also teamed up with Funk Brewing in April to brew The Fallen IPA, the labels of
The project commenced in July 2019 but stalled in January when the county terminated a $10.8 million contract with Meridian Construction Co. following a series of delays that set the project back four months. The county paid Meridian $752,686 for those six months of work. Eight months later, in August, the county re-issued an invitation for bid and received five back by the Oct. 13 deadline: FHP Tectonics Corp. bid $9.6 million, Carlson Brothers bid $9.5 million, Waynesboro Construction Co. bid $8.87 million, Hoar Construction bid $8.74 million, and the lowest, from Crisak, was $8.71 million. The board’s Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee at its Nov. 10 meeting voted unanimously to recommend awarding the contract to Crisak, which specializes in turn-key commercial construction services and from Virginia to New York, according to its website. n
which feature the names of more than 60 military veterans who died in combat. The beer is being distributed in seven states and has already sold 2,400 cases and 120 kegs, with some of the proceeds benefitting the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation—the organization behind the nation’s 75 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments. Aside from beer, Keuhner and a few friends also honored the nation’s fallen veterans by planting hundreds of American flags into the ground, along with a large wooden cross to pay homage to their Christian faith, on the brewery property in April. On Memorial Day, the one Family team read aloud the names of each fallen veteran whose memory was represented by one of the flags. Keuhner and his One Family team next year will also launch the One Family Gives nonprofit, which will work to help families in need. Every day the brewery is open, 100% of the proceeds from beer sales off one tap will benefit that foundation. In 2018, the team drove two trucks of supplies to help Hurricane Florence victims in Wilmington, NC. In January 2019 and 2020, they also handed out hundreds of bags of clothes to area homeless shelters. n
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 19
HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE
Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Controller
Finance
$79,227-$135,636 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$53,233-$89,590 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Inspector II
Utilities
$56,956-$97,512 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior
Utilities: Water Pollution Control
$41,353-$89,790 DOQ
Open until filled
Experienced Lab Tech Or MA – Busy Family Practice office in Lansdowne, VA looking for an experienced lab tech or MA to collect and process Covid 19, Flu & Strep samples. Must be familiar with manual and automated methods. EMR experience preferred. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits.
Please send your resume to lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804
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.
NOW HIRING FLAGGERS Full time, to provide traffic control & safety around construction sites. A valid driver license & clean driving record a must. Star ting $13/hr & scheduled raises & bonuses. Company-paid medical & dental premiums. Please fill out an application at trafficplan.com or come to our office on Tuesdays or Thursdays (8am-10am) 7855 Progress Ct. Suite 103, Gainesville, VA
HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Large family practice in Loudoun County with 6 locations and 28 providers looking for FT LPN’s or MA’s with a dedication to excellence. New LPN graduates welcome to apply. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer competitive pay rates, health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. Please send your resume to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa
 Â? Â?Â? Â? Â
     € ‚ �  ƒ „ … †‡‡ �� € … ˆ
 Â? Â?  Â? ‰ „ Â… Š ˆ Â? ‹ ÂŒ Â?  Â€€ Â?  Â?‚Â? Â? ƒ „ Â? Â? Â? Â? ‡Â? „ Š Ž‘  ’ “Â?‡”• „  Â? –Š
‹  —”�˜™ ””‡ ˜˜”‡
MAIDS NEEDED No evenings or weekends Pay starts at $12/hr Please call 571-291-9746
See the full job listings at
NowHiringLoudoun.com
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 20
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
DON’T LET THE AMAZON GRINCH STEAL OUR LOCAL DOLLARS –
the bra fit experts Complimentary Bra Fittings 5 South Madison St. Middleburg, VA 20117 (540) 326 - 8951 LeBoudoirFits.com
Shop at Home for the H Fine Dining - Relaxing
Impeccable British clothing for everyone on Santa’s list ...
21 East Washington St. • Middleburg VA. 20118
Bras by girls for girls.
540-687-3686 • EnglishCountryClassics.com
Available online at livyandlana.com and at Le Boudoir, 5 S. Madison St., Middleburg, VA
THE HOUND GROUP
295
$
8.2” w x 2.6” h
Shop online for shipping to your home at mtdefiance.distillerysprits.com
Hand-crafted ciders and spirits. CIDER BARN: 495 E. Washington St. DISTILLERY: 207 W. Washington St. MIDDLEBURG, VA
A pillar of the beloved Middle & Tavern has been Virginia’s H Standing proudly on the village Fox is an extraordinary relic t touches and classic Virginian ch a coveted es
2 East Washington S The Inn 540-687 6301 | Weddings & Part
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 21
– SHOW LOUDOUN LOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON – SHOP AT HOME
Get him what he wants, the way he wants it. • SHIRTING – The cornerstone of a gentleman’s waredrobe.
Holidays in Middleburg
Street Middleburg, VA The Tavern 540-687-6301 ties 540-687-9765
• Polo Shirts & Cashmere Sweaters • Tailoring & alterations
112 W. Washington Street Middleburg, VA 20117 540-687-5633 • HighcliffeClothiers.com
Unwrap all the style you ever wished for.
Retreat - Special Occasions
eburg village, The Red Fox Inn Hunt Country jewel since 1728. e’s main thoroughfare, The Red to bygone times, where modern haracter fuse seamlessly to create stablishment.
• SUITING – 5,000 fabric swatches to choose from.
• Country Clothing & Riding Attire
Share the sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas past in 2020!
THE CHRISTMAS SLEIGH 5A East Washington St. Middleburg, VA 20118 (540) 687-3665
‘Tis the season to shop at Chloe’s, where you’ll always find fashions and accessories that are stylish and on trend.
Open daily, 10 am – 6 pm thru Dec.
We ship worldwide • TheChristmasSleigh.com
12 E. Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 chloesofmiddleburg.com | (540) 326-8936
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 22
TOWN notes continued from page 16
holiday music, the kick-off to the Color Lovettsville Bright Family Holiday Coloring Contest, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” the hiding of the Christmas Pickle and the tree lighting. Light Up Lovettsville will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Residents and visitors can tour the many residential homes and businesses decorated with lighting displays. An awards reception for that contest will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 19. Finally, the town will host the Berserkle on the Squirkle at 10 a.m. Jan. 1. Neighbors are invited to the family 5k fun run to celebrate the start of the new year. For more information, call the town office at 540-822-5788.
Town Offers New Water Usage Web Portal Lovettsville water customers now have online access to their water usage information via the Get My Meter Info web portal. The town recently upgraded its water system with AMI meters and began offering the portal to help customers monitor their water usage. The portal allows customers to analyze their water usage patterns and create alerts that notify of potential leaks and abnormal increases in water usage. To access the data, go to getmymeter. info
MIDDLEBURG Town Extends Deadline for Housing Assistance The Town of Middleburg has extended the deadline for residents to apply for the
Housing Assistance Program to Dec. 5. Residents must show they have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as loss of job or wages and having difficulty paying rent or mortgage. Up to $2,000 per household is available. The town has allocated $50,000 of its total $149,648 in CARES Act funding for the program. For more information, call Claire Louis at the Windy Hill Foundation at 540687-3273.
Town to Host Holiday Decorating Contests Middleburg residents have until Nov. 30 to register to be a part of the town’s residential holiday decorating contests—and have until Dec. 1 to decorate their homes. The town will present first-, secondand third-place awards in the categories of Best Traditional Decorations, Best Front Door/Porch Decorations and Best Light Display. A single Judges Choice winner will also be selected. First place winners will receive $100 gift certificates, second place winners will receive $50 gift certificates, and third place winners will receive $25 gift certificates. The winners will be announced Dec. 3 on the town website—middleburgva.gov. Contestants must agree to have their addresses listed on a holiday driving tour map. To register, call the town office at 540-687-5152 or email rnorth@middleburgva.gov by Nov. 30.
PURCELLVILLE Council Schedules 11 Meetings to Discuss FY2022 Budget The Purcellville Town Council has scheduled 11 special meetings to discuss the Fiscal Year 2022 town budget.
On Dec. 6, the council will convene to prioritize projects in the Capital Improvement Program. On March 9, the council will hold a public meeting to receive resident input on property tax rates. On March 17, Town Manager David Mekarski will present his proposed FY 2022 budget. On March 24, Police Chief Cynthia McAlister will present her department’s rationale for budgetary requests. On April 7, staff from the Public Work and Engineering and Planning and Development Departments will present their rational for budgetary requests. On April 13, the council will hold a public hearing to receive resident input on the budget and the master tax and fee schedule. On April 21, staff from the Administration, Finance, Information Technology and Parks and Recreation Departments will present their rationale for budgetary requests. The fallback date for FY 2022 budget and master tax and fee summary will be April 27, at which point a public hearing to solicit resident input on a year-end budget amendment will be held if needed. On May 5, the council will further discuss the new budget. And on May 11, the council will adopt the FY 2022 budget. If it does not adopt it then, it will do so on June 16. All meetings will start at 7 p.m. and will be held at the town hall.
Milling, Paving Work to Complete This Week or Next Stuart M. Perry crews are expected to wrap up their milling and paving work in town this week or next. Work on Remington Drive, North 26th Street, A Street, Glenmeade Circle, Dunridge Court, and East Loudoun Valley Drive is expected to conclude by the end of this week or next, depending on the Thanksgiving holiday.
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
That work is being conducted Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roadways remain open with temporary lane closures during working hours. Parking is restricted on the proposed streets as well as during working hours. For more information, call the town office at 540-338-7421.
ROUND HILL Dominion Energy Converts All Town Streetlights to LED Dominion Energy announced last week that it had converted more than 20% of the 100,000 streetlights it owns and operates in Northern Virginia to LED, including 100% of the streetlights in Round Hill. The Town Council in March 2019 voted to contract with Dominion to replace all 67 of the town’s existing sodium and mercury vapor streetlights with LED lights. At $149 per replacement, the program cost the town a total of close to $10,000. According to Part-time Project Specialist Rob Lohr, the town would have paid up to $234,000 to replace all of the streetlights if town leaders had opted to perform the replacements without Dominion’s help. Lohr said the lights would pay themselves off in two years. According to a statement from Dominion, LED lighting is more energy efficient and has a longer life span than traditional mercury vapor, sodium vapor or metal halide lights. “While Round Hill is happy to be saving money over the long run with this streetlight conversion, what made this project special was that we could reclaim some of the night sky in western Loudoun,” stated Mayor Scott Ramsey.
e v o l e m o s n u o d u o L w Sho
Spend your dollars locally this holiday season.
