Loudoun Now for Dec. 29, 2022

Grand Jury Report Rocked School Division

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnnow.com

In January, the Loudoun County School Board announced it would not release the independent report into the division sexual assault scandal it had commissioned.

Twelve months later details of the assaults—as well as the actions and inactions of administrators—were finally made public by a special grand jury requested by the Attorney General’s Office.

Within hours, the jury’s report cost Superintendent Scott Ziegler his job and spurred calls for deeper reforms.

The sexual assault scandal started in May, 2021, when a male student sexually assaulted a female student in the girls’ bathroom at Stone Bridge High School. The assailant was eventually transferred to Broad Run High School, where he sexually assaulted another female student in October. Parents and students were angry after learning he was transferred between schools rather than removed from the general student population. When confronted about assaults in school bathrooms, Ziegler told the School Board, “to my knowledge we don’t have any record of assaults occurring in our restrooms.”

The unsealed report from the special grand jury revealed Ziegler’s statement

A Silver Lining at Last

Metrorail Finally

Arrived in Loudoun

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnnow.com

After four years of delays and cost overruns, the long-awaited Metrorail stations in Loudoun opened in November.

Even the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or Metro, was more than ready—the transit authority announced the opening date with a video featuring the titular refrain from the Lizzo song “About Damn Time.”

2022 IN REVIEW

not to be true, noting that not only did Ziegler know about the assaults, but several administrators and the principals at both high schools also knew. The report also said that a letter sent to Stone Bridge parents intentionally left out the sexual assault of the student, instead focusing on the student’s father who angerly confronted school administrators after learning what happened to his daughter.

Initially, it was reported the assailant was wearing a dress when he assaulted the first student, which brought concerns over a new policy the School Board was debating, Policy 8040, that deals with the rights of transgender and gender expansive students.

Upon taking office in January, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order asking Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the school division and School Board. On April 7, at the request of the attorney general, a special grand jury was empaneled to investigate how the school division handled the sexual assaults.

When the School Board decided in

January to entirely withhold the independent investigation they had commissioned, Public Information Officer Wayde Byard cited attorney client privilege and information related to identifying personnel as the reasons for withholding the report.

Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman later ruled the board didn’t need to release the report to the public, and over time the board decided not

to release even a redacted version. The division made a few staffing and procedural changes in response to the report, including the firing of Chief of Staff and Title IX Coordinator Mark Smith, as well as developing a “more robust process for alternative school placements,” according

its construction.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted 5-4 in 2012 to bring the Silver Line into Loudoun the day before their deadline to sign on. Originally the project was scheduled to finish in 2018. The airports authority finally handed the new construction over to Metro for testing in June of this year.

The Silver Line Phase 2 extension, which opened six new stations including the three in Loudoun, came amid repeated setbacks for two beleaguered

organizations. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates Dulles Airport had agreed to build the road and faced repeated setbacks in

Meanwhile, Metro has been under criticism for years as it undertakes a years-long project to update the system and bring it into a state of good repair after years of neglect, while saddled with a complicated funding structure split among states, localities, Congress and the District of Columbia. In December, new General Manager Randy Clarke presented a budget proposal that seeks to close a $185 million funding gap with a combination of increased revenues, reduced spending and—mostly—new federal funding.

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Acting Superintendent Daniel Smith speaks to the media not long after being appointed on Dec 8.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County supervisors past and present, joined by state and WMATA officials, cut the ribbon on the new Ashburn Metro station Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Loudoun

With Metro Open, Supervisors Ponder Future of Commuter Buses

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

With Metro’s Silver Line stops in Loudoun finally open, county supervisors are pondering the future of Loudoun Transit’s commuter buses to Rosslyn, Crystal City, the Pentagon, and Washington, DC.

Loudoun Transit’s commuter buses have seen ridership plummet and their routes cut dramatically thanks to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, which continue today. According to a report prepared for the board’s finance committee, compared to pre-pandemic figures, the commuter buses now run less than half as many routes, with less than a quarter the riders. Before the pandemic, the staff reported, there were 199 commuter bus routes with an average of 3,960 riders a day. Now there are 49 routes, with an average 918 riders a day.

At the onset of the pandemic, county supervisors suspended their policy to keep the commuter buses self-supporting with revenues from fares, grants and advertising. County staff members at the Dec. 13 committee meeting reported ridership is rebounding, but it’s uncertain if it will ever return to pre-pandemic levels. They attribute the drop in ridership to having many more federal employees teleworking since the pandemic began.

“It tells me that their work habits have just changed dramatically. We offer a premium point-to-point service, but we do now have another option for most people to get to where they’re trying to go via transit,” he said. And he said while the two can coexist, the county in the longer term may need to look at reducing commuter bus service, pushing people to Metrorail, “and saving some money in the process.”

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) agreed commuter buses and Metro can coexist, saying different people ride the commuter bus than Metro, and without the bus they’ll get back in the car rather than ride the rail.

“There absolutely is a segment of commuter bus riders who are riders who are just not going to get on any other type of transit,” she said. “They’re just going to get back in the cars.”

She said the county should keep an eye on it as the lasting changes of the COVID-19 pandemic become clearer.

But committee Chair Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said, “I would just route everyone to Metro at this point.”

“I think it’s time to ease out the commuter bus unless the ridership gets back to the point where it’s holding steady and it’s financially neutral,” she said. “Otherwise, people, taxpayers without that much additional income are helping to subsidize a bus that tends to cater to those who have been willing to spend significant amounts.”

Life in 2022

With continued uncertainty around the system’s ridership, for now county staff members said they will recommend continuing to waive the revenue neutrality policy for commuter bus service during the next annual budget. In Fiscal Year 2024, Loudoun Transit anticipates subsidizing commuter buses to the tune of $5.1 million, which $2.8 million less than the current budget.

Commuter bus trips cost $11 cash each way, or $10 with a SmarTrip card. To make the commuter buses self-supporting with their current ridership, the staff estimated fares would have to increase to $21 and $22 a trip, but warn that would likely lead to further loss of riders and subsequently state funding.

Local bus trips cost $1. The staff report also points out that, like Metrorail, the local bus service is subsidized with local taxes.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said it might be time to rethink the commuter buses soon, pointing to the dramatic drop in ridership.

The county launched plans to greatly expand its local bus service with the opening of the new Silver Line stations, including new routes to the Metro stations, although those plans were slowed somewhat by a shortage of drivers.

Loudoun Transit’s bus service has faced disruption since the county awarded the $101 million, five-year contract for transit services to Keolis North America, combining the previously separate local and commuter bus contracts. Since then, Loudoun Transit has struggled to hire and retain drivers after Keolis slashed benefits amid a nationwide shortage of Commercial Driver’s License holders. The company has faced also repeated unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board and is in an ongoing battle with the Amalgamated Transit Union

LOUDOUN IN REVIEW

No year is a slow year in Loudoun County government, but the current Board of Supervisors has had a particularly hectic term, with ambitious plans like the Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan or the long-debated project to improve Route 15 north of Leesburg rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. And some long-anticipated projects took a step closer to reality—like the project to bring a state park to northwest Loudoun, or the grand opening for the massive Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park or starting work to bring broadband internet across the county.

New Election Maps

Last year closed with the commonwealth finishing its delayed project to draw new federal and state electoral

districts, with the order coming down from the state Supreme Court on Dec. 28, 2021. Fast-growing Loudoun picked up seats in the General Assembly under the new plan. And this year began with the county’s own much smoother redistricting process moving into the public eye with options for new local districts going online in January.

Supervisors winnowed down their choices from 20 different plans submitted by county staff, community organizations, citizens and supervisors. In the end they embraced a proposal worked out in compromise between two supervisors from different political parties—supervisors Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) and Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). That was over a push from the county’s two western district supervisors, Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), for a plan developed by the Coalition of Loudoun Towns seeking to create two predominantly western, rural districts.

LOUDOUN IN REVIEW continues on page 7

School Budget Spend Down Raises Eyebrows in County Gov’t

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Although the School Board finished its Fiscal Year 2022 with an unusually large amount of money left over, little of that money found its way back to the county after an eleventh-hour spending spree, county budget officers noted at a county finance committee meeting Dec. 13.

The school district’s largest source of funding is the Board of Supervisors, which every year sets an amount of local tax revenue and spending authority for the schools. While the county board sets the number, the School Board has authority over how it’s spent. At the end of the fiscal year, other than money already committed to be spent or forwarded to the next fiscal year’s budget, left over local money returns to the county government. The county can use it several ways, such as spending it, bolstering contingency accounts, putting it into reserve—or forwarding it to the next fiscal year to lower the tax rate that year.

After Fiscal Year 2019 ended on June 30, 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic threw government budgets into chaos, the schools returned $11.5 million from a $1.2 billion school fund. $797.4 million of the school fund came from local taxes.

At the end of Fiscal Year 2022, after forwarding $12 million to their 2023 budget, the School Board wound up with nearly $35.6 million left over. But less than a million of that found its way back to the county after the School Board spent nearly all of it.

On May 10 alone the School Board voted to spend $21.4 million on a list of 33 projects ranging among new school

Commuter buses

Local 689, which has now twice voted to

Transit and Commuter Services Division Manager Scott Gross reported the company has said they’ve got 140 employees and are fully staffed for drivers, but more than 30 are still going through CDL licensing. While those drivers are in training, some bus routes are being served by vans. He said the company has told the county they anticipate getting the vans off the road and full bus service under the current schedules by the end of Decem-

bus camera upgrades, Chromebooks for kindergartners, licensing costs for elementary and middle school science textbooks, recruitment incentives, work on a new Sully Elementary School playground, HVAC replacements and upgrades at various schools, maintenance and ground equipment, fence repairs, water bottle filling stations, and other onetime expenses. Many of those were projects planned for Fiscal Year 2023.

Another $2.5 million went to one-time $1,000 bonuses for part-time summer school workers in a vote May 24.

By the time the money made it back to the county, there was approximately $700,000 left.

At the Dec. 13 finance committee meeting, Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) noted it “seems like their practice has turned into spending a lot of money at the end of the budget cycle.” Deputy Chief Financial Officer Megan Bourke agreed that is county staff’s understanding.

“That’s a discussion that we need to have, because I don’t think that’s ever been the intent of that money,” Letourneau said. “It’s to fund the school budget as proposed, not a bunch of stuff at the end of the school budget because there’s some left. And it’s the county’s money, it’s not the school system’s money.”

In years past, the school board has sent a budget request with general plans on how they intend to spend the money to supervisors, who then decide in annual budget deliberations how much funding to send the schools. Supervisors this year are hoping for an end to those annual debates over school funding, with a proposal to up the school budget each year by 60% of the growth in local tax revenues, whatever that amount happens to be. n

ber. The company expects to be able to offer the service the county hoped to have ready when the Silver Line opened by the end of January.

“That’s what’s being provided to us now,” he said. “If it holds true, we’ll see.”

On Dec. 12, Fairfax County Department of Transportation Special Projects Division Chief Martha Coello reported to the Fairfax County board’s Transportation Committee that the Ashburn and Dulles are the busiest of the six new stations, and there had been 3,500 boardings on the new stations. The most common destinations from the new stations are in Washington, DC. n

The map continued to see more edits, generating some controversy as those changes moved rapidly growing areas and threatened to throw the district population balance out of whack before the map saw its first election. But supervisors ultimately approved the new electoral districts quietly and unanimously on June 9.

The old maps saw one last election, with special elections in the Leesburg and Broad Run districts to fill School Board seats vacated by Beth Barts (Leesburg), who resigned, and Leslee King (Broad Run), who died. Democrat-endorsed Erika Ogedegbe picked up the Leesburg seat, and Republican-endorsed Tiffany Polifko won in Broad run.

Next November, supervisors and School Board members will run for office in the new districts for the first time.

COVID Declared Emergencies End; ERs Swamped

Loudoun and Virginia entered the year with multiple declared states of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with a winter surge in cases, then-Gov. Ralph Northam on Jan. 10 declared a new, 30-day state of emergency, and Loudoun’s long-running local state of emergency had never ended. Over that winter Virginia saw the biggest surge in cases since the beginning of the pandemic. But despite the combination of winter weather and the highly contagious Omicron variant, some health professionals were already seeing good news—along with Loudoun’s high rates of vaccination, the virus seemed to be mutating in the direction of previous pandemics, becoming more contagious but less deadly.

In February, the county wound down its mass vaccination clinic and COVID-19 testing events, and with new guidance from the CDC, mask mandates ended in Loudoun government buildings. The county state of emergency ended in March at just short of two years. And health and government officials took a moment to reflect on the massive undertaking of the past two

years, which left permanent marks—in lives changed and lost, but also with daily commutes replaced with teleworking, and in new latitude to take part in government meetings electronically.

The breather didn’t last. Over the previous two years of the pandemic, people had not only slowed the spread of COVID with social distancing and masks—they had also dramatically reduced the spread of other respiratory illnesses like the flu, the common cold and RSV. And this year, with people out of their houses, the kids back in school and the masks mostly off, emergency rooms saw three years’ worth of respiratory illnesses hit at once. With many emergency rooms at capacity, health leaders in the region have issued repeated pleas for people to get the care they need, meaning not every illness requires an emergency room visit.

Big Spending on Affordable Housing

The year began with the announcement in January of $10 million in funding for affordable housing developments in Loudoun, from a state program established in response to concerns about the expected impact of Amazon’s

second headquarters in Arlington on the region’s housing prices. Loudoun was already on it. The county has been working on encouraging more affordable housing and attracting more funding for those homes for years, and the county’s Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan in its early stages.

The county launched the Rental Housing Acquisition and Preservation Loan Program to help developers finance the cost of buying existing affordable rental housing to keep it on the market. New affordable housing developers entered the Loudoun market for the first time, new state and federal funding poured in, and affordable housing became a sure-fire way to get the county board’s attention in zoning applications.

And in April, a county consultant found requiring more price-controlled units in large developments would have “minimal impact” to developer profits.

It was a year of new pressure for progress from community groups like New Virginia Majority which has pushed the county government to take action, and Workforce Housing Now, a business-led affordable housing

Leesburg

LEESBURG IN REVIEW

Town Threatened Annexation Battle Over Data Centers

After a year of behind-the-scenes negotiations with county leaders, the Town Council in September voted unanimously to initiate an annexation petition to incorporate the entirety of the Compass Creek development, including a Microsoft data center campus.

The town and county previously agreed on two cooperative boundary line adjustments covering portions of Compass Creek, although only one moved forward to completion.

At the core of its annexation petition, the town plans to argue that the Joint Land Management Area that includes Compass Creek was established to accommodate the natural expansion of the town. The draft resolution notes that the property, including the Microsoft land, is served by town water and sewer service and the town claims the data center project could not have developed on schedule without access to town utilities.

The tax impact of annexation has been a central focus of the negotiations. If annexed, the data center campus and other businesses on the property would be subject to both town and county real estate and personal property taxes. While the county would not lose revenue, the property owners would pay more taxes. The two jurisdictions had discussed a revenue-sharing plan.

An adversarial annexation, if a formal application is filed, would be reviewed by the state Commission on Local Government.

Transportation Projects Opened

Several Leesburg transportation priorities moved ahead in 2022.

Town and county leaders in January celebrated the completion of the redesigned Dulles Greenway/South King Street ramp aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety at the afternoon rush hour choke point. Greenway owners TRIP II joined a tri-party agree-

ment with Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg for the approximately $4.4 million project.

In July, a new segment of Crosstrail Boulevard opened, linking Kincaid Boulevard and Russell Branch Parkway. The four-lane, median-divided road provides a connection from Sycolin Road near Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park to Rt. 7. It also offers an alternate route to Battlefield Parkway and Cochran Mill Road. Crosstrail Boulevard will next be extended beyond Sycolin Road to link to the Dulles Greenway interchange at Shreve Mill Road. That work is expected to begin in 2024.

Transportation Projects Advanced

Meanwhile, town leaders are looking ahead to other important transportation projects.

In November, the Town Council picked its preferred interchange design to address a frequent traffic choke point on Rt. 15 bypass/Battlefield Parkway intersection. The “barbell” design incorporates two roundabouts and a bridge to keep traffic—and pedestrians—moving.

The decision followed a months-long public outreach effort during which three design options were evaluated. In addition to the double roundabout, the town looked at a traditional diamond design, and a divergent diamond, similar to the one in place at Rt. 15 and I-66. The double roundabout design scored the highest ranking.

The council’s endorsement vote is an early step in what is likely to be a decade-long march to construction. The interchange has been in the town’s plans since the 1980’s as the Potomac Crossing and Exeter neighborhoods were under construction.

The council also explored options to address afternoon backups on East Market Street inside the bypass—seeking $6 million to construct a dedicated right-turn lane at Plaza Street, helping to keep the flow going. That was the main solution identified in the $95,000 study conducted through VDOT’s Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadways Solutions program.

The council also is applying for SMART SCALE funding for the Leesburg Bypass/Fort Evans Road/Edwards Ferry Road interchange project. The latest cost estimate for the project is $179 million. So far VDOT has allocated only $33 million in its 6-Year Plan. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority has provided $7.4 million for planning and engineering.

to community policing.

Deputy Chief Venessa Grigsby was appointed interim chief while the town conducts a recruitment for the position. She stepped into a similar post during the search that resulting in Brown’s hiring from the Sheriff’s Office six years ago.

