Loudoun Now for March 2, 2017 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 2, No. 17 ]

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One Loudoun’s plan for more homes rejected

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017 ]

Housing Needs Report Gets Mixed Reception from Supervisors BY RENSS GREENE

lous county in Virginia has lost 25% of its judicial workforce and will now have only three resident circuit court judges to handle a complex and growing docket,” he wrote. “I fear that this reduction in Loudoun judicial force will most certainly lead to a postponement of the proposed establishment of a remedial drug court in Loudoun County given the judicial time commitments required to run such a program.” After years of work by legislators, judges and lawyers to persuade the General Assembly of the need for more help in addressing Loudoun’s growing and complex caseload, a fourth Circuit Court judgeship was created two years ago. Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. was ap-

The Envision Loudoun effort to update the county’s long-term community development vision is entering a new phase, following several months of public input and consultant studies. Now the 26-member stakeholder committee, appointed by the Board of Supervisors to lead the effort, will sort through those piles of information—including 210 pages of public comments— and begin developing the goals that will form the skeleton of the massive planning exercise over the next year. In the end, county supervisors will establish the framework for what Loudoun will be like in 2040. At this stage of the discussion, no issue looms larger than meeting the county’s future housing needs. County leaders got a data dump on the topic last week. According to the newly released “foundations report” prepared by county consultants and the planning staff, current planning policies would allow the construction of more than 51,000 additional residential units. Of that total, more than 29,000 have already been approved and are somewhere in the construction pipeline. Meanwhile, a housing needs assessment prepared by George Mason University and a consultant also was released last week. That study’s key finding—that Loudoun needs to make room for 18,300 more homes by 2040—drew a mixed reception from county supervisors. Both studies agree that Loudoun will need to build tens of thousands of new homes by 2040; they differ on whether large-scale policy changes are needed to provide more development opportunities. County planners expect that demand to be about 50,000 additional units, while the GMU study put the need at 64,000 over the next 20 years. By comparison, 65,700 residential units were approved for development between 2000 and 2015, according to the foundation report.

JUDGESHIP >> 35

HOUSING NEEDS >> 34

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

An empty Loudoun Circuit Court courtroom may be a familiar sight following the General Assembly’s decision to eliminate funding for one of the county’s four judgeships.

Judgeship Cut Expected to Hit Courts Hard BY NORMAN K. STYER

he General Assembly on Saturday adopted a revised two-year, $107 billion state budget that closed a $1.2 billion deficit while also restoring raises for state employees, continuing the expansion of mental health services and protecting education funding. Left on the cutting block was one position that Loudoun’s legal community warns will have significant impacts to residents. Just two years after winning funding for a fourth Circuit Court judgeship to handle the growing caseload, the money was stripped away in this year’s cost-cutting. Losing the judgeship is expected to

strain the workload of the three remaining judges and all but ensures that Loudoun leaders will be unable to pursue plans to reestablish a drug court. Since word of the proposed reduction surfaced early in February, Loudoun’s delegation lobbied hard to preserve the position. Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and a budget conferee, was able to restore funding in the House’s version of the budget, but in the end Senate conferees would not budge on reinstating the $288,000 needed. Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) informed the Loudoun County Bar Association of the outcome in an email Friday morning. “As a result of this ill-conceived and imprudent action, the third most-popu-

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Brambleton library breaks ground

Indivisible Town Hall Poses Sharp Questions for Comstock

rustrated with Rep. Barbara Comstock’s refusal to hold an in-person town hall, members from several affiliated political groups held one without her Friday, promising to send the questions posed there to the congresswoman. The event was held by members of several Indivisible groups, a loosely connected political network that is adapting tactics successfully used by tea party conservatives in recent years to influence legislators for liberal means. The guide they follow, prepared by former congressional staffers, has a particular focus on obstructing President Donald J. Trump’s controversial agenda. The practice of holding town halls for members of Congress who declined to hold their own during the February Congressional recess became a nationwide hallmark of Indivisible tactics. Jan Hyland, one of the organizers of Indivisible Lovettsville 20180, said the

event came about out of frustration when requests to Comstock’s office to schedule a town hall weren’t even answered. “Only in the absence of that kind of dialogue did we say, ‘here’s how we’re going to do it,’ and really went to great lengths to make sure this is going to be a productive dialogue,” Hyland said ahead of the meeting. “We want only people who are voters in the district to be there, people who have thoughtful questions that they want to share with the congresswoman, and we wanted to create a format that, if she changes her mind and decides to come, it will work for that.” She did not. Comstock (R-VA-10) and her office were largely dismissive of the town hall, criticizing the size of the event, which accommodated only 150 people, and the moderator, Maryland-based food writer, critic and speaker Todd Kliman. Comstock’s office criticized Kliman for not living in the 10th District and hosting a series of panel discussions focused on Trump called

“WTF Now!?” “The Congresswoman has a long standing prior commitment tonight, and has hosted two telephone town halls that reached approximately 9,000 constituents where she can engage in a civil and conversational manner,” said Comstock Deputy Chief of Staff Jeff Marschner in a statement. “We have found constituents appreciate the opportunity to call in from home or wherever they are and listen in at their convenience,” and that Comstock is in “constant communication” with her constituents. Comstock’s telephone town hall Tuesday, Feb. 21, covered a range of topics, particularly health care, and the congresswoman faced questions both friendly and challenging. She and her staff kept the call going about a half hour longer than planned, and said “thousands” of people were listening and “hundreds” lined up to ask questions. Only a handful of people got that opportunity, however. A previous town

Williams defends $1 billion budget

Developer floats idea for senior living community

INDIVISIBLE >> 24

Warm Winter a Mixed Bag for Businesses, Town BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ & DANIELLE NADLER

Artist looks to tell Sterling’s story

INDEX

historic Winter Storm Jonas “helped us get through the hump.” With the trucks staying parked most of this season, though, Zendek said they have stayed busy with excavating work.

“We just have to keep our wheels turning,” she said. “We haven’t had any down time. We’ve gotten a lot of small WARM WINTER >> 5

loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Snow plows wait on the side of Trailview Boulevard in Leesburg.

Loudoun Gov..................... 6 Leesburg......................... 10 Public Safety................... 14 Education........................ 16 Biz.................................. 20 Nonprofit......................... 22 Our Towns....................... 26 LoCo Living..................... 30 Obituaries....................... 36 Classifieds...................... 37 Opinion........................... 40

Barring an historic March, winter 2017 will be a forgettable year for some area businesses that rely on revenues for snow removal services. “It’s the worst year ever,” Wendy Zendek, of Lucketts Excavating, said with a laugh. Thankfully, she has kept her sense of humor in a winter that has seen her company’s trucks called out only six times. “Which is devastatingly low,” she said. Snow removal services are not Lucketts Excavating’s primary line of work – it does excavating services as well, hence the name. However, it has for the past 11 years been under contract with the Dulles Greenway to plow its on- and off-ramps, as well as the Main Toll Plaza, so the revenue for that contact in a stormy winter can be significant. The winter 2012/2013 season was the company’s best, she notes, as its crews were called out 25 times. Last year, they were called out only five times, but the

BY RENSS GREENE

Manslaughter charge brought in Rt. 28 crash

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The view from the seat reserved for Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10).

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ed. After the audit, council members will be asked to appropriate some of the surplus to the town’s 20 percent reserve goal, while the remaining funds are split in half for the debt reserve fund and the Capital Asset Replacement Fund. Still, some who equate snow to business are holding out hope. “We would love to have the snow and hoping to have maybe a little bit in March,” Coughlin said. “It can certainly happen. I’ve pushed snow on St. Patrick’s Day, and I remember removing snow at Dulles Airport while my kids were on break with spring break.” The forecast shows a chance of a wintry mix on Friday. krodriguez@loudounnow.com dnadler@loudounnow.com

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jobs but every little bit helps.” Snow removal is an important revenue source for Blake Landscapes. The Leesburg-based company has the contract to clear sidewalks and all other pedestrian areas at Dulles Airport. “Our main sources of revenue are landscaping maintenance, landscaping installation and snow removal. One of those sources didn’t produce this year,” Blake Landscapes Project Manager Matt Coughlin said. “It’s not a crisis, but it’s been a hit.” Clear forecasts have kept the landscaping side of the business busier than in most Februaries, which has helped. The Blake team is clearing dead trees along the Dulles Toll Road and designing landscape projects earlier in the season than most years. “The big down side I think is really for our employees,” Coughlin said. “We’re keeping guys busy, but we’re not keeping as many guys as busy if we had a lot of snow.” On the flip side, those in construction industry are rejoicing over Mother Nature’s mercy this year. Capital Rail Constructors, the consortium of contractors building Metro Silver Line’s extension into Loudoun County, budgeted for 45 inclement weather days as part of its multi-year construction schedule. “This mild winter has been a blessing to us all,” Marcia McAllister, communications manager with Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, said this

year can be held over until next winter as the materials do not expire unless they are exposed to moisture. The town was certainly prepared— if not overprepared—for an extreme winter. Many in the public criticized Leesburg’s response to snow removal last year following the January storm, with many neighborhoods not receiving a pass from snow plows until a few days after the snow had abated. This year, the town more than doubled the number of contractors it had for snow removal services, and even added an additional $85,000 in the fiscal year budget specifically for snow removal. That money, Town Manager Kaj Dentler said, will be placed in the unassigned fund balance at the end of the fiscal year until an audit is complet-

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

<< FROM 3

week. “Generally speaking, the unexpectedly mild winter has been great for all of our construction activities. We have had some very windy, rainy days and nights that have caused short-term postponements but they were readily rescheduled.” The balmy winter will likely not fast-forward the rail line’s opening date much, still slated for 2020. Town of Leesburg public works staff is also counting its blessings this year. Renee LaFollette, director of the Capital Projects and Public Works Department, said the lack of snow is helping her staff chip away their to-do list that otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to touch. Concrete repair work, clearing of brush and trees around pond outfalls, and fixing trip hazards on sidewalks are just a few things keeping the crews busy these days. “Those types of things we wouldn’t be able to touch in a cold winter,” she said. “It’s getting us more prepared for the spring time.” Another positive has been that the warm winter has not impacted the town’s construction projects, at least in a negative way. The renovation of the Catoctin Skatepark, whose opening could have been delayed by a bad winter, is coming along, and the capital projects staff has also been able to start ahead of schedule on the Battlefield Parkway extension off Rt. 15. Thus far, LaFollette estimates that, at most, the town crews have gone through 1,000 tons of salt for the minor ice and snow events that have occurred. Luckily, whatever salt and beet juice road treatments remain from this

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[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

Supervisors Reject One Loudoun Development Changes BY RENSS GREENE

ne Loudoun’s beleaguered application to add hundreds of new homes, a self-storage facility, reduce a setback from Rt. 7 and more was narrowly rejected by the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 23. Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) gave a fiery speech in defense of the application, contrasting the ongoing review of the Silver Line Comprehensive Plan Amendment— which contemplates allowing more than 4,000 additional townhouses within the Metro tax district—to the One Loudoun application, which proposes 40 townhouses and 260 apartments. Meyer asserted that the changes requested for a portion of the 358-acre development would address a demand for more affordable, millennial-focused housing. “Here’s what it comes down to,” Meyer said. “Anyone who votes against this, and I know who you are, who supported 4,400 townhouses, I will hold you accountable, my constituents will hold you accountable, any time you run for anything in the future.” That didn’t sit well with other supervisors. “I don’t appreciate threats,” said board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn). “Be very careful. … Secondly, I don’t appreciate half-truths.” Buona pointed out that the Silver Line plans are still under review and that the latest draft would set a maximum of 4,400 townhomes for the area—not approve them. He also said the county is seeing more demand for townhouses than for apartments. To avoid putting the cost for Metro on the rest of the county, Buona said, the tax district around the planned Metro stations must flourish. “If we don’t make it work, guess