Visit Loudoun Now’s Virtual Mall at www.loudounnow.com/virtualmall
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 23
Turnure continued from page 16 nure worked, among many other projects, to convert multiple older buildings along Washington Street into separate shops, helped with the Rt. 50 traffic calming improvements through town, and worked on the Chinn’s Crossing project, which converted an infill space along Washington Street across from the Post Office into a retail structure. Today, Middleburg Common Grounds operates out of the original house and is surrounded by other businesses. Turnure also designed the new Middleburg museum that will eventually be added onto The Pink Box on North Madison Street. Outside the town limits, Turnure designed an English cottage-style house in Delaplane. To prepare for that project, Turnure’s clients flew him to England to get a grasp on British architectural styles—styles he said are similar to those found in Middleburg. Turnure even had a truckload of materials flown back for the construction of that house Perhaps the most memorable of all the
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Middleburg architect Bill Turnure will soon leave town for retirement after 42 years working there and 30 years serving on the Historic District Review Committee.
projects Turnure has worked on in the past four decades was a 20,000-squarefoot addition to actor/comedian Martin Lawrence’s Purcellville-area home. There, Turnure designed plans for bowling lanes with video screens, lights, speakers and a concession area, an indoor
swimming pool, a small movie theater and a half-basketball court with the same flooring the Los Angeles Lakers practice on; Turnure found in his research that the arena floors NBA teams play on during games aren’t of the best quality, since they’re frequently removed and re-in-
stalled amid a cycle of other events, like NHL games. “That was a ton of fun,” Turnure said of the project. In his 42 years in town, Turnure also served on the Middleburg Business and Professional Association, the Middleburg Streetscape Committee, the Middleburg Museum Committee and other bodies. For his years of contributions to the town, the Town Council on Nov. 12 adopted a resolution recognizing Turnure. Now that he’s resigned from the Historic District Review Committee, Turnure is planning to complete the last few projects his firm has taken on before closing the doors and driving to South Carolina to meet up with his wife, who also recently retired and is waiting for her husband to begin their retirement together. “I really just want to start the next chapter of my life fresh,” he said. Tutnure said it has been “a gift” to work in Middleburg for so long and that the best parts of the town are the residents. “The people are just wonderful and they appreciate everything you do,” he said. “It’s a special place and it’s really been able to hold that feel over all these years.” n
A big THANK YOU
to all of the generous FHR families and corporate supporters for making our new playground possible at Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School, including:
tree
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 24
COVID climbing continued from page 3
Show Loudoun some love Spend your dollars locally this holiday season. Visit Loudoun Now’s Virtual Mall at www.loudounnow.com/virtualmall
tion foreman for a Sterling-based general contractor. He received nearly $700,000 in federal workers’ compensation benefits. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and to pay more than $683,000 in fines and restitution. The seasonal spike began with outbreaks stemming from the last major holiday, Halloween. Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend told county supervisors on Nov. 17 that the Loudoun County Health Department was tracking at least three outbreaks of COVID-19 resulting from Halloween parties put on by kids, outbreaks that he said were preventable. This was also the week that COVID-19 claimed the life of the youngest person in Loudoun yet, a white male in his 30s, according to Virginia Department of Health data released Thursday, Nov. 19. Also, the Inova Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is dealing with its first outbreak of the virus since the pandemic began in March. The outbreak was
detected during routine testing Nov. 12, when 10 residents had positive results. As of Monday, 33 residents and eight staff members had tested positive. Visitation has been paused while the staff works to stop the spread. But Loudoun so far is more fortunate than some other areas of the country; in some areas, some hospitals are already nearing capacity. That has meant hospitals in the DC region are absorbing patients from other areas; HCA StoneSprings Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Amy Paratore said Nov. 17 that hospital has been getting patients transferred in from southwest Virginia, Spotsylvania, and West Virginia. So far Loudoun’s healthcare systems are not yet stressed, Goodfriend said, but he warned winter weather—and its accompanying surge in respiratory diseases of all types—is not yet here. “Right now, we’re a relief valve for some of the other areas that don’t have capacity,” Goodfriend said. “As opposed to what was going on earlier in the year, this is a national problem right now, so as we get over overwhelmed, there really aren’t many places to offload cases to out of the National Capital Region.” He said the best thing to do now is try
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
to keep COVID cases as low as possible, away from people who are most likely to be hospitalized with it. “As opposed to April, May and June, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Goodfriend said. “That’s vaccination. But there’s going to be, unfortunately, significant darkness before we get to that light, and we really need everyone to participate in these next couple months.” But one bright spot, Goodfriend said: Currently health officials are not aware of anyone who contracted COVID-19 by voting in November. He commended Loudoun’s elections officers, who worked together with his office to make the election as safe and smooth as possible. As of Nov. 24, Loudoun has reported 136 COVID-19 related deaths. “This is the time when folks really need to take those steps, as was mentioned by the hospitals, of keeping your distance, wearing your mask, and if you’re at all feeling sick, stay home and get a test,” Goodfriend said. “[…]Let’s learn from Halloween. If we don’t have to travel at Thanksgiving, let’s not, and let’s not put on parties.” n
Leesburg’s downtown gift shop overflowing with Virginia’s southern hospitality! LOCAL H IT SHOP WCAL ALL LO GIFTS
Christmas Trees Locally Grown Cut-Your-Own Colorado Blue Spruce & Norway Spruce 10’–12’
Loudoun Nursery, Inc.
Evergreen, Shade & Flowering Trees. Container Grown in Loudoun County
From Rt. 7 W, take Rt. 287 towards Purcellville, go a short distance to right onto Hirst Rd., follow to right onto Rt. 690 (Hillsboro Rd.); left onto Rt. 711 (Allder School Rd.); then right onto Rt. 716 (Short hill Rd.); 3rd driveway on the left.
Container Evergreen Trees $75–$150 Other Fir 6’–8’
Open Weekends After Thanksgiving Photos of this year’s crop visit www.LoudounNursery.com Questions? Call (540) 338-4635
Virginia Peanuts Virginia Gourmet Foods Fancy Chocolates & Sweets Local Farm Products Virginia College Gifts Local Pottery & Art History Books Colonial Costumes Old Fashioned Toys Corporate Gifts Wedding Welcome Bags
Souvenirs & T-shirts WoodWick Candles Virginia Gift Baskets
Holiday
ISKFET G TS BA
16 S. King St. • Historic Downtown Leesburg 703-973-6400 • www.VeryVirginia.com
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 25
Obituaries John Henry “Muttie” Middleton Age 96 of Leesburg, Virginia
Departed this life on November 16th at the home of his daughter. He was born in Waterford, VA on October 4, 1924 to Louise Bailey and Patrick Middleton. Muttie was educated in the Loudoun County Public Schools. He attended the Waterford Elementary School prior to entering Douglass High in Leesburg. He was an outstanding athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball. After graduating from Douglass High, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was an amphibious truck driver. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1946. Mr. Middleton returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Alice Jones. They moved to a section of Leesburg known as Waverly Heights. “Mr. Muttie” as the children in the “Heights” affectionately called him was a strong and gentle parent figure. In the Waverly community, the parents often shared in overseeing and disciplining, when necessary, any of the children. He and Miss Margaret raised their three children, sons, Barry and Michael and daughter, Winifred. John worked for many years for the federal government. He commuted many hours to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland. He carpooled daily, without complaint, to provide a good life for his family. This career offered many opportunities for international travel. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed returning to many countries previously visited, sharing them with Margaret, his wife of 73 years. He was actively involved in many community organizations. He loved the Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association
and was treasurer for the MLK Committee. He was very involved in planning for the MLK Marches. He was a life-long member of the NAACP, a board member and caretaker of the Mt. Zion Community Cemetery and a member of the Loudoun County Branch of the Fraternal Organization of Freemasonry. He attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and gave generously. He has been honored as a veteran of World War II and recently was given the Ms. Mary Wiley Award as the eldest male member of our community. John leaves to mourn his wife, Margaret; daughter, Winifred Thornton (James) of Leesburg, VA; son, Michael L. Middleton of Leesburg, VA; grandchildren, Crystal Lange (Ben) of Knightdale, NC and Muthoka Nelson of Martinsburg, WV; great grandchildren, Carsten, Zoe, Soren and Gabrie of Knightdale, NC. He also leaves to mourn a devoted goddaughter, Pauletta Harrison (Steve) of Knoxville, TN and many friendships in the Loudoun County community. John Middleton shared many gifts. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. A graveside celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 21st at Mt. Zion Community Cemetery at 200 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg. Due to the current COVID 19 restrictions, the family will be complying with social distancing and no more than 25 people in attendance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association, or MLK Committee or the Loudoun branch of the NAACP. The family thanks the community for their prayers and support. Arrangements By: Lyles Funeral Service, Serving Northern Virginia, Eric S. Lyles, Director 1-800-388-1913
Lucille D. Sheppard Age 82 of Leesburg, VA
Passed to eternal life on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Inova Loudoun Nursing & Rehab, Leesburg, VA. Lucille is survived by two sisters, Alcinda Chinn of Purcellville, VA, and Teresa Grigsby (Stanley) of Leesburg, VA; three brothers, Paul I. Chinn (Angela) of Herndon, VA, Charles Chinn and Erick Chinn of Purcellville, VA; and close loving cousins, Evelyn Wilkins of Lithia Springs, GA, Betty Lucas
of Purcellville, VA and Barbara “Sally” Thomas of Round O, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Private graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Annex United Methodist Church Cemetery, 18186 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, VA 20160. Arrangements by: LYLES FUNERAL SERVICE, Serving N. Virginia. Eric S. Lyles, Director. Lic. VA/MD/DC. 800-388-1913.
Paul Houston Sheppard Age 80, of Alexandria, VA.
He entered eternal rest on Monday, November 16, 2020 at the Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Alexandria, VA. Paul was born in Washington, DC on November 4, 1940 to Rev. Milton and Julia Bell Sheppard. He was the third of four children; his siblings were John E. Sheppard (deceased), Aileen Yvonne Ford (deceased) and Richard Sheppard (deceased). Paul was educated in the Virginia Public School System. He graduated from Luther Jackson High School, Fairfax, VA in 1959. While in high school he found a home in the School Choir where his beautiful bass voice was discovered by Dean Harris, the choir director. He also played football and played the saxophone. In April 1962, Paul enlisted in the United States Army. After serving his country for two years, he was released with an honorable discharge. Paul accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at Warner Baptist Church, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA. In his later years, he united with Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Paul was affiliated with the Masons, King Tyre Lodge 292, Falls Church, VA for five years. During that time, he served as Grand
Master for three of those years. He was also a faithful member of the Alexandria Departmental Progressive Club, Alexandria, VA. Paul is survived by five loving daughters; Paula Essex, Gloria B. Sheppard, DeShawn Porter, Lawanda J. Townes (Billy), and Tonya C. Sheppard; two sons, Rev. Paul A. Sheppard (Esther) and Joseph A. Bray (deceased); a loving aunt, Mary Lockett (103 years of age); twelve grandchildren, Tamieka, Justin, Brian (Juana), Nicholas, Dominque, Dawn, Danielle, Sean (Courtney), Logan, Breyana, Jovan, and Azana; six great grandchildren, Kennedy, Kensington, Makii, Aniyah, Zara and Landon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Viewing and visitation was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 10:00 am until 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 6477 Lincolnia Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Graveside services and Interment for the family will be privately held at the National Memorial Park Cemetery, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 20160. Arrangements by: LYLES FUNERAL SERVICE, Serving N. Virginia. Eric S. Lyles, Director. Lic. VA/MD/DC. 800-388-1913.
Tunis H. Campbell
October 27, 1927 - November 20, 2020 Tunis H. Campbell (age 93) passed away on November 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Leesburg, Virginia and lived in Loudoun County his entire life. Tunis honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He retired from Safeway in 1990 after 45 years. He also owned and operated Campbell Used Cars, Inc. in Leesburg. Tunis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family and bowling in his younger years. Tunis was a member of the Leesburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and usher. He
LoudounNow To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email: sstyer@loudounnow.com
was a lifetime member of the Moose Club. Tunis is survived by: his wife of over 66 years, Doris W. Campbell; his daughter, The Honorable Deborah C. Welsh (Dennis); grandson, Taylor C. Welsh (Nancy); granddaughter, Dr. Lyndsay W. Welsh; great-grandson Winston G. Chamblin; and his brother, Rufus A. Campbell. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to Capital Caring Health, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 https://www. capitalcaring.org/get-involved/donate/; Leesburg Baptist Church, 835 Lee Avenue SW, Leesburg, Virginia 20175; or SmileTrain https://my.smiletrain.org/donation/donate/ givenow.
Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.
PAGE 26
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Loco Living
Author Finds Drama Fodder in Suburban Life BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
Grown-up mean girls and glaring cracks behind Instagram-perfect lives might sound familiar if you live in a rich suburb. They’re also excellent fodder for the fictional world of local author Dawn Miller Miller, who writes under the pseudonym Mia Hayes. Miller’s novels are chock-full of the dramas and triumphs of parenthood, marriage and female friendships in an affluent suburban landscape. “There’s such immense pressure to present as perfect—whether it’s looking perfect, having perfect children, having the right handbag, driving the right car,” said Miller, a Leesburg-area mom, novelist and memoirist. Miller’s Waterford Series, a fictional trilogy that touches on façade-versus-reality in a suburban town, is entirely fictional but pulls threads from her own life and her world in Loudoun. This year, Miller took the plunge into examining her own life on the page. Her new memoir “Always Yours,
Bee,” also published under her pseudonym, is slated for release in March. The memoir tackles her real-life struggles with infidelity, mental health challenges and the healing process. Miller started writing young adult fiction a decade ago while living in San Francisco with her family. The Twilight craze was in full swing at the time, and Miller knew she had the writing chops to create a work of fiction. “A lot of my friends were reading [Twilight] and I thought, ‘I can write a book.’” She wrote late nights after her kids went to bed and knocked out her first manuscript in six weeks. The first book in her young adult series “The Dark Witch Chronicles” was published in 2011 under the name Dawn Rae Miller. But after that first book was written, a series of real-life crises stemming from her husband’s injury in a car accident and a subsequent affair, took a toll on her marriage and family and turned her world upside down. That crisis eventually brought Miller and her family to Loudoun from San Francisco in 2012 as they looked for a new home to make a fresh start. “I googled ‘Best places to live in America,’ and Leesburg came up,” Miller said. “It was a blessing and a curse because I had no one around to support me, but it was
Giving the Gift of Books? Think Local! If you’re thinking literary for the holidays, here are just a few new releases for kids and adults from local authors. Local author and philanthropist KAREN SCHAUFELD’s new children’s book “Vultures: A Love Story” is scheduled for release this spring. Schaufeld published her first children’s book “The Lollipop Tree” in 2014. She followed up with “Larry and Bob” in 2016 and “How to Eat a Peach” in 2019. Go to karenschaufeld.com for details. Purcellville author BARBARA LEARY’s children’s book “The Climbing Tree” (illustrated by Serbian artist Marrieta Gal), was awarded first place in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in the children’s picture book category. “The Climbing Tree” was published in 2019 and was inspired by Leary’s oldest granddaughter Eleanor learning how to climb a tree. Leary’s other children’s “Vir-
ginia Loves Dogs” and “Caroline and the Not-Mamma” were also inspired by her granddaughters. Go to coquinakids.com for more information. Bluemont author RITA MACE WALSTON’s novel, “Paper & Ink, Flesh & Blood,” follows Margaux Locke’s journey to uncover the bitter truth about her late husband and save her beloved land through a story of love, loss, and danger. Go to ritamacewalston.com for details. Loudoun author’s A.K. SPURWAY’s first children’s book “Ack: The Nantucket Duckling” was released in September. It’s a timely story about a duckling who struggles with being different only to later discover that being different is actually pretty wonderful. Check it out at nanducket.com. Hamilton native KILEY GANNAWAY’s comedic coming of age memoir “Squeezing Lemons” was released this summer. The
absolutely a fresh start.” But as word got out in her new neighborhood about her past, Miller decided transparency was the best policy. “I felt that the best approach was just to rip the Band-Aid off and tell everybody what happened. The amount of support I got from that was just astounding,” she said. Ripping off that Band-Aid also gave her the freedom to start writing fiction again, and this time Miller turned to women’s fiction with her Waterford Series trilogy, interwoven stories about a group of women in a suburban town. The first novel in the series, “The Secrets We Keep,” pulls loosely from Miller’s own story. The novel’s main character moves to a new town for a new start after her husband’s affair, but drama unfolds when an unknown blogger starts publishing the group’s secrets. Miller published the second and third books in the series, “All The Broken Pieces” and “Picture Perfect Lies,” in 2019. Miller stresses that her novels are fictional, but they’re often based on broad strokes that she’s observed, both in her life on the West Coast and in Loudoun. “It’s fiction, so a lot of it’s exaggerated, but there’s always a kernel of truth there,” she said. “The first two or three years here, SUBURBAN DRAMA continues on page 27 memoir tackles some of Gannaway’s funniest and most embarrassing moments from early high school through her mid20s. “Squeezing Lemons” is available at amazon.com. Ashburn-based romance author KARLA KRATOVIL, who specializes in “heat, history and happy endings,” has a new book “Thief of My Heart” published this fall. It’s the second in her Hearts of Stoneleigh Manor series. The first book in the series “Captain of My Heart” came out earlier this year. Go to karlakratovil.com to learn more. Leesburg-area author SUSAN BUTLER COLWELL has launched pre-orders for her
metaphysical fiction novel, “The Summerlands,” which features hunky archangels, the four elementals, the afterlife, souls on a mission in human form, demons, magic, witches, dragons, immortals, and the king of the underworld in a joyride through mystical worlds, dark secrets, spiritual truths and every kind of love. Learn more at susanbutlercolwell.com. n
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
THINGS to do HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS B Chord Holiday Market
Friday, Nov. 27, Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Shop for local, handmade gifts with smallbusiness vendors, fantastic music, craft beer, wine, food and hot chocolate.
Bear Chase Old World Christmas Market
Saturday, Nov. 28, noon- 5 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Enjoy live music, food, beer, and 30 local artists selling holiday gifts in a beautiful setting.
LOCO LIVE Live Music: Steve George and Friends
Friday, Nov. 27, noon-3 p.m. The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com The Steve George and Friends’ Black Friday show is a holiday tradition with rock, country, blues and beyond from a local favorite.
Live Music: Hilary Veltri
Friday, Nov. 27, 1-5 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Veltri’s repertoire of covers and originals spans generations and genres from Bob Dylan to Beyonce.
Live Music: Chris Timbers Band
Friday, Nov. 27, 2-6 p.m. MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com MacDowell’s celebrates its ninth anniversary with smooth, alternative-soul tunes from the Chris Timbers Band on the beach. No cover.
DC Improv Comedy Nights
Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Celebrate Black Friday and Small Business Saturday with two nights of great comedy at a beloved local venue. Friday’s lineup features Haywood Turnipseed, Wendy Wroblweski, Von Micheal and Martin Amini and is hosted by Maher Matta. Saturday features Jamel Johnson, Dylan Vattelana, Bridget Geiran and Benjy Himmelfarb and is hosted by Mike Brown. Tickets are $20-$30 for socially distanced seats.
Live Music: Cary Wimbish
Saturday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Richmond-based Wimbish returns with covers of traditional country, bluegrass, classic rock, and blues songs along with crowd-pleasing originals.
THINGS TO DO continues on page 27
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Suburban drama continued from page 26 I was more of an outside observer. I would just stand back and watch how the women spoke to each other and how they interact with each other and how they interact with their husbands and kids.” But if neighbors assume they’re characters, Miller says, they’re wrong—although she does sometimes get asked to sign non-disclosure agreements when she goes to parties. “If I don’t know you, I don’t know you well enough to write about you. And I don’t write about my friends unless they give me permission,” she said. Miller also underscores that, despite the name, the fictional setting of her series has nothing to do with the western Loudoun village of Waterford. The novels take place in a more suburban setting. “I didn’t even know Waterford existed until after the first book was published,” Miller said with a laugh. For Miller, moving from fiction to memoir was a big step. “Always Yours, Bee” tackles some tough issues, including her
THINGS to do continued from page 26
Live Music: Brisk
Saturday, Nov. 28, 1-5 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com It’s an afternoon of MTV Unplugged-style alt rock covers from the ’90s and 2000s from Brisk.
Live Music: Jim Steele
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Celebrate Saturday with fun covers and originals from a longtime winery circuit favorite.
Live Music: The Brahman Noodles
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: twotwistedposts.com Enjoy an afternoon of jug funk and “jamcoustic” sounds from the Brahman Noodles with new songs along with old favorites from Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and more.
VALFresco: Indi Makeyzo
Saturday, Nov. 28, 6-9 p.m. Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com Makeyzo takes the village stage with reggae and calypso-style tunes along with some throwback classics.
Live Music: Jason Masi
Saturday, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Has-Beens” focuses on the husband’s traumatic brain injury, PTSD and extramarital challenges that can come affair while the family was with an empty nest and the living on the West Coast, the power of female friendships. author’s own diagnosis with And like her previous bipolar disorder and the counovels, there’s a focus on ple’s reconciliation, move to seeking authenticity in the a new community and longage of social media and the term healing process. release that can come with For Miller, moving to letting go of the facade. memoir was in many ways a “It’s really easy to mamuch bigger challenge than nipulate your life and make creating works of fiction and it look like it’s perfect and requires plenty of self-examhide the fact that you’re FinnStar Publishing ination. Miller’s new memoir “Always struggling. I think there’s “A memoir brings a lot Yours, Bee” is slated for release this misconception that if more people into the creative in March. you show weakness there’s process than fiction,” she something wrong with you,” said. “I don’t have that creative license. If something isn’t working, Miller said. “[Women] are striving so hard I can’t just make up something that will to be the best at everything they do that I work. I have to stop and reflect and try to think they’re cracking. I don’t know what understand myself.” the solution is, but it makes for good novMiller has launched her own publish- els.” ing company, FinnStar Publishing, and Dawn Miller’s women’s fiction and upplans to start publishing works from oth- coming memoir under the Mia Hayes pen er women’s fiction and memoir authors in name, along with her young adult fiction, addition to her own work. She also has a is available at amazon.com. For more innew novel slated for release in June. “The formation, go to miahayesauthor.com. n Masi’s signature brand of acoustic soul and R&B has earned him fans around the region.
Live Music: The Bone Show
Saturday, Nov. 28, 7-10 p.m. 1836 Kitchen and Taproom, 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com Kick back with great tunes from Western Loudoun singer/songwriter and one-man band Chris Bowen.
Live Music: Don Chapman
Sunday, Nov. 29, 1-4 p.m. The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Chapman has delighted winery audiences for years with acoustic covers from the Beatles to the Gin Blossoms.
Live Music; Juliana MacDowell and Mike Ault
Sunday, Nov. 29, 2-5 p.m. Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville Details: creeksedgewinery.com MacDowell and Ault serve up earthy, folksy tunes as part of Creek’s Edge’s bi-weekly Acoustic Sunday series.
Live Music: Mark Cullinane
Sunday, Nov. 29, 2-5 p.m. Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Cullinane brings his signature acoustic classic rock tunes to one of Loudoun’s newest farm breweries.
Live Music: Shane Gamble
Sunday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Rising country music star Shane Gamble has several hit singles under his belt and a new EP on the horizon. Now’s your chance to catch him at a mellow winery show.
LIBATIONS Walk Off Your Wobble at 868
Friday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: 868estatevineyards.com 868’s Black Friday tradition continues, inviting folks to take a post-holiday walk to the top of their 868-foot-high hill. Then mellow out with awardwinning wines and chocolate truffles.
Black Friday-ish at Old Ox
Friday, Nov. 27, noon-5 p.m. Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn Details: oldoxbrewery.com Enjoy several variations on Cooper’s Cloak Imperial Stout paired with s’mores as you’ve never had them. Seatings are noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. with social distancing measures in place. Tickets start at $40 for two people and include a stout flight and s’mores pairing.