Her first day on the job, Dec. 1, was marred by a decision by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission to not reaffirm the department’s accreditation. The department has been accredited since 2006 and was among 104 of more than 300 Virginia law enforcement agencies to have successfully completed the voluntary review. According to the department, during the latest round of evaluation, errors were identified in four of 191 standards measured in the process—all of which were discovered early in 2022, reported to the commission and have since been addressed. The department may refile after 12 months.

Mobile Home Park Sold

After a year of concerns that the property would be sold to a developer, residents of the Leesburg Mobile Home Park in May celebrated the acquisition of the property by David Gregory, who pledged to increase support services for them.

Police Dept. Hit by Departures

As the year opened, the town’s Police Department wrestled with the loss of staff members who retired or quit over the Town Council’s decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all employees.

In total, the town government in January reported nine resignations from the Leesburg Police Department, with seven of the nine citing the mandate as the reason for their departure.

The year closed with the town looking for a new police chief, following the retirement of Gregory Brown, who took over a new position as executive director of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.

Brown had led the department since Oct. 3, 2016. In that time, he was credited with implementing new leadership and management techniques and expanded the department to an authorized staff of 90 sworn officers and 18 civilians while emphasizing a commitment

The sale came months after a previous deal to sell the property for $11 million was called off in the face of community opposition amid fears the residents of the 75 trailer homes would be displaced.

Gregory has not announced longterm plans for the property but has supported efforts by INMED USA to provide skills training and other services to the residents. In June, he also acquired the former Leesburg Auto Recycler property that is adjunct to the mobile home park with plans for INMED to expand operations there.

Murals Flourished Downtown

It was a remarkable year for public art in town.

Two new murals were completed in 2022, calling attention to the community’s role in the Underground Railroad and celebrating the town’s

LEESBURG IN REVIEW continues on page 9

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Leesburg Chief of Police Gregory C. Brown speaks at his swearing-in ceremony in 2016.

Town of Leesburg

A rendering of the double roundabout design for the planned Battlefield Parkway/Leesburg Bypass interchange.

growing music scene.

The Town Council in June approved the Underground Railroad mural to be painted on the Loudoun Museum wall. The project was proposed and underwritten by Carmen Felder, president of the 89 Ways to Give Foundation. Its approval was controversial, with museum leaders and members of the Commission on Public Art objecting to the placement of the artwork or its composition. Three COPA members were dismissed by the council over their efforts to block the mural.

In October, Serina Chowdry painted her large “Celebrate Music” mural at the Virginia Village Shopping Center. The work is the first approved by the town on a commercial property outside the historic district under a new pilot program.

COPA already is looking ahead to its next project, a mural to be displayed on the town shop building along Russell Branch Parkway. Danielle Ferrin’s design illustrates the varied services provided by the town’s public works staff— from traffic lights to drinking water.

over four decades ago.

The town is developing a new memorial for Union Cemetery, where the human remains from the free burial ground, known as Potter’s Field, were reinterned when the graveyard was paved over.

In 1839, the Town of Leesburg purchased a half-acre lot just east of the town boundary to serve as a free burying ground, a cemetery for the poor, convicted criminals and those not affiliated with local churches. Over the

following century, some 300 bodies were interred there. In the early 1980s, progress came to that crossroads, the intersection of East Market Street and Catoctin Circle, and the cemetery was largely paved over by the widening of Market Street and the development of a shopping center. A fast-food restaurant, a bank and travel lanes now cover that ground. The bones of approximately 80 individuals were recovered from the site and buried together in a single plot at Union Cemetery. A granite marker hon-

ors “Unknown Citizens Reinterred from the Town of Leesburg’s Cemetery.”

The $46,000 memorial project envisions a larger memorial area in Union Cemetery, with the town purchasing a block of cemetery plots at Union Cemetery near Rust Library. The space would be converted into a memorial, with a granite obelisk to mark the grave and benches for visitors to reflect on the memory of those buried in the pauper’s cemetery. n

Council Approved ‘Overdue’ Potter’s Field Memorial

In August, the Town Council advanced plans to better honor the memory of the community’s poorest residents, whose final resting place was paved

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The Union Cemetery gravestone marking the reinterred remains of individuals who were buried in the town’s pauper cemetery but moved during construction of a shopping center and road widening project in the early 1980s.

2022

EDUCATION IN REVIEW

Maskless Start to School Year

Fall 2022 marked the first year school began without masks since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, shuttering both schools and businesses to stop the spread. Across the division’s 98 schools, students were greeted by smiling faces instead of masks on Aug. 25.

Earlier in 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order 2 stating parents could decide if their children wore masks in school. The order sparked a debate among parents and administrators and drew criticism from health experts. Administrators emailed parents stating the division supported continued mask wearing, while students showed up maskless in protest. Students who showed up without masks in Loudoun schools were put in care rooms to do schoolwork online. Some parents felt a 10-day quarantine requirement for students who refused to wear masks was a threat of suspension. At the time, the division had shortened the length of time for quarantine from 10 days to five.

New Start, End Times for Several Schools

This year also marked new start times for several schools to accommodate for bus driver shortages. The division has 740 buses in its fleet and covers 541 routes. Twenty-nine elementary schools started 20-25 minutes earlier than

EDUCATION IN REVIEW continues on page 12

Education

Over 900 Sign Petition to Ban Hate Speech at School Board Meetings

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Several hundred county residents have signed a petition in the hopes that it will open a dialogue with the Loudoun County School Board about banning hate speech during public comment sessions at its meetings.

Andrew Pihonak, a 19-year-old western Loudoun resident, created the petition on change.org, an online platform that allows people to create petitions to enact change in their community.

He said he felt it was needed after listening to comments made at School Board meetings for the past few months but especially after the Dec. 13 board meeting.

He said one particular comment against the LGBTQ community really bothered him and that is when he decided to create the petition.

At that meeting, Mark Winn said LGBTQ people’s “behaviors are immoral and typically not accepted in any civilized community.”

“It goes against God’s design for us and goes against the natural order of nature. These behaviors should never have been promoted, taught or encouraged in the schools you are overseeing. ‘Again I say unto you, if any man or woman causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for a millstone to be put around their neck and thrown into the lake,’” Winn said, slightly paraphrasing a passage from the Bible. “It’s not my words. It’s God’s.”

“The petition was created to show hateful people in Loudoun County and everywhere that hateful speech and rhetoric won’t fly here,” Pihonak said.

He was hoping to get 200 signatures, but a week later he has more than 930.

“The sky is the limit. I want to see as

many as possible. Eight hundred people is a lot of people. It’s enough to fill the school board room three times over,” he said.

With the strong showing of support, Pihonak plans to open a dialogue with School Board members to see if a policy can be created that would prohibit hate speech during public comment sessions. He’s hoping with policy, the board will have the power to turn off the microphone if something hateful is said or if someone says something to incite violence.

“At the moment, the board’s procedure is to have to let them speak, then they say ‘thank you’ and then the words get rebroadcast online,” he said.

Pihonak said he’s heard concerns that putting a policy like this in place would go against the First Amendment, but argues,

Fight for Schools Seeks Broader Reforms

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

About 70 people from around Loudoun County met Dec. 21 with Fight for Schools Executive Director Ian Prior to discuss what they plan to do going forward about Loudoun County Public Schools and the School Board following the release of the scathing report from a special grand jury.

The report revealed how the school division handled two sexual assault cases and resulted in the firing of superintendent Scott Ziegler as well as three misdemeanor charges brought against him and one felony charge of perjury brought against school Public Information Officer Wayde Byard.

Prior said the meeting was to regroup after the report revealed failings by the administration and to ensure supporters were on the same page going into 2023 and the School Board

election. He said the eyes of the country have been on Loudoun County and he thinks it will stay that way for a while.

Fight for Schools has been actively involved in issues involving the School Board since April 2021 when it held rallies and spoke out against what it portrayed as Critical Race Theory in the school system. On its website, the organization describes itself as “a non-partisan political action committee that focuses on electing common sense candidates committed to policies that support equal opportunity, tolerance, meritocracy and achievement.”

Prior said the unsealing of the special grand jury report vindicated the work of parents who have been working to get people to understand what is going on in the school division, but said they must move beyond a focus on individual issues.

“Are you going to rail against critical race theory and Policy 8040 and

books in the library? I’m sure people are going to do that and that is their right, but the problems go much deeper, and the problems need to be fixed and it shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” he said. “They should be something that people say, ‘yeah we should set up a system where the marketplace of ideas thrive’ and I think that needs to be the mission and everyone needs to be rowing in the same direction going forward to make sure that happens.”

He called for parents to support broader structural changes within the administration and on the School Board as they move into the new year and the 2023 elections. He said those changes include a rebalancing by cutting out some administrative positions from the top, including salaries and adding more help at the bottom by giving full time assistants to School

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Assistant Principal Deneesha Davis welcomes students to Round Hill Elementary School on the first day of school.

Hate speech

continued from page 10

“the First Amendment doesn’t protect hate speech, or hateful rhetoric against marginalized people.”

The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that there is no “hate speech” exemption to First Amendment protections, but has long debated the limits of free speech. One standard set by the Supreme Court in the 1969 Brandenburg v. Ohio case and refined in the 1973 Hess v. Indiana ruling is that speech is not protected if it “is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action, and is likely to incite or produce

School reforms

continued from page 10

Board members.

“I think the school board fully neglected its duty,” Prior said in regard to the sexual assault scandal. “But this administration is so big and so unwieldy, and it controls the school board, and it interferes with teachers, and it interferes with parents and there is this feeling of ‘how do we fix that?’” he said. Prior also said none of the current School Board members should seek reelection.

“There is just too much history, too much from that report and there is just no way for them to regain trust. There needs to be a clean slate of people and if they aren’t going to step down, they should probably really think about not running again,” he said in regard to the seven on the board when the assaults took place.

Elizabeth Boyko, a parent and supporter of the PAC, said she came to the meeting to hear what Prior had to say and to see what the next steps are for parents.

such action,” a test that continues to evolve today.

The School Board currently has policy in place that outlines procedures for public comment and states speakers are to maintain “civility, decorum and respect for the functioning and dignity of the School Board at all times.”

It also states speakers are to “refrain from vulgarity, obscenities, profanity or other like breaches of respect.”

While the policy states speakers are not to “target, criticize or attack individual students” it doesn’t specifically include protections for marginalized communities.

The policy allows for the board chair to warn a speaker when the rules are broken before ending the speakers time. It also

states the chair can take action to “preserve civility, decorum and orderly conduct of the meeting.”

There is no mention of specific hate speech in the policy.

Brenda Bengtson, a retired Loudoun County Public Schools teacher, said she signed the petition because she too was tired of hearing hateful comments. She said she’s been attending school board meetings for the past 18 months and often speaks first at the meetings to set the tone in the hopes that other speakers will be civil.

“It’s important to me and to people that are watching this even from a distance that they know it’s not the majority,” she said.

Bengtson agreed with Pihonak’s

thoughts that hate speech isn’t protected speech and said, “anyone that thinks free speech includes hate speech is out of touch.”

She said she believes people can come and express their anger and frustration about what is going on in the school or with the school board but believes it can be done in a civil manner without calling names or being negative toward marginalized communities.

She said, without putting in new restrictions, the problem is likely to escalate.

Pihonak said he will keep the petition up and get as many signatures as possible because he thinks more people will want to support it and believes there is “power in numbers.” n

“I think the focus from Loudoun County needs to be on educating the kids and that has gotten lost in this entire mess. … It should be about educating the kids and what we are doing to produce good citizens and good students,” she said, adding that anyone elected to the School Board needs to be invested in that mindset.

Although he is a former Trump administration appointee who has a career in communications for Republican candidates and Fight for School is a political action committee that has only supported Republican candidates to date, Prior said he doesn’t want an all conservative, or all Republican, or all Democrat board. He said all nine members should be “committed to the same general principal of institutional reform, oversite, and who are responsible and accountable.”

“I would encourage all groups to stop trying to fight with other people you may disagree with on things and find that common ground and stop attacking other members of the community, and that goes for both sides,” Prior said. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Fight for Schools Executive Director Ian Prior speaks during a forum on Dec 21. Prior spoke about priorities going into the 2023 election.

EDUCATION IN REVIEW

continued from page 10

in previous years, with a 7:30 start time. Thirty others started 10 minutes later and 12 middle and 17 high schools had their start and end times adjusted. Bus issues lingered well into the school year despite efforts to manage them, including students that weren’t granted alternate bus routes, crowded buses and some students who weren’t assigned to a bus after having an assignment previously.

Park View Rebuild Announced

In September, then-Superintendent Scott Ziegler recommended rebuilding Park View High School rather than make continued renovations. The Sterling community supported rebuilding the Title One school after having campaigned for months at School Board meetings, citing concerns that included flooding and thin walls. On Dec. 13, cheers erupted from community members at the administration building when the school board adopted a $1.3 billion Capital Improvement Program and Capital Asset Preservation Program that included rebuilding the 46 year old school for $221.7 million. Additional construction projects included in the FY2024-FY2029 plan include renovating Banneker Elementary School ($38.9 million), Waterford Elementary School ($20 million), a new middle school and $271 million for a new high school in the Dulles North area.

Plans for what the Park View rebuild could look like were released during a public hearing for the community in early November. Once funding is approved in July 2023, the school rebuild will begin. It’s projected to take two-and-a-half to three years of actual construction,

with building starting in the summer of 2024 or early 2025. The school is expected to open fall 2027. Students will continue to attend Park View while the new school is being built where the current football stadium is.

families; and 29 individuals from his church and the community. He was then chosen as the 2023 Region 4 Teacher of the Year in August.

Elaine Thompson Elementary School Opened

time students are back in school for 180 days since the 2019-2020 school year.

Year of the Educator

Two New Board Members Elected

After a special election in November, two new members joined the School Board. Tiffany Polifko won as the Broad Run District representative and Erika Ogedegebe is the New Leesburg District representative. Polifko won a threeway race between appointed incumbent Andrew Hoyler and Nicholas Gothard. Ogedgbe also won a three-way race against Lauren Shernoff and Mike Rivera. Tom Marshall, who was appointed to the fill the Leesburg District seat after Beth Barts stepped down, withdrew from the race.

With the start of the 2022-23 school year, Loudoun County Public Schools opened its first three-story school. Elaine Thompson Elementary School is named after longtime Hamilton resident, teacher, historian and writer Elaine E. Thompson. She was a founding member of the Thomas Balch Library’s Black History Committee. Thompson donated her great-great-great grandfather’s freedom papers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Thompson passed away in 2016. The school is the first elementary school in the county to have solar panels built into its design, saving taxpayers about $65,000 a year in energy costs.

Attendance Zone Changes for Secondary Schools

On Dec. 13, the School Board adopted new secondary attendance zone changes. The changes were brought about to relieve overcrowding at Loudoun County High School. The school district projected the high school would have approached its building capacity in the next few years without changes to attendance zones and cited this as one of the main reasons for the rezone. Chair Jeff Morse (Dulles) noted at the start of the changes that a rezoning hadn’t ever been done before without a new school opening. The board adopted Morse’s plan which called for changes being made mostly in central Loudoun. His changes shifted several attendance zones out of Loudoun County High School and into Tuscarora. The only change in eastern Loudoun was made to two zones to the west of Rt. 28. Changes will go into effect Fall 2023.

The Year of the Educator is an initiative created by school division administrators and the Loudoun Education Foundation. The goal is to surprise a randomly selected teacher and support staff every month during the 2022-23 school year. Each winner will get a visit from the superintendent who will present them with a prize valued at $500 or more. The first Year of the Educator recipient was Meghan Alice Smith, an early childhood special education teacher at Ashburn Elementary School in September. Other recipients include an English teacher from Lightridge High School, a Science teacher at Blue Ridge Middle School and a school nutrition worker at Woodgrove High School.

Collective Bargaining Update

Rockridge’s Markwood Named Teacher of the Year

Jordan Markwood, the Fine Arts Department chair and choral director at Rockridge High School was named the 2022 Washington Post Teacher of the Year in April. Markwood was chosen out of 18 teachers from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. His Teacher of the Year nomination package included input from more than 115 people, including 44 Loudoun County Public Schools educators, 25 of whom are music educators; nine choral directors from across the region and state; students; parents;

School Calendar with 180 Student Days Adopted

The School Board opted to go back to a 180-day student calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. After having six calendar options presented, the board adopted a calendar that puts the first day of school on Aug. 24, gives students a four day Labor Day weekend, a shorter winter break and the last day of school being June 14. The adopted calendar also has teachers working 194 days with their first day Aug. 16 and their last day June 18. This calendar marks the first-

In January, Loudoun Education Association was ready to begin talks with the school division to implement collective bargaining, but negotiations were stalled after the division asked for confidential membership information. LEA is tasked with getting a majority of 16,000 signatures in favor of collective bargaining in order to open a dialogue with the School Board. The association submitted a letter in October 2021 notifying the School Board it had obtained all the necessary memberships in the form of authorization cards signed by educators to begin collective bargaining, but the division argued it needed to verify the accuracy of the information before moving forward. However, many teachers and staff expressed frustration over this, citing privacy concerns. In May, LEA confirmed it had miscalculated its membership numbers and in June, the board approved a 90-day extension to get the required signatures. That was extended again in August to 180 days to ensure the signatures already gathered don’t expire. The 180-day extension expires at the beginning of February 2023.