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn)

what: everybody in the county’s going to pay for Metro,” Buona said. Even Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian), who supported One Loudoun’s application, stepped back from Meyer’s remarks. “There needs to be made a clear distinction on what is in the comprehensive plan,” Volpe said. “That is the vision. That is not the zoning ordinance, so should none of the landowners in that area want to build townhouses, if they have a different vision or bring through a different rezoning, 4,400 townhomes in no way is a guarantee to occur.” “The bottom line is, the question for us is, where do we want growth?” Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said. “Where do we want multifamily growth, in particular? Do we want it somewhere that’s not transit oriented, or do we want it in our transit-oriented tax districts.” Letourneau also said that “at some

point, the word of the Board of Supervisors has to mean something.” “We have been through multiple iterations of various applications, including this one, where the board makes a deal, and then there’s a request to change the deal, and we give in, and then there’s another request to change the deal, and then we give in again, and so on,” Letourneau said. He said the most recent change to One Loudoun’s development plans, which removed requirements meant to ensure commercial development happens simultaneously with residential building, was “the most troubling.” “The fact is that the applicant does not have to build a single square foot of retail or commercial or office in this project ever again because of the action that the previous board took,” Letourneau said. “So if that’s going to be the case, then I’m not particularly excited about giving them even more residential, particularly when there’s

several hundred residential units that they have approval for that they haven’t built yet.” Other supervisors also expressed reservations, particularly about road infrastructure. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said that was the only reason she voted against the application. “I live in Lansdowne, and so I live right near One Loudoun,” Randall said. “And the reason I’m voting no on this is because I understand that there will be new roads built right around One Loudoun, but I think we can’t look at development in four square block issues. We have to look at development in a much more holistic way.” Meyer argued that high apartment rents—including the $1,800 per month he said he paid when he previously lived in Loudoun Station,—were evidence that there is more demand than is realized for apartment homes. “If you really think that our longterm vision needs to include basically 5,000 additional townhouses in Ashburn, I think you’re wildly out of touch,” Meyer said. “Secondly, if you think that’s what it needs to make Metro work, then you probably need to rethink why we brought Metro here.” One Loudoun’s latest application was first proposed with 740 new residential units, coming down on that number several times over the course of several months of negotiations and public hearings. Plans to build a larger indoor recreation center for the county government to manage were also eventually scrapped in favor of a cash contribution and parking garage. Supervisors voted down the application 5-4, with Supervisors Meyer, Volpe, Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) and Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) in favor. rgreene@loudounnow.com

County Looks to Advance Rt. 9 Roundabout Construction BY RENSS GREENE The Board of Supervisors’ finance committee has directed the staff to assess options to accelerate construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Rt. 9/Rt. 287 intersection north of Purcellville. To assemble the $11.2 million needed to build the project in fiscal year 2020, supervisors suggested the county delay building athletic fields and public restrooms at Scott Jenkins Park near Hamilton, projected to cost $4.5 million; use up unused debt capacity in those years; and if necessary, delay other projects in the Blue Ridge and Catoctin districts. “In previous [Capital Improvement Programs], this project was funded to a point where it should be under construction right now, and for various reasons it fell behind,”

said Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge). The county will seek to begin construction in fiscal year 2020, which begins in June 2019. Planning work for the roundabout began in 2014. At that time, VDOT figures reported that Rt. 9 carried an average of 16,000 vehicle trips per day at the intersection, while Rt. 287 carried 8,500. “We all know that the longer we wait on this, the more it’s going to cost,” Buffington said. The finance committee last week approved Buffington’s motion 4-0-1, Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) absent. Motions by Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) to accelerate a W&OD Trail overpass at Sterling Boulevard either by delaying work on Prentice Road, Dulles West Bou-

The intersection of Rt. 9 and Rt. 287 north of Purcellville.

levard or Westwind Drive or by using up unallocated debt capacity—which would have competed with the Charles Town Pike round-

about—failed to find support among committee members. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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served on the Loudoun County Library Board. Both credited Fox for his leadership in making the project happened. “It was very creative. Everybody is happy about it,” Buffington said of both the construction partnership and the overall design of the building. Universal community support for a development project is something supervisors rarely experience, he noted. He also pointed out that once the 40,000-square-foot facility opens, the county’s library system will have more than 1 million books on its shelves. “This has been an amazing collaboration. This is the perfect example of the county working with business to bring forward a very much needed facility for our residents,” Volpe said. “We are very blessed to have Bill Fox and his team, who look beyond themselves and want to do what is best for the community. Bringing this facility forward is a shining example of what it is to be a true community partner.” Like the Gum Spring Library, which was developed using a similar collaborative model with Stone Ridge developer Van Metre, the Brambleton Library will include much more than bookshelves. In addition to technology access, gaming rooms and community meeting spaces, the library will have a purpose-built makers space—including 3D printers and a recording/mixing studio—an interactive discovery wall and an outdoor children’s play area. The library also will feature an expanded collection of Hindi and international books.

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Lt. Governor Ralph Northam stumps on the gubernatorial campaign trail at Chimole restaurant in Leesburg Monday, Feb. 27.

It's ‘Game On’

Northam Stumps in Leesburg BY RENSS GREENE Current lieutenant governor and gubernatorial hopeful Ralph Northam stopped by Chimole restaurant in Leesburg Monday morning to tell assembled Democrats: “We have a fight on our hands. I’m a fighter.” Northam contrasted his stances on social issues—which include protections and inclusion for LGBT people, defense of Planned Parenthood funding, and “common sense gun laws”— with President Donald J. Trump’s 2016 campaign. “We just witnessed a campaign in 2016 that was run on hatred; it was run on bigotry, discrimination, fear, and a lot of misinformation; and I think most people in this commonwealth and this country are standing up and saying no. No, that is not the United States of America that I signed up for. That’s not the country that I love, and it’s not the Commonwealth of Virginia that I love,” Northam said. “We’re not going to accept that this is the new normal.” Democrats are hoping to ride a wave of backlash against Trump to reclaim governorships and legislative seats around the country, particularly in districts that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 election. Clinton and her vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), beat Trump in Virginia by five points in 2016, doing particularly well in Northern Virginia. Northam said “game on.” “I will remind all of you that the pendulum in this business swings hard and fast, and this is our time to build our party, to build our base,” Northam said. Opening for Northam, Virginia Sen. Jennifer T. Wexton (D-33) said the stakes in 2017 are high for Democrats. She said one of the reasons Republicans carry a 64-33 majority in the House of Delegates is that “it’s hopelessly gerrymandered.” Wexton pointed out that the governor elected in 2017 will preside over Virginia’s decennial redistricting.

“I absolutely assure you that if both houses of the General Assembly and the governor’s mansion are in Republican hands, they are going to draw themselves a permanent majority,” Wexton said. “We cannot let that happen.” Several bills intended to address redistricting, including one this year to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission, have failed in the General Assembly in the past several years. Northam particularly emphasized gun control and LGBT protections in his stump speech, bringing up major sporting events and companies that moved out of North Carolina in the wake of that state’s controversial “bathroom bill,” requiring that transgender people use the bathroom of their gender at birth. Some of those events and companies, he pointed out, came to Virginia. He was introduced by Andrew Goddard, who has been a prominent face in lobbying for tighter gun control laws since his son sustained serious injuries after being shot in the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre that left 32 people dead. Northam drew on his professional experience in making his case. “I took care of wounded soldiers during Desert Storm. I know all too well what assault weapons do to human beings,” Northam said. “[…] I have taken and held toddlers in my arms, 2- and 3-year-old children, who have picked up loaded weapons on the bedside table and shot themselves. I am the one who has had to tell their parents that they’re not going to live.” Northam, a pediatric neurologist, former Virginia senator, and Desert Storm veteran, is competing with attorney, diplomat, and former congressman Tom Perriello for the Democratic Party nomination for Virginia governor. Democratic primary elections for the November general election will be held June 13. rgreene@loudounnow.com

9 Mar. 2 – 8, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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American Legion Post 150 is mounting a fundraising campaign to refurbish the Veteran’s Memorial in Sterling.

Community Rallies to Spruce Up Sterling Veterans Memorial and let’s show our Veterans that Sterling stands with them. Any amount helps, and no donation is too small. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this request, and hope you will join me,” Saines wrote in the original solicitation. That goal was surpassed with in just a few weeks, allowing Saines and members of American Legion Post 150 to consider more substantial repairs and renovation of the quiet pocket park. To follow their progress or help with the effort, go to gofundme.com/restoresterlingveteransmemorial.

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[ LEESBURG ]

Leesburg Budget: Dentler Recommends Staff Increase, Level Tax Rate BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

odest commercial growth has paved the way for perhaps an easy budget year in the Town of Leesburg. Tuesday night, Town Manager Kaj Dentler presented the Town Council with his proposed fiscal year 2018 budget. The $107 million budget is the first of a two-year budget, a tradition started by former Town Manager John Wells. For the next two fiscal years, Dentler is recommending an unchanged real

estate tax rate of 18.6 cents per $100 of assessed value. The equalized tax rate is 18.23 cents, and there is a $261,000 revenue difference between the equalized Town Manager rate and the proKaj Dentler posed 18.6-cent rate. If council members wish to lower that rate, they would need to cut $708,000 per penny.

If the 18.6-cent rate is adopted, residential homeowners would see very slight increases in their tax bills. Single-family homeowners can expect an annual increase in their tax bill at $10, townhouses at $21, and condominium owners at $19. Increases in commercial real estate tax revenues, at more than 10 percent, along with modest increases in new construction and assessments have helped to keep the town in a desirable financial position, Dentler said. “It’s not crazy, runaway increases, BUDGET >> 11

[ BRIEFS ]

Graphics

Top, a rendering of the planned Leesburg Bypass interchange at Edwards Ferry Road. Below, a rendering of the lowest-cost design for the planned Fort Evans Road intersection, adds pedestrian bridge, but eliminates access from the southbound lanes.

Bypass Interchange Options Aired

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Members of the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company hand-dry new fire engine #601 as part of a dedication ceremony Sunday.