Black Friday at Crooked Run
Friday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com It’s a dark beer mini-fest with new bottle releases and a dozen dark beers on tap.
COMING UP Purcellville Reverse Holiday Parade
Saturday, Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m. Hirst Road, Purcellville Details: purcellvilleva.gov Purcellville shakes up its annual holiday parade to allow for safe viewing. This year, parade participants will line up and remain stationary on the westbound side of Hirst Road with decorated floats and vehicles. Viewers will drive east on Hirst Road past the floats and enjoy the “parade” from their cars. Floats must be registered by Nov. 30.
PAGE 27
TICKETS ON (703) 777-1665 wwww.TallyHoTheater.com SALE NOW!
COWBOY MOUTH
FEB 1
DC IMPROV PRESENTS: COMEDY NIGHTUFO IN THE WAILERS LEESBURG FEB 13 FEB 21
FAREWELL TOUR
11/27/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
SOUL ASYLUM WITH LOCAL H
FEB 22
DC IMPROV PRESENTS:CARBON LEAF FEB 28 FEBIN 29 COMEDY NIGHT LEESBURG
UNCLE KRACKER
19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA
11/28/20
For a full schedule please visit
BROTHERS IN ARMS TOUR
ND 2/7 COBS BA CHRIS JA FIRE 2/8 TRIAL BY 2/14-15 o Nights ANIA Tw 6 EAGLEM YEARS 3/ AN AG THE RE
www.TallyHoTheater.com DOORS: 7PM
SHOW: 8PM
SHOW ADDED 12/03
THE AMISH OUTLAWS OUT D
& 12/04/20 SOL12/03 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
3PM MATINEE ADDED
TUSK:
TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD OUT MAC
D SOL12/5/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
CHRIS TIMBERS & JULIANA MACDOWELL 12/10/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
ZOSO
THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE 12/11 & 12/12/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
YACHT ROCK NIGHT WITH BOAT T U HOUSE D O ROW
SOL12/18/20 DOORS: 7PM
SHOW: 8PM
THE ULTIMATE AC/ DC EXPERIENCE:
LIVE WIRE 12/19/20 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 28
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
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 Monday, December 14, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
ZCPA-2020-0007 JOHNSON LANDSCAPE BUFFER - POOL (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)
Mark D. Johnson of Chantilly, Virginia, has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-1991-0005 and ZCPA-1995-0006, South Riding, in order to modify an existing 25-foot landscape buffer to allow for the construction of an inground swimming pool, deck, and patio, with no resulting change in density, in the PD-H4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district. The subject property is located within the (AI) Airport Impact Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 0.36 acres in size and is located on the north side of Priesters Pond Drive (Route 2239) and the west side of Flintonbridge Drive (Route 2238) at 25815 Priesters Pond Drive, Chantilly, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 129-30-1413. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for predominantly residential uses at a recommended density of four dwelling units per acre.
(Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, at maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception); 4) An application to rezone approximately 70.16 acres from the PD-MUB zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in effect on February, 17, 2020 to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance as amended from time to time; and 5) A Special Exception to permit impervious surface in the form of raised boardwalk crossings not to exceed 9,150 linear feet in the Floodplain Overlay District, Major Floodplain (FOD, Major Floodplain). Thees applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 5-1506(E). The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§1-205(A), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms; Lot Access Requirements.
Allow structures requiring a building permit in the PD-MUB Zoning District to be erected upon any lot which has frontage on a Class I, Class II, Class III road, or private access easement.
§4-1354(B) PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Public Plaza, Table 4-1354(B), PD-MUB Planned Development Mixed-Use Business Public Plaza, Requirements Table.
Reduce the minimum area of the required public plaza for a PD-MUB district greater than 100 acres in size from 1% of the total land area of the district, or 3.55 acres (154,638 SF) to a minimum of 100,000 SF.
§4-1354(B)(3) PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Public Plaza.
Modify the requirement that buildings that adjoin the public plaza shall be a minimum of two stories and have a vertical mix of at least two uses so that buildings adjoining the public plaza may be one story and have one use.
§4-1354(C) PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Vertical Mix.
Reduce the requirement for buildings within the district to contain a vertical mix of at least two (2) different use categories from at least 50% of the buildings to at least 20% of the buildings
§4-1354(F) PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Sidewalks.
Reduce the requirement that continuous sidewalks be provided on both sides of all streets to one side of the street.
§4-1355(C), PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Lot and Building Requirements, Building Height.
Increase the permitted maximum building height from 100 feet to 160 feet in Land Bays B, F, J, and R
§4-1358(C), PD-MUB Planned DevelopmentMixed Use Business District, Use Limitations, Street Trees.
Reduce the tree density requirement from one tree per 25 feet along all areas dedicated for vehicular travel, excluding alleys, to one tree per 44 linear feet -of block length for streets with onstreet parking and to one tree per 35 liner feet of block length for trees with no on-street parking requirement
(Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District Special Exceptions & Zoning Modifications)
§5-1303(A)(1), Tree Planting and Replacement, Canopy Requirements, Site Planning.
Allow the 10% tree canopy for sites zoned PDMUB to be calculated using the entire PD-MUB Zoning District rather than per site plan
NA Dulles Real Estate Investor LLC of East Setauket, New York, have submitted applications for the following: (1) To rezone approximately 13.14 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit a 10,000 square foot (SF) civic building and a 100,000 SF central plaza to be located in Land Bay K and to permit additional employment, commercial, and/or residential uses to be located in Land Bays K and L.; (2) An application to amend the existing Proffers and Concept Development Plan (CDP) approved with ZMAP2008-0021, ZCPA-2012-0014 and ZCPA-2017-0008, Kincora Village Center in order to a) Shift location of the central plaza from Land Bay J to Land Bay K; b) Relocate the minimum 55,000 SF Science Museum from Land Bay J to Land Bay A; c) Align Roads 8 and 9 to create a street, and add Roads 14 and 17 in Land Bays F and L, and rename Roads A, B, and C with numerical labels; d) Shift the location of a monument sign/entry feature in Land Bay J; e) Revise locations and clarify the number of Public/Civic/Institutional Uses to be provided; f) increase the number of multifamily (MF) dwelling units permitted from 1,400 to 2,600 in the PDMUB zoning district; g) Adding Land Bays B, K, L, and/or R to the list of land bays where residential uses are permitted; h) delete the commitment to provide a center for the performing arts; i) Delete the commitment to provide a 35,000 SF plaza in Land Bay F; j) Revise language to clarify which buildings along Pacific Boulevard will be a minimum of four stories; k) reduce the percentage of buildings in the PD-MUB zoning district that are to have a vertical mix of two or more uses; l) clarify the commitment to construct Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) and/or Unmet Housing Needs Units (UHNUs) in compliance with the EarthCraft program and universal design principles; m) exclude data center square footage from the trigger for providing shuttle service; n) clarify that the road fund contributions will not apply to the New Residential Units or to non-residential uses beyond the non-residential Gross Floor Area (GFA) originally committed with prior approvals; o) reduce the width of non-asphalt trails from 8 feet to 6 feet; p) remove sign commitments allow the sign guidelines included in the “Kincora Design Standards” not applicable; and q) allow the Owners to use on-site, non-potable wells for irrigation purposes with a resulting increase in density from 0.43 Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) to 0.57 FAR; (3) An application to rezone approximately 22.72 acres from the PD-IP
§5-1407(B)(2) & (3), Buffering and Screening, Parking Area Landscaping and Screening Requirements, Peripheral Parking Area Landscaping.
Reduce the minimum plant units from 50 plant units to 20 plant units per 100 feet and to reduce the required continuous landscape strip width from 10 feet to 4 feet
CMPT-2020-0006 & SPEX-2020-0023 MILESTONE TOWER – GARDENIA DRIVE (Commission Permit & Special Exception)
Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV of Reston, Virginia, and the Board of Supervisors, acting through the Loudoun County Department of General Services have submitted applications for the following: 1) Commission approval to permit a 199 foot tall (195 foot tall with a 4 foot lighting rod at the top) Telecommunications Tower and a related equipment compound in the PD-H3 (Planned Development Housing - 3) zoning district; and 2) A Special Exception to permit a 199 foot tall (195 foot tall with a 4 foot lighting rod at the top) Telecommunications Tower and a related equipment compound as an accessory use to a Fire and Rescue Station. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use pursuant to Sections 5-618(C)(2)(c) and 5-618(C)(2)(d) (i), and requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 5-618(C)(3)(j). The subject property is approximately 6.91 acres in size and is located on the north side of Gardenia Drive (Route 3460), the west side of Northstar Boulevard (Route 3171), and the east side of Lightridge Farm Road (Route 705) in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN 249-26-9025. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Transition Policy Area (Transition Large Lot Neighborhood)), which designates this area for residential uses and substantial open space in low-density communities with a variety of house and lot sizes. Target densities of 1du/3ac with total nonresidential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) up to 0.1.
ZMAP-2018-0014, ZCPA-2018-0013, SPEX-2020-0013, ZRTD-2020-0005 ZRTD-2020-0006, ZMOD-2018-0035, ZMOD-2018-0041 ZMOD-2020-0029, & ZMOD-2020-0032 KINCORA VILLAGE CETNER
And To reduce the minimum distance that a tree or shrub can be planted from a curb or paved area from 3 feet to 1.5 feet
The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour, and is also located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 300 acres in size and is located in the southwest quadrant of the Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and Sully Road (Route 28) interchange, on the west side of the Sully Road (Route 28), Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150)/ Nokes Boulevard (Route 1793) interchange, and north of West Severn Way (Route 1748), in the Broad Run Election District.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 29
Legal Notices The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PROPERTY ADDRESS
PIN 041-19-4573
21391 Pacific Boulevard, Ashburn, Virginia
040-19-0276
N/A
040-19-3991
N/A
040-18-8480-001 040-18-8480-002
45170 Kincora Drive, Ashburn, Virginia
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed-Use Place Type)) and Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational amenities uses, at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.
SIDP-2020-0007 CHICK-FIL-A LANSDOWNE SIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Sign Development Plan)
CHICK-FIL-A, INC. of Atlanta, Georgia, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to increase the square footage of two drive-through menu boards for a Chick-Fil-A. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZMAP-2003-0006, Lansdowne Village Greens in the (PD-TC) Planned Development-Town Center zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is approximately 21.798 acres in size and is located north of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and on the east side of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) at 19313 Front Street, Leesburg, Virginia in the Ashburn Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 113-39-9265. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designates this area to provide compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational amenities uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.
ZMOD-2020-0033 TUSCARORA CROSSING PARKING REDUCTION (Zoning Ordinance Modification)
Wellington Development, LLC of McLean, Virginia, has submitted an application to request the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§5-1102(B)(1)(b), Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required.
Reduce the required parking spaces for 180 multifamily Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Land Bay 6 of Tuscarora Crossing from 338 to 271
Note Area. The subject property is also partially in the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject properties are approximately 83.24 and 77.42 acres in size and are south of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and east of Sycolin Road (Route 643) in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 150-45-6472 and PIN: 150-47-9920. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan(Leesburg Joint Land Management Area Policy Area Employment Place Type),, which designate this area for flex space, manufacturing warehousing, contractor services, and other productive uses up to a 1.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) uses. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. To arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email dpz@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246, or you may view the file electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. For detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@ loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Planning Commission public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40, and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. 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 if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audiovisual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified. Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the Chairman. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. 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. Please provide three days’ notice. BY ORDER OF:
(More detailed descriptions of each modification are available upon request.)