The School Board does not have to extend collective bargaining rights even if a majority of members support it. Collective bargaining allows unions to bargain on behalf of their members in contract negotiations. n

Loudoun County Public Schools

An image of what the Park View rebuild may look like and where on the campus the new school will be built.

Jordan Markwood

Polifko Ogedegebe

Police Seek Additional Victims in Sex Offense Investigation

A 29-year-old tennis instructor from Woodbridge was arrested last week for alleged sex offenses involving a juvenile.

Brandon Larsen was charged with possession of child pornography and electronic solicitation following an investigation by detectives with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.

The charges stem from an incident that is alleged to have occurred in August and was reported to the Sheriff’s Office in September. The juvenile victim told detectives of meeting Larsen on an online platform and exchanging messages that subsequently turned sexual in nature.

Larsen turned himself in Dec. 20 and was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

The Special Victims Unit is asking anyone with additional information regarding similar incidents with Larsen to contact Detective R. Burnett at 703-777-1021.

Leesburg Police Charge 2 Vape Shop Clerks for Underage Sales

The Leesburg Police Department Special Investigations Unit last week con-

Public Safety

ducted an underage vaping operation at four tobacco stores, resulting in two clerks being charged with selling tobacco vaping products to customers under the age of 21.

The allegedly illegal sales occurred at the Tobacco Hut and Leesburg Tobacco & Vape, both located on East Market St.

The clerks were each issued a summons for violating the state law that prohibits the purchase, possession, and sale of tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and hemp products intended for smoking to persons under 21 years of age. A violation is punishable by a civil fine.

“Operations like these send a clear message to retail establishments in town, that they are responsible for training their staff to properly follow the law to ensure that age restricted products are only sold to those of legal age,” stated Capt. David Smith. “For this reason, the Leesburg Police Department periodically conducts operations relating to the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages to underage persons.”

The department’s School Resource Officer Unit in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office provides education on the dangers of vaping through the D.A.R.E. program to students at both the elementary and middle school level.

Dulles CBP Seizes Giraffe, Zebra Bones

A Fauquier County woman was detained at Dulles Airport after giraffe and

zebra bones she found in Kenya were found in her luggage.

According to Customs and Border Protection, the traveler filed a declaration that she was bringing back a small Acacia tree twig. An X-ray of her bags found larger items, later determined to be the animal bones, which she said were souvenirs. A check with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that importing the bones violated provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Endangered Species Act, and the Lacey Act. CBP was directed to seize the bones.

She was permitted to keep the Acacia twig. She was not criminally charged.

“I can appreciate travelers wanting to keep souvenirs of their vacations, but those souvenirs could violate United States or international law, or potentially expose our families, pets or our nation’s agriculture industries to serious animal or plant diseases,” stated Kim Der-Yeghiayan, acting area port director for CBP’s Area Port of Washington, D.C. “Customs and Border Protection strongly encourages all travelers to know what they can and cannot pack in their baggage before returning to or visiting the United States and to declare all items upon arrival.”

During a typical day last year, CBP agriculture specialists across the nation seized 4,552 prohibited plant, meat, animal byproducts, and soil, and intercepted 319 insect pests at U.S. ports of entry, according to the agency. n

Academy Grads Join Law Enforcement Rosters

STAFF REPORT

The Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy last week celebrated the graduation of its largest Basic Law Enforcement School class, including several who will be joining Loudoun law enforcement agencies.

The Sheriff’s Office added six new deputies from the class. Two of the recruits received special honors during Monday’s ceremony. Deputy Samuel Zinkgraf received the Academic Award and Deputy Sean Doogue received the Human Performance Award. Additionally, Deputy Edmund Chong was elected as president of the academy’s 147th class, its largest ever.

The other new deputies are Christopher Brannan, Edmund Chong, and

James Laverty.

“We are very excited for the six new deputies to join our family. I wish them the best as they begin working with our community and continuing to make Loudoun County one of the safest and

best places to live in the nation,” stated Sheriff Mike Chapman.

So far this year, the Loudoun

ACADEMY GRADS continues on page 15

SAFETY IN REVIEW

Murder Suspect was

Captured in Dubai

The investigation into the Dec. 30, 2021, murder of 57-year-old Brambleton resident Najat Chemlali Goode kicked of an international manhunt for her suspected killer.

Furqan Syed was apprehended in Dubai in March following a coordinated effort with the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Abu Dhabi Police, and Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office detectives.

Syed, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, armed burglary, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He fled the country in the days after the killing.

A second suspect in the case was initially charged with being an accessory to the killing for driving Syed to and from Goode’s home. Days before his scheduled trial, county prosecutors brought a more serious charge of conspiracy to commit murder. At trial, the Circuit Court judge dismissed the case, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support the charge.

Syed is scheduled for a 15-day jury trial starting April 3.

Jury Issued Convictions in Walmart Shooting

A Loudoun Circuit Court jury in May handed down guilty verdicts against a Sterling man who shot at two deputies—severely injuring one—last year in the Dulles Crossing Plaza Walmart store.

Steven E. Thodos faces sentences of 20 years to life in prison on the three most serious charges, two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer and aggravated malicious wounding. He also was found guilty of two

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has added six new deputies following the Dec. 19 graduation ceremony at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.

Larsen

SAFETY IN REVIEW

counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, which carry mandatory minimum three-year prison sentences, and grand larceny.

A sentencing hearing is set for March 20.

The incident began just before 5 p.m. Jan. 2, 2021, when loss prevention officers at the Sterling Walmart detained Thodos on suspicion of stealing items, claiming he was “skip scanning” merchandise at the checkout—that is, putting some items with his purchases without processing them in the payment system.

Thodos was being held in a room with the civilian security officers and two other suspected shoplifters when Deputy First Class Camron Gentry arrived. The suspect resisted the deputy’s efforts to pat him down and search him. When Deputy First Class Charles Ewing arrived, they tried together but were thrown to the ground. They said Thodos then pulled out a handgun and fired at them. The loss prevention officers also sustained injuries. As the suspect ran from the security office and out of the store, Ewing fired shots at Thodos, striking him in the arm.

Thodos then stole a pickup from a nearby business and led law enforcement on a chase down Rt. 28 into Fairfax County, where he crashed and later was arrested.

Decker Cold Case Closed with Conviction

Eleven years after 21-year-old Bethany Anne Decker was reported missing, investigators finally closed the case.

During a Nov. 17 Circuit Court hearing, Ronald D. Roldan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He faces a sentence of five to 40 years in prison. A hearing is scheduled Feb. 21.

Roldan was living with Decker in Ashburn when she went missing in 2011. Decker was five months pregnant and in her final semester at George Mason University. Her car was left in the parking lot of her apartment complex, and she has never been found.

Roldan had been a person of interest

in the case since Decker’s disappearance but was not charged in the case until November 2020.

General Assembly Elected 2 New Judges

The General Assembly this year elected two Loudoun judges who began their terms Dec. 1.

The legislature cemented its decision to not re-elect Circuit Court Judge Jeanette A. Irby to a second eight-year term by appointing District Court Judge Matthew Parke Snow to her bench seat.

The assembly then elected Leesburg attorney William R. Fitzpatrick to fill Snow’s District Court seat for a six-year term.

While already actively taking cases, the judges are scheduled to have their formal investiture ceremonies in January.

Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2013 following the retirement of Judge James H. Chamblin and was subsequently elected to a full eight-year term in 2014, was appointed to a second eight-year term.

Irby was elected to the bench in 2014 to fill the seat of retired Judge Thomas D. Horne. In January, she was endorsed for reelection in the state Senate, but her name was pulled from the nomination list by the House of Delegates. That action followed a December 2021 joint meeting of the House Courts of Justice Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee during which she was questioned about low scores in the Judicial Performance Evaluations.

Snow was elected to the District Court judgeship in 2020.

Fitzpatrick was a principal with Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White. Prior to joining the firm in 2000, he served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Loudoun County and an assistant public defender in Fairfax County and Roanoke.

Collins Faces Life Sentence in Sterling Murder

The investigation into the July 8, 2020, fatal shooting of Jose I. Escobar Menendez on a Sterling street ended in guilty pleas by the two suspects.

Gavin Collins pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during his trial in

continued from page 13 SAFETY IN REVIEW continues on page 15

rest he has been held at Central State Hospital in Petersburg undergoing psychiatric review after being declared unfit to stand trial.

SAFETY IN

REVIEW continued from page 14

August. That conviction carries a sentence of life in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled Feb. 2.

The co-defendant Joshua Mark Hunter pleaded guilty to reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter and the charge of robbery with a gun. A voluntary manslaughter conviction, a Class 5 felony, carries a sentence of one to 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 19.

According to evidence in the case, the two men were on a five-day methamphetamine bender and looking for ways to get money. They lured Escobar to meet them at the Village at Potomac Falls apartment complex where they shot him and took his car. They sold it for $500 in Prince William County.

Murder Suspect Released, Recaptured

The 2021 murder case against a Round Hill man moved to Circuit Court this year, but the move closer to trial was far from ordinary.

Stone L. Colburn, 25, was charged with second-degree murder in July 2021 following the fatal stabbing of Natalie Crow at their home in Round Hill’s Stoneleigh neighborhood. Since his ar-

As his evaluating doctor was preparing to declare Colburn unfit to stand trial, county prosecutors sought to keep him in the rehabilitation process longer by filing a new charge in Circuit Court.

The maneuver went awry when Colburn was released from the Loudoun jail after the original charges were dropped in District Court, even though a new charge already had been filed in Circuit Court. Colburn was apprehended while traveling with his family near Savannah, GA. The incident resulted in finger-pointing between the Sheriff’s Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney over who allowed a person suspected of murder to be released from the county jail.

Colburn has since returned to Central State Hospital for treatment. A Jan. 5 status hearing is scheduled.

Fugitive Sex Offender Captured After 2 Decades

A 45-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting a girl in 2001 is expected to plead guilty Feb. 9 following a two-decade-long international law enforcement search.

Franklin Antonio Carcamo Giron faces two charges of rape of a juvenile under the age of 13 years old. He was arrested in September 2001, but fled after being released from jail on bond prior to his court date.

In 2019, Leesburg Police detectives and the department’s crime and traffic

analyst determined that Carcamo Giron was living in eastern El Salvador. He was arrested there on Aug. 18, 2020, and finally extradited to Loudoun two years later.

Leesburg Bank Robber Sent to Prison

The 66-year-old Winchester man who was arrested following a three-county police chase one day after robbing a Leesburg bank was sentenced to four years in prison.

On Nov. 19, 2021, Kenneth W. Sencindiver entered the M&T Bank on East Market Street and handed a bank teller a note demanding cash from her drawer and claiming there were armed accomplices waiting outside. He left the bank with about $525 in cash, but a dye pack exploded before he got to the car where his son was waiting for him nearby.

Sencindiver was charged with robbery, use of a firearm during a felony, two counts of transporting a weapon by a felon, and three counts of possession of ammunition by a felon. He pleaded guilty to two charges—robbery with threat or intimidation, and possession or transporting ammunition by a convicted felon.

Leesburg Murder Case Heads to Trial

The Leesburg man charged with murder in the April 4, 2022, fatal shooting of his cousin is scheduled for Jan. 17 trial.

Investigators said Nelson Coronado Jr. shot Javaun Wright, 21, of Waldorf,

MD, inside a Fort Evans Road apartment in Leesburg.

During a preliminary hearing in September, testimony indicated Wright was acting aggressively after taking prescription drugs and alcohol earlier in the evening and the shooting happened after he fought with a female acquaintance who was trying to calm him and then lunged at Coronado, who shot him.

While the case presented elements of self-defense, District Court Judge Deborah C. Welsh ruled there was probable cause to send the case to a grand jury, which issued a second-degree murder indictment.

Son Charged in Death of Brewery Industry Leader

The son of a longtime and wellknown Loudoun brewer has been undergoing mental evaluation following an April assault that left his father dead and him facing a murder charge.

Dean Lake, 57, was found dead in his Leesburg home with apparent blunt force trauma to his upper body. In a long brewing career, he was the co-founder and head brewer of the former Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery, which operated on Catoctin Circle from 2016 to 2020. Most recently, Lake was the director of operations at Black Hoof Brewing in downtown Leesburg.

Leesburg Police charged his son Schuyler Lake, 21, with second degree murder, credit card theft, and credit card fraud in connection with Dean Lake’s death. The case is pending in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. n

Academy grads

continued from page 13

Sheriff’s Office has hired 54 sworn personnel, including 28 pre-certified officers from law enforcement agencies in Virginia, and 10 sworn officers are from out of state.

The Leesburg Police Department is welcoming four new officers.

Officers Zachary Depoy, Chloe Kopnik, Kevin Orellana, and Jacobus Schoeman completed the course. Depoy graduated with a special honor: the Excellence in Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Award.

The new officers will be placed in a structured 12-week field training program before being certified for solo patrol.

“I am confident they will continue in the department’s tradition of providing

exceptional community service to our residents, businesses, and visitors,” Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby stated in announcing the graduations. “Please wel-

come them when you see them out in the community.”

The Purcellville Police Department last week held a swearing in ceremony for

two new officers, Carl Benjamin Nett and Belaal Khan, following their completion of the academy training.

Nett was presented the Director’s Award for Academic Excellence during the graduation ceremony.

Nett and Khan will undergo three months of field training before being released as solo patrol officers in town.

The Basic Law Enforcement School involves more than 700 hours training during the 20-week program. The program covers a variety of categories including criminal investigation, legal, patrol, and practical skills, first-aid, CPR, crisis intervention, control tactics, and firearms and driver training.

The academy is led by former Leesburg Police Chief Gregory Brown, who took over as executive director after retiring from that post Dec. 1.n

Leesburg Police Photo

The Leesburg Police Department is welcoming four new officers, following the Dec. 19, graduation ceremony at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in Ashburn.

Among Those We Lost in 2022

Henry Garnett Plaster, Jr.

Henry Garnett Plaster, Jr., 93, of Bluemont, Virginia, died March 21. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1954 where he played a major role in a variety of CIA efforts including the CORONA and HEXAGON satellite programs—and others we don’t know about. His signature is on the deed to the Air Force’s test and training range now known as Area 51. He retired in 1993 as the Cold War waned, following 43 years with the agency. He then moved to his family farm Glenmeade in Bluemont where he turned his energies to fighting to protect rural land in western Loudoun County and preserve the area’s Civil War history. He was the longtime Chairman of the Snickersville Turnpike Association and a very active member of the Bluemont Citizens Association.

Dr. Donald Sabella

Dr. Donald Sabella died on May 7. He was the first operational medical director for Loudoun Fire-Rescue, credited as the driving force in the expansion of emergency services at Loudoun Memorial Hospital starting in 1980. That included emergency room expansions, increase in staffing, the hospital’s move from Leesburg to Lansdowne, and the establishment of a free-standing emergency room. Sabella served as the Loudoun Fire-Rescue system’s operational medical director from 1984 to 2003. In 1990, he was recognized with the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Virginia’s EMS System and in 1995 was given Loudoun’s Clark Deener

Award. The Emergency Department at Loudoun Hospital Center in Lansdowne is dedicated to Sabella.

Paul Garibaldi Ziluca

Paul Garibaldi Ziluca died May 12 at age 94. A graduate of the Culver Military Academy and Harvard College, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served for 28 years, including Vietnam in 1968, and retiring as a colonel. In civilian life, Paul became a devoted preservationist, mapping the Civil War battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville and serving for eight years as chairman of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the nation’s largest holder of conservation easements. He served as Loudoun County Republican Party chairman from 1991 to 1994, a period that featured the county’s first all-Republican Board of Supervisors. He resigned the local party in 2003 to support a smart-growth slate of board candidates led by Scott K. York, a Republican who won re-election as county chair running as an independent that year and in two subsequent elections.

Charles Lindy Waddell

Charles Lindy Waddell died July 19 at age 90. He represented Loudoun County in the Virginia Senate for 26 years. A native of Braselton, GA, Waddell worked as a passenger service officer for American Airlines at National Airport before he was transferred to Dulles Airport when it began operations in 1962. He became active in politics, serving as chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee in the 1960s. In 1967, he was elected to represent the Broad Run District on the county Board of Supervisors. Among his legislative

priorities at the time was to provide free textbooks for Loudoun’s public-school students. Following redistricting in 1971, Waddell ran for the newly created 33rd District Senate that covered Loudoun and western Fairfax counties. It was a seat that he would hold almost three decades. During his time in Richmond, Waddell was a leader on transportation issues, serving as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation. His work included the creation of the Rt. 28 Tax District in the late 1980s that transformed the congested two-lane road to the highway that exists today. He also championed legislation that resulted in construction of the Dulles Greenway as a privately owned highway. On the campaign trail and among his colleagues in Richmond, Waddell was known as the singing senator, with versions of the Wabash Cannon Ball a go-to selection. He retired from the state Senate in 1998 to take a position as deputy secretary of Transportation in the administration of Gov. James Gilmore.