Leesburg Volunteer Fire Co. Dedicates New Engine BY DANIELLE NADLER Leaders in Loudoun County’s volunteer fire community celebrated a mix of the old and the new Sunday. Men and women from the county’s longest-running fire company, Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company, took part in a century-old tradition to christen a shiny, new fire engine. With Mayor Kelly Burk manning the hose, the firetruck was doused with water and hand-dried by members of the volunteer fire company. Cpt. James Fazekas said the wetdown ceremony is a tradition that dates back to the days when fire engines were pulled by horses. Soaking the fire engine was needed to clean off the horse manure, he said. “That’s the theory of how it got started,” he added. At the start of the ceremony, Deputy Chief Matthew Myers unveiled that

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

James B. “JB” Anderson II, former Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company chief, spots his name etched on the side of the new fire engine, which was dedicated to him.

engine #601 was dedicated to James B. “JB” Anderson II, an announcement that caught Anderson, the company’s former fire chief, off guard. Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company Chief Jim Cook walked Anderson around the engine to show him that his name had been painted on the side of the vehicle, in gold lettering in the middle of a green clover. “I’m proud to be a part of this group since ’66,” Anderson said. He thanked his wife and the men and women he’d worked with at the company over the years. Members of the fire company and their families gathered at Fire Station 20 on Plaza Street to get a good look at the new piece of equipment, a Pierce Enforcer featuring a 525-horse power motor, a 1,500-gallon-per-minute NEW FIRE ENGINE >> 12

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation plan a public briefing Thursday, March 2 to present the latest ideas for building interchanges that will remove traffic lights from two Leesburg Bypass intersections. There is a $20 million cost differential among the three options. The plans for the Edwards Ferry Road interchange have been developed, but engineers are looking at three options for the Fort Evans Road interchange. Residents will have a chance to share their recommendations during the community meeting, set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Leesburg Elementary School. It will still be several years before construction begins on either project, but town leaders are working to address congestion and safety concerns at the two crossing points, which annually have the one of the highest accident rates in town. The projects also will seek to increase connectivity between homes and businesses separated by the highway. The alternatives that have been developed for Fort Evans Road are: Alternate A, an at-grade rightin/right-out, with a pedestrian bridge across the bypass for a cost of $79.7 million; Alternate B, a grade-separated interchange, with Fort Evans Road going over the bypass, at a cost of $96.3 million; Alternate C, a grade-separated interchange with the bypass crossing over Fort Evans Road, at a cost of $100.9 million. A formal public hearing is planned in November after which the Town Council and Board of Supervisors will be asked to endorse a design. BRIEFS >> 13

11 << FROM 10

$27.5 million in fiscal year 2018 which includes utilities projects. Eighty-two percent of projects in the CIP are for streets and utilities projects, Dentler said. Some major projects moving dirt next fiscal year include the already-started Battlefield Parkway extension from the Dulles Greenway to Rt. 15; the pedestrian trail across the Rt. 15 bypass and Battlefield Parkway; and the airport self-fueling facility, which is paid through a partnership with ProJet Aviation and state grant funding. Finally, the proposed budget includes $24.6 million for the utility fund, a 16.6 percent increase. Dentler has proposed a budget schedule, which council members agreed to during Monday night’s work session. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A budget public hearing is planned for Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m., and the tax rate public hearing is eyed for the same night as the budget adoption, Tuesday, April 4, during a special meeting. Meetings are held in Town Hall Council Chambers.

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time employee. Dentler has also proposed $50,000, some of which would be offset by revenues, for the creation of a new downtown event. The Taste of Leesburg would be in May or early June and give downtown restaurateurs an opportunity to showcase their culinary acumen and, perhaps most importantly, keep the momentum in the downtown area. On the IT side, Dentler is proposing the adoption of a town-wide strategic technology plan, at a $45,000 price tag, that would include cloud infrastructure, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity. “That’s the number one thing the Technology and Communications Commission has recommended the last couple of years,” he noted. “It’s time to consider that.” In addressing customer service, Dentler is looking into increasing the frequency of town newsletters from annual to be quarterly, and also the addition of closed captioning for cable broadcasts of Town Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Architectural Review meetings. Other enhancements that could create some buzz on the council dais are $250,000 for replacing the aging equipment and moving toward automation in the Town Hall parking garage, as well as $40,000 for a consultant to guide the H2 Overlay District review process. The six-year Capital Improvements Program, at $117 million, includes

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

but solid, modest growth,” he emphasized. The General Fund budget is proposed at $46.76 million, along with $8 million in debt service. That represents an overall 5.2 percent increase in the General Fund, and a little more than a 1 percent decrease in debt service. Real estate taxes account for 23 percent of revenues for the General Fund, Dentler said. Within the General Fund, Dentler has proposed pay for performance employee salary increases of an average of 3 percent; and, for the first time in years, an increase to the number of full-time staff members. Dentler wants to add five town staffers, three in the public works streets’ division, one in parks maintenance, and the addition of a zoning inspector. Of the addition of public works employees, Dentler noted that the number of staffers in the streets division has remained level at 27 since 2000, when Leesburg had 28,000 residents and 134 total lane miles. Since that time, both have almost doubled. “We have not been keeping up,” Dentler said. “The whole point of [the request] is to ask for a new crew of three people or decide if we want to change the service level expectation.” On the latter point, council members may again wrestle with the town’s brush and leaf pickup service and

street sweeping operations if they want to avoid adding additional staff members. The cost for the three new public works staffers comes out to $238,000 in annual personnel costs, plus additional set-up costs to include the purchase of a new vehicle and equipment. The parks maintenance position also represents an area where there has been no staffing increase for six years. And there has only been one town zoning inspector since one was laid off in 2010. For the 14 years prior to the layoffs, there had always been two zoning inspectors. With construction on both the residential and commercial side increasing, and aging neighborhoods giving way to perhaps more nuisance complaints, the need for the inspector position is real, Dentler said. Two areas within the General Fund that Dentler has paid special attention to are downtown Leesburg and IT. On downtown, as he did with the current fiscal year’s budget, Dentler has set aside funding for the council to consider participation in the national Main Street program. He emphasized that is a conversation the council will need to have, as some have expressed interest in it in the past. Dentler is asking council members to put the $110,000 in annual cost for the Main Street program aside in the budget, and then have a larger discussion on whether they wish to pursue it. This annual cost would also include the hiring of at least one staff member to oversee the program, and possibly even an additional part-

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

Budget

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New fire engine << FROM 10 pump and a 750-gallon water tank. It is equipped with side impact and rollover protection, cameras on all sides with a visual recording system, and a custom design that significantly lowers both the rear hose bed and crosslay handlines. Its length is a few inches shorter than the station’s current engine, which will make it easier to make tight turns in historic downtown Leesburg. The new engine seats six firefighters and cost almost $700,000. Myers said the volunteer fire company relies heavily on donations from community members, but the expensive new vehicle was made possible only by financial support from the Town of Leesburg, Loudoun County government and the Loudoun County Combined Fire Rescue System.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Cpt. James Fazekas looks over the new, state-of-the-art fire engine.

Cook said it was a three-year effort to secure the funds and design the engine, all led by the company’s Apparatus Committee. “The residents of the Town of Leesburg and our neighbors around Loudoun County will be proud to know that this new engine

will enable us to continue to provide the highest level of fire protection and emergency services.” The Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company was formed in November 1803 by residents of Leesburg as the first fire company in Loudoun County, and only

the seventh in Virginia and one of the first 100 in America. Today, the company operates with about 120 volunteers, in conjunction with the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue services. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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[ BRIEFS ] M.Page Oriental Rugs Closes after 19 Years

Church Street Parking Lot Paying Off

While it is not yet clear whether the town’s new public parking lot on Church Street has helped downtown businesses, it appears to be paying for itself. The town leases 79 parking spaces at $70 per space per month for a total monthly amount of $5,530. Thirty-five of the spaces are subleased to the county government, and 10 other parking spaces are currently leased for $70 per month. The lease cost of the remaining 32 spaces of $2,240 is to be partially recovered through hourly parking fees and parking enforcement revenue. In January, those spaces generated $2,070 in parking revenue, exclusive of roughly $600 in monthly parking fines assessed at the lot. Following that trend, the town staff expect parking revenue to fully cover the lease cost as early this month, according to a report presented to the Town Council this week.

CMY

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Loudoun native Mike Page, a go-to source for oriental carpets for more than three decades, has closed his Leesburg store. Page got his start in the business 32 years ago at Xanadu Oriental Rugs and then opened M.Page Oriental Rugs in 1998 in the Leesburg Village Shopping Center. Page said the tough economic climate and more competitive market led to his decision to close the store. “I have many people to thank along

the way,” Page wrote in a Facebook posting announcing the closure. “I owe Emmert Elsea a debt of gratitude for teaching me all about oriental rugs and the ins and outs of the business. All of my fellow rug merchants and suppliers that have become dear friends, thank you for your guidance and friendship. To the Ours, my landlords, thank you for being so supportive every step of the way.” He offered special thanks to his customers and his family. “What can I say, you made our store what it was. I appreciate all of you more than you will ever know. To my children … Thank you for being there for me, thank you for loving me, and thank you for loving the rug store like you did.”

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

<< FROM 10

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[ PUBLIC SAFETY ] Manslaughter Charge Filed in Fatal Rt. 28 Crash The driver in the Feb. 21 fatal crash on Rt. 28 near Dulles Airport has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, Andre Glenn M. Glenn, 26, of Sterling, was driving a Jeep Wrangler northbound on Rt. 28 about 2 a.m. last Tuesday when he struck a traffic divider just south of the Dulles Toll Road. Two female passengers were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the vehicle while Glenn and a male passenger remained inside the Jeep. Gabrielle M. Perry, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. The surviving female passenger was treated for injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening. Glenn and the male passenger were not seriously injured, the agency reported. Glenn was charged at the scene with DUI and driving on a suspended license. The felony involuntary manslaughter charge was added after additional investigation and review by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Glenn is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention

Center. A preliminary hearing on the felony charge is scheduled for April 12 in General District Court. A trial on the DUI and suspended license charges is scheduled March 14.

Center. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing there on March 22.

Bailey Charged in Loudoun Rural Burglary Spree

A Purcellville man is facing up to five years in prison for fatally shooting a pet dog after it bit a toddler last month. Loudoun County Animal Services investigated the case after receiving a request on Jan. 17 to test the deceased dog to rule out the possibility of rabies exposure to the bitten 19-month-old. The dog tested negative for rabies; however, the animal control officer and the veterinarian saw evidence of excessive use of a firearm and lacerations. A necropsy showed evidence of trauma and bruising to internal organs that occurred prior to the fatal gunshot, the agency reported. “Virginia law allows animal owners to use a firearm as a means to humanely destroy their dog, but death must be immediate,” Chief Animal Services Officer Mark Stacks stated. “Our focus in this investigation was whether the dog experienced any undue pain or suffering.” Thomas M. Hockett, 28, last week was charged with animal cruelty for allegedly beating the dog and shooting it to death. He was released on $2,500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in General District Court on April 12 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, Hockett faces up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Loudoun investigators have filed charges against a Maryland man suspected in at least six rural burglaries. Theodore R. Bailey, 62, was arrested Feb. 15 in Alexandria Bailey and was initially charged in connection with burglaries in Fauquier County. Loudoun detectives have connected Bailey to the Jan. 10 burglaries of a home on Grubstake Farm Lane near Purcellville where he was shown on surveillance video and on Charles Town Pike near Hamilton; the Feb. 6 burglaries of two homes on Rt. 50; and the Feb. 8 burglaries of two other homes on Rt. 50. Investigators said Bailey targeted firearms in his alleged break-ins. Bailey is charged in Loudoun County with six counts of burglary, six counts of grand larceny and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remains held without bond at the Fauquier County Adult Detention

Dog Shot After Biting Child; Owner Charged

Leesburg Mother Charged with Carrying Handgun at Airport A Leesburg woman traveling with her children was arrested Feb. 24 at Baltimore Washington Airport after she carried a loaded handgun through a security checkpoint. The .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with six rounds was in her handbag, according to the Transportation Security Administration. TSA officers detected the gun as the woman entered the security checkpoint. Maryland Transportation Authority Police confiscated the firearm and arrested her on state weapons charges. The woman was not identified, but the TSA used the case to highlight the importance leaving weapons behind when coming to an airport. Anyone who brings firearms to the checkpoint faces criminal charges and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000.