ERIC COMBS, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZCPA-2019-0010, Tuscarora Crossing in the PDH4 (Planned Development-Housing) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is located within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District-Luck Quarry and Luck
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
2014
DODGE
CHARGER
2C3CDXBGXEH266069
D&M TOWING
PHONE# 703-471-4590
11/26 & 12/3/20
11/26 & 12/3/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
Case No.:
CL20-4819
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104
,
Loudoun County Circuit Court Lisa Monita Garett v. Kenneth A. Lewis The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce and serve the Complaint for Divorce. It is ORDERED that Kenneth A. Lewis appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before December 11, 2020 at 2 PM. 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 & 11/26/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 30
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, December 9, 2020 in order to consider:
PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OF WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL PLAQUE LOUDOUN COUNTY COURTHOUSE GROUNDS 18 East Market St, Leesburg, VA Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1812 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider removing and replacing the plaque affixed to the World War One memorial on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds in order to affix a new plaque containing a single, unsegregated, alphabetical list of all veterans from Loudoun County who died during World War One. This notice was also published in the Loudoun Now newspaper on October 29, 2020 and November 5, 2020. The subject property is located at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg VA within the Leesburg Election District. Documents associated with the above item will be available for review 72 hours in advance of the public hearing and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 868 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY EXEMPTION FOR CERTIFIED SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 868 Exemption for Certified Solar Energy Equipment, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments would limit projects greater than five megawatts to an exemption of 80 percent of the assessed value for the first five years, 70 percent of the assessed value for the second five years and 60 percent for the remaining years in service. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments is on file and available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 860 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE TAX Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427 the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage an amendment to Chapter 860.06, Exemption for Farm Animals, Certain Grains, Agricultural Products, Farm Machinery, Farm Implements and Equipment, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendment would modify Chapter 860.06, to add equipment and machinery used for forest harvesting and silvicultural activities to the list of exempt property. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments is on file and available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 880 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY TAX Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 880 Short-Term Rental Property Tax, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments would provide the requirements as to what qualifies as a short-term rental business which are described in the Code as gross receipts totaling 80% or more of business activity from the rental of property for 92 consecutive days or less, or when renting heavy equipment, gross receipts totaling 60% of business activity from the rental of property for 270 consecutive days or less. The updates will also add the tax rate currently assessed, and an update to the definition of short-term rental property to change the name of an agency mentioned in the definition from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, to the Department of Wildlife Resources. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments is on file and available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
CMPT-2020-0003 & SPMI-2020-0005 PARAGON PARK SUBSTATION (Commission Permit & Minor Special Exception) Virginia Electric and Power Company of Glen Allen, Virginia, has submitted an application for Commission approval to permit development of an Electric Utility Substation (Distribution) in the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance and requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours, and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed Electric Utility Substation use is authorized by Special Minor Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§5-616(D), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Utility Substations
Eliminate the Type C Buffer Yard requirements along the west, north, and east substation perimeters.
The subject property is approximately 62.87 acres in size, and is located south of Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and north of Waxpool Road (Route 625) on the west side of Pacific Boulevard (Route 1036) and north side of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail at 21641 Charles View Drive, Sterling, Virginia in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 043-47-6221 and PIN: 043-48-2656. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which supports a broad array of Employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.
SPEX-2019-0046 DULLES TRADE CENTER II – VEGETATIVE WASTE (Special Exception) Pebble Run Associates LLC of Falls Church, Virginia has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit a Vegetative Waste Management Facility use in the PD-GI (Planned Development – General Industry) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-604. The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contour and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 14.37 acres in size and is located at the northern terminus of Pebble Run Place, north of Overland Drive (Route 2962), and east of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) at 23544 and 23540 Pebble Run Place in the Dulles and Blue Ridge Election Districts. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 123-28-7817. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Industrial/Mineral Extraction Place Type)), which designate this area for large Manufacturing, contractor with outdoor storage, other productive uses, and Mineral Extraction areas such as quarries and mines.
ZMAP-2019-0020 & SPMI-2019-0021 WAXPOOL CROSSING (Zoning Map Amendment & Minor Special Exception) NFD Acquisitions LLC of Washington, DC, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 18.76 acres from the PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-24 Affordable Dwelling Unit (Multifamily Residential with Affordable Dwelling Units) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop up to 400 multi-family residential dwelling units at a density of 21.32 units per acre. The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contour and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The modification of the Road Corridor Building and Parking Setback Regulations applicable to the proposed use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-1409, Waivers and Modifications, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§5-1403(B), Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B), Other Major Collector Roads.
Reduce the minimum building setback along Waxpool Road (Route 640) and Ashburn Village Boulevard (Route 2020) from 75 feet to 35 feet
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 31
Legal Notices The subject property is approximately 18.76 acres in size and is located on the north side of Waxpool Road (Route 640), west of Ashburn Village Boulevard (Route 2020), east of Ashburn Road (Route 641), at 21663, 21685, and 21691 Romans Drive, Ashburn, Virginia, in the Ashburn Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 088-37-1171 (portion) and PIN: 088-47-1916. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Compact Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for a mix of housing types including small-lot patio homes, Townhomes, Duplexes, and Multi-family Residential uses at a recommended density of 8–24 dwelling units per acre.
ZCPA-2019-0005, ZRTD-2020-0003, SPEX-2020-0010 & SPEX-2020-0011 TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District, Special Exceptions) Temple Baptist Church of Herndon, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-2008-0021, ZCPA-20120014, and ZCPA-2017-0008, Kincora Village Center in order to: a) permit the development of two lighted ballfields in the (FOD) Floodplain Overlay District, Major, b) revise timing for implementing mitigation and reforestation measures, c) add a reference to an Open Space Exhibit, d) revise the location of 162.11 acres to be dedicated to the County as an open space easement, and e) revising and adding commitments to ballfield lighting and ballfield construction timing with no resulting change in density in the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business) zoning district; 2) to rezone approximately 11.982 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a church and private school uses; 3) a Special Exception to allow 2,500 square feet of incidental structures associated with ballfields in the FOD, Major; and 4) a Special Exception to amend the boundary of the FOD, Major in the PD-IP zoning district to accommodate grading in connection with the proposed ballfields. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and are permitted by Special Exception under Section 4-1506(E) and (F). The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour, and is also located partially within the FOD. The subject property is approximately 300 acres in size and is located in the southwest quadrant of the Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and Sully Road (Route 28) interchange, on the west side of the Sully Road, Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150)/Nokes Boulevard (Route 1793) interchange, and north of West Severn Way (Route 1748), in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 041-19-4573. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed-Use Place Type)) and Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational amenities uses, at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.
Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/ webcast. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on November 20, 2020, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on December 9, 2020. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@ loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF:
PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 11/19 & 11/26/20
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL The Middleburg Town Council will hold a public hearing beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020 to hear public comments on the following: Zoning Text Amendment 20-01 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 81 OF THE MIDDLEBURG ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO PENALTIES AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS. The proposal is to update the procedures and penalties available for enforcement of zoning violations. Zoning Text Amendment 20-02 AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REENACT ARTICLE XIV OF THE MIDDLEBURG ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SIGNS. The proposal consists of a rewrite of sign regulations to ensure alignment with a U.S. Supreme Court decision pertaining to content-based regulation of signs. The Council meeting and public hearings will be conducted remotely in accordance with the Resolution Confirming the Declaration of a Local Emergency and the Ordinance to Implement Emergency Procedures & Effectuate Temporary Changes to Address Continuity of Governmental Operations during COVID-19. Public participation will be available by calling (540) 339-6355 that evening. Those who plan to participate in the hearings are encouraged, but not required, to contact the Town Office in advance at (540) 687-5152 to register to speak. For those who only wish to observe the proceedings, the meeting can be viewed on the Town’s website at www.middleburgva.gov/town-meetings The files for these applications may be reviewed at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing. 11/26 & 12/3/20
Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Town Council The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on December 10, 2020. Pursuant to and in compliance with Town of Lovettsville Ordinance 2020-03-0006 (adopted by the Lovettsville Town Council on March 26, 2020) this meeting will be held electronically. The Planning Commission, and staff will be participating remotely. 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.
LVZA 2020-0003
Amendments to Sec. 42-290, Uses and structures permitted in required yards.
Consideration of an amendment to Article VIII, Section 42-290, Uses and structures permitted in required yards. The purpose of the amendment is to allow decks in the R-C, Retirement Community zoning district to extend to one foot from the rear and side yard property lines. The R-C district has a minimum side and rear yard setback of 8 feet. Current requirements of Section 42-290 prevent installing a deck in the side yards of a residence in the R-C district and would allow only a 3-foot deck in the rear yard. The proposed amendment would allow a 7-foot deck in either the side or rear yard provided the deck was 2 feet or less above the ground. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review on the Town website www.lovettsvilleva. gov. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by calling the Town Office at (540) 822-5788 or contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 11/26 & 12/3/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 32
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLES 9 AND 18 TLOA-2020-0008 – VENDING KIOSK
COUNTY OF LOUDOUN SECOND HALF REAL PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Treasurer
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, DECEMBER 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176. The purpose of this text amendment is to create a new accessory use called Vending Kiosk. The proposed amendments affect the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance:
December 7, 2020
1. Sec. 9.4 Accessory Uses 2. Sec. 18.1 Terms Defined
The deadline for payment of the second half real property tax is December 7, 2020. Payments postmarked after December 7, 2020 will incur a 10% late payment penalty. Additional interest at the rate of 10% per annum will be assessed. The due date will not be extended for bills where assessment questions have been filed with the Board of Equalization. For Your Safety and Convenience, please consider making payments online, by phone or mail.
CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS Online:
www.loudounportal.com/taxes Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover
24-hour line 1-800-269-5971 703-777-0280 during regular business hours. Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fall 2020 Elementary School Attendance Zone Change Process
In establishing attendance zones for the two new schools, the current attendance boundaries for Aldie, Arcola, Buffalo Trail, Cardinal Ridge, Creighton’s Corner, Goshen Post, Hutchison Farm, Legacy, Liberty, Little River, Madison’s Trust, Pinebrook, Rosa Lee Carter, and Sycolin Creek Elementary Schools will be reviewed.
County of Loudoun P.O. Box 1000 Leesburg, Virginia 20177-1000
The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a series of meetings to facilitate the necessary attendance zone changes. Elementary School Attendance Zone Meetings
Date
TREASURER’S OFFICE LOCATIONS Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM 1 Harrison Street, S.E. 1st Floor Leesburg, Virginia 20175
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.
Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School (ES-23) and Hovatter Elementary School (ES-29) are scheduled to open in fall 2021, with the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School is sited within the Arcola Center development at 24200 Pissarro Drive in Sterling. Hovatter Elementary School is co-located on the Lightridge High School site at 41135 Collaboration Drive in Aldie.
Please note: There is a convenience fee added to a Credit Card transaction. There is no fee for electronic checks (e-check). By Mail:
Copies and additional information regarding each of these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2765 and asking for Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA2020-0008.