Paul Arthur Reimers

Paul Arthur Reimers died July 30, at age 59. An Eagle scout with a passion for the outdoors, Reimers founded PR Construction in 1985, and built hundreds of custom homes and restorations in Leesburg and the surrounding areas. He spent 12 consecutive years leading mission trips to Honduras. He was a founding member and served as president of the Partnership for Clean Water and Education. He was also a long-standing member of the Leesburg Board of Architectural Review. In November, the Loudoun Design Cabinet awarded the Vision in Design Award to

Reimers in recognition of his “indelible impact on the streetscapes of Leesburg and so many other places” and his commitment to high-quality design and construction, dedication to historic preservation, mentorship to employees, and civic service.

Joan Gillette Rokus

Joan Gillette Rokus died Dec. 9 at age 89. A physical education teacher and highly rated USTA tennis player, her early civic service included stints as president of the Catoctin Elementary PTA and president of the Northern Virginia District PTA Council. Her interest in the environment and wildlife led her to the presidency of Keep Loudoun Beautiful, where she brought attention to removing litter from not just roadways, but also waterways by initiating the first annual creek cleanup via canoes on scenic Goose Creek. During her two-term tenure as a Loudoun County Supervisor for the Leesburg District, she served as the vice chair of the board as well as chair of various committees. She also was recognized for her work on historic preservation and parks, including Temple Hall Farm Park, Aldie Mill and Mount Zion Church. For many years, she presided over the annual Arbor Day ceremonies. She represented Loudoun County on the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for 23 years and served on the National Recreation and Parks Association Board of Trustees for nine years. She also served on the Thomas Balch Library Advisory Board. She was named 1999 Loudoun TimesMirror Citizen of the Year and 1993 Person of the Year

by the Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Henry Plaster at his family home, Glenmeade Farm, in Bluemont in 2019 during an interview discussing his role in the U.S.-USSR space race, including a briefing he gave to President John F. Kennedy that contributed to the 1961 decision to commit the nation to putting a man on the moon within the decade.

Loudoun Laurels Photo

Paul Ziluca was a leading advocate of protecting the Civil War battlefields in southwestern Loudoun where the landscape is little changed since those 1863 clashes.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now Charles L. Waddell represented Loudoun County in the state Senate for 28 years.

Norman K. Styer/Balch Library, Leesburg Today Photo Collection Joan Rokus glides down Goose Creek with a canoe full of collected litter during a Keep Loudoun Beautiful clean-up workday.

Obituaries

Thomas Woodrow Rose

Thomas Woodrow Rose Jr, 80, of Leesburg, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022. Tom was born January 18th, 1942, in Upperville, VA, to Thomas Woodrow Rose Sr. and Esther Neff Rose. He was married to Mary Frances Rose on June 22nd, 1962. Tom was a strong, kindhearted man, who put family above all else. The highlight of his career was proudly serving as the President and CEO of LEO Construction Company. Tom’s biggest passion was his caring for others. The vast ripple effects made through the many lives he has touched and positively influenced, will continue to create positive changes in this world for decades to come. Tom is predeceased by his wife (Mary Frances Rose), granddaughter (Jordan Elizabeth Rose), and his siblings (Donald Neff Rose Sr, Dora Lee Hardy, Debra Lou Fogle, and Helen Jean Stevens). Tom is survived by his son (Michael David Rose), daughter (Michele Dawn Rose), Grandsons (Seth Thomas Rose and Spencer Michael Rose), and his siblings (Pendred Allen Rose, Sherry Ruth Garrison, John Michael Rose, and Pamela Kay Gaul). He is also survived by his daughter-in-law (Kathi Marie Rose), granddaughter-in-law (Virginia Moore Rose), sister-in-law (Sally Beaver) and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive visitors at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA on Friday, January 6th, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7th, 2023, 10:00 am at Leesburg Baptist Community Church, 835 Lee Avenue, Leesburg, VA. Interment will follow in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Upperville, VA. Memorials may be sent to the Loudoun Food Bank and the SPCA. Please share condolences with family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com

Kathleen Moore Doddridge

Kathleen Moore

Doddridge died peacefully at her home in Lansdowne on Friday December 16th. Kathy was born in Buffalo, New York on September 13, 1948, to Cecil and Marion Moore. She

grew up in Buffalo, where she graduated from Bishop O’Hern High School and Canisius College, majoring in Political Science and History. After a high school trip to Washington DC, she knew that she wanted to work on Capitol Hill. So, shortly after graduation from college, she moved to Arlington, Virginia and found her passion as a Research Librarian for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress. During her 35 years at the Library of Congress, she received numerous awards and honors for her work on projects including the Watergate Hearings, energy policy, the drug crisis, and many others. She retired after a career of interesting and fulfilling work in 2006. One of her colleagues described Kathy as the quiet one, but the smartest person on her team. “She kept her light under a barrel, but it shone brightly once she spoke.” Another said: (I was) “always in awe of her unbridled dedication and consummate work ethic. There was no one whom I admired more for her quiet yet effective way of answering the most difficult requests that we received.” After retirement from the CRS, she worked at the Alexandria Public Library as a Librarian for five years. In 2010, Kathy and her husband Jim moved to Lansdowne Woods to be closer to their daughter and her four children. It was then that Kathy found her new passion: working with horses and special needs children at Morven Park, the original home of Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. For eight years, she found great joy in helping others find confidence and strength through the healing power of horses, as she volunteered as a side-walker to a horse and a special needs rider. Always the researcher, she took riding lessons during this time to help her understand the interactions and bond between horse and rider. Kathy was also a dog lover. She loved them all, but her favorite was Flopsey, a beloved black Standard Poodle, who provided many years of enjoyment for her and the family. More recently, she enjoyed dog-sitting her grand-dog Cooper, a small white Havanese that loved sitting on her lap. Kathy cherished time with her children and grandchildren, whether it be at family gatherings over dinner or at the beach - or on the sidelines of their wide-ranging sports activities: swim team, basketball, baseball, or lacrosse. She was one of their biggest fans, attending games as often as possible. She also adored attending their choral and band performances. She will be most missed as a loving wife, mother, and friend. One friend noted: “She was the complete picture of

a friend with a warmth that eclipsed the term.” Another said: “She never did anything in life that would cause others any sadness or pain. May she now rest in peace with the assurance that she brought life, peace, and happiness to all who were near and dear to her.” She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jim, and her children Sharon Doddridge Renehan of Purcellville Virginia and Christopher Moore Doddridge (Ashley) of Ft Myers Florida, her six grandchildren, and her brother Rod Moore of San Anselmo, California. Viewing at Loudoun Funeral Chapel on Monday, January 2nd from 5:00-8:00 pm. There will be a Funeral Mass held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn at 10:30 am on Tuesday January 3rd. Graveside Services will be held on a date to be determined at Culpeper National Cemetery, Culpeper Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, Lovettsville VA 20180. Share condolences with the family at: www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com

Sally Mathieson Caseman

Sally Mathieson Caseman, 82, formerly of Purcellville, VA, died on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, in Leesburg, Virginia. Born Thursday, August 22, 1940, in Steubenville, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas Mathieson and the late Marjorie Briscoe Mathieson. Sally was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Jerry Caseman. They were married July 11, 1964. Sally attended Follansbee High School and graduated from West Liberty State College in 1962. She went on to receive her Masters Degree in Education from West Virginia University. She began teaching first grade at Millsop Primary School in Weirton, WV. In 1964, Sally married Jerry and began to travel the world with him as a Navy officer’s wife. Sally was an intrepid explorer, and while Jerry was stationed on aircraft carriers, Sally raised Beth and Susan and saw everything she could see in the Philippines, Cyprus, Athens, Italy and England, toddlers in tow. After Polly was born, Sally and Jerry moved to Norfolk, VA, followed by tours in Fort Meade, MD; Adak, AK; and finally back in Washington, DC. Each time they moved, Sally worked tirelessly to make military housing feel like home for her family. She was an avid gardener, a re-

nowned shopper, and enjoyed tennis - she also refinished furniture, kept an immaculate home, and made sure her family sat down to a home cooked meal every night. In Adak, Alaska, Sally became a playground monitor at the elementary school, possibly the windiest, coldest playground in the world, and loved every minute of it. In high school Sally had been an accomplished actor and director, and she gifted her daughters with a love of literature and poetry. She enjoyed her years working at the Herndon Fortnightly Library in Herndon, VA and could always be counted upon for a good book recommendation. Sally always loved children, and was delighted with her role as a grandmother. She taught her children and grandchildren the value of hard work, perseverance, kindness, and a sense of humor. Sally also loved to take the road less traveled. In their later years, Sally and Jerry spent many happy hours driving the back country roads of western Loudoun, finding bookstores, bakeries and coffee shops in out of the way places, and enjoying the long way home. Sally’s family will carry her adventuresome spirit, generous nature, wry sense of humor, and kind heart with them and she will never be forgotten. Sally leaves behind her three beloved daughters and devoted sons-in-law, Susan and Don Loveday of Roanoke, VA, Beth Caseman and Stuart Bowen of Round Hill, VA, and Polly and Bryan Hughes of Leesburg, VA, and 10 grandchildren she loved and spoiled: Tom, Nick, and Caroline Loveday; Elise, Dane, and Graeme Bowen; and Carly (Aedan Pettit), Casey, Colin, and Caleb Hughes. Sally also leaves behind her beloved sisters Alice (David) Javersak of Wheeling, WV, and Mary Beth Harvey of Wellsburg, WV; four brothers-in-law: Lynn (Milli) Caseman of Middlebourne, WV, Kent Caseman (Martine Swain) of Atlanta, GA, Paul David (Patty) Caseman of Phoenix, AZ, and Chris (Nancy) Caseman of Dumfries, VA; and multiple nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Harmony United Methodist Church, 308 E Colonial Hwy, Hamilton, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday at Harmony United Methodist Church with the Pastor Debra Lucas officiating. Interment will be on January 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sally’s honor to All Ages Read Together, 1141 Elden St. Suite 100, Herndon, VA 20170. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com

TOWNS IN REVIEW

HAMILTON Mayor Simpson Retired after Crash

After serving four years as a Town Council member and eight years as mayor, David Simpson retired this year.

The longtime law enforcement officer first ran for mayor in 2006, coming up short in the balloting. In 2010, he was the top vote-getter in the Town Council elections. He ran again for mayor in 2014, and had been reelected to that office ever since.

Simpson stepped away from his duties for several weeks starting in January as he recovered from a serious car crash. He returned in March, but later decided to step down.

Ken Wine served in his place and was elected to a full term as mayor in November.

HILLSBORO

Once Forgotten Hillsboro Gravesites Memorialized

Members of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church in July held a special dedication to honor 75 people buried in unmarked graves at the Arnold Grove East Cemetery.

Established in 1847, the cemetery includes the remains of freed and enslaved Black people, residents of mixed race, Native Americans and Europeans. The Arnold Grove Methodist Church was constructed in 1835 by abolitionists led by the Reverend William D. Wicks. The Black community was invited to worship in the church and to bury their dead in the East Cemetery. The graves were discovered in 2017, and their locations were identified in 2018 by ground penetrating radar.

An 85-foot-long memorial wall, constructed with stone from the same source as the stone of the

TOWNS IN REVIEW continues on page 19

Towns

Fraser, Milan Defend Town’s Rt. 690 Interchange Work

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

Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser and mayor-elect Stanley Milan this week both defended the Purcellville Town Council’s decision to send project plans for the Fields Farm Athletic Complex and the Rt. 7/690 interchange back to the town’s Planning Commission at a Dec. 13 meeting. County officials have warned the continued delays, more than two years after the county filed applications and permits with the town on those projects, now risk a major source of state funding for the interchange and could mean it is delayed indefinitely.

“As the Mayor of Purcellville, I disagree with the County’s version of events and their assertion that the Town has delayed the project,” Fraser wrote in a letter to the Loudoun Now editor Tuesday.

In a post on his Facebook page Monday, Milan wrote he had read through

Hillsboro Rallies to Aid Family after Fire

Even as fire crews worked to extinguish flames ripping through the historic former church building on Tuesday morning, town of Hillsboro leaders already were at work to help the Hawkins family who live there.

The fire at the home, located on the southside of Rt. 9 at the center of town, was reported at approximately 9:15 a.m. Dec. 27. Crews remained at the scene for more than six hours, with the road closed to traffic during that period.

The residents, Don and Cindy Hawkins safely evacuated, along with their pets.

The Hillsboro Preservation Foundation quickly established a fundraiser through its Neighbors in Need program to assist the family with emergency expenses. Within hours, the

several emails, “making accusations that these citizens [members of the Purcellville Town Council and Planning Commission] are remiss in performing their sworn duties.” He added, “and nothing could be further from the truth than what is being promoted on social media, printed media and via email.”

Both wrote that they have concerns about a change to the project’s design, referring to a change approved in 2019.

The county first envisioned a diamond interchange, with ramps from Rt. 7 leading to stoplights on Rt. 690, in 2013. After gathering public input including meet-

ing with the public on April 16, 2018 at Woodgrove High School, and after studying the project’s costs, the county modified plans for the intersection to replace the stoplights with roundabouts.

According to records from that meeting, public comment at the April meeting had heavily favored the roundabouts, and a VDOT Value Engineering process found the new design would save about $3 million. The county’s traffic studies also found the new design would lead to shorter delays and lines during the morning rush hour.

The new “barbell” interchange was approved in 2019. Loudoun County filed the first paperwork with the town—in the case of the interchange, all administrative decisions that require no town council vote—in August 2020, according to County Administrator Tim Hemstreet.

The interchange and park-and-ride are partially funded with SMART SCALE

campaign had raised more than $3,000. Contribute to the Don and Cindy Fire Recovery Fund at gofundme.com.

1858. n

The historic home was built as the Methodist Episcopal Church South in

Photo by Amie Ware

Fraser Milan

Featherbed Lane Reopens After Bridge Replacement

The reconstruction of the historic John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge is sustainably complete, allowing VDOT today to reopen Featherbed Lane fully to traffic.

The road has been closed at the Catoctin Creek crossing since January 2021. In April, the truss bridge structure was removed to allow a new steel beam and timber deck bridge to be constructed. The trusses then were moved back in place. Crews will continue with finishing some minor elements of the project in the coming weeks.

The work had been scheduled for com-

pletion in November 2021, but was delayed by supply chain challenges acquiring the steel beams.

Variety Iron Works constructed the bridge in 1889 over Goose Creek on the Leesburg & Alexandria Turnpike, now Rt. 7. It was moved to its current location spanning Catoctin Creek in 1932. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The $4.9 million project was financed with federal and state funding, including State of Good Repair funding used for bridges. n

Lovettsville Community Center.

TOWNS IN REVIEW

continued from page 18

original church, borders the site. Although the actual placement of the individuals is not known, each plot is marked with a commemorative stone engraved with a cross and the initials “A G” for Arnold Grove.

LOVETTSVILLE Community Park, Community Center Opened

After decades of planning, two long awaited facilities opened in 2022.

In April, town and county leaders celebrated the opening of the Lovettsville Community Park.

The 91-acre park includes four softball/baseball fields, three soccer fields, an equestrian riding ring and trails, an off-leash dog park, amphitheater, restrooms, concessions, and maintenance facilities.

“This project has truly been a labor of love—one that has been many years in the making,” said Steve Torpy, the director of Loudoun County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. “This park is a district park in size, but there is a reason behind it being called Lovettsville Community Park. That’s because it literally was the community that made this happen.”

In August, those officials gathered again, for the opening of the new

The new community center replaces the original building, first constructed as a school. It is over 18,500 square feet and has a full court gymnasium, a fitness room, a dedicated senior’s area, five classrooms, a kitchen, restrooms and meeting spaces. The project also included a 600-square-foot addition and renovation to the existing 1,200-squarefoot pool house.

Town Expanded with 2 Annexed Properties

In July, the Board of Supervisors signed off on a boundary line adjustment that moved two properties into the town limits.

The annexation of the 1.7-acre West End Motors property would allow the business to hook up to town utilities, however a rezoning and several special exception permits would be required to bring the operation into compliance with town ordinances.

On the 27-acre One Family Brewing property, the owners are planning a 300seat restaurant as the principal use.

By year’s end, the Circuit Court was expected to formally approve the additions.

Town Charter Revised

In January, the Town Council adopted revisions to the Town Charter that were later ratified by the General Assembly.

The changes were championed by Vice Mayor Chris Hornbaker, who takes over as mayor starting Jan. 1.

Hornbaker’s initial proposal drew criticism from town residents who objected to the plan to make the mayor

The reconstruction of the historic John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge is substantially complete, allowing VDOT to reopen Featherbed Lane fully to traffic starting Dec. 27.

a voting member of the council while stripping his veto power, and removing the prohibition of a sitting council member being appointed to fill a vacancy in the mayor’s seat.

In the final version, the mayor’s role will remain unchanged, but the council members agreed there was merit in allowing an experienced council member to step into the mayor’s seat if needed.

The amendments also spell changes for residents appointed to fill vacant seats. The previous charter stipulated that individuals who are appointed to fill vacant council seats serve out the unexpired term of departed members. That was dropped, requiring the town to follow state code provisions that mandate a special election be held no later than the next scheduled general election. The changes also remove the prohibition on appointed council members voting on appropriation issues, including the town budget.