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[ E D U C AT I O N ]

School Leaders Defend $1.24B Budget BY DANIELLE NADLER

chool leaders gathered around a table with Loudoun County supervisors last week to formally request $759 million in local tax funding for public schools next fiscal year. Superintendent Eric Williams on Feb. 22 explained the intricacies of the full $1.24 billion spending plan adopted by the Loudoun County School Board. The budget relies on a 9 percent increase in local tax dollars over the current fiscal year, while enrollment is expected to grow by about 3,000 students, or 3.8 percent. Supervisors have questioned why the school system’s operating budget is increasing faster than its student population. But Williams said there are a lot of additional costs to a growing school

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Schools Superintendent Eric Williams presents the School Board’s budget request to the county Board of Supervisors on Feb. 22.

system, beyond just providing more seats for more students. He explained that Loudoun County continues to add more school buildings, which increases the need for employees and the overall operations and maintenance costs. He also noted that the school system has added special education students and students in need of extra help to learn English at a higher rate than the general student population growth. Each of those students cost more to educate. But, he stressed, that the amount the county government spends to educate one child, on average, still is comparatively lower than eight years ago. Local funding per pupil in fiscal year 2009 was $9,202, as compared to $8,028 (adjusted for inflation) next fiscal year, if the School Board’s full budget request is funded. “I show you this just for context— the county contribution is not at the

same level it was in FY09,” Williams said. “We feel that data shows that what we’re requesting is reasonable.” The superintendent also put a spotlight on areas in which the school system has made progress, including fullday kindergarten. Just two years ago, 518 students, or 11 percent of Loudoun kindergartners, attended school for a full academic day. By this fall, the plan is to earmark $8.9 million to provide as many as 4,600 students, or 82 percent of all Loudoun kindergartners, with a full day. He also highlighted line items in the budget that will provide more mental health services to secondary school students, and increase hours and pay for bus drivers, in an effort to attract and retain more drivers. “We are being assertive in this area because of the great need and the challenges we face BUDGET >> 19

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Hillsboro Charter Academy students team up with firefighters from Loudoun Heights Station 26 to assemble bicycles.

Elementary Students Get Glimpse of Engineering Careers BY DANIELLE NADLER Half of Hillsboro Charter Academy’s building was transformed into a bicycle factory last week. Kids as young as 6 years old rolled up their sleeves and cranked wrenches as part of a weeklong lesson meant to introduce the students to various engineering careers. Hillsboro Charter won a $1,000 grant from Virginia Department of Transportation, and physical education teacher Kelly VanBenten teacher earmarked some of that money for the bike-building workshop. Last Thursday, as part of National Engineers Week, the kindergarten through fifth-grade students worked alongside firefighters from Loudoun Heights Station 26 to put the bikes together. In all, they assembled 18 bikes. “It’s pretty cool to learn how to make a bike,” fourth-grader Jacob Lenhart said. “Now we actually get to use them.” As the students were hard at work, VanBenten said the bike-building workshop demonstrates the hands-on

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Hillsboro Charter Academy students assembled 18 bikes during National Engineers Week.

lessons that the founders of Hillsboro Charter Academy had envisioned when they first applied for a charter. The school opened in August as

Loudoun County’s second public charter school. “Where else can every kid in a school help build a bike?” she said.

The bikes will be stored on campus, where students can ride them during physical education class or as part of after-school programs. In the spring, the firefighters will return to teach the students bike safety. This week, also as part of National Engineers Week, Hillsboro students learned about the many types of engineering fields, including mechanical, chemical, civil and electrical. Each of the teachers wore clothes and carried props that demonstrated an engineering field. Throughout the week, they dropped clues and fielded questions to encourage students to guess what type of engineer they were pretending to be. VanBenten, sporting a NASA T-shirt, said, “We wanted to demonstrate all the different engineering related career paths they could go into. For example, I am an aerospace engineer.” The school also held a drive to collect LEGOs for the students to use year-round. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Courtesy of Foxcroft School

Summit Challenge: Think Like a Girl Teams from the Loudoun Academy of Science and Powhatan School won the high school and middle school divisions, respectively, at the sixth annual Expedition K2M: The STEM Summit. The competition was held at Foxcroft School in Middleburg and drew nearly 200 girls from 22 schools. The students spent the day solving math, science, logic, and engineering challenges. The event is sponsored by Leesburg-based technology company K2M.

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] Young Women Leadership Program Accepting Applications

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The office of U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) is accepting applications for the summer 2017 session of the 10th Congressional District Young Women Leadership Program. The program provides middle school and high school girls the opportunity to meet women in leadership positions in government, medicine, technology, philanthropy and business. The program’s participants will learn about career opportunities and the legislative process and also develop their leadership and communication skills. “This is the third consecutive year we have held the 10th Congressional District Young Women Leadership Program while in Congress,” Comstock said in a statement, “and this year builds on our effective mentorship program that has already helped hundreds of young women learn from women leaders who have made their marks in careers from education and technology to public service or medicine. This year’s program will run from mid-June to late August, and includes about two to four events per month held throughout the 10th Congressional District and at the U.S. Capitol. Interested applicants should complete an application at comstock.house.gov by May 15. Contact Comstock’s office at 202-225-5136 for more information.

Parent Group to Discuss Testing Fill Feature A panel will discuss whether students are over-tested, how to have students meet state standards without teaching to the test, and whether SAT and ACTs are losing their importance. Presenters include KH Kim, professor of Creativity and Innovation at The College of William & Mary; Ashley F. Ellis; Loudoun schools’ director of instructional programs; supervisor of assessment services Leigh Bennett; director of teaching and learning James E.

Dallas; and supervisor of social science and global studies William F. Brazier. A question-and-answer session will follow the panel discussion. The meeting is scheduled for March 8 at 7 p.m. and will be held at the School Administration Building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. Learn more about LEAP at lcps.org/domain/99.

Foxcroft Screening to Inspire Women Entrepreneurs Foxcroft School, an all-girls boarding school in Middleburg, will host a public screening of the documentary film “She Started It” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21. The event will include a presentation by entrepreneur Sheena Allen, who is featured in the film. Allen, Foxcroft’s 2017 Goodyear Fellow, will answer questions about the film and her journey from being a college senior with a good idea to becoming owner of two successful mobile app companies and a tech consulting business just six years later. “She Started It” tells the stories of five female technology entrepreneurs and explores the cultural roots and structural obstacles that contribute to female underrepresentation in entrepreneurship. According to a Kauffman Foundation study, women account for less that 10 percent of founders of high-growth firms. “The topic of young entrepreneurs in She Started It ties directly to several curricular initiatives at Foxcroft,” Head of School Cathy McGehee stated. “Sheena is an outstanding role model, not only for our girls developing apps in AP Computer Science but also for all students who have creative ideas for solving problems.” The screening will take place in the Engelhard Gymnasium at Foxcroft School, 22407 Foxhound Lane near Middleburg. Admission is free but seating is limited. RSVP to 540-6874510 or events@foxcroft.org by March 17.

Budget

Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) noted that the growth in the county, especially in the business sector, is to thank for the increased revenue. The data centers alone are providing $150 million in revenue this year, he said. “Five years ago, that number was about $25 million. I know a lot of people don’t want to see that growth, but at the same time that growth is what has put us in this position.” The Board of Supervisors held budget public hearing on Tuesday and plans others Thursday, March 2 at 3 p.m., at the Loudoun County Government center, 1 Harrison St. in Leesburg, and Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m. at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. Supervisors are expected to make a final vote on the budget Tuesday, April 4. dnadler@loudounnow.com

Visit The Marshall House For Its 2017 Opening Weekend! The Marshall House opens for its 2017 season on March 4th

View our new exhibit, “The Leadership of General George C. Marshall“ Tour hours for the new season are Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last tour begins at 4:00 p.m each day.

For details about The Marshall house, including directions, visit:

www.GeorgeCMarshall.org

703.777.1301

312 E. Market Street, Suite C

Leesburg, VA 20176

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in filling bus driver positions,” the superintendent said. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who chairs the county board’s finance committee, told Williams and School Board members that he was glad to see progress being made to restore some of what was lost during difficult budget years following the recession. But several county government departments also are in dire need of more staff and pay increases, he said. He noted that about 77 percent of Loudoun County Public Schools employees live in the county, while only about half of the county employees do. Most commute in from the west where the cost of living is lower. “We need to address some of these issues on the county side,” he said. “I just want to give you a heads up on that because it might be impacting future budget years.” Some of those shortfalls could be made up this budget cycle, as the budget outlook for fiscal year 2018 is brighter than it has been in several years. County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposed budget, presented to supervisors last week, calls for the addition of 176 full-time equivalent jobs and carves out $770.4 million for the schools. That would come up only $3.5 million short of the School Board’s request. That funding gap has been as much as $35 million in recent years.

I know a lot of people don’t want to see that growth, but at the same time that growth is what has put us in this position.

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

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A student in Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy poses a question to a panel of entrepreneurs at the CEO Roundtable on Feb. 21.

Budding Entrepreneurs Hear the Good, the Bad from Loudoun CEOs BY DANIELLE NADLER

iddle and high school students already dreaming about running their own businesses got to pick the brains of some of Loudoun County’s most successful entrepreneurs last week. The 30 teens who make up Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Academy class gathered for a CEO Roundtable on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The event featured five panelists: FCi Federal founder Sharon Virts, McLean Insurance President and CEO Doug Megill, Champagne Services owner Geoff Crawley, Community Foundation of Loudoun and Fauquier Counties Executive Director Amy Owen, and JP Events & Consulting President and CEO Tina Johnson. Asked by the event’s moderator, Successful Culture founder and CEO Marissa Levin, how they got their start as entrepreneurs, each of the panelists told stories of humble beginnings and rocky patches along the way. Virts started her company, FCi Federal, out of her mother’s basement. She was 24 years old when she first wanted to set out on her own, and 29 years old when she finally took the leap. “It was just me,” she said. FCi Federal now has 5,000 employees and subcontractors with a projected revenue of more than $200 million this year. “I failed a couple of times, but I never quit. I knew that was a good trait for an entrepreneur.” Megill said he knew he wanted to work in sales at 12 years old, when he consistently out sold his friends in their baseball team’s annual fundrais-

Marty Shoup/Blue Lion Multimedia

McLean Insurance President and CEO Doug Megill speaks to students enrolled in the Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

ing sales events. “Every entrepreneur needs to be a great sales person because if you have an idea, you need to be able to sell it,” he told the students. Almost every one of the panelists said there were times when their companies’ revenue had slumped so low that they could not take home a paycheck. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Levin stressed. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy launched last fall as a seven-month program designed to transform middle and high school students into entrepreneurs and business owners. Throughout the class, the academy’s students are developing business ideas. By the end of it, they will pitch their plans to investors and launch and run their own legal, fully formed companies and nonprofit organizations. Owen, a leader in Loudoun’s nonprofit sector, encouraged the budding

entrepreneurs to apply for internships, rub shoulders with people who are more experienced, and don’t be afraid to ask the stupid questions. “I love being surrounded by people who know so much more than me,” she said. “If you’re afraid to ask the questions or be around people who do know the answers, then you’re not going to advance. … You don’t know what you don’t know.” Levin told the students that they already have a key characteristic of any successful entrepreneur: courage. “What you’re doing is so courageous and so brave—to put yourself out there with your ideas,” she said. “That’s the first step.” Learn more about the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at loudounchamber.org/yea. dnadler@loudounnow.com

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce is assembling a panel of experts for a non-partisan discussion of “Business Insights for Navigating the Trump Administration” during a March 8 luncheon at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles. Three panelists will discuss both policy changes that have been initiated and are expected to be implemented. The speaker will be Michael Pocalyko, CEO of Monticello Capital; Jeff W. Dick, chairman and CEO of MainStreet Bancshares Inc. and MainStreet Bank; and Terry Clower, Northern Virginia chairman and professor of Public Policy at George Mason University. Attendees at the panel discussion will have the opportunity to hear how their anticipated policy changes may potentially impact businesses from a global, national and regional perspective. Pre-registered member pricing is $50; $65 at the door. Registration is at dulleschamber. org.