11/26 & 12/3/20
Pay your taxes through your mobile device: Link2Loudoun app is available for free from the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store. The app allows access to www.loudounportal.com/taxes to pay your taxes. By Telephone:
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 104 Sterling, Virginia 20166
24 hour depository boxes are located outside each office Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer’s Office at 703-777-0280 or email us at taxes@loudoun. gov with questions or if you have not received your bill. Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines. For information regarding Real Property Tax Relief for the Elderly or Disabled Persons, please contact the Tax Relief Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at trcor@loudoun.gov, by phone at 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief. 11/26 & 12/3/20
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Overview
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Work Session
Monday, November 9, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
School Board Attendance Zone Work Session
Tuesday, December 1, 2020*
School Board Review of Elementary School Attendance Zone Recommendations
Monday, December 7, 2020
Staff Briefing & School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing
Tuesday, December 15, 2020*
School Board Adoption of Elementary School Attendance Zones
*Regular School Board Business Meeting All attendance zone meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meetings will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org). In-person comment will be accepted at the identified public hearings. Speakers may sign up in advance by contacting the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 or sending an email to public.comment@lcps.org, in which case the sender will receive a reply with a link to complete an online Citizen Participation/Public Comment registration form. All speakers must sign-up prior to 5:00 p.m. the day of the School Board attendance zone public hearing.
LoudounNow.com
Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in School Board meetings or public hearings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 33
Legal Notices ABC LICENSE
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TLOA 2020-0007, TO ESTABLISH THE GATEWAY DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES 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 DECEMBER 8, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider incorporation of proposed Gateway District Design Guidelines into the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance, as referenced in TLZO Section 7.12.4. The Gateway District is an overlay district and includes properties along five major corridors leading to the historic downtown including portions of East Market Street, West Market Street, North King Street, South King Street and Edwards Ferry Road, as established in TLZO Section 7.12.2. As set forth in TLZO Section 7.12.4, the Gateway District Design Guidelines will replace the H-2 Corridor Design Guidelines. They will further define the design criteria set forth in TLZO 7.12.6 and will be used by the Preservation Planner and the Board of Architectural Review in evaluating Certificate of Appropriateness applications for properties within the Gateway District. The Gateway District Design Guidelines document includes the following chapters and key sections as noted for each chapter: 1. Chapter 1. Introduction - to provide an overview of the Gateway corridors within Leesburg; the purpose of the Guidelines; the role of design review; guiding principles; the scope of the Gateway District; State Code of Virginia statutory authority to establish the guidelines; local review authority in the district; and guidance on how to use the Guidelines for development projects which require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Concierge Cellars LLC, trading as Concierge Cellars, 44802 Milestone Square, Apt 201, Ashburn, VA 20147-4236 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Internet Wine Retail – In State license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Linda A. Ritter Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 11/19 & 11/26/20
ABC LICENSE
LuvDone Tacos Inc., trading as La Prensa, 21305 Windmill Parc Drive #140, Sterling/Dulles, Loudoun County, Virginia 20166 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer + Mixed Breverage on premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Santosh Tiptur Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 11/19 & 11/26/20
ORDER O
COMMONWE VA. CODE § 8
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fiscal Year 2022 – 2027 Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2022 – 2027 Capital Asset Preservation Program The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a series of meetings for the FY2022–2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Capital Asset Preservation Program (CAPP) budgets.
2. Chapter 2. Site Design Guidelines – guidance for building orientation and placement; parking; public spaces, screening, landscaping, utilities and service areas, lighting, and site design for attached housing.
Date
School Board Meeting Topic
Tuesday, November 10, 2020*
3. Chapter 3. Building Design Guidelines – guidance for architectural compatibility; alterations, additions or demolition of existing structures; and all design aspects of new construction.
Superintendent’s Recommended FY2022-FY2027 CIP & CAPP Presented to School Board
Monday, November 16, 2020
School Board FY2022-FY2027 CIP & CAPP Public Hearing/ Work Session
Monday, November 30, 2020
School Board FY2022-FY2027 CIP & CAPP Public Hearing/ Work Session
Tuesday, December 15, 2020*
School Board Adoption of FY2022-FY2027 CIP & CAPP
4. Chapter 4. Sign Design Guidelines – guidance for signage serving buildings and sites in the Gateway District. 5. Glossary – terms used in the Guidelines. The Town Plan designates the properties along East Market Street as part of the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan; properties along West Market Street are designated as Low Density Residential; properties along North King Street are designated as Open Space, Major Institution, or Low Density Residential; properties along South King Street are designated as Low Density Residential, Open Space and Community Office; and properties along Edwards Ferry Road are designated as Downtown, Regional Retail, Community Office, and Low Density Residential. The proposed amendment will not change designated uses or allowed density ranges in the Town Plan or as permitted by the current base zoning district of any property included in the proposed Gateway District (Overlay). Additional information regarding the full text of this proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment may be reviewed either electronically, or in person at Town Hall by appointment. To view the amendments electronically, please go to the Town of Leesburg website at the following address: https://www.leesburgva.gov/government/departments/planning-zoning/current-planning-zoningprojects/gateway-project. In accord with current COVID-19 health and safety procedures, if you wish to review hard copies, please contact Lauren Murphy, Preservation Planner at (703) 771-2773 or by email at lmurphy@leesburgva.gov to schedule an appointment during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The copies can then be inspected at the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during the scheduled appointment time. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2020-0007. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting 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. 11/26 & 12/3/20
*Regular School Board Business Meeting
November 30 and December 15 Meeting Update
Loudoun Rela
Common Jace Leo Du
Loudou of
Daw
The object of permanency p Foster Care P §§ 16.1-282.1 Dunford and J
It is Ordered t appear at the protect her int December 8,
11
In compliance with Governor Northam’s Statewide Measures to Contain COVID-19, the November 30 and December 15 meetings will be held virtually. The meetings will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the LCPS website (www.lcps.org). Both meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Persons wishing to address the School Board on the capital budgets must sign up in advance to provide live, virtual comment at the November 30 public hearing. Online and telephone registration will be available until 5:30 p.m. on November 30. Speakers may sign up in advance by sending an email to public.comment@lcps.org or calling 571-252-1030. Each registrant will receive a unique speaker identification (ID) number by telephone (if they call to register) or via email for those who register online. The unique speaker ID will allow participants to access the meeting and provide live comment. Speakers are prohibited from sharing the speaker ID with others and will forfeit the opportunity to speak if the information is shared. Speakers must be logged into the meeting at the time their name is called. Speakers must limit comments to the time allotted by the School Board Chair which will be announced prior to the start of the public hearing. The Chair determines the time based on the number of speakers and the agenda, but not to exceed five (5) minutes.
Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in School Board meetings or public hearings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Kevin L. Lewis, Assistant Superintendent Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1385 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org
Case No.:
11/26, 12/3 & 12/10/20
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 34
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Legal Notices TOWN OF HAMILTON PUBLIC NOTICE Code of Virginia §58.1-3911
Town of Hamilton real estate taxes for the second half of 2020 are due on December 5, 2020. Tina M. Staples Treasurer Town of Hamilton 11/19 & 11/26/20
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ043391-05-00 JJ043327-05-00
Never miss a show
•
GetOutLoudoun.com
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jace Leo Dunford and James Dunford III Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Dawn Dunford, Mother The object of this suit is to hold a 2nd permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Jace Leo Dunford and James Dunford III. It is Ordered that Dawn Dunford, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before December 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm 11/12, 11/19, 11/26 & 12/3/20
Resource Directory Bobcat BOBCAT * Bobcat Services * * Gravel Driveway Repair *
Br am
hall Trucking
540-822-9011
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
JJ038733-25-01 , Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Case No.:
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Abbigail Jacobs Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother 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 Abbigail Jacobs. It is Ordered that the Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before December 16, 2020 at 3:00 pm 11/12, 11/19, 11/26 & 12/3/20
CONSTRUCTION Construction
◆ Stone DuSt ◆ Mulch ◆ topSoil ◆ SanD ◆ ◆ light graDing ◆ graveling ◆ ◆ Drainage SolutionS ◆ Backhoe Work ◆
Let us heLp you carry your Load!
CONSTRUCTION Construction
Kenny Williams Construction, Inc. * Decks & Screen Porches * Additions * Fences * Garages * Finished Basements * Deck Repairs Free Estimates
703-771-8727
www.kennywilliamsconstruction.com Licensed • Insured • bonded
Serving Loudoun County for 35 years. Class A Contractor
Construction CONSTRUCTION C ustom C onstruCtion A dditions • r epAirs
30 YEARS EXPERIENCE • DRIVEWAYS • EXPOSED AGGREGATE • PATIOS • FOOTINGS • SLABS • STAMPED CONCRETE • SIDEWALKS
Free Estimates
Blue Ridge Remodeling, Inc. 540-668-6522
www.brrinc.net Purcellville, VA
Since 1976 • Free Estimates Licensed & Insured
Ph: 703-437-3822 • Cell: 703-795-5621
Construction LOUDOUN
CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Decks Cristian Arias
Francisco Rojo Cell: 571-213-0850 571-235-8304
GENERAL CONTRACTORS Licensed & Insured
Finished Basement - Custom Audio/Visual Rooms General Painting - Kitchen & Bath Remodels Finish Carpentry - Sunrooms & Decks General Handyman Services - References Available
Loudoun-Construction.com | Leesburg, VA
C & BROTHERS
contractor VA, DC HIC LISENCE
DECKS, PATIOS, AND STONE WORKS LICENSED BONDED & INSURED
Free Estimate candbrothers@gmail.com
240-413-5827 240-413-5873 www.candbrothers.com
LEESBURG, VA
Upgrade your Resource Directory advertisement with an “Enhanced Listing” online! Call Susan today for details and incentives!
703-770-9723
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 35
Resource Directory EXCAVATING Excavating
Driveway Repair
The Good Guys
Loving Fence
REFERRALS AVAILABLE!
NEW INSTALLATION, REPAIRS & PAINTING
Asphalt Driveway Restoration • Best Asphalt Crack Filling • Patchwork • Best Oil-Based Heated Sealcoating • The Real Asphalt Preservative is Oil-Based Sealer • Not Just A Cosmetic Sealer Like Others • Oil-Based Sealer Preserves Asphalt • Offering Brand New Asphalt Driveways (Small driveways only) • 2" Overlays/Resurfacing
Great Quality Work is Not Cheap, Cheap Prices Are Not Quality. We Want to Keep You Happy.
GARAGE DOORS Garage Doors
Fencing
BOBCAT SERVICES LICENSED & INSURED
WESLEY LOVING 1824 HARMONY CHURCH RD HAMILTON, VA 20158
540-338-9580 LOVINGFENCE@AOL.COM
HANDYMAN Handyman
Gutters
Paul Jones and Son 703.582.9712
GoodGuysPaving@gmail.com Warranty FREE Estimates
Handyman
Handyman
Handyman/Master Craftsman Licensed. Insured.
$30 per estimate
Credited upon Acceptance
Leesburg, VA Satisfaction Guaranteed
Since 2000.
BUILT-INS • CABINETS • CLOSETS • CARPENTRY DRYWALL • INTERIOR DOORS • CROWN MOLDING CHAIR RAIL • CERAMIC TILE • PLUMBING • LIGHTING ELECTRICAL • BATHROOMS Damon L. Blackburn 703-966-7225 | www.myashburnhandyman.com damon.blackburn@yahoo.com
Landscaping HARDSCAPING • LANDSCAPE WALLS PATIO AND WALKWAY INSTALLATION RETAINING WALLS • STONE WORK
571-490-1879 luckettslandscaping.com a1chilly@aol.com
Junk Removal
C & Brothers Home Improvement, LLC
Cristian Arias 240-413-5827 | 240-413-5673 candbrothers@gmail.com
North’s Custom Masonry Retaining & Decorative Walls • Stonework Fire pits, Fireplaces & Chimneys, Repointing Brick Concrete and paver driveways
20% Discount on Paver Patios & Walkways
Call Brian 540-533-8092
Angie’s list member
NORTH’S TREE SERVICE & LANDSCAPING
Tree Experts For Over 30 Years Family Owned & Operated SPRING
• Tree Removal • Lot Clearing • SPECIAL 25% OFF • Pruning • Trimming • Clean Up • WITH •Deadlimbing • Uplift Trees • THIS AD! • Grading • Private Fencing • • Masonry Work • Grading Driveways •
Your Complete Tree & Landscaping Company Honest & Dependable Serv. • 24 Hr. Emerg. Serv. Satisfaction Guaranteed
(540) 533-8092
Lic./Ins. • Free Estimates • Angie’s List Member • BBB
Licensed and Insured
540-454-0415 | PACKRATHAULING.COM
Painting
Masonry
Free estimates, BBB, Lic/Ins.