MIDDLEBURG

New Town Hall Moved to Construction

Last January, the Town Council celebrated the groundbreaking for its longplanned new town hall. The $11 million project will replace the current office, which was built a half century ago when the town government had only four staff members.

The original construction schedule envisioned the town’s 17 staff members moving into the new building by year’s end but is now likely to be several more months out.

Plans for the new municipal center date back to 2006 when Sheila Johnson

and her Salamander Resort and Spa dedicated space for the expansion behind the current town office. The new building will allow the town’s administrative offices and Police Department to be located under the same roof for the first time in 30 years, provide more meeting spaces, and include room to better host events like voting and community forums. And new outdoor spaces, including one to be created with the razing of the current office, will give a new home to many community events.

Town Weighs Boundary Expansion

In April, Mayor Bridge Littleton provided the first public briefing on the potential requests by two property owners to bring land into the town boundaries.

The Windy Hill proposal, on land south of town near Virginia Lane, would bring about 33 acres into town. On the east side of that property, near the current town boundary, Windy Hill could build 20 age-restricted apartments similar to the existing Levis Hill House in town, plus another 40 subsidized, price-controlled units in either duplexes or quadruplexes. The rest of the property would be protected from development with open space easements.

North of town, east of Foxcroft Road and the Salamander Resort property, the owners of the 212-acre Homewood property, 15 acres of which are already in town, propose to bring another 22 acres into town and place the remaining 190 acres in conservation easement. In town, they would build 48 condos in buildings up to three stories high, eight

TOWNS IN REVIEW continues on page 35

VDOT

LoCo Living

Not a Night Owl? Not a Problem

Celebrating NYE Early Bird Style in Loudoun

BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com

As the dad of seven kids, Vanish Brewery founder Jonathan Staples knows that partying ‘til the wee hours on New Year’s Eve isn’t for everyone.

When Staples and his wife, Hilda, launched the Lucketts brewery’s first British NYE celebration five years ago, they added a family-friendly twist: start (and end) the party on UK time. Vanish’s British New Year’s Eve Party has grown

in popularity over the years, with hundreds of early birds and expats flocking to the 7 p.m. ball drop.

After raising his own kids, Staples knew he wanted to create something fun for families.

“We hadn’t seen midnight in years and years. I just really missed that sense of anticipation from when the ball would drop and everybody screaming—and, of course, the kiss,” Staples said. “We would always watch the BBC ball drop because it was early enough. I was just like why not do it at 7 o’clock?”

Staples’ children now range in age from 17 to 28, but offering a fun place for

families with younger kids remains one of Vanish’s claims to fame.

“Because of our situation with the kids, we opened Vanish with families in mind as opposed to single people out partying late at night,” Staples said. “[British New Year’s Eve] fit in with our whole thing about creating something for families. … If we can save people from being half asleep on the couch watching Dick Clark, then that’s a good thing.”

Staples came up with the British theme five years ago and initially thought it would be a small gathering with

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

New Year’s Eve at Firefly Cellars

Saturday Dec. 31, noon-5 p.m.

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton

Details: fireflycellars.com

Say goodbye to 2022 with live music from 2 to 5 p.m., wine specials and half-off sparkling wines.

Breaux Toast to 2023 Brunch

Saturday, Dec. 31, noon-3 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro

Details: breauxvineyards.com

Get ready for the new year with a NYE brunch from the Polished Foxx. Tickets are $135 and include a welcome drink (mimosa or poinsettia) made from Ali’s Sparkling.

Farewell to 2022 at 50 West Saturday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg

Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards

Enjoy a special guided tasting featuring unique wines not often seen on the regular menu and countdown sales all day long.

New Year’s Eve at the Branch

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2-8 p.m. and 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

The Branch, 49 Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg Details: bowlthebranch.com

The Branch offers family bowling blocks from 2 to 8 p.m. with two hours of bowling and fun for up to six people. Tickets are $120 per group. For nighttime celebrations, revelers can book a party block with bowling, drinks and an appetizer for $55 per person.

Vanish British New Year’s Eve Party Saturday. Dec. 31, 4 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts

Details: vanishbeer.com

This annual tradition is perfect for folks who like to celebrate early with a ball drop at 7 p.m., food specials and music from Shag British cover band from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, free for kids 15 and under.

Tarbender’s New Year’s Eve

Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Tarbender’s Lounge, 10 S. King St., Leesburg

Details: tarbenderslounge.com

Ring in the new year 1920s style with food specials, midnight toast and music from Scott Clark from 7 to 10 p.m.

Elysium Axe Bar NYE

Saturday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m.- 1 a.m.

Elysium Axe Bar, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville

Details: elysiumaxebar.com

Release some end-of-year energy with ax throwing, food and drinks and a midnight toast at this come-as-you-are evening of fun.

LAST HAM STANDING

Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.com

THINGS to do

continued from page 20

The Reagan Years New Year’s Party

Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg  Details: tallyhotheater.com

BEST BETS

BRITISH NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Saturday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery vanishbeer.com

The NYE party is back with one of the region’s top 80s tribute bands. Tickets are $25.

1836 NYE with Joey Hafner Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

1836 Kitchen and Taproom, 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville

Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com

Ring in the New Year Lovettsville-style with great tunes from Joey Hafner.

Nick’s Taverna New Year’s Eve

Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Nick’s Taverna, 42395 Ryan Road, Ashburn Details: nickstaverna.com

THE REAGAN YEARS

Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. (doors)

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

a bloody Mary bar and mimosas. Tickets are $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children under 12.

Celebrate in style with live music from Pebble to Pearl, special menu, party favors and a midnight toast. $25 cover. Reservations are recommended for the dining room.

Purcellville Pub NYE Trivia Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.

Purcellville Pub, 745 E. Main St., Purcellville Details: thepurcellvillepub.com

It’s a low-key celebration with tunes from DJ Double Down, surf and turf specials, midnight toast and a team trivia competition.

NYE at Clyde’s Willow Creek Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.

Clyde’s Willow Creek, 42920 Broadlands Blvd., Broadlands Details: clydes.com

Ring in 2023 with the New Dominion Band in the Chandler Barn and a DJ and dancing in the Carriage Bar from 9 p.m.to 1 a.m.

Grand Salamander NYE Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.

Salamander Resort and Spa, 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg

Details: salamanderresort.com

Send off 2022 in style with a DJ, chef stations, caviar station, decadent desserts, endless libations, an outdoor vodka ice bar and a midnight toast. Tickets are $295 per person. Advance reservations are required. Black tie optional.

New Year’s Day Pajama Party

Sunday, January 1, 9 a.m.

Ridgetop Coffee and Tea, 21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling

Details: ridgetopcoffeeandtea.com

This family-oriented celebration features free kids hot chocolate for anyone in their pajamas, crafts, videos, games and fun.

Flying Ace Farm New Year’s Day Brunch Sunday, Jan. 1, 11:30-3 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville

Details: flyingacefarm.com

Kick off the new year with waffles, a breakfast taco bar and more. Drinks are sold separately and include

LOCO LIVE

Live Music: Summer and Eric Friday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m.

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

This DMV duo plays a fun, eclectic and unexpected mix of music from the past and present, as well as original tunes.

Live Music: Shane Gamble Friday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com

Rising country music star Shane Gamble returns to Flying Ace.

Live Music: Meisha Herron Friday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.

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

Rising star Meisha Herron returns to Harvest Gap for an evening of soul and blues.

DC Improv Comedy Night

Friday, Dec. 30. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg  Details: tallyhotheater.com

This month’s comedy showcase features Shawn Miller, Kandace Saunders, Matt Bergman, Cerrome Russell and host Jenny Questell. Tickets are $22$32.

Last Ham Standing Comedy Improv Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville

Details: franklinparkartscenter.org

This hilarious show is full of laughs for the whole family as performers take suggestions from the audience to create wacky scenes and improv games. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for children.

NYE preview

Lucketts locals. The first event turned out to be a hit and has since grown to more than 1,000 attendees pre-COVID. Staples is expecting similar numbers this year.

“I guess it really struck a chord with people,” Staples said. “It really fills a gap. You can’t get a restaurant reservation. You’re not going to go to a bar with kids,” Staples said. “It created a space where families could celebrate New Year’s, and kids could understand the magic of actually being in a live place instead of just watching it on TV.”

BRITISH NEW YEAR’S EVE has also built a following with the DMV’s British expat community and draws Premier League soccer fans, many of whom show up sporting team gear and scarves.

“It’s a very British event,” Staples said.

This year’s celebration features live music from Jumptown from 1 to 3 p.m., a DJ spinning UK favorites from 5 to 8 p.m., a ball drop and toast at 7 p.m. and live music from British cover band Shag from 7 to 10 p.m. Ticketed entry is required for adults from 4 to 10 p.m.

New Year’s Eve LoCo Style–for Early Birds and Night Owls

With New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday this year, there are plenty of opportunities for early birds, family fun and late-night reveling. You can celebrate early and be in your PJs by dinner time–or dress to the nines and party ‘til midnight and beyond.

New Year’s Eve for Early Birds

If you want a swanky celebration

THINGS to do

continued from page 21

Live Music: Hananiah Hails

Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.

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

Hananiah Hails brings the sounds of St. Lucia to Loudoun with a sweet soulful texture and mellow vibe.

Live Music: Jason Teach

Saturday, Dec. 31, noon

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro

Details: breauxvineyards.com

for grown-ups without staying up late, BREAUX VINEYARDS NYE BRUNCH features a fabulous meal from beloved local chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin of The Polished Foxx. The gourmet brunch includes a sparkling wine cocktail and starts at noon on Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $135 per person.

If family fun is your jam, check out NYE BOWLING PACKAGES AT THE BRANCH. Family bowling blocks are available for up to six people from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. Cost is $120 per group.

If you’re looking for a mellow NYE af-

Longtime singer/songwriter Jason Teach returns to Breaux his signature honest, heartfelt songwriting.

Live Music: Juliet Lloyd Trio

Saturday, Dec. 31. 1 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg

Details: lostbarrel.com

Singer/songwriter/pianist Juliet Lloyd brings her signature pop, rock and classic soul favorites to Lost Barrel.

Live Music: Adriel Genet Saturday, Dec. 31, 1 p.m.

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards

Franco-American musician Adriel Genet performs original songs inspired by revival folk, retro, rock,

ternoon with friends, live music abounds at Loudoun’s wineries and breweries Saturday afternoon. Top picks include JULIET LLOYD AT LOST BARREL BREWING, ADRIEL GENET AT 50 WEST VINEYARDS and CLARK PEKLO AT LOST RHINO BREWING

New Year’s Eve for Night Owls

While daytime celebrations are trending this year, some of us still like to get dressed up and ring in the new year at midnight. Loudoun’s favorite venues

classical and contemporary pop.

Live Music: Chris Compton

Saturday, Dec. 31, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford

Details: 8chainsnorth.com

Compton is a lifelong musician and multiinstrumentalist with eclectic influences including jazz, reggae, rock, pop and country.

Live Music: Clark Peklo Saturday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.

Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com Peklo’s repertoire of cool, unexpected covers features a strict No Eagles policy.

have plenty to offer–from ’80s rock to ax throwing to glitz and glamour Middleburg style.

THE REAGAN YEARS 80S NYE PARTY is back at Leesburg’s Tally Ho Theater with ’80s covers and lots of fun from a regional favorite. Tickets are $25.

For a little something different, one of Loudoun’s newest venues ELYSIUM AXE BAR offers ax throwing, food and drinks for sale and a midnight toast at this mellow come-as-you-are event starting at 6 p.m.

Celebrate Gatsby-style in downtown Leesburg flair at TARBENDER’S ANNUAL ROARING ’20S STYLE NYE PARTY with live music from Scott Clark.

LOVETTSVILLE’S 1836 KITCHEN AND TAP offers a fun evening of eclectic cover tunes from former Ghost Pepper frontman Joey Hafner starting at 8 p.m.

And finally, if you need some over-thetop elegance after a crazy year, SALAMANDER RESORT’S GRAND SALAMANDER NEW YEAR’S EVE features a DJ, chef stations, a caviar station, decadent desserts, endless libations (including an outdoor vodka ice bar) and a midnight toast. The fun starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $295 per person. Advance reservations are required, and black tie is optional.

VANISH’S BRITISH NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY is Saturday, Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the ball drop at 7 p.m. Tickets are required for entry after 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and free for children 15 and under. Table reservations are also available. For tickets and information, go to vanishbeer.com. n

To check out fun New Year’s Eve events and live music—for early birds and night owls alike—check out the Get Out Loudoun calendar for all the details.

Live Music: Chris Timbers

Saturday, Dec. 31, 7-11 p.m.

Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn

Details: socialhouseashburn.com Wind down 2022 with groovy alternative soul tunes from Chris Timbers.

Live Music: Cowpoke Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.

King’s Tavern and Wine Bar, 19 S. King St., Leesburg

Details: kingstavernandwinebar.com

Ring in the new year with great tunes from a unique trio performing an eclectic mix of originals and covers spanning genres from country to folk, pop and rock.

Brad Barnwell Photography/Courtesy of Stapleton Family

Jonathan and Hilda Staples found a family-friendly way to ring in the new year: Change time zones.

Assistant

Assistant

Aquatics

Assistant

Billing

$72,952-$132,386 DOQ Open until filled

Communications Technician (Police Dispatcher) Police $50,000-$88,774 DOQ Open until filled

Deputy Director of Public Works and Capital Projects

Public Works & Capital Projects $93,438-$169,567 DOQ Open until filled

Groundskeeper Parks & Recreation $50,000-$81,495 DOQ Open until filled

Head Lifeguard (Full Time) Parks & Recreation $50,000-$63,626 DOQ Open until filled

Land Acquisition Manager Town Attorney $72,952-$132,387 DOQ Open until filled

Maintenance Worker I

Public Works & Capital Projects $50,000-$75,040 DOQ Open until filled

Police Detective Police $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled

Police Officer Police $62,000-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled

Police School Resource Officer Police $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled

Police Traffic Officer Police $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled

Senior Engineer Plan Review $70,374-$127,560 DOQ Open until filled

Stormwater and Environmental Manager

Public Works & Capital Projects $82,999-$150,445 DOQ Open until filled

Utility Inspector II Utilities $56,956-$103,363 DOQ Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician Utilities $50,000-$95,178 DOQ Open until filled

Water Meter Operations Supervisor Utilities $61,857-$112,250 DOQ Open until filled

eCommerce Customer Service Associate

Stallion Enterprises LLC seeks a eCommerce Customer Service Associate in Ashburn, VA to engage in fulfillment process independently of supervision. Rqmts: 6 months of exp. as a customer service agent or a related occupation. Exp. must include the following skills: phone interaction with customers, &; email/social media marketing experience. Please send all resumes to stallionent8@gmail.com.

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, January 11, 2023, in order to consider:

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY Conveyance of County Easements to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d/b/a Loudoun Water

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider conveying County easements over PIN 045-17-3780, legally described as Concorde Industrial Park Outlot A, to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d/b/a Loudon Water. The County easements are located between Executive Drive and Relocation Drive, near Old Ox Road, in the Sterling Election District.

Copies of exhibits showing the location(s) of the above-listed conveyance(s) and associated documents are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 209 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Revisions of Precinct Boundaries and Polling Places (To be Effective for the 2023 Elections)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 24.2-305 et seq., the Board of Supervisors gives notice of intent to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 209, Voting Precincts and Polling Places, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The purpose of the amendments is to revise certain precinct boundaries and polling places. Some existing precincts will be divided, and others will be reconfigured. Eleven (11) new precincts will be created, and polling places established for each newly created precinct. Two precincts will be eliminated and merged into another precinct. As needed, corrections will be made to the written boundary descriptions of the reconfigured and existing precincts.

The changes are proposed to assist in the efficient administration of elections. In December 2021, the Commonwealth of Virginia established new districts for the Senate of Virginia and the House of Delegates. The local precincts will be reconfigured to coincide with new state district lines as closely as possible. Several existing precincts with large numbers of registered voters are being divided. One precinct is being eliminated and merged into another following the change in a House of Delegates’ district line.

The proposed amendments are described, below, by reference to eight of the local election districts adopted under the Loudoun County 2022 Redistricting Plan: Algonkian, Ashburn, Broad Run, Catoctin, Dulles, Leesburg, Little River, and Sterling.

Division of Precincts

The following summarizes the division of existing precincts, along with the polling places for the new precincts.

1. In the Ashburn Election District:

A. Portions of the existing Stone Bridge and Sanders Corner Precincts, now within the new Virginia Senate District 31, will be combined to create the new Goose Creek Precinct. The polling place for the new Goose Creek Precinct will be Sanders Corner Elementary School.

B. The boundary of the existing Briar Woods Precinct will be drawn along the new Virginia Senate District 31 and new House District 29 to create the new Waxpool Precinct. The polling place for the new Waxpool Precinct will be the Waxpool Elementary School.

2. In the Broad Run Election District:

A. The boundaries of the existing Russell Branch, Ashbrook and Weller Precincts will be modified to create the new Marblehead Precinct. The polling place for the new Marblehead Precinct will be Ashburn Senior Center.