Grupe Joins Middleburg Real Estate Longtime Loudoun resident Scott Grupe has joined Middleburg Real Estate/ Atoka Properties. Grupe, of Grupe Philomont, graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and Tennessee State University. He has worked as an airline pilot for the past 30 years. He can be reached at sjgrupe@ gmail.com or 540-664-2659.

BrightStar Care Announces New Franchise Owner The BrightStar Care Leesburg franchise is under new ownership. Dan Price, a Leesburg resident, recently purchased the franchise, located at 21001 Sycolin Road, Suite 300B in Ashburn. The agency has caregivers available 24 hours, seven days a week. Its home care options include companion care, personal care, skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s home care, and general senior care services. BrightStar Care has more than 300 locations in 36 states. BrightStar Care Leesburg serves the communities of Ashburn, Sterling, Lansdowne and Stone Ridge. Learn more at brightstarcare.com.

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State Marketing Grant Targets Canadian Tourists The Northern Virginia Visitors Consortium received a $9,375 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program as part of a five-jurisdiction effort to lure more Canadian tourists to the region. The money will be used to support targeted, digital and social campaigns that will raise the profile of Northern Virginia—branded by the consortium as Virginia’s Cultural Region—in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The grant was part of more than $772,000 distributed by the VTC for 62 tourism marketing projects across the state. The grants are designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging local marketing dollars. Visit Loudoun CEO Beth Erickson is president of the consortium, which is comprised of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the City of Alexandria. She said the aim of the organization is to work together for mutual benefit rather than compete for the same tourism dollars. “Visitors don’t see boundary lines so we recognize the opportunity to promote the region as a whole, accentuating the varied tourism products across all of our jurisdictions,” Erickson stated. “This collaboration has already proven successful and this grant will allow us to develop additional campaigns that position the cultural region as a must-visit destination for Canadi-

an travelers.” The VTC Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships by leveraging limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor spending. A minimum of three entities must partner financially to apply. In announcing the awards, Gov. Terry McAuliffe stated: “I congratulate the more than 260 tourism partners across the Commonwealth that received funding for 62 projects—not only the highest number of partners awarded in the program’s history, but the highest dollar match by partners in a single funding cycle.” In 2015, tourism in Virginia generated $23 billion—with Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties ranking at the top three highest contributors, according to state figures. Learn more about the Northern Virginia Visitors Consortium at nvvc.virginia.org.

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Contributed

Nery Hernandez pats a soft corn cake filled with chicken and cheese at Nery’s Pupuseria in Purcellville.

Working for You

Nery’s Secret Ingredient for Family and Business: INMED BY NANCY C. BAKER When you enter Nery’s Pupuseria in Purcellville, you’re immediately greeted by a diminutive woman with a broad, dimpled smile behind the counter. She’s methodically patting a meat and cheese-filled corn cake, called a pupusa, between her slender hands—and she happily takes your order without missing a beat, as a pot of red beans bubbles on the stove behind her. Meet Nery Hernandez, who has been serving up authentic Salvadoran street food made from scratch for a year. It is the only western Loudoun pupuseria and a welcome culinary novelty in this part of the county. The warm yellows and spicy reds of the restaurant’s interior complement the rich bite of her homemade pupusas, flautas, and other savories along with her signature tangy curtido (a lightly fermented cabbage slaw with red chillies and vinegar). Together, they are a fiesta for the palate—served in generous portions at an extremely affordable price. Born in El Salvador, Hernandez moved to Virginia with her family when she was 12, learning to speak English while attending Loudoun County High School. After graduation, she married husband Alexander and found work as a cook and cashier at the SkateQuest café in Reston. Although she could fry up a mean burger and corn dog, her heart was in cooking the foods of her childhood. She fondly remembered the women who lined the streets of her village with their colorful tables of pupusas, pastelitos de carne, tamales and carmelized plantains. The memory of their chatter and loving

preparation of sweet and savory treats fed her soul. In fact, when Hernandez wasn’t working at the skating rink, she was recreating the aromas, textures and sounds of her beloved comfort food for her family and friends. After working at SkateQuest for several years, Hernandez decided to take her Salvadoran fare to the street, delivering lunches to hungry Latino construction workers at job sites around Loudoun County. Her side business became so successful that her husband invested in a food truck for her, which she ran for three years while juggling the needs of their growing family. As a young mother with three children, each a year apart, Hernandez admits she found entrepreneurship and parenting to be overwhelming. “I had no idea what I was doing on either account,” she laughs. Her sister-in-law suggested that she take some classes offered by INMED Partnerships for Children, a nonprofit organization based in Sterling that helps low-income and immigrant families build marketable skills and a support structure to raise healthy children. Hernandez attended INMED’s parenting classes regularly and took many of the group’s skills development classes, such as budget management. Over the years, she developed lifelong friendships with fellow parents and INMED staff, particularly Coralis Fernandez, INMED’s Educational Groups Facilitator. “I used to call her all the time when I was faced with difficult decisions,” Hernandez said. “She not only gave me great advice but taught me how to be patient in all things.” INMED >> 23

23 Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

INMED << FROM 22

Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church Issues 40 Days of Prayer Challenge

Nancy C. Baker is the communications director for INMED Partnerships for Children. Working for You is a rotating column providing space for Loudoun’s nonprofit leaders to let readers know what they do and how they can help the cause. To participate in the program, email editor@loudounnow.com.

Dandelion Meadow, a newly incorporated nonprofit in Purcellville, is seeking to meet with area residents interested in helping women struggling with addiction, abuse and trafficking. Organizers have planned a meet and greet session, titled “Let’s Take Back Loudoun County from Addiction and Trafficking” on Sunday, March 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Purcellville Public Safety Center. Del. John Bell (D-87) serves on the board of directors and plans to attend the meeting, along with leaders from Winchester and Northern Virginia. Dandelion Meadow founders cite Thistle Farms as a model for their operation. Thistle Farms was found-

ed in 1997 by Episcopal priest Becca Stevens, who opened a home for four women survivors of trafficking, addiction and prostitution. Today the residential program of Thistle Farms provides housing for up to 32 women and serves hundreds more with advocacy and referral services, including prison programs, medical care, therapy, education and job training. Thistle Farms employs its residents and graduates in social enterprises, including a natural bath and body product line, a café, a crafts studio and a global marketplace. Find out more about the plans for and progress of Dandelion Meadow on its Facebook page.

Fountains of Living Water International Church

Meeting at: Sterling Middle School 201 W. Holly Ave. Sterling,VA 20164 Sunday 10:15am

www.fountainsoflivingwater.org “Whoever believes in me (Jesus)... streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38

Call To Worship In Print & In Our Online Resource Directory

loudounnow.com

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Leesburg has issued an invitation and a challenge for people to take the 40 Days of Prayer Challenge. Starting Ash Wednesday, April 1, and ending Holy Saturday, April 15, members of the congregation agreed to individually pray twice each day. Once during the day, they will pray for peace, justice, relief for the poor, and for those we love; then at noon they will pray the Lord’s Prayer wherever they are, in silence or aloud. “We see this as a way to unify people from all walks of life and from all churches in prayer,” the Rev. Daniel Vélez-Rivera, St. Gabriel’s’ vicar, said. “Our congregation will pray together throughout Lent as a sign of solidarity, and we encourage others to join us to take the pledge and pray. If the Lord’s Prayer isn’t part of your religious tradition, use a prayer at noon that is familiar and important to you.” The Rev. Deacon Holly Hanback sees this Lenten discipline as affirming. “We always give up things during Lent as a sign of repentance and reflection. But this Lent we invite you to add something in the spirit of the season,” she said. “This commitment to pray daily is a form of Lenten discipline and a great gift to those praying and those prayed for.” For more information, call the church office at 703-779-3616 or email Parish Administrator David “Dj” Gunning at Dj@saintgabriels. net

but she is taking it all in stride. “I remember all the lessons I learned from Coralis and INMED, which have helped me as a parent—and when I must deal with a difficult customer,” she said. “I just take a deep breath and keep smiling.” For more information about INMED’s Opportunity Center, go to oppportunitycenter.us.

Purcellville Nonprofit to Help Endangered Women

A Lenten Practice:

Contributed

Nery enjoys some afternoon play time with her children, Michael Stephanie, and Kennie at their home in Leesburg.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

“I remember how shy Nery was when she first started attending our classes,” Fernandez said. “She used to blush bright red when I would call on her.” When Hernandez mentioned that she was interested in going into business for herself, Fernandez gave her resources to help her get started. “Nery is a shining example of what we strive to accomplish with our programs,” she said. Hernandez said she’s grateful for the support. “INMED taught me so much about growing my business and raising healthy children at the same time,” she said. “My parents lived far away from me and couldn’t help. The staff at INMED taught me how to play and have fun with my children, how to feed them nutritious food and how to discipline without losing my temper.” Her children still ask to go to INMED’s Opportunity Center for “fun time,” although Hernandez has less opportunity for that now that she’s a fullfledged restaurateur. Running a restaurant is significantly more demanding than her food truck, Hernandez says,

Indivisible << FROM 3

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

SUMMER CAMPS

hall was criticized for having little advance notice. “That doesn’t take the place of a community meeting, where people who live, work, play in the same area, have that shared experience in a room,” Hyland said, pointing to the lack of back-and-forth dialogue and follow-up questions in telephone town halls and the relatively few people who get to ask questions. Hyland said about 250 10th District residents registered in a lottery for the 150 available tickets to Friday’s town hall, screening out people who do not live in the district. She said the venue was intentionally kept small to promote a civil discussion. As of Monday, 4,400 had viewed Facebook video streams of the event. At the event, similarly to a normal town hall, people lined up to ask questions at a microphone. A microphone and paper nameplate with Comstock’s name sat before an empty chair. A handful of designated “fact-checkers” tried to infer Comstock’s position from

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Guy Potucek and moderator Todd Kliman.

her voting record and past statements. That event, at times, got noisy. There were few signs—the organizers had discouraged them—but there was cheering and clapping. Attendees spoke on seven major topic areas—national security, Trump’s conflicts of interest, education, the environment, immigration, and the Affordable Care Act.