Veterans LLC Land Rescue Reclaim Your Land Lovettsville, VA Veteran Owned & Operated VA, MD & WV Residential & Commercial
Landfill Friendly We Donate & Recycle
HAULING
Licensed, Bonded & Insured | References Available
703-718-6789 major@veteransllc.us www.veteransllc.us
Realty Services Richard Hamilton
Interior • Exterior • Drywall Repair • Wall Paper Removal • Light Fixtures • Crown Molding • Cabinet Painting • Deck Sealing • Tile • Deck Restoration/Painting • Deck Powerwashing
Licensed & Insured FREE Estimates Freddy Risco
703.371.3290
frpainting@yahoo.com
Realtor® Associate Broker
c: 703.819.5458 e: richard.hamilton@pearsonsmithrealty.com w: www.varealestate4sale.com Call today for your free consultation! Licensed in Virginia #0225020865
43777 Central Station Drive, Suite 390, Ashburn, VA 20147
Siding
Roofing
Tree Removal
Residential, Farm & Commercial Junk Removal Services, Rolloff Dumpster Services.
20 Years of Experience FRE Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, ESTIMATEE S! Decks, General Handyman Services
Land Clearing
Video Production
Expert Tree Service
POTOMAC WINDOW CLEANING CO.
Expert Tree & Stump Removal Hes Company, LLC 703-203-8853
No Damage Residential Window Cleaning: Inside & Outside By Hand
15% OFF
Family Owned & Operated
HOA Maintenance • Tree Planting • Lot Clearing Storm Damage Pruning • Trimming • Crowning • Spring Clean Up Mulch • Roofing and Decking Available JohnQueirolo1@gmail.com • www.hescompanyllc.com
Licensed & Insured • Member Angie’s List & BBB • Affordable
Windows & Power Washing
18 Liberty Street SW
30 Years Experience
(703) 777-3296
Licensed Bonded Insured
Ask about our no damage, low pressure, power washing services for brick, concrete, wood & siding using a soft brush to remove the dirt the power washer won’t get.
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 36
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
Opinion A Greater Challenge As we head into the final weeks of a tumultuous 2020, volunteers at numerous nonprofits will be gearing up for another push to help meet the needs of their neighbors. The holiday effort to collect, assemble and distribute hundreds of meals and thousands of gifts is never a small feat. But this year the challenge will be even greater. It is important to recognize that the increased demand for services facing our community nonprofits comes as many of them also are experiencing the erosion of their economic foundations. Events relied upon to raise millions of dollars in donations have been canceled. Income-producing programs and services shuttered. Staff members have put their own health at risk working on the front lines. While some organizations lament not being able to do more this year, others fac e the prospect of not surviving to see the postCOVID rebound. There is still time to make a difference, but there won’t be a fancy gala or a challenging 5K to help spur your contribution. Many nonprofits will be participating in next week’s Giving Tuesday global fundraising campaign and they may reach out in hope of meeting their goals. For others, you may need to seek them out to find ways you can be helpful. There are times when Loudoun families need the support of a local charity. Now is a time when Loudoun charities need the support of local families. Our county has been blessed by its dedicated and innovative coalition of charities. We can little afford for that safety net to weaken during this crisis. n
Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com
Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723
EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com
Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.
ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com
LETTERS to the Editor Turn Off the Lights Editor: To those of us who live in Bluemont, and to those organizations who support this small, historic village in the westernmost part of Loudoun County, it is time to wake up, and not by the 15,000 lights currently illuminating the side of the Blue Ridge Mountains next to us. The recent commencement of the “lighting of the vines” by the Bluemont Winery and the Dirt Farm Brewery is yet another nail in the coffin of the demise of our quiet and serene way of life and is indicative of the rapid growth of commercialism, that if left unchecked, will result in our community looking like Tysons Corner. My husband and I moved to western Loudoun County almost 18 years ago so that we could leave behind the lights, noise, and traffic of Arlington County. We own 16 acres at the base of the Blue Ridge, and live on a historic and scenic dirt road. We are disheartened regarding the ongoing encroachment of commercial establishments here in our small village that now threatens the serene lifestyle that we have enjoyed for many years. Within a 3-mile radius of our home, we have a winery, three breweries, two
event-type venues, and a cidery. The traffic generated by these establishments has inundated our community. It is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or worse yet, killed by someone who has had too much to drink. We and 24 of our neighbors are involved in litigation with the new owner of the farm next door to us. This individual, who does not even live here, is suing us because of our restrictive covenants do not permit him to turn the farm into a “country inn,” which would allow him to hold multiple events over the course of a year, involving hundreds of cars, loud music, and lights. On top of all this, the owners of the winery and brewery up on the mountain have decided once again to light up the mountain with a hideous display of 15,000 lights, mounted on the vines and hops. From our front porch, it looks like an airport parking lot or landing strip, and can be seen from miles away. I filed a complaint with the Loudoun County Zoning Department last year, asking to investigate what was clearly a violation of the county’s lighting ordinance. The county declined, closed LETTERS continues on page 39
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Readers’ Poll
PAGE 37
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:
The Board of Supervisors is eyeing several new taxes.
How will you be spending the Thanksgiving holiday?
Which ones do you support? Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls
AG Report continued from page 1 sion policies were on their face neutral, they nonetheless resulted in the “disproportionate adverse impact on Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latinx stunts” evident on the relatively few numbers of minority students at the school district’s magnet programs. “Nothing is taken in account until you pass certain tests that are biased in its nature,” said Loudoun NAACP President Michelle Thomas during press conference outside the school administration building Friday. “So that is how you can look on paper as if it is not discriminatory, but when you start taking the steps and following the application process, you realize that you are actually left out of the game. And the results are the same, year after year: You can’t get in.” The letter points to the underrepresentation of minority students in the Academies, and examples of high-accomplishing Black and Hispanic students who nonetheless were denied entry to the programs. In the first year of the Academies of Loudoun, Black students made up about 7% of students in the school system, but only about 3% of applicants to the Academies and only 0.37% of accepted students—just a single Black student. The disparity was even wider among Hispanic students, who made up about 18 percent of the division’s student body, but only 3.96% of applicants and 3.18% of enrolled students at the Academies. And despite some steps taken to reduce the
race gap in Academies admissions in their third year, the disparity actually grew worse among Hispanic students. The report also backed up the NAACP assertion that, while the school division was aware of the racial disparities, it was sluggish to act, showing “deliberate indifference” to those differences for the first two years. And it said there is work to be done on new school system policy statements calling for diversity and inclusion. “While the Division [of Human Rights] finds that LCPS is endeavoring to establish systems that eliminate the patterns and practices that led to the Division’s inquiry, and to prevent such acts from happening in the future, it remains to be seen how these plans are implemented in practice, how progress is measured, and whether these efforts will be effective and sufficient,” the determination reads. “We must understand the historic nature of this finding, not just in a sense that it is another piece of documentation that we have of the lived and shared experience of being discriminated against at the hands of LCPS for over 80 years,” Thomas said Friday afternoon. “But this now shows that the words of Dr. Martin Luther King [are] true. She referred to King’s speech at the National Cathedral in 1968, in which he said, “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” “Today there is a bend in LCPS’s systemic racism towards justice,” Thomas said. “Today there’s a bend. It’s not over, it’s just a bend. It’s not final, it’s just a bend. We have a ways to go in our conciliation agreement, but there is a bend with this determination.” The determination lays out a series of
actions the school division must now take, many within the next 60 days. Those include sending a letter to all students and parents informing them of the findings; partnering with community stakeholders including the Loudoun NAACP to develop new policies and procedures; submit to the Attorney General’s office for review new Equal Employment Opportunity policies and complaint resolution policies for students; and within the next two years hire a third-party consultant to assist in monitoring and assessing the school division’s progress. The Loudoun NAACP’s list of requests is longer, and include things like a merit-based lottery system for admissions, a STEM-based elementary after-school and summer programs focused on African-American studies, a new public charter school with a focus on African-American studies, funding for the NAACP scholarship fund, revisions to curriculum and textbooks, a scholarship fund for students who were unable to attend the Academies because of discriminatory admissions practices, and other steps. “The hard work starts now, of implementation and oversight,” Thomas said. “Anybody can say they will on paper, but what they’ll do in actuality, and what they’ll do in practice, we must begin to inspect rather than expect.” And with Loudoun County Public Schools soon to be looking for a new superintendent, Thomas said the Loudoun NAACP hopes to be part of that process. “Given the terms of conciliation that are on the table, that superintendent must be well versed in this finding, and so we want to make sure that the superintendent
[who] comes in doesn’t get to hide behind, ‘I didn’t know,’” Thomas said. “Ignorance is no excuse of the law. This is now the law.” A statement from Loudoun County Public Schools Public Information Officer Wayde Byard said the school system is reviewing the 61-page report. “Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools, and LCPS remains committed to creating a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world,” according to the statement. The statement also highlighted steps the division already has taken to combat racism, including implementing the revised admissions process for the Academies of Loudoun that was developed by staff and approved by the Loudoun County School Board in August 2020; developing intervention and prevention strategies to address discipline policies and practices that may negatively impact students of color, particularly Black/African-American students, including workshops, meetings, and follow-up sessions with school-based administrators; and continuing to take affirmative steps to address a voluntary, division-sponsored equity assessment’s findings relating to students’ experiences regarding being targets of racist comments and acts of violence; improving the level of racial consciousness and literacy among LCPS employees; and improving the division’s efforts to attract and retain teachers of color through enhanced marketing, recruitment, mentoring and support. n
PAGE 38
Veto continued from page 3 from the Planning Commission was not warranted. “I don’t see how you all see this any different,” Hornbaker said at the Nov. 19 meeting. “Someone embarrasses the town in a posting online 200 miles away and we dismiss that person. Someone utilizes town resources in an appointed capacity and embarrasses the town at home and we are saying that we are allowing that person to serve in additional capacities to the town.” Councilwoman Renee Edmonston said the Town Council should rescind its vote to remove Spangler from the Oktoberfest Committee if it appointed Consaul to the Love Winter Committee because both instances “are very similar.” “I welcome Kris … and I also welcome Andru back,” she said. Steadman said, “We all are human, we mess up, we apologize, we move on and give folks second chances.” The council ultimately voted 4-3 to appoint Consaul to the Love Winter Committee, with Fontaine voting in favor to break the tie and Edmonston, Hornbaker and Councilwoman Joy Pritz voting against. The council then voted 5-0-1 to re-appoint Spangler to the Oktoberfest Committee, with Smith abstaining because he felt it was an inappropriate time to make the re-appointment. Spangler on Friday was unaware the vote for his appointment was made, Fontaine said. According to Hornbaker’s motion, the council appointed Spangler to the Oktoberfest Committee conditioned upon his acceptance of the appointment and his application submission. Before Spangler could do that, Fontaine on Monday posted on his Facebook page that he had ve-
Ritter continued from page 3 ment. Ritter previously worked as the town manager of Dumfries from May 2017 to August 2018, where the Town Council also voted to fire him. Ritter said that vote took place because three new council members and a new mayor “wanted to go in new direction Prior to that, Ritter worked as the town manager in Chincoteague from June 2006 to November 2016. The Town Council
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