3. In the Catoctin Election District:

A. The boundaries of the existing Hamilton and Waterford Precincts will be modified to create the new Harmony Precinct. The polling place for the new Harmony Precinct will be Harmony Middle School.

B. The boundary of the existing Evergreen Precinct will be drawn along the new Catoctin/Leesburg Election District boundary to create the new Simpson Precinct. The polling place for the new Simpson Precinct will be J. L. Simpson Middle School.

4. In the Little River Election District (formerly Blue Ridge):

A. The boundary of the existing Madison’s Trust Precinct will be modified to create the new Willard Precinct. The polling place for the new Willard Precinct will be Willard Middle School.

The existing Madison’s Trust Precinct will be renamed Independence Precinct and the polling place will be Independence High School.

B. The boundary of the existing John Champe Precinct will be modified to create the new Hovatter Precinct. The polling place for the new Hovatter Precinct will be Hovatter Elementary School.

C. The boundarry of the existing John Champe and Pinebrook Precincts will be modified to create the new Lightridge Precinct. The polling place for the new Lightridge Precinct will be Lightridge High School.

D. The boundary of the existing Precincts: Briar Woods, Creighton’s Corner, Brambleton Middle, Stone Hill, and John Champe will be reconfigured. Brambleton Middle and Briar Woods Precincts will retain their current polling places. A new Madison Precinct will be created, and the polling place will be Madison’s Trust Elementary School. A new Creighton Precinct will be created, and the polling place will be Creighton’s Corner Elementary School.

5. In the Sterling Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Sterling, Forest Grove, Claude Moore, Discovery, and Farmwell Station Precincts will be reconfigured to add the new Guilford Precinct. The polling place for the new Guilford Precinct will be Guilford Elementary School.

Reconfiguration of Precincts

In addition to the divisions listed above, several precinct boundaries will be reconfigured, resulting in the elimination of two precincts, and establishing new boundaries for existing precincts.

1. In the Algonkian Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Potomac Falls and Sugarland North Precincts will be reconfigured to adhere to a clearly definable boundary. The Potomac Falls and Sugarland North Precincts will retain their current polling places.

2. In the Ashburn Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Heritage Church Precinct will be reconfigured along the Ashburn/ Broad Run Election District boundary and along its boundary with the existing Broad Run Precinct.

B. The boundary of the existing Broad Run Precinct will be reconfigured along the Ashburn/ Broad Run Election District boundary and along its boundary with the existing Heritage Church Precinct.

C. The boundary of the existing Harper Park Precinct will be reconfigured along the new Ashburn/Leesburg Election District boundary.

3. In the Broad Run Election District:

A. The existing Precincts will be reconfigured: Eagle Ridge, Hillside, Mill Run, Moorefield Station, Moorefield, and Discovery. The Eagle Ridge, Hillside, Mill Run, Moorefield Station, and Discovery Precincts will retain their current polling places. The polling place for Moorefield will be Moorefield Station Elementary School.

B. The existing Farmwell Station Precinct will be reconfigured along the Broad Run/Sterling Election District boundary.

4. In the Catoctin Election District:

A. The boundaries of the Lucketts and Tuscarora Precincts will be reconfigured. Both precincts will retain their current polling place.

B. The Firehouse Precinct will be eliminated and merged into the Philomont Precinct. The polling place for the Philomont Precinct will remain at the Philomont Firehouse.

C. The boundaries of the Waterford and Lucketts Precincts will be reconfigured to adhere to a clearly definable boundary. The Waterford and Lucketts Precincts will retain their current polling places.

D. The boundary of the existing Mountain View Precinct will be reconfigured to follow the eastern corporate line of the Town of Purcellville.

E. The boundary of the existing West Lovettsville and East Lovettsville Precincts will be reconfigured to follow the new eastern corporate line of the Town of Lovettsville.

5. In the Dulles Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Arcola Precinct will be reconfigured to include the portion of the existing John Champe Precinct in the new Virginia Senate District 32 and the new Dulles Election District. The Arcola Precinct will retain its existing polling place.

Legal Notices

B. The boundary of the existing Dulles South Precinct will be reconfigured along the new Dulles/ Sterling Election District boundary. The Dulles South Precinct will retain its existing polling place.

6. In the Leesburg Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing River Creek Precinct will be reconfigured along the new Leesburg/Ashburn Election District boundary.

B. The boundary of the existing Evergreen Precinct will be reconfigured along the new Leesburg/ Catoctin/Little River (formerly Blue Ridge)/Ashburn Election District boundary. The Evergreen Precinct will retain its existing polling place.

7. In the Little River Election District (formerly Blue Ridge):

A. The existing Creighton’s Corner Precinct will be eliminated.

8. In the Sterling Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Rock Ridge Precinct will be reconfigured along the Dulles/Sterling Election District boundary.

B. The boundary of the existing Rock Ridge and Carter Precincts will be reconfigured along the new House District boundary to an un-named stream off Broad Run that connects with the Loudoun County Parkway. The Rock Ridge and Carter Precinct will retain their current polling places.

C. The boundary of the existing Discovery Precinct will be reconfigured along the new Sterling/ Broad Run Election District boundary.

Corrections to Existing Boundary Lines

1. In the Ashburn Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Seldens Landing and Belmont Ridge Precincts will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

2. In the Algonkian Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing University Center Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

3. In the Catoctin Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Clarkes Gap Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

B. The boundary of the existing Round Hill Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

4. In the Leesburg Election District:

A. The boundary of the existing Dry Mill Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

5. In the Little River Election District (formerly Blue Ridge):

A. The boundary of the existing Buffalo Trail Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

B. The boundary of the existing St. Louis l Precinct will be corrected to accurately reflect the existing boundary.

Election District – Precinct Changes

1. Into the Ashburn Election District:

A. Harper Park Precinct (formerly Catoctin Election District)

B. Part of Briar Woods Precinct- new Waxpool Precinct (formerly Blue Ridge Election District)

2. Into the Algonkian Election District:

A. Seneca and Mirror Ridge Precincts (formerly Sterling Election District)

3. Into the Catoctin Election District:

A. Hillsboro, Mountain View, Round Hill, Round Hill Elementary, Philomont, and Purcellville Precincts (formerly Blue Ridge Election District)

4. Into the Leesburg Election District:

A. Red Rock Precinct (formerly Catoctin Election District)

B. River Creek Precinct (formerly Catoctin Election District)

C. Part of Evergreen Precinct (formerly Catoctin District)

5. Into the Little River Election District (formerly Blue Ridge):

A. Aldie, Brambleton Middle, Buffalo Trail, Creighton’s Corner, Legacy, Madison’s Trust, Middleburg, Pinebrook and St. Louis Precincts (formerly Blue Ridge Election District)

B. Part of Briar Woods, John Champe, and Stone Hill Precincts (formerly Blue Ridge Election District)

C. Sycolin Creek Precinct (formerly Catoctin Election District)

6. Into the Sterling Election District:

A. Part of Stone Hill Precinct (formerly Blue Ridge Election District)

B. Ridgetop and Oak Grove Precincts (formerly Broad Run Election District)

C. Part of Farmwell Station and Discovery Precincts (formerly Broad Run Election District)

D. Rock Ridge and Carter Precincts (formerly Dulles Election District)

Polling Place Changes

The polling place for the West Lovettsville Precinct will move to the Lovettsville Community Center. The polling place for Ashby Ponds will move to Farmwell Hall. The polling place for the Brandon Park Precinct will move to the Frederick Douglass Elementary School and the precinct name will be changed to Douglass Precinct. The boundaries of these precincts will not be changed. The polling place for the Hamilton Precinct will move to Hamilton Elementary School. The polling place for Moorefield Precinct will move to Moorefield Station Middle School and the precinct name will be changed to Croson Precinct. The name of the Heritage Church Precinct will be changed to the West Broad Run Precinct. The name of the Broad Run Precinct will be changed to the East Broad Run Precinct.

Central Absentee Voter Election Precinct - Satellite Absentee Location Changes

The Ridgetop Office Building (21641 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, Virginia 2016) will be relocated to Claude Moore Recreation Center (46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, Virginia 20164).

The Dulles South Senior Center (24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, Virginia 20152) will be relocated to the Dulles South Recreation Center (24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, Virginia 20152).

A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced amendments to Chapter 209 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County and maps showing precinct boundaries and polling places are on file and available for inspection at the Office of the County Administrator, 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. Maps showing precinct boundaries and polling places are also viewable at www.loudoun.gov/redistricting 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, this information is available for inspection at the Loudoun County’s Office of Elections website at www.loudoun.gov/vote.

REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION, OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW LUCKETTS AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Lucketts Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on April 12, 2023. The District has a four-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of Lost Corner Road (Route 662) and Lucketts Road (Route 662), west and north of Hibler Road (Route 656), and south and east of Spinks Ferry Road (Route 657) and Lucketts Road (Route 662), in the Catoctin Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board of Supervisors acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Legal Notices

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Lucketts Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

PIN Tax Map Number Acres Enrolled PIN Tax Map Number Acres Enrolled

073-17-7117 /21/////////23A 24.91 105-20-2250 /31/////////6G 30 074-18-0740 /21////////20A 11.45 105-35-1481 /30///9////33/ 10.64 074-47-1437 /21/////////23/ 2.88 105-39-0209 /31///1/////2/ 50.52 075-45-5417 /21//12/////2C 5.78 105-48-1603 /31///1/////1/ 55.8 102-19-1992 /21////////29A 12.25 105-49-4257 /31///////6B1/ 17.89 103-15-9047 /20////////47C 39.41 106-25-1260 /30///3///3A2 13.7 103-20-1242 /21////////35/ 26.19 106-45-0312 /30///9////46/ 10.05 103-30-4672 /21////////32/ 14.29 106-48-6662 /31/////////6A 26.51 104-18-4159 /31///////6H1/ 20 137-10-6593 /20////////51B 23.94 104-18-8965 /31///////6H2/ 10 137-10-7148 /20////////47B 10.37

104-19-5046 /31/////////6H 25 137-38-8078 /20//17/////1/ 22.02 104-25-2785 /20//10/////1/ 13 137-47-8749 /20//17/////5/ 21.55 104-26-3555 /20///2/////5/ 10 139-10-8901 /30///9////43/ 10.12 104-27-0585 /20///2/////6/ 10 139-38-6386 /30//11/////1/ 10.01 104-27-2816 /20///2/////2/ 10 139-49-8870 /30///9////29/ 10.03 104-37-0190 /20////////45B 66.69 140-40-3241 /30///9////47/ 11.63 104-45-2967 /20////////47/ 15.1 *074-379155 /21////////22B 10 105-10-1882 /31/////////6K 51.51

* Indicates a parcel whose owner is withdrawing it from the District.

The ADAC held a public meeting on September 19, 2022, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Lucketts Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE OATLANDS AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the Oatlands Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on April 5, 2023. The District has a four-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 50 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of Shreve Mill Road (Route 653) and Diggins Court (Route 3047), east of James Monroe Highway (Route 15), southwest of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), and north of Oatlands Mill Road (Route 650) in the Catoctin Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams, and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board of Supervisors acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the Oatlands Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

PIN Tax Map Number

Parcel Listings:

Acres Enrolled PIN Tax Map Number

Acres Enrolled

276-35-1494 /59////////59E 10 316-38-8826 /59////////28A 2.87 276-45-1343 /59////////59D 10.99 316-48-0176 /59////////26A 8 315-18-0319 /59////////26B 10.31 *236-15-4010 /60///9/////2/ 5.13 315-18-7612 /59///2/////4/ 11.13 *236-15-4867 /60//10/////3/ 12.92 315-20-8147 /59////////58C 10 *236-16-2145 /60//10/////4/ 30.16 315-27-0588 /59//19//CON1/ 10.02 *236-17-9638 /60////////67A 31.31 315-29-6584 /59//12/////1/ 14.13 *236-27-7526 /60////////56A 37.79 315-30-7732 /59////////59/ 12.11 *236-38-7331 /60////////56B 107.92 315-39-2788 /59//18//B2-3/ 4.9 *236-46-5707 /60////////53A 122.75 315-49-6721 /59////////69A 22.59 *237-45-3679 /60///9/////1/ 6.63 316-16-3498 /76/////////5/ 250 *237-47-4657 /60////////67B 21.13 316-37-2474 /59////////22/ 3.08 **315-30-1366 /59///4/////A/ 10 316-37-2749 /59////////23/ 1.97

* Indicates a parcel whose owner is withdrawing it from the District.

** Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.

The ADAC held a public meeting on September 19, 2022, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the Oatlands Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

CMPT-2021-0012, SPEX-2021-0047, & SPMI-2021-0007

NOVEC NORTHSTAR SUBSTATION (Commission Permit, Special Exception, & Minor Special Exception)

Curt Crouch of Northern Virginia Electric Company of Gainesville, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) Commission approval to permit a Utility Substation, Distribution in the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district and 2) a Special Exception to permit an ingress/ egress easement for a Utility Substation, Distribution in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The proposed use requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101 and is listed as a Special Exception use in the R-1 zoning district under Section 3-103(P). The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification(s):

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§5-616(D), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Utility Substations AND

§5-1404(B) Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B) Use Buffer Yard Matrix AND

§5-1404(D) Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Buffer Yard Widths and Plant Requirements, Table 5-1404(D) Buffer Yard Width and Plant Requirements

Eliminate the Buffer Yard Type C landscape requirement on the western side and a portion of the southern side of the perimeter of the Utility Substation, Distribution use.

AND

Increase the Buffer Yard Type C width from 25 feet to 30 feet and increase the minimum plant units from 120 to 144 plant units per 100 linear feet of buffer yard along the northern side of the perimeter of the Utility Substation, Distribution use.

The subject property is located within the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District, primarily within the LDN 65 or higher noise contour and partially within the LDN 60-65 noise contour. The subject property is approximately 9.43 acres in size and is located north of Racefield Lane (Route 877) and west of Youngwood Lane in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows:

PIN TAX MAP NUMBER ADDRESS

203-35-4208 (portion) 100/Z/1/////1/ 41840 Growth Mindset Lane, Aldie, VA 20105 202-15-9451 (portion) 101/D/3////16/ 24365 Racefield Lane, Aldie, VA 20105 203-37-1445 (portion) 101/T/1/////A/ 24359 Racefield Lane, Aldie, VA 20105 202-16-1713 101/D/3////17/ 24369 Racefield Lane, Aldie, VA 20105

Legal Notices

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which designate this area for employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

SPEX-2021-0041

POLAND ROAD DATA CENTER YARD EXPANSION (Special Exception)

Amazon Data Services, Inc, of Seattle, Washington, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit a Data Center use in the CLI (Commercial Light 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 3-904(CC). The subject property is located within the Quarry Notification (QN) Overlay District – Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area, partially within the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District between the Ldn 60-65 and partially within the Ldn 65 or higher of the aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 48.47 acres in size and is located on the south side of John Mosby Highway (Route 50), east of Poland Road (Route 742), and north and west of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200) at 25316 Prediction Lane, Chantilly, VA and 43743 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly, VA in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 097-35-4183. The area is governed by the policies of the Revised General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Commercial Place Type)), which designate this area for a broad array of Employment uses within an environment that provides gathering spaces and opportunities for synergies among businesses.

CPAM 2020-0002 RED HILL COMMUNITY (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2225 and 15.2-2229, and a motion adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 1, 2020, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) to amend the policy area and planned land use designations of the Red Hill Community. The proposed amendments would: 1) move the Red Hill Community from the Rural Policy Area (RPA) to the Transition Policy Area (TPA); 2) change the Red Hill Community’s designation from Rural North Place Type to Transition Large Lot Neighborhood Place type; and 3) designate the Red Hill Community as a new TPA subarea, with a planned residential density of one dwelling unit per three acres. The Red Hill Community area is located southeast of Green Mill Preserve, west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), and north of the watershed boundary of Goose Creek, which serves as the present boundary between the RPA and the TPA.

The CPAM proposes revisions to the land use policies in Chapter 2 of the 2019 GP and the existing maps of the 2019 GP and the Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (2019 CTP), as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments, or as otherwise necessary to correct geographic boundaries, typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, and further clarify the policies and maps of the above-mentioned section(s). The proposed CPAM would apply within the Red Hill Community of the Rural Policy Area. The proposed text and map amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:

Amendments

to the 2019 General Plan - Chapter 2 – Transition Policy

Area:

Ø Establish new and/or revise certain existing policy language in moving the Red Hill Community from the RPA to TPA, establish a new Red Hill Community subarea within the TPA, and designate the Red Hill Community as a subarea of the Transition Large Lot Neighborhood Place Type with a planned residential density of one dwelling unit per three acres.

Amendments to 2019 General Plan – Maps:

Ø Revise existing Policy Area and Place Types maps to move Red Hill Community from the RPA to TPA, designate it: as a Transition Large Lot Neighborhood Place Type, within the Dulles Small Area Plan, and within the Loudoun Water Central System Service Area.

Amendments to 2019 Countywide Transpiration Plan - Maps:

Ø Revise the 2019 CTP maps to amend the existing Policy Area boundaries to reflect the move of Red Hill Community from the RPA to TPA.