“The congresswoman will be seeing this transcript, so if you fear that these words are just going to go out into the air, they’re not,” Kliman said at the town hall. “And if you feel that this is somehow just a show of showing up, hearing some interesting points of discussion, it’s not. This has meaning, it has value.” “I think she doesn’t understand who

we are,” said Ayala Sherbow, one of the panel relating Comstock’s past votes and statements on health care. “I don’t think she understands who you are. I think she thought that this was an ambush. I think she thought that we do not want real dialogue with her.” Sherbow was one of 58 people who crowded into Comstock’s Sterling district office last month to ask the congresswoman to defend the Affordable Care Act. Comstock was not there, either. District office staff listened to their concerns, but sparked chagrin by passing on a broadly worded letter penned in advance of that meeting. Sherbow said she’d later managed to speak with Comstock personally. She said Comstock spoke “passionately, and with some education and sanity, about the need to help people who are currently on Medicaid transition to work without losing medical benefits.” “I said to her, if you had been in the room with the 58 angry people on January 18 and shared some of what you just shared with me, you would have had some of us eating out of the palm of your hand,” Sherbow said at the town hall. “But you need to talk with us.” Kona Gallagher, former marketing program manager at the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, said she had worries about repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement ready, and that she had seen Comstock many times during her work for the county. “I attended several events with Barbara Comstock as a delegate and as a representative, and that woman would show up to the opening of an envelope,” Gallagher said. “So the fact that she is not here tonight to listen to our concerns and answer our questions in person is incredibly insulting to me and to all of us.” And Mike Turner, a former Loudoun County Democratic Committee chairman who ran for the Ashburn District supervisors seat in 2015, said he would like to launch a campaign for Comstock’s seat. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Frank Wolf for the seat in 2008. Holding up a pocket copy of the Constitution, Turner said “in my wildest dreams, I never imagined that the chief domestic enemy to this document would be the president of the United States.” He, too, was critical of Comstock for not attending. “If I am ever privileged to be elected for Congress from this or any other district, I would never, ever duck a public town hall meeting,” Turner said. “How dare you. How dare you duck your constituents. You work for us.” After the town hall, Turner said, “I really, really want to run for this seat” but hasn’t yet consulted with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The standard party answer is, you’ve got to have money and you’ve got to have a network,” Turner said. “I don’t have that much money, and I don’t have that big a network. What I have is a real passion. I know this district like the back of my hand.” Organizers were pleased with the event. “If democracy works, this is it,” Kliman said. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Expo Spotlights Loudoun’s Black History During the final weekend of Black History Month, many gathered at an events center in Sterling to learn about and reflect on the black men and women who are part of Loudoun County’s story. The Black History Month Expo, held Saturday at the Cascade Overlook Event Center, was organized by the Loudoun Freedom Center. The event featured breakout sessions that gave attendees a chance to hear and discuss a variety of topics—from a presentation on the county’s slave communities to a discussion on how to “bridge the STEM gap in African-American education.” Kevin D. Grigsby, author of “From Loudoun To Glory” and “Howardsville: The Journey of an African-American Community in Loudoun County, Virginia,” said not many people know that more than 300 African American men from Loudoun County fought in the Civil War. When he learned that in his research, he said, “That was really moving to me. That’s a story in itself.” Local historian Larry Roeder spoke about his efforts to preserve historic documents that tell the stories of Loudoun’s early black citizens. He

showed the audience photos of several petitions addressed to county or school officials that were signed by black residents. “They wrote these petitions to ask for toilets, teachers, roads. … Sometimes they got it. Sometimes they did not,” he said. Roeder is creating what he called “a role of honor” that includes the names of everyone who signed the petitions, which will be safely stored in acid-free, chemical-free boxes. “Because we believe this is a national treasure,” he said. Speakers also included Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10); Leesburg Town Council member Ron Campbell; Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg); Sheila Coates, of Black Women United for Action; Loudoun County Historic Preservation Planner Heidi Siebentritt; Donna Bohanon, of the Friends of Thomas Balch Library’s Black History Committee; Northern Virginia Community College STEM Coordinator Tosin Adetoro; and Eric Larson, historic records manager in the Loudoun County Circuit Court, among others. Learn more about the Loudoun Freedom Center at loudounfreedomfoundation.com.

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

BY DANIELLE NADLER

dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Courtesy of Red Priest

British baroque iconoclasts Red Priest perform at the Waterford Old School on April 23.

Not Your Grandmother’s Concert Series Waterford Offers Fresh Twists on the Classics BY JAN MERCKER

or more than 20 years, the Waterford Concert Series has brought internationally acclaimed musicians to the tiny western Loudoun village. But lately, organizers are taking things up a notch, bringing in cutting-edge young musicians. It’s definitely not your grandmother’s concert series—and no one will be snoozing in their seats. The series is also a chance for music lovers from around the region to catch emerging global performers in a small venue. “To be in an intimate room like that and have connection with musicians is wonderful. You really are part of the music,” organizer Eleanor Adams said. “It’s something you’ll never forget.” The series kicks off March 19 with the hip, high-energy St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ), a Grammy-nominated ensemble formed in Toronto and now based in Stanford, CA. The quartet will deconstruct one of the most famous works by Joseph Haydn (considered the godfather of the string quartet), taking quartet number 5 from his milestone 1772 Opus 20— and breaking it down for the audience before playing the full piece, followed by works by other composers featuring a similar musical structure. The series’ April 23 concert features Red Priest, a British baroque quartet on a U.S. spring tour with Cape Breton violinist David Greenberg as guest artist. Known for their theatrical—even flamboyant—performances, Red Priest (which take its name from the nickname of legendary baroque composer

Courtesy of St Lawrence Strong Quartet

The engaging St. Lawrence String Quartet launches the Waterford Concert Series 2017 season March 19.

Antonio Vivaldi) have been compared to Rolling Stones and Cirque du Soleil. Their Viva Baroque program mixes Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with works by 17th and 18th century composers from all over Europe. The five-concert series runs through Nov. 12 (with a summer break) and includes a performance from students and graduates of Levine School of Music, a perennial audience favorite, complete with adorably amazing child prodigies and acclaimed alumna Ariel Horowitz and Metropolitan Opera soprano Ying Fang before wrapping up with the Trio from The Chamber Music Society Of Lincoln Center, whose members Adams describes as “among the best known musicians we’ve ever presented.” What draws some of the world’s best classical musicians to an old school-

house in the middle of the western Loudoun countryside? The series is earning a solid reputation in the classical music world for its repertoire and bucolic setting. And the personal passion of the program’s board members also comes into play. Until 2015, the series was a part of the Waterford Foundation, but at the end of that year, Adams and fellow board members launched it as a separate nonprofit to allow for more flexibility in fundraising and selecting top artists. Adams and her colleagues on the board are classical music nuts who keep up with what’s hot in the classical world and often have personal contacts with musicians and music industry connectors. For acclaimed pianist Alon Goldstein, who wrapped up the series’ 2016 season, organizers’ passion and the

chance to play in a “beautiful venue, which has intimacy together with intensity” were both big draws. “We seem to be more impressed when venues are bigger ... but for classical music to a large extent the opposite is more ideal,” Goldstein said. “I played twice at the series and each time the venue was full and the audience was engaged and wonderfully responsive ... It is obvious that the people who organize the series have personal relationships with wonderful musicians who are enthusiastic to come and play at the series.” And for longtime subscribers like Kathleen Hughes of Waterford, the season is something to anticipate every year. “The Waterford Concert Series has the finest musicians and the most affordable tickets in the D.C. region ... and it is right in my neighborhood,” Hughes said. “It has been a joy from the start, and it keeps getting better. Love the chance to meet the performers and hear their words on the composers and their music.” The Waterford Concert Series kicks off with the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Sunday, March 19 at 4 p.m. at the Waterford Old School auditorium, 40222 Fairfax St. The series continues April 23, May 21, Sept. 24 and Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. Subscriptions for the five-concert series are $125 for adults and $45 for students and include priority seating post-concert receptions with performers. Single concert tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Tickets to the Best of Levine concert is $20 for adults and free for students. Children 12 and younger are admitted free to all performances. jmercker@loudounnow.com

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Council Eyes June Budget Adoption

Historical Society Features C&O Canal Talk On Sunday, March 12, the Lovettsville Historical Society continues its 2017 lecture series with a presentation by historian Tim Snyder on the role of the C&O Canal during the opening phase of the Civil War. One week after secessionists fired upon Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, Confederate forces seized the U.S. federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. They then undertook to seize a boatload of grain being shipped from Charles F. Wenner’s warehouse in Berlin (Brunswick) to Georgetown. On April 24, at Point of Rocks, the

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FREE LIMITED TIME

Budget season in Lovettsville starts Thursday, March 9, when Town Manager Laszlo Palko will present his recommendation to the Town Council. That kicks off a schedule of 16 meetings to review the spending plan. The budget will be adopted in June. The first round of resident input is planned March 23. The council will set tax rate limits on April 27 and then hold a formal public hearing May 18.

Confederates forcibly boarded Wenner’s canal boat and seized his grain— triggering a protest and demand for compensation issued by the governor of Maryland to the governor of Virginia. Eventually, Virginia did compensate Wenner, a Lovettsville native. Tim Snyder, author of Trembling in the Balance: the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal during the Civil War, plus many articles in Maryland historical journals, will explore the importance of navigation along the C&O Canal before and during the Civil War. He will also discuss how the C&O Canal became an object of contention between the Union and Confederate Armies early in the war. The program will be held at St. James United Church of Christ, 10 East Broad Way starting at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to support the activities of the Lovettsville Historical Society.

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

LOVETTSVILLE

Senior Living Center Gets Positive Reception

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

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BY NORMAN K. STYER The Maryland developer planning to purchase the 20-acre Stupar property may be onto a concept that Purcellville residents will support. During a community meeting at the Carver Center on Monday night, Jeff Lessans of Buckeye Development solicited suggestions from about 40 residents, including Mayor Kwasi Fraser and members of the Town Council. He outlined plans to build a senior living complex on the property, which stretches along Hirst Road in the southwest quadrant of the Maple Avenue intersection. Among the options under consideration are rental apartments or for-sale condos for residents age 55 and older, an assisted living center, a memory care facility, adult day care and child care offerings. Those in the audience agree there is a big need for those services. Affordability will be a central concern, residents said, noting retirees are often forced to move out of the community and those need special elder care have few local options and must go east to Sterling or Ashburn or west to Winchester to find services. The tone of the hour-long meeting was a positive result for the development team. Buckeye is the contract purchaser of the property. Previous development proposals by others for the property over the past decade have been met by swift and

[ TOWN NOTES ] << FROM 27

Dust Off Daddy’s Dancing Shoes The Lovettsville Community Center is gearing up for a daddy-daughter dance on Saturday, March 25. Registrations are due by Friday, March 1 and may be made by calling the center at 504-822-5284 or emailing lovcc@loudoun.gov. The dance, for daughters age 3-12, is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per couple.

ROUND HILL Drug Drop-Off Available Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Mayor Kwasi Fraser, right, and Councilman Chris Bledsoe meet with representatives of Buckeye Development after a Feb. 27 community meeting.

passionate opposition. Those projects envisioned an entertainment complex or apartments. Buckeye representatives said their proposal would bring less traffic, have no impact on area schools, generate commercial tax revenue and fill a community need. In answering questions, Lessans emphasized his team was in the very early stages of the project and wants to hear from residents and town leaders before deciding on which uses to pursue. He said the development company would

seek out companies that can offer services the town wants. If the project moves forward, Lessans said development plans could take up to two years to clear town review, with numerous opportunities for more public input along the way. Fraser and other council members encouraged Lessans to continue public outreach, especially with the members of the Carver Center, the hub for senior activities in western Loudoun. nstyer@loudounnow.com

Area residents can now drop off unneeded or expired medications at the Sheriff ’s Office Western Loudoun Station on West Loudoun Street. There is a drug collection box where prescription medications and patches, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and pet meds may be dropped off for safe disposal. The collection box is not for needles, liquid medications, aerosol containers, inhalers, ointments and lotions or medications from businesses.