toed the vote on Saturday night. Town Attorney Liz Whiting said the mayor’s veto stands in a bit of a gray area. The Town Charter establishes that, “The mayor … shall have the power to veto resolutions, acts and ordinances of the council which resolutions, acts and ordinances may be passed over such veto by a twothirds vote of the entire council ….” The Charter does not specify as to where or how the mayor’s veto is to be made. Interim Town Manager Sam Finz said he has added a discussion item to the Town Council’s Dec. 3 meeting agenda centered on resignations and appointments. “This is something that is worthy of a town council discussion,” he said. Fontaine this week said the vote to re-appoint Spangler was “procedurally incorrect,” since it was taken prior to Spangler even filling out an application to serve on the committee. Before Fontaine’s veto, at least three people had already resigned from spots on town commissions and committees in response to the Town Council’s vote to appoint Spangler. Jim McIntyre and Natalie Metzler resigned from the Oktoberfest Committee and Consaul resigned from the Planning Commission. Two others also have also resigned from the Oktoberfest Committee since the Nov. 19 Town Council vote. Fontaine said town leaders are still compiling a list of everyone who has recently resigned. Consaul said, “This weekend’s resignations are over racism and white supremacy.” She cited more than Spangler’s re-appointment as motivation to resign. She said Fontaine failed to denounce what she said was a threat made against her by a town business. Last weekend, Minuteman Arms Owner Warner Workman set up a sign outside
his gun shop reading: “Krazy Karen Cristen & Chris Sale Be Armed AR-15 $775.” Consaul said she interpreted that sign as a threat aimed at her and her neighbor, regardless of the misspellings of their names. “I was appalled and a little terrified,” she said. Fontaine this week said concerns of threats should be directed to the Sheriff ’s Office. In a Facebook comment, he wrote that “these signs are not reflective of the Town of Lovettsville, who we are or what we stand for. … [T]hese signs are designed to divide the community and to draw attention to increase sales. … I, personally, find it unprofessional, unneighborly, and in extreme poor taste.” “The failure of the Mayor and the Town Council to unequivocally condemn this threat speaks volumes,” Consaul wrote in her Nov. 22 resignation Facebook post. “There’s what’s legal, and there’s what’s right. There was a path for the Mayor to follow and do both: he didn’t take it. I will not participate in a town government whose leaders do not condemn unequivocally the threat of violence against its citizens.” “It’s all a piece of white supremacy … that I feel like the town leadership is condoning,” Consaul said this week. Metzler said she’s a “team player,” but “this was a hard team … mostly because of Andru.” “Everybody was just completely appalled,” she said of the vote to re-appoint Spangler. Metzler said she didn’t want to put her blood, sweat and tears into the committee “without knowing that the Town Council isn’t going to pull this type of behavior again.” “It’s clear to me that their priorities are not aligned with mine,” she said. “… It’s sad.” Fontaine said the town’s divide among
its residents—a divide that has grown deeper in recent months leading up to and following the Nov. 3 presidential election—has been building for a while. He attributed it to the town’s proximity to Washington, DC, where national news is often intertwined with local news, and to the lack of town events amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the town’s annual Oktoberfest brings in more than 10,000 visitors each year and brings residents together for an entire weekend every September. “I really do think people getting outside talking to neighbors, talking to folks is the best thing Lovettsville residents can do,” Fontaine said. Consaul said the town’s many events merely helped residents ignore problems that have always existed. Fontaine stressed that while Town Council seats have changed hands recently, the council remains nonpartisan. When asked what could be done to reunite the town, Fontaine said he encourages residents to get involved in the town government by signing up to talk during the public comment portion of Town Council meetings and emailing him and other council members. He also suggested residents join civic service groups, like Keep Loudoun Beautiful, Scouting troops and the American Legion. “We, as residents, are responsible for creating the culture that is Lovettsville,” he said. “Go out and get involved in the community … don’t shelter in and battle it out on Facebook.” Consaul encouraged residents to take a stand and to not take postings and other messages personally. “What we tolerate we become, and there are plenty of people in town who tolerate bullying and tolerate name calling and they’ve got to stop taking that,” she said. “If your name isn’t on it, don’t take it personally,” she said. n
there also voted to fire him. Ritter said that a new mayor and council wanting to go in a different direction also was the driving force behind that vote. For Finz, this will be his fourth time stepping into the post in a dozen years. He started his latest stint with a meeting with Fontaine today. He said he was unaware the council had voted the night before to appoint him as interim town manager, but knew that vote could come up, since he had told town leaders when he left the town in July 2018 that they could call on him for help should something change. “I’ve always been dedicated to the
town,” he said, emphasizing that he had no idea what happened to Ritter. Finz will report back to the town office this Monday, Nov. 23 to begin his parttime job managing the town’s day-to-day operations and helping to recruit a new permanent town manager—a role he said he’s not looking to fill. “I don’t think that’s something I really want to do,” he said. Finz has been involved with the Lovettsville town government since 2005. He has worked as the town planner, as a general consultant and as the interim town manager on three separate occasions. In 2005, he
helped the Town Council hire its first town manager, Tim Faust. When Faust left the town a year later, Finz again helped recruit Keith Markel for the position. In 2014, when Markel left to take a job as Leesburg’s deputy town manager, Finz returned to help recruit yet another town manager, Laszlo Palko. Finz took on the role of interim town manager for a third time when Palko resigned in summer 2017 to become the city manager of Manassas Park. In December 2017, the Town Council appointed Finz as permanent town manager. He resigned July 6, 2018 for health-related reasons. n
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
PAGE 39
Loudoun, This is Who We Are BY PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR AT LARGE
The year 2020 will go down in the history books as one of the most tumultuous years in recent history. In under 12 months we faced a 100-year pandemic Randall that closed down the entire country, sickened over 9,000 Loudoun residents, and worst of all, claimed the lives of 138 of our Loudoun family. As a country, a commonwealth, and county we are experiencing a long overdue, nationwide reckoning on race that has brought thousands of Loudoun citizens of all ages to the streets to “march for justice.” Because of COVID we were forced to learn new ways to communicate, no longer face-to-face
but via online platforms where the faces of our co-workers and loved ones are in little boxes that heretofore were reserved for members of “The Brady Bunch” family. This year we have been required to learn phrases such as: “trace testing” and “cluster spread.” One year ago, these words were not part of our daily lexicon. In addition, tele-work, tele-health and tele-learning have brought into stark focus the absolute need for reliable broadband in the rural areas of our county. And of course, 2020 brought us a very unusual and divisive Presidential election where a full 55% of all Loudoun residents voted early-in-person or by mail. Yes, it has been a tough year, but from my position as County Chair I’m very fortunate to have observed something else, something wonderful, almost magical about our county. I have
seen businesses provide food to first responders and hospital staff, even as they struggle to meet their revenue goals. In record numbers, Loudoun citizens have answered the call to join the Loudoun medical corps. People are checking on their older neighbors, dropping off food, and visiting through doors and windows. School cafeteria workers continue to prepare food for the students they love yet can’t see, and school bus drivers drop that food off to ensure all of our students have enough to eat. Our teachers have been heroes who are committed and determined to teach their littles (and their bigs) in ways they were never trained for. We now realize the term “essential worker” does not just apply to our incredible first responders and medical staff, who truly are heroes, but also to the teenager working at the local grocery store or the food delivery person who helps keep our restaurants revenue
positive. At 99.6% Loudoun produced the best 2020 Census response rate in the Commonwealth of Virginia we are among the top 20 response rates in the country. The Loudoun Chamber and Visit Loudoun worked on the “We Are Ready” campaign focused on getting our businesses back to work in the safest environment possible. Finally, the willingness by most of you to wear a mask to protect not just yourselves others has been phenomenal and a clear message that although you may not know them, you care about the man, woman or child that you come in contact with. Loudoun, this is who we are. In rough seas and calm waters, in joy and heartbreak, in tragedy and triumph, I truly believe we are the best county in the country. Together, we will not just survive, we will flourish. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your County Chair. n
LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 36 my case, and said that it would permit the lights as they were for “the holidays.” The lights are back on as of Nov. 19 and we are not yet even in the holiday season. There is no dispute that the lights violate Section 5-1504 Light and Glare Standards of the county’s Zoning Ordinance and there is no provision that permits the county to ignore its own ordinance if the violating lights are for the “holidays.” We have no issue with people trying to make a living, especially in these turbulent times. But when the lights, noise, and traffic generated by them directly affect the quiet enjoyment of this beautiful place in which we have lived these many years, we can no longer remain silent. Enough is enough. Loudoun County and those of us living here in Bluemont need to decide whether we want to retain the heritage of this beautiful scenic place, or whether we are willing to have western Loudoun to be another Arlington County. Turn off the lights. — Virginia A. Baxter, Bluemont
Welcoming Hate in Lovettsville Editor: Mayor Fontaine may have thought he was politically sly earlier this year when he joined other candidates in failing to condemn the behavior and rhetoric of those near our town who seek to inject their extremism into our community. The mayor continued by hiding behind vague interpretations of court cases to avoid uniformly enforcing sign ordinances. He then doubled down, apparently allowing extremists to violate sign ordinances while ensuring some with political views in contrast to his own followed the rules. This is a double standard, and another clear case of using his position of power to further a political agenda—possibly in violation of the Hatch Act. The mayor then continued this trend, dragging in one of our planning commissioners for a browbeating after she made an online post denigrating alt-right groups, and specifically Nazis. A sharp departure from his predecessor who vowed to oppose Nazis in our
midst, up to and including in court, Mayor Fontaine has thrown down the welcome mat for extreme hate groups in Lovettsville. In case you might be tempted to dismiss this as a one-off lapse in judgment, he stayed silent on the dais while the council reappointed a committee member previously removed for associating racist remarks with his official position. Lest one believe the cases of Consaul and Scott Spangler are identical, remember the first was anti-racist while the latter’s comments were plain racist. The mayor failed to correct the council who stated we must play together or risk losing volunteers to run our town events, even if those volunteers are unapologetically racist and without qualms about associating their racism with our town. Through all of this the mayor has skirted the core issue, turning a blind eye to the extremism taking over in front of him and in full view of our community. Mayor Fontaine just might be blissfully ignorant, blind to the role he is playing in this tragedy. However, to play that card, he would have to admit to an incurable failure in leadership and basic situational
awareness. Another explanation is that Mayor Fontaine agrees with, and is in league with, the extremists who are waging their culture war in the midst of our town. His silence is deafening. We do not need the mayor to give another long, mealy-mouthed homily which seeks to avoid complete and total condemnation for extremists, and especially those extremists who also happen to be his political supporters. We need a mayor who will speak plainly, loudly and for those who are targeted by bullies and extremists- no matter where perpetrators might fall on the political spectrum. Characterizing extremists’ actions as merely “unprofessional, unneighborly, and in extreme poor taste” falls far short. If the mayor takes action or believes the council has erred, we deserve a public explanation. Otherwise we are left with the sole option that he is also a bigoted extremist. It is up to him to change our community’s perception without delay. — Mike Dunlap, Lovettsville
PAGE 40
ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
The Town of Leesburg invites you to enjoy and experience the holiday magic of historic Leesburg.
703-777-1368 • www.idalee.org • Wear your mask and practice safe distancing!