SPMI-2022-0004 Route 7 Brewing Co (Minor Special Exception)

Basabi Virmani of SB Breweries, LLC of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Minor Special Exception to permit Craft Beverage Manufacturing in the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district. The application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Minor Special Exception use under Section 4-504 (NN) and subject to the Additional Regulations for Craft Beverage Manufacturing pursuant to Section 5-668. The Property is also subject to the proffers and concept development plan associated with ZMAP-2015-0001. It is located west of Lexington Drive, south of Riverside Parkway (Route 2401), north of Route 7, and east of Riverside Commons Plaza and Ashburn Village Boulevard. The Property is comprised of an existing commercial condominium unit totaling approximately 4,753 square feet with an assigned address of 20051 Riverside Commons Plaza, Unit 148, Ashburn, Virginia in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 056-18-1692-006. 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 for a vertical mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational uses with core uses including retail and service commercial.

ZOAM-2018-0001

SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTALS

(Zoning Ordinance Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 17, 2019, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) in order to establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations and definitions to establish “Short-Term Rental – Residential Accessory” as a new accessory use to certain residential uses and to establish “Short-Term Rental –Commercial Whole House” as a new principal use that will be a new Permitted, Minor Special Exception, or Special Exception use in certain zoning districts that permit residential uses. In addition, the amendments propose establishing new additional use regulations; definitions; and process requirements for the Short-Term Residential Rental uses. The amendment proposes revisions to Article 2, Non-Suburban District Regulations, Article 3, Suburban District Regulations, Article 4, Special and Overlay Districts, Section 5-100, Accessory Uses and Structures, Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Section 6-700, Site Plan Review, Article 8, Definitions, and such other Articles, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:

Amendments to Article 2, Non-Suburban District Regulations: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Establish “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new principal use and add this use as a new Permitted use, subject to Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, in the following zoning districts: AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) (Section 2-100 et seq.), AR-2 (Agricultural Rural – 2) (Section

2-200 et seq.), A-10 (Agriculture) (Section 2-300 et seq.), A-3 (Agricultural Residential) (Section 2-400 et seq.), RC (Rural Commercial) (Section 2-900 et seq.), JLMA-20 (Joint Land Management Area –20) (Section 2-1300 et seq.), TR-10 (Transitional Residential – 10) (Section 2-1400 et seq.), and TR-3 (Transitional Residential – 3) (Section 2-1500 et seq.).

• Establish “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new principal use and add this use as a new Minor Special Exception use, subject to Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, in the following zoning districts: CR-1 (Countryside Residential – 1) (Section 2-500 et seq.), CR-2 (Countryside Residential – 2) (Section 2-600 et seq.), CR-3 (Countryside Residential – 3) (Section 2-700 et seq.), CR-4 (Countryside Residential – 4) (Section 2-800 et seq.), JLMA-1 (Joint Land Management Area – 1) (Section 2-1000 et seq.), JLMA-2 (Joint Land Management Area – 2) (Section 2-1100 et seq.), JLMA-3 (Joint Land Management Area – 3) (Section 2-1200 et seq.), TR-2 (Transitional Residential – 2) (Section 2-1600 et seq.), and TR-1 (Transitional Residential – 1) (Section 2-1700 et seq.).

Amendments to Article 3, Suburban District Regulations: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new Minor Special Exception use, subject to Additional Regulations, in the following zoning districts: R-1 (Single Family Residential) (Section 3-100 et seq.) and R-2 (Single Family Residential) (Section 3-200 et seq.).

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new Special Exception use, subject to Additional Regulations, in the following zoning districts: R-3 (Single Family Residential) (Section 3-300 et seq.), R-4 (Single Family Residential) (Section 3-400 et seq.), and R-8 (Single Family Residential) (Section 3-500 et seq.).

Amendments to Article 4, Special & Overlay Districts: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new Permitted use, subject to Additional Use Regulations, in the PD-RV (Planned Development – Rural Village) (Section 4-1200 et seq.).

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new Minor Special Exception use, subject to Additional Regulations, in the PD-CV (Planned Development – Countryside Village) (Section 4-900 et seq.).

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” as a new Special Exception use, subject to Additional Regulations, in the following zoning districts: PD-TC (Planned Development – Town Center) (Section 4-800 et seq.) and the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business District) (Section 4-1350 et seq.).

Amendments to Section 5-101(A), Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures, Residential: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Add “Short-Term Rental – Residential Accessory” to the list of permitted accessory uses and structures for residential uses.

Amendments to Section 5-600 et seq., Additional Regulations for Specific Uses: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Establish new additional regulations for the “Short-Term Rental – Residential Accessory” accessory use and the new “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” principal use, including:

o Prohibition on modification of certain additional regulations by Minor Special Exception.

o Registration in accordance with Chapter 1470 of the Codified Ordinances and display of such registration.

o Management requirements, maximum numbers of rooms and guests for different types of dwellings, minimum lot area and yards, maximum rental period per year, prohibition on food service and private parties and temporary special events, permitted types of dwellings, and operator residency requirements.

o Zoning permit requirements that apply in addition to Zoning Ordinance Section 6-1000, requirement to display the zoning permit, restrictions on the transfer of and changes to zoning permits, limitation on number of zoning permits per parcel, and prohibition of use for parcels subject to

an approved zoning permit for Bed and Breakfast Homestay, Bed and Breakfast Inn, Country Inn, Rural Retreats and Resorts, Campground, or Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House uses.

o Requirement for all guests staying within the same dwelling unit to be under the same rental agreement.

o Parking, fire safety, adjacent property owner notice, exterior lighting, and access requirements.

o Prohibition of use for Affordable Dwelling Units, Affordable Housing Units, and Unmet Needs Housing Units.

o Exemption from lot area requirements for uses located within certain structures within a Historic Site District or Historic and Cultural Conservation District, and limitations on the expansion or enlargement of such structures.

Amendments to Article 8, Definitions: Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to:

• Establish new definitions for the new “Short-Term Rental – Residential Accessory” accessory use and the new “Short-Term Rental – Commercial Whole House” principal use.

The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.

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).

Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Public input may be provided by electronic means at Board public hearings. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, will be accommodated without advanced sign-up during the hearing, however, members of the public are strongly encouraged to sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on December 30, 2022, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on January 11, 2023. 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

12/22 & 12/29/22

Legal Notices

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ041604-06-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Diana Gissel Medina Lainez

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Jose Medina, Putative Father

The object of this suit is to hold a hearing on placement in a qualified residential treatment program pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1281(E) for Diana Gissel Medina Lainez.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Medina, putative father, appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

12/15, 12/22, 12/29 & 1/05/23

VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN

PAYAM NIKOUEIH Complainant, V. HELLIA BEHROUZ Defendant.

Civil Case No. _________

AFFIDAVIT FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

COMES NOW the Complainant, Payam Nikoueih, and being duly sworn, upon oath deposes and states that to the best of Complainant's knowledge, information and

1. The last known place of abode of the above named Defendant, Heilia Behrouz is 8421 Broad Street, Tysons, Virginia 22102 where Complainant, and Defendant lived; and

2. The Defendant is not a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, nor has he been such within the past thirty (30) days, nor is he a member of the United States Public Health Service; and

3. The Complainant sent multiple correspondences to find the whereabouts of the Defendant but never received a response. The complainant has attempted to contact the Defendant through legitimate and diligent efforts but has been unsuccessful.

4. The Defendant in the above case is believed to be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12/08, 12/15, 12/22 & 12/29/22

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ045188-07-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ashli Martinez-Bonilla

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Maynor Martinez Acosta, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Ashli Martinez Bonilla.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Maynor Martinez Acosta, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 4, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

11/24, 12/1, 12/8 & 12/15/22

A message to elderly and disabled Loudoun County residents from

Robert S. Wertz, Jr.

Commissioner of the Revenue

Residents 65 and older or totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2022 Real Property Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the January 3, 2023 filing deadline.

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

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office

*New Location as of November 14th* 46000 Center Oak Plaza First Floor

Internet: www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief

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

Phone: 703-737-8557

Email: taxrelief@loudoun.gov

Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 & 12/29/22

SBPR-2022-0014 The Reserve at Piney Run

Mr. Dan Snyder of Sawmill Lane, LLC of Clarksburg, MD is requesting a preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately one hundred twenty-two (122.24) acres into twentyfour (24) single-family residential lots, three (3) open space lots, and accompanying right-of-way and easements. The property is bounded by Sawmill Lane (Route 686) to the north. The property is zoned Agricultural Rural – 1 (AR-1), and Mountainside Overlay District (MDOD) under the provisions of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 510-17-1118 in the Catoctin Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the Loudoun Online Land Applications System www.loudoun.gov/LOLA and searching for SBPR-2022-0014. Complete copies of the above referenced application(s) are also available for public review at the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Land Development File Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at Eric.Blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 2, 2023. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 12/29/22

Public Notice

ISSUANCE OF A FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR A PROJECT FUNDED THROUGH THE VIRGINIA WATER SUPPLY REVOLVING FUND

Public Notice No.: WSL-022-21 Publication Dates: December 22, 2022 and December 29, 2022

The Virginia Department of Health has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a waterworks project proposed to be funded through the Virginia Water Supply Revolving Fund. The FONSI is supported by a Statement of Environmental Review (SER). The applicant is the Town of Round Hill.

The proposed project includes the construction of a new 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank in the southern main zone of the Town of Round Hill water distribution system. The tank will sit on a 1-acre site on Yatton Road near the Westlake and Upper Lakes Subdivisions. A 12-inch pipe will connect the tank to the existing water main adjacent to Ridgewood Place. The tank will be built within previously undisturbed forest and will require tree clearing. The 12-inch pipe will be placed in an easement within privately owned land, which is also forested.

A review of the Environmental Assessment conducted on this project indicates that either significant environmental impacts would not result from the proposed project or significant environmental impacts have been eliminated by making changes in the project. As required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the Virginia Department of Health has assessed the potential environmental effects on the human environment and an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared. The basis for this determination was made after the applicant contacted ten federal and state agencies. This determination was made after reviewing the environmental clearance letters from each agency, the Environmental Assessment, the public hearing minutes, and conducting an Environmental Review site visit. In order to avoid or minimize any adverse environmental impact, the Virginia Department of Health will require that the Town of Round Hill ensure construction is carried out in strict accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws and regulations. Prior to implementing construction, all applicable permits and approvals must be obtained.

Persons may comment in writing to the Department on the proposed decision within 30 days from the first publication date. Comments shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the writer and shall contain a complete, concise statement of the factual basis for the comments. Only those comments received within this period will be considered by the Department.

All pertinent information, including the FONSI, the SER, the Environmental Assessment and the support documentation is on file and may be inspected and arrangements made for copying at The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water, Lexington Field Office, 131 Walker Street, Lexington, Virginia 24450; phone (540) 463-0406.

Following the comment period, the Department will make its final determination. All comments should be addressed to:

Kelly Ward, Program Director

Financial and Construction Assistance Programs

Virginia Department of Health – Office of Drinking Water 109 Governor Street, Room 633, Richmond, VA 23219

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISISON PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 11 FOR THE PURPOSE OF

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

REVISING

PARKING

REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE HOTEL/MOTEL USE IN THE B-1 DISTRICT

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0009 to revise the following provision of the Zoning Ordinance:

Article 11, Section 11.3 Number of Parking Spaces Required – amending this section to reduce the number of required parking spaces for the hotel and motel uses in the B-1, Community (Downtown) Business District.

Copies and additional information regarding 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 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2774 and asking for Brian Boucher, Deputy Director. Mr. Boucher can also be reached by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0009.

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 the Commission at 703-771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

12/22 & 12/29/22

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2028 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2239, the LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers, 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia, to solicit public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The final requested funding amount of the CIP will be included in the Town Manager’s Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget scheduled to be presented to Town Council during their regular meeting the evening of January 26, 2023, at 6:30 P.M.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting.

Copies of the proposed CIP with a complete list of projects are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

12/22, 12/29

SBPL-2022-0006 The Estates at Quarter Branch

Mr. Jonathan Kennedy of Quarter Branch LLC of Reston, VA is requesting a preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately ninety-nine (99.38) acres into nineteen (19) singlefamily residential lots, two (2) open space lots, and accompanying right-of-way and easements. The property is bounded by Quarter Branch Road (Route 663) to the South and West. The property is zoned Agricultural Rural – 1 (AR-1), and Floodplain Overlay District (FOD) under the provisions of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 294-25-5718 in the Catoctin Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the Loudoun Online Land Applications System www.loudoun.gov/LOLA and searching for SBPL-2022-0006. Complete copies of the above referenced application(s) are also available for public review at the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Land Development File Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at Eric.Blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 2, 2023. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).

12/29/22

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

YR. MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE#

2000 HONDA ACCORD 1HGCG1659YA092301 DOUBLE D 703-777-7300

2005 CHEVY COBALT 1G1AL14F557622844 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888

1997 FORD EXPLORER 1FMDU34E1VZC26141 ROADRUNNER 703-450-7555

2012 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT 1VWBM7A35CC051640 BLAIR’S 703-661-8200 12/22 & 12/29/22

TOWN OF HAMILTON TOWN COUNCIL VACANCY

The Town of Hamilton has a vacancy on the Town Council. All interested qualified Town residents are encouraged to submit a letter of interest or a resume to the Town Office, 130 E. Colonial Highway, PO Box 130, Hamilton, VA 20159, or e-mail to hamiltonva@hamiltonva.gov by the close of business, January 4, 2023. The Town Council will appoint a qualified candidate who will serve until a special election in 2023. Candidates must be residents of Virginia for at least one year immediately preceding the appointment, a Town resident and registered to vote in the Town of Hamilton.

12/22 & 12/29/22

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Virginia Electric and Power Company (VMRC #2022-2488) is requesting a permit from Virginia Marine Resources Commission to install one (1) aerial fiber optic cable to existing utility poles across a 38-foot section of Dutchman Creek adjacent to George Farm Drive in Loudoun County.

You may provide comments on this application (VMRC #2022-2488) at https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/habitat/comments/. We will accept comments by the USPS provided they are received within 15 days of this notice to: Marine Resources Commission, Habitat Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg 96, Hampton, VA 23651.

Hamilton Town Council

Opinion

The Next Ride

You thought 2022 was a rocky ride? Hang on for 2023.

Our county leaders face some daunting tasks right out of the gate.

The Board of Supervisors will be coping with the most challenging budget work of its term while also working to push through to adoption a new zoning ordinance that will set development rules for the next decade or two—rules that are critical to get right.

The School Board and division administrators will be pushing to regain both credibility and stability following the fallout from the disclosures made public by the special grand jury.

Their work will be conducted while being in full-blown campaign mode. All nine supervisor seats and all nine School Board seats will be on November’s ballot—along with all five of the county’s constitutional officer positions. All 140 seats in the General Assembly

will be put to the voters as well.

Into that we stir in the dysfunction that comes with a highly polarized electorate drawing its energy from the extremes of both political parties, creating a recipe more for chaos than success.

In election years, some local leaders become paralyzed, too afraid to offend some one constituency or another. Others devote their energy to political grandstanding, hoping to score points with little regard for the practical impacts of their actions. Both approaches should be disqualifying in the eyes of voters.

There also are some who continue to put in the work, made the hard decisions based on the best interests of the community, and trust the voters to value the effort. When that approach no longer works, the voters have only themselves to blame.

It is too soon to tell where 2023’s crop of political leaders will take us, but buckle up. n

LETTERS to the Editor

We’ve Lost

Editor:

Loudoun County is once again in the national news. This time it’s for a petition by people who want to stop “hate speech” at our School Board meetings.

Who gets to define what is and what isn’t “hate speech?”

If someone says something that you strongly disagree with and

makes you feel uncomfortable or disrespected, should they be silenced because of your feelings?

What does it say about people who want to silence the speech of others when they don’t like what that person is saying?

Whatever happened to the old saying, “I wholly disapprove of what you say and will defend to the death your right to say it?”

As has been stated by others, if

we deny someone else the right to say what they think is wrong, it will not be long before we lose the right to say what we think is right.

We as a county and a nation have lost our way.

We’ve lost our ability to think clearly.

In our desire to be seen as

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 33

Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor - nstyer@loudounnow.com

EDITORIAL

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com

Alexis Gustin, Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com

Hanna Pampaloni, Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

ADVERTISING

Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com

Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com

Vicky Mashaw, Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

LAST

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

Silver Line

trains would run in time for Thanksgiving. The first passengers stepped aboard at the new stops on Nov. 15.

All of those problems fueled criticism from people in Loudoun upset their local tax dollars would be going to help support the system.

After the new construction was handed over Metro seemed like it would face one last delay this year. Its new 7000-series trains had been taken out of service a year before due to potential defects in their axles, and the independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission at first denied a plan to begin returning them to service, leaving Metro with too few trains to support new stations.

But in November, the commission approved a revised plan with an intensive schedule of testing, and Metro announced

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 32

compassionate and caring, we’ve become hypersensitive and childish.

— John Smith, Sterling

Come Together

Editor:

As Christmas rolls around the corner, people are putting up decorations and baking sweet treats and shopping with lists of presents to give those they love.

I think that Christmas is all about finding peace with each other. Spreading that peaceful joy could come in many forms. Even though I am Muslim and I don’t celebrate Christmas, I think it’s really important to spread the joy around.