Mar. 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8, 2017

loudounnow.com

[ LOCO LIVING ]

loudounnow.com

On Display

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Well-known Loudoun County ceramicist Joan Gardiner is working on a project to create a permanent tile exhibit at the new Sterling library. She is seen here in her studio in the village of Unison.

Artist Tells Sterling’s Story Through Ceramics BY JAN MERCKER

Gardiner’s eye-catching creations grace the walls of five Loudoun libraries.

f you’ve been in any local library lately, chances are you’ve come across the enchanting tilework of Loudoun artist Joan Gardiner. Gardiner’s eye-catching creations grace the walls of five Loudoun libraries. And her latest project, a vibrant tile work for the new Sterling Library, is slated to be installed in June. The project focuses on transportation and immigration as both a homage to Sterling’s thriving immigrant community and an effort to engage young patrons. “It’s ‘Like Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,’” Gardiner said, referring to Richard Scarry’s iconic children’s book. “You can just think of how many children come in and these vehicles would be so happy and colorful and busy—and then interesting things going on in the background.” The 10-foot by 10-foot “Journeys To Sterling” piece features bright freeform clay vehicles, that pop out of the tiles, designed to be appealing to children, including a vintage airplane, an old-school step-van-style delivery truck and a Mayflower moving truck, inspired by the 1960s and ’70s when Sterling Park, one of Loudoun’s first planned communities, came into existence. But behind the colorful airplanes and automobiles, Gardiner has designed more subtle background tiles depicting scenes from the countries of origin of many of Loudoun’s immi-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The work of Joan Gardiner can be seen at five of Loudoun County’s libraries, including this display at Rust Library in Leesburg.

grants—from a Mexican market to a Vietnamese shopping center. Gardiner is also on the hunt for photographs of immigrants who settled in Sterling, which she’ll reproduce on clay. While most of Gardiner’s past library projects have been funded through private foundations or developer contributions, those options aren’t available in Sterling. So the Loudoun Arts Council has stepped in with a crowdfunding campaign to augment a Vir-

ginia Commission For The Arts grant to finance the project. Gardiner initially wanted to be a painter when she enrolled in the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore but was soon drawn to the school’s ceramics program. After art school, Gardiner spent time in Washington, DC, and apprenticed with noted Georgetown ceramicist Jill HinckGARDINER >> 34

[ THINGS TO DO ]

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

SPECIALIZING IN: Courtesy of Colebrook Road

LUCKETTS BLUEGRASS: COLEBROOK ROAD

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m.; Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts. Details: luckettsbluegrass.org

• Mirrors • Tabletops • Insulated Glass

• Frameless Showers • Tub Enclosures • Screens

This award-winning, Pennsylvania-based group performs mostly original compositions with intricate and dynamic arrangements. Tickets are $15.

ON STAGE ‘JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH’ Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.; Seneca Ridge Middle School, 96 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling. Details: sterlingplaymakers.com

View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Unique comedy at its best from the spontaneous and talented crew of Loudoun Valley High School’s Comedy Cult. Tickets are $8 per person at the door.

Sterling Playmakers present the classic children’s tale about an orphan boy who finds friendship when a magic spell causes five friendly insects to grow to human size. Tickets are $10. The troupe offers additional performances March 9 at Sterling Park Christian Church and March 11 at Seneca Ridge Middle School.

RESTONGLASS.COM Hours: Monday – Friday 8-5

Saturday 10-1

SPRING SPECIAL

Courtesy of Lunasa

LIVE MUSIC: LUNASA

Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org

Wednesday, March 8, 8 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org

The beloved comedy troupe takes suggestions from the audience to create wacky scenes and funny improv games. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for youth.

Ireland’s finest traditional instrumental band returns to Franklin Park. Lunasa’s innovative arrangements, virtuosity and passion have brought them to the forefront of Celtic music and they are sure to bring you to your feet. Tickets are $35.

Sunday, March 5, 6:30 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge

703-860-2089

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LAST HAM STANDING

GALLERY COFFEEHOUSE: COMEDY CULT

133 Spring Street Herndon, VA 20170

MORE TO DO >> 32

Serving Northern Virginia for over 40 years!

loudounnow.com

loudounnow.com

[ MORE TO DO ] phy of his famed ancestor who served as the first president of the original United States government chartered under the Articles of Confederation. Event is free and open to the public but advance registration is recommended.

<< FROM 31

WITH THE KIDS FREE PARENT AND CHILD YOGA Saturday, March 4, 2-3:15 p.m.; Raj Yoga Center, 22821 Silverbook Center Drive, Sterling. Details: childrensyoga.com Join renowned yoga teacher for adults and children Shakta Khalsa for a celebration of 40 years of teaching children yoga and get helpful tips for managing stress at all ages. Class is open to all ages from 3 to teens. No experience is necessary.

MADCAP PUPPETS: ‘MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO’ Wednesday, March 8, 10 a.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Max and Vinnie are expert zookeepers, but keeping the rascally monkeys from getting into trouble is easier said than done. When Mr. Cleaver, the zoo manager, decides to send one of the monkeys to another zoo, it’s time for their great escape. Tickets are $5 per person.

LOCO CULTURE IDA LEE SPRING BLING FINE ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW Saturday, March 4, 9-4 p.m.; Ida Lee

NIGHTLIFE LEESBURG FIRST FRIDAY Friday, March 3, 6-9 p.m.; downtown Leesburg. Details: leesburgfirstfriday. com

ARTIST’S RECEPTION: BRIAN WHELAN

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Saturday, March 4, 4-7 p.m.; Gallery On Madison, 9 S. Madison St., Middleburg. Details: galleryonmadison.com Loudoun artist Brian Whelan presents his contemporary take on Thomas Gainsborough’s classic work “Mr. And Mrs. Andrews.” Reception features a short film and talk at 5 p.m. Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg. Details: leesburgva.gov Check out the best in handmade jewelry, scarves, handbags and art pieces for Easter, Mother’s Day and graduation gifts. Admission is free.

EXPLORING LOUDOUN NATURE WALK Sunday, March 5, 8 a.m., Bles Park, 44830 Riverside Pkwy., Ashburn. Details: loudounwildlife.org Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free nature walk in a wonderful

Is Your Community Experiencing Water or Wastewater Problems? The Loudoun County Water and Wastewater Program is currently accepting applications for county assistance with community water and/or wastewater projects. The Water and Wastewater Program is designed to assist Loudoun County communities experiencing issues with deficient or non-existent water and/or wastewater systems. Properly functioning water and wastewater systems help to assure a cleaner and healthier community. Communities that need assistance are encouraged to apply after reading more about the program at: www.loudoun.gov/ WaterProjects. The application deadline is March 31, 2017.

Loudoun County location. The walks will cover a wide variety of topics including native woodlands, wetlands, birds, seasonal changes, as well as a variety of other topics. Bring binoculars if you have them. Advance registration is required.

BOOK TALK: ‘REMEMBERING JOHN HANSON’ Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m.; Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 703-737-7195 Peter H. Michael discusses his biogra-

Enjoy live music, art exhibits, wine tastings and shopping downtown as part of this monthly event. Check out the website for a list of performers and special events.

LIVE MUSIC: ANDY HAWK AND THE TRAIN WRECK ENDINGS Friday, March 3, 6-8:30 p.m.; King’s Tavern and Wine Bar, 19 S. King St., Leesburg. Details: kingstavernandwinebar.com These local Americana favorites celebrate the release of their new album “Live at The Bitter End” with a free First Friday show at King’s Tavern.

LIVE MUSIC: DELTA SPUR Saturday, March 4, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Enjoy an evening of fresh, contemporary country inspired by favorites like

Request for Proposals for the Paxton Advantage Behavior Clinic for The Arc of Loudoun on the Paxton Campus in Leesburg, Virginia Scope: The renovation of the Stone Barn on the Paxton Campus in Leesburg to house the Paxton Advantage Behavior Clinic Project Funding: This project is funded in part by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds administered by the Loudoun County Department of Family Services. Contractor must comply with federal requirements, including but not limited to the Davis-Bacon Act. The Davis-Bacon wage determination was run on 2-24-17 at www.wdol. gov. The work to be performed under this contract is subject to the requirements of section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (section 3). Federal labor standards provisions required for this construction work are available online at HUDClips: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/ program_offices/labor_standards_enforcement. The contractor is required to be registered and in good standing with SAM. A tour of the building site will be conducted for all interested contractors on March 10, 2017 at 10:00am at the Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. A bid package will be provided at the tour or may be requested directly. Please RSVP and direct all questions to Matt Smith at msmith@paxtoncampus.org. All written proposals are due in person or by email on March 27, 2017 at 1:00pm.

For more information, please call the Department of General Services, Environmental Services Division: 703-771-5520

The Arc of Loudoun on Paxton Campus is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Offers from Small Business, Minority Business Enterprise, WomenOwned, and Service Disabled Business Offerers welcome.

[ MORE TO DO ] drink and raffle tickets available at the door.

Zac Brown and Keith Urban from these Smokehouse favorites. No cover.

’80S NIGHT WITH THE REAGAN YEARS Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m., doors open; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com These regional favorites perform ’80s pop, rock, new wave and beyond. Tickets are $15 in advance.

WINERY 32 SIP AND PAINT

Paint a serene nature scene and explore a new winery. $40 fee includes instruction and all materials plus a glass of wine

Friday, March 3, 6 p.m.; Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyard, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

Saturday, March 11, 7-11 p.m.; Lansdowne Resort and Spa, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Details: loudounsymphony.org

Saturday, March 4, Sunset Hills Vineyard, 8295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. Details: jasonmasi.com

LSO’s Puttin’ On The Ritz gala features a tasting menu from Loudoun’s top chefs, music performed by Loudoun Symphony musicians, dancing with the Chris Drapkin Jazz Band playing favorites from the 1920’s, ’30s and ’40s and a live auction. Tickets are $125 and include food and two glasses of wine.

Acoustic soul and R&B from one of the region’s favorite singer-songwriters.

‘TARZAN’

Blues and rock from the West Virginia panhandle, 7th Son is a local winery circuit favorite.

WINERY TUNES: JASON MASI

MARTINIS MATTER FOR BOULDER CREST Saturday, March 4, 6-10 p.m.; River Creek Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd., Leesburg. Contact: 703-779-2022 Join friends and neighbors for a fun evening in support of Boulder Creek Retreat featuring special cocktails like the Herotini, appetizers, raffles, a silent auction, live pie auction, music and dancing. Admission is free with

LSG is the only school where advanced students will find all six elements that create the ideal learning environment.

Photoworks will showcase the paintings and sculpture of Schuyler Lake as part of downtown Leesburg’s First Friday event. Schuyler is a 15-year-old Loudoun County High School student who has been interested in art for as long as he can remember. It was his eighthgrade art teacher who recognized his talent and encouraged him to spend more time on his art skills. Submitted photo, Art by Schuyler Lake

The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Photoworks, 2 Loudoun St. SW in Leesburg. Learn more at photowork.net.

MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION

Visit our website for available animals & applications.

(540) 364-3272

Missing a Piece? Find out at OnlyAtLSG.org.

loudounnow.com

Poor Whiting was abandoned in front of our shelter because of his age. He is 15 1/2 years old & has some deformities of his front feet due to malnutrition & neglect in his past, but in all other ways he’s as healthy as a 2 year old! He is so gentle with people & is very grateful to receive the love & care that he deserves but was denied to him for so many years. He loves other dogs but doesn't care for kitties. Don't let his age fool you! He has many happy years ahead of him!

www.middleburghumane.org

Shop for beautifully handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day, and Graduations!