I remember how I once went to a church as part of an interfaith activity during Christmas. I was warmly welcomed with a church service and gospel singing. Afterwards, we all got poster paper and markers and a candle. We wrote something nice on the paper, lit our candles, and stood on the sidewalk and faced the busy road in the city. Anyone who drove by hopefully read our message and felt something close to joy.

The important thing was, we did it together. Nobody cared if they celebrated Christmas or not, we just wanted to spread a message of peace. This reminded me of a verse in the Quran which says, “And do not forget to do good to one another,” (2:238). And I thought of all the things we could accomplish if we lived and worked together.

So as everyone sits by their fireplaces

And now the real test of the county’s investment begins. With trains now running, the county will begin sending more local money to Metro. In the current county budget, Loudoun is sending just over $6 million to the transit authority. Next year, that’s expected to increase to $16.2 million.

Proponents of the Silver Line project have billed it as an economic development project, hoping to attract new business and new residents to developments around the stations. Some of that has already happened. The first Metro-adjacent development, Loudoun Station, has been standing for years, with other land around the new stops already snapped up and under development.

And there is evidence the stops have created demand and value—even in Loudoun’s perennially booming real estate market, land values around the future stops have far outpaced the growth elsewhere in the county.

And on the day of its opening, Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), the only remaining serving supervisor from the 2012 vote, said the trains could also bring in the younger professional workforce that the county has tried for years to attract.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meanwhile is trying to make the most of its investment. In the 2019 update to the county comprehensive plan, the county created its first Urban Policy Area, planning for dense, vertical development around the new stops. And with the Silver Line grand opening, the county launched

the largest expansion to its own transit system in more than a decade, with new local bus routes hoped to connect people across the county to the new train stations.

So far, the Ashburn and Dulles Airport stops are the busiest of the six new stations, with the most common destinations in Washington, DC.

“When we you’re trying to talk about what we want Loudoun County to be, you have to have big ideas, and you have to actually stick with it and want to execute it,” Letourneau said at the Nov. 15 grand opening ceremony attended by Loudoun and Fairfax County supervisors, transit authority officials, members of Congress and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “And it does take political fortitude, and it takes perseverance, and it takes time, but eventually you can get there. And this is just the next step.” n

and fills up their cups with hot chocolate, let’s use this time to come together, no matter who we are or what we celebrate.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

— Zobia Farhan, Aldie

Still Waiting

Editor:

Loudoun is a community that values hard workers, but when it comes to housing, there is an unfair reality: working-class families spend more than 70% of their income on rent.

The county must innovate housing programs for our working-class communities. There are many homes, but only for people who earn $80,000 or more. There are no housing options for the working-class community, which earns less than $40,000 a year.

Elected officials can choose to prioritize the housing needs of the working class. We are the families of essential workers: mowing lawns, preparing food in restaurants, clearing streets after snowfall, caring for children, and cleaning homes. Often, we have to start additional jobs, search for food banks, or stop buying medicines to afford monthly rent payments.

I have been active in my community through New Virginia Majority to advocate for affordable housing. Through NVM, I joined a Tenant Working Group and participated in meetings with the Department of Housing and Community Development over six months, developing a rent buy-down program for tenants using ARPA emergency funds. Our community needs $6 million of the ARPA housing funds to go to the buy-down program, which will provide urgent rent

relief to cost-burdened tenants. In the process, we have encountered set-backs due to administrative changes in the housing department. We have gone back and forth many times on various proposals.

I became hopeful, only to be told to keep waiting. Help now would be very timely. When working-class families can’t find housing, we must move away, leaving Loudoun County without essential workers and a less diverse community.

— Ismael Perez, Sterling

below the market rate) to receive the property’s actual market value in rent or sale. The idea of “affordable housing,” would thrill Hitler’s National Socialists, but it cannot be embraced by anyone who claims to care about justice.

A Fallacy Editor:

I note with great disappointment that Lovettsville has incorporated the “affordable housing” fallacy in its updated Comprehensive Plan. We hoped that our town was better than this.

The term “affordable housing” has nothing whatsoever to do with making housing “affordable.” Housing, like everything else in the world that people need or want, will naturally find the price that is affordable because the marketplace (absent monopolies) always adjusts itself such that buyers and sellers agree to a mutually beneficial exchange.

The term “affordable housing,” as used today by progressive politicians, is just a nice way of saying “legalized theft of other people’s labor and property.” By it, Democrats typically mean either the use of taxpayer dollars to get people to live in localities or housing units that are beyond their means, or the forcible violation of the right of a property owner (e.g. through “rent control” or the requirement to build and rent or sell housing units

Involuntary servitude is supposed to be illegal in the United States. Those who push “affordable housing” are really saying, “I have a right to force another person into involuntary servitude to me.” It is for this exact reason that those calling for “affordable housing” today (Democrats) are typically of the same party (Democrats) who fought to preserve the institution of slavery up until the Civil War, in other words, those who said, “I have a right to force another person into involuntary servitude to me.”

Americans should be better than this. We are a land of opportunity, where people freely choose their way and work with each other for mutual benefit. We ought not be a place where some people again are able to force others to toil on their behalf against their will. In addition to being utterly unjust, such policies hurt everyone, including those they purport to help.

I urge Lovettsville and other localities to take steps in the future to remove all programs geared toward “affordable housing.” We fought a Civil War to end such abuse of some groups of human beings by other groups of human beings. Democrats should be told a firm “No!” and be reminded that we really meant it when we ratified the 13th Amendment.

— Daniel Brubaker, Lovettsville

Grand jury report

to Byard. Daniel Smith was hired in April to fill the Chief of Staff vacancy.

Meanwhile, board members Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) and Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian) spent several months involved in removal hearings brought about by the Fight for Schools Super PAC. The group collected signatures on removal petitions, alleging Sheridan and Reaser violated open meetings laws by participating in a private Facebook page, “Anti-racist Parents of Loudoun County.” The hearings also revolved around what the group believed board members knew about the sexual assaults. After several months and several hearings, the removal petitions were dismissed at the end of May for lack of substance, and the two kept their seats on the board.

On Dec. 5, the special grand jury released its 92-page report, finding that the division administration looked out for its own good rather than that of the students.

The School Board fired Ziegler effective immediately the next day. Under the terms of his contract, Ziegler will collect his $323,000 salary and benefits for another year. Two days later, the board installed Chief of Staff Daniel Smith as acting superintendent while it searches for someone to fill the position. Smith will hold the position until June 30, 2023.

A week after Ziegler’s firing, indict-

ments against Ziegler and Byard were unsealed.

Ziegler is charged with three misdemeanors, including retaliating or threatening a person for publicly expressing their views on a matter of public concern, and penalizing an employee for a court appearance. They relate to the firing of a teacher in June who, according to her civil lawsuit against the school district, was repeatedly groped by a student, filed two Title IX complaints, testified to the special grand jury investigating the school district, and spoke out at a School Board meeting.

The third misdemeanor indictment is for providing false information to a publication, for an offense that allegedly occurred June 22, 2021, the day of a raucous School Board meeting that culminated with the public being kicked out of the meeting room and the father of the first sexual assault victim arrested.

Byard was charged with felony perjury and was put on leave without pay after the indictments were released.

The charges for Byard carry a sentence of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, Ziegler’s charges range from a class one, punishable of up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 fine to Class 3 misdemeanors with fines up to $500.

Theo Stamos, the special prosecutor from the Attorney General’s office said she anticipated a two-day trial for Byard in the spring and a two-day trial for Ziegler early summer. n

690 interchange

continued from page 18

money, federal funding administered by the state in competitive grants. With the projects stalled in the town government for years, county staff members have warned supervisors continued delays could mean the county will have trouble winning that funding again. Hemstreet has said he would recommend returning the money, about $3.6 million for the park-and-ride and $9.6 million for the interchange, rather than risk that source of the funding countywide.

County staff members have said they will look for progress by the new year.

Fraser wrote that he has “consistently advocated for the acceleration” of the interchange plans that were presented to the Town Council in 2013, but that the changes to the design made by the county since then negatively affect the community’s welfare.

Fraser also claimed that district Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), “has consistently failed to engage me in productive conversation and resorted, instead, to peddling misinformation about me and our community, through social media.”

Fraser also mentioned the county’s concerns over losing SMART SCALE funding if the project is continuously delayed.

“The County’s effort to force through its proposed material changes to the

design of the Route 7 & Route 690 interchange project, without first conducting any public engagement or undertaking an updated comprehensive impact assessment, has led to the impasse we currently face,” Fraser wrote.

“The County has not been acting in good faith by being proactive with the Town’s elected officials and certainly not with its citizens,” Milan wrote. “One has to wonder why?”

He wrote that the barbell interchange revisions “design do not show any quantifiable or qualifiable data on the Level of Service improvement on Main Street or Rt.7/287 intersections. In fact, both designs show the same level of service which is almost the same as no build.”

Compared to 2040 traffic projections without the new interchange, the county’s consultant predicted the interchange would result in worse traffic at the North 23rd Street intersection on Main Street, but equal or better traffic conditions at all the other intersections.

Milan also raised two frequent targets for recent Purcellville Town Councils— their own staff, and the town council under former Mayor Bob Lazaro, who last served in 2014. He wrote Buffington and the county government, after redesigning the interchange, did not work with the public, town council or HOA on the changes.

“They chose to work in the shadows

690 INTERCHANGE continues on page 35

LOUDOUN IN REVIEW

continued from page 7

campaign organized under the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

And supervisors will put Loudoun money where their mouths are. Next year, for the first time, supervisors plan a dedicated funding of revenue for affordable housing, dedicating a half-cent of the real estate tax rate to the county’s housing fund.

A Reckoning on Race, Roads

The county’s project to rename public property named for Confederate

2022and segregationist leaders and symbols marked the two biggest items off the list in March. The Commonwealth Transportation Board unanimously approved Loudoun County’s request to rename Rt. 7 and Rt. 50, previously named for the segregationist lawmaker who led Massive Resistance and a Confederate cavalry commander, and restore their historic names of Leesburg Pike and Little River Turnpike. In November, supervisors voted to offer grants to the businesses that will have to buy new business cards, signs and vehicle wraps due to the address change.

They also hit a roadblock—most of the street names changed in the Hillwood Estates subdivision, where the streets were named for Confederate officers, but not all. The subdivision is partially inside Round Hill town limits, and in September the town council voted not to change the name of Mosby

Court, which is entirely inside the town.

And supervisors launched an even bigger project in December, approving a two-year project to study the impacts today of Loudoun’s long history of school segregation and consider options for reconciliation.

A Safe Haven in Loudoun

In February, Loudouners—including many local government officials—were surprised to learn that the Department of Homeland Security was considering staging a safe haven site for Afghan evacuees on their way to their new homes in the U.S. at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne. Sheriff Mike Chapman alerted the public with a press release Feb. 17, warning he had safety concerns about the plan.

The Afghans coming to the site were to be U.S. allies and their families who had helped U.S.’s 20-year war effort

in the country, and others who were particularly vulnerable after the U.S.’s abrupt withdrawal from the country like women’s rights activists, judges and journalists, who faced brutal retaliation from the Taliban. Facing questions about how to help them from some corners, and outrage from others, local and federal officials planned a public information meeting Thursday, Feb. 24—only for local officials to find out minutes before the meeting began that the contract had just been signed. Nonetheless they stuck out a meeting that lasted past midnight.

The first evacuees showed upon March 9. Then, silence. The site ran nearly invisibly and virtually without incident for months. On Sept. 27, the Department of Homeland Security announced it had wrapped up work at the site, having housed 4,500 Afghans stopping off on their way to new homes across the country. n

690 interchange

continued from page 34

with senior management of the Town of Purcellville, claiming Town Council has no regulatory authority on this major road development,” he wrote.

He likened studies of expected traffic alleviation to “the promise from the

Lazaro Town Council regarding their reason to build the Southern Collector Road, and their reason for building the road was that the Southern Collector Road would alleviate traffic on Main Street. Has it?”

“I have reviewed Mayor Fraser and Mayor-elect Milan’s comments and there are so many falsehoods,” Supervisor Tony R. Buffington wrote in response to Loudoun Now. “I could respond to

them all; however, the gist is that it is the Town and not the County, whose actions are likely going to cause either longterm delay or flat out cancellation of the long planned Route 690 Interchange that would alleviate some of the congestion from Purcellville’s current Rt 287 Interchange and provide a new alternative for residents, business owners and tourists to enter and exit the Town of Purcellville.

And the Town is taking this risk over a 1/6th of an acre floodplain easement that has been accounted for in the new Interchange’s design in order to ensure no negative impacts to any adjacent property.”

To see Fraser’s full letter to the editor, go to loudounnow.com and to read Milan’s full statement go to facebook.com/MilanforMayor. n

TOWNS IN REVIEW

continued from page 19

townhouses, and 10 single-family “cottage-style” homes.

Both were presented only as concepts that could be explored and altered if the town moves forward with boundary line adjustments.

Additional public meetings and Town Council discussions were held throughout the year, but no formal applications have been taken up for review.

Salamander Began Residential Development

Shelia Johnson’s 15-year vision of transforming 340 acres on the northern edge of Middleburg into a top hospitality destination entered a new phase in July with the celebratory groundbreaking for the Residences at Salamander.

The project, under development by South Street Partners, adds 49 luxury homes to the town.

“My vision, I can’t say enough about it, is finally coming to fruition. It was not just to build the resort to become an economic engine for the Town of Middleburg, but also to expand our lifestyle brand of Salamander,” Johnson said.

PURCELLVILLE

Bike Park, Pickleball Found Council Support

Last December, Michelle Caudill first proposed the idea of creating a bike park in town as a memorial to her son 15-year-old son, Adam, who died the previous January. Town Council and staff members quickly lined up to pledge support for the effort.

2022Town leaders looked at various sites, help facilitate grant funding and provided staff support. The park was constructed through $75,000 in donations and grants secured by the Caudill family and part of the town’s federal American Recovery Plan Act funding.

In October, Caudill helped cut the ribbon on the new park, located next to the town water tower on Maple Avenue near Loudoun Valley High School.

While that project quickly moved to fruition, town leaders have pledged support for another facility that may take longer to complete. During the spring, the council heard from dozens of pickleball players who pressed for a dedicated facility to host their matches.

The council adopted a resolution pledging to support efforts to be led by nonprofit WLC Pickleball Inc., to acquire equipment and lease space to play, to assist in finding spaces for the sport to grow and advocating the establishment of a permanent indoor center in western Loudoun.

The nonprofit had targeted a property just north of the town boundary as one option to get the new center open quickly. At year’s end, talks of incorporating pickleball courts into the embattled Fields Farm Park plans were gaining traction.

Council, Staff Frictions Prompted Consultant Review

After years of escalating friction between some Town Council members and some town staff members, the municipal leaders in October were delivered a roadmap to rebuilding trust, respect, and civility.

The independent management analysis was conducted by municipal government veteran John Anzivino who previously served as the towns’ interim town manager. His 35-page report pointed to management policies in place in other jurisdictions he said could help clarify roles, reduce frustrations, and more ef-

ficiently use the staff’s time and talent.

Anzivino returned in November to present an 85-page staffing analysis that included 36 recommendations for the council to consider including hiring 10 additional full-time staff members by fiscal year 2026, implementing a transition plan to replace staff members eligible to retire, improving compensation for employees, and developing training and career development programs for current employees.

New Historic District Overlay Halted

A divided Purcellville Town Council in March killed a plan for a new Historic District Preservation Overlay Zone that was proposed by the Planning Commission as a tool to discourage demolition of buildings deemed to have historic significance.

Following a public hearing on the proposal, the council had been expected to approve a plan to update the 2006 survey that identified 283 properties that were designated as having structures of historical significance but were located outside the town’s existing Historic Corridor Overlay District. The intent was to address one of the most common public criticisms of the plan by confirming that the properties targeted for protection in the new district still met the qualifications to be viewed as historic structures. However, a majority of the council either opposed the concept of the overlay district or did not support spending money on the survey.

ROUND HILL

Main Street/Franklin Park Trail Completed

After two decades of planning, town and county leaders in September celebrated the completion of a trail connecting Round Hill and Franklin Park and a Main Street sidewalks and stormwater

management system.

Both projects were conceived in the early 2000s and in 2014 were combined into a joint project to better coordinate construction and limit disruption to residents.

“It took us 20 years to make it happen. It was a long road, but it all started with a belief that this town could be better,” Mayor Scott Ramsey said.

He said the project turned out to be far more complicated—resulting in a cycle of design and redesign to meet ever-changing standards and having to find more money each time.

“In 2006, we thought we were there. We had the money. We were going to go out for bid. We even put it in our newsletter,” Ramsey said. “How wrong we were. That was 16 years ago.”

Next, county leaders hope to work with the Purcellville Town Council to build a trail from the park to the west side of town.

Western Expansion Approved

Round Hill grew by 125.5 acres this year through a cooperative boundary line adjustment with the county government.

Included in the 18 lots are three county properties—the Sheriff’s Office Western Loudoun substation, a future fire-rescue station site next door and the School Board’s Round Hill Support Center, the former elementary school assemblage. The expansion also would take in the Hill High Marketplace complex along with seven residential properties where the landowners have consented.

The expansion is the first of several the Town Council is considering to incorporate land within the designated Joint Land Management Area where it provides utility service.

Prior to the annexation, Round Hill covered 237 acres and had 700 residents. n