703-777-1368 www.idalee.org

Swing into fun with VSA of Loudoun’s production based on Disney’s animated musical adventure. This musical featuring 70 performers tells the story of Tarzan and Jane Porter with award-winning songs. Tickets are $15, $10 for students and seniors.

“I want my art to change people’s perceptions regarding morals and existence,” he said.

SatuRDaY, MaRCh 4th 9:00aM-4:00PM

Our show brings you the most current trends in jewelry and fashion accessories. Find that unique piece that is all you! Browse the finest in home décor, candles, personal care, fine art, and more.

March 17-19 and March 24-26, 7 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org

PHOTOWORKS HOST TEEN ARTIST FRIDAY

WHITING

Spring out of Winter!

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY GALA

WINERY TUNES: 7TH SON OF WV

20th annual

Sunday, March 5, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.; 15066 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. Details: winery32.com

COMING UP

LIBATIONS

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center Leesburg, VA

is dm

ion

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

<< FROM 32

loudounnow.com

Gardiner << FROM 30 ley. But it was another passion that brought her to Loudoun more than four decades ago. “I was always in love with horses. I wanted to be somewhere where I could build a kiln and be with my horse,” she said. She bought her home in the tiny village of Unison, inspired in part by an old blacksmith’s shop on the property that still operates as her studio, in 1973. She met her husband, the writer John Rolfe Gardiner, who had also gravitated from DC to western Loudoun, through mutual friends, and the Gardiners are still fixtures in the Loudoun’s arts and literary scene. And while Gardiner initially made a living shoeing horses when she settled in Loudoun’s rural west, over the past 40 years, she has built a reputation as an accomplished ceramicist with a devoted private clientele. But the library projects hold a special place in her heart. Her first library commission at Purcellville Library in 1994 features a charming tile abecedary in the children’s room with rhymes by her husband. A large-scale installation in the lobby of Rust Library in Leesburg features traditional textiles from around the world, with freeform images of beloved hand games like rock, paper scissors, along with a tribute to the Rust family, who donated the land on which the library is built. When Ashburn Library was built in 2003, it was one of the most contemporary public buildings in the coun-

Housing needs << FROM 1 County planners also envision a shift in the demand to more urban-style housing—townhouses and multifamily units—to go along with their vertical, mixed-use Metro station plans. But the GMU demand report predicted that more than half of the new units should be single-family detached homes—a demand that could put pressure on supervisors to open up the low-density Transition Policy Area or even rural areas to create more house lots. The GMU study predicts the county will face a housing shortage by 2030 under current policies. Supervisors weren’t ready to adopt that finding right out of the gate. “Even before it came out, there was a big splash, and I think there were lots of eyes lighting up in the development community because we had this apparent delta,” Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said Thursday of the GMU report. “But I really want to drill down in these assumptions, because I’m pretty skeptical.” Some of the study’s assumptions are in flux as the county works to revise its development policies both for land in the Silver Line corridor, even before tackling the broader Envision Loudoun comprehensive plan update. “I want to emphasize that these assumptions are really key to these esti-

ty, with its glass entryway and unique design. Gardiner decided to contrast the modern building with an installation based on fossils, an artistic choice that has been a hit with Ashburn’s young families. “It really worked, Gardiner said. When Loudoun’s latest library branch, Gum Spring, opened four years ago, Gardiner took inspiration from the building’s large window overlooking a wetland and went for a riparian theme featuring animals that thrive in that habitat. This large-scale project was followed by one of her smaller public works—a small mural at the tiny Middleburg Library. The project in Sterling, a suburb that boasts one of Loudoun’s most diverse communities, has been especially joyful in its conception and fits in well with the library’s contemporary design, Gardiner said. Nestled in a Sterling shopping plaza, a location chosen for optimal accessibility, the library is slated to open in mid-April. “Throughout Loudoun County, Joan Gardiner’s tile art is featured in many library branches. In celebrating the places and people of Loudoun, her work builds a strong sense of community, an important mission of public libraries,” said Loudoun County Public Library director Chang Liu. And that’s just what “Journeys To Sterling” aims to do. jmercker@loudounnow.com To contribute to Loudoun Arts Council’s “Journeys To Sterling” fundraiser and to watch a video about Gardiner’s work, go to gofundme.com/ sterlinglibrary.

mates, and, of course, if we had made different assumptions, we would have made different estimates,” said Lisa Sturtevant, president of the firm that worked with GMU to produce the study, Lisa Sturtevant and Associates LLC. The GMU study does not take in to account changing county policies or the more than 25,000 residential units—most of them, according to Director of Planning and Zoning Ricky Barker, multifamily units—that already are approved and in the development pipeline. The study also used an employment-driven model based on current data about the number of people who commute in or out of the county, and what kind of housing they want. Letourneau said that when he voted to bring Metro in to Loudoun, it was, in part, to change those commuting patterns. “The whole vision was that when we have employment centers around the Metro stations. It will not only help our residents get out, but it will help bring people in,” Letourneau said. “If you’re living near the Court House station in Arlington or in Clarendon right now, you’re not taking a job in Loudoun County. Come on, get real. You’re not going to get in a car and drive out here—but you might get on a Silver Line train.” All that said, supervisors saw a lot of value in the report.

ouglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Joan Gardiner’s first love was painting and was later drawn to ceramics.

Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said it provided good context about the magnitude of the housing demand Loudoun may have to absorb. “We’re in the middle of a comprehensive plan amendment right now, and if we’re unconstrained, and we had to accommodate all this housing, now is the time for the board to do it,” he said. Among the report’s key findings are that the number of renters in the county has increased substantially since the recession, and more families and older adults are now renting. The fastest growing employment sectors in the county are leisure and hospitality; health services and education, exclusive of public schools; and professional and business services, including government contractors. It also found that 78 percent of Loudoun households earning less than 60 percent of the area median income—currently $65,200 for a family of four—are “cost burdened,” or spending more than 30 percent of their pretax, gross income on housing costs alone. In total, about 30 percent of all Loudoun households are cost burdened. “In reality, we all know you end up getting less through the door, so for all we know we could be as high as 40 or 45 percent of our folks could actually be cost burned,” Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) said.

Along those same lines, the study shows strong future housing demand on the ends of the income scale—including nearly half of projected demand in 2040 coming from households earning 150 percent or more of area median income, currently $162,900 for a family of four. And not keeping up with housing demand, Sturtevant said, could be an obstacle to attracting new businesses to Loudoun, among other challenges. “Increasingly, quality of life issues, housing cost issues, employee attraction and retention—these are key things for employers, and housing has become an important part of many local jurisdictions’ economic development strategy,” Sturtevant said. She also said a limited housing supply could force aging residents to leave their communities and put upward pressure on housing prices and rents. “One reality that we as board members have to keep in mind as we’re moving forward is we are constrained by the will of the people who do already live here. And one thing we do know about the people who do already live here is that they’re upset about growth in the county,” said Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), referencing a biennial survey of county residents released earlier this month, which showed growth had surpassed traffic as Loudouners’ No. 1 concern. rgreene@loudounnow.com

<< FROM 1

Not Giving Up

This information was obtained from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Caseload Growth Between 2015 and 2016, the overall Circuit Court caseload increased 13.4 percent. Criminal cases increased 6.3 percent, while civil cases marked a decline of 2.9 percent. The miscellaneous caseload—such as juvenile appeals and adoptions—increased 24.3 percent. Early figures from 2017 show that growth continuing. The judges handled 29 percent more criminal cases in January 2017 than in January 2016 and 37.9 percent more civil cases.

Judges per Capita Advocates for retaining the fourth Loudoun judgeship have argued that the county’s docket features more complex and complicated cases than are found in other circuits around the state. However, figures also show that, even on a per capita basis, Loudoun’s judge roster is smaller than other similar jurisdictions. These comparisons use the population data provided by the Supreme Court of Virginia as of October 2016. Arlington County, population 207,627, has three circuit court judges—a judge to population ratio of 1:69,209. During 2016, they heard 59 jury trials, an average of 19.6 jury trials per judge. Chesterfield County, population 316,236, has six circuit court judges—a ratio of 1:52,706. They heard 49 jury trials, an average of 8.2 jury trials per judge. Henrico County, population 306,935, has five circuit court judges—a ratio of 1:61,387. They heard 42 jury trials, an average of 8.4 jury trials per judge. The City of Richmond, population 204,214, has seven circuit court judges—a ratio of 1:29,173. They heard 67 jury trials, an average of

9.6 jury trials per judge. Prince William County, population 402,002, will have five judges after one position was defunded in the General Assembly’s budget. The ratio of judges (with this reduction) to population is 1:80,900. Last year, six judges heard 90 jury trials, an average of 15 jury trials per judge. Loudoun County, population 313,311, had four judges in 2016. The ratio of judges (with the reduction to three) is 1:104,437. In 2016, four judges heard 60 jury trials, an average of 15 jury trials per judge. With a similar caseload in 2017, three judges would have an average of 20 jury trials.

Picking Up the Slack During 2016, Judge Burke F. McCahill, who held the defunded position until his retirement in December, presided over 3,855 cases, including 2,677 criminal cases, 1,044 civil cases, 127 juvenile appeal cases, and seven adoptions. His caseload will be distributed among the three remaining judges. Additionally, even while staffed with four full-time judges, the Circuit relied heavily on substitute judges to help process cases. During 2016, seven substitute judges were called to serve a total of 105 days hearing cases in Loudoun. They handled 1,420 criminal court hearings or trials, 475 civil court hearings or trials, 87 juvenile appeals or adoption case hearings, and 389 concealed handgun permit cases. During 2016, 6,226 cases were handled by the now-defunded judge position or by substitute judges.

Levay’s Roller Coaster For Levay, the past three months have been a roller coaster of emotion. Initially one of eight attorneys to apply for the judgeship, he proved to be the overwhelming choice of the Loudoun Bar membership. While contemplating the complexities of shutting down his private practice after more than 20 years, he was buoyed by the widespread support. The highlight came Feb. 17 in a final interview before legislators in Richmond when it was clear they found him qualified to serve. He said it felt like a validation for his 30-year legal career. Sitting in his King Street office last Thursday—less than 24 hours after learning the funding had been cut for the judgeship—Levay wasn’t just thinking about himself. “The people who are really going to suffer are the people of Loudoun County,” he said. Cutting a quarter of the workforce would hurt most businesses, but it will be a heavy blow to Loudoun’s busy and complex Circuit Court docket,

he said. Levay also is a supporter of reinstating the drug court, which he said proved effective before a previous Board of Supervisors cut its funding. He agreed that the new push to reestablish the court to help address the epidemics of opiate and methamphetamine addition won’t be possible with only three judges available to support it. Levey said that Loudoun’s representatives in Richmond pushed hard to save the funding. “Our local delegation understood the issue and the consequences,” he said. While never taking his appointment to the bench as a certainty, Levay turned away many clients during the past three months because of the possibility that he would not be able to see their cases to fruition. Now his focus will return to rebuilding his client base as a new realization sinks. “I’m still in practice. Let your readers know,” he said. nstyer@loudounnow.com

loudounnow.com

Minchew said the Senate’s budget conferees “basically took advantage of ” McCahill’s retirement to defund the position. He said that had he known the judgeship was in jeopardy, he would have asked McCahill to delay his retirement for a few months. “I do not think that the Senate Budget conference committee members would have chosen to defund a Loudoun Circuit Court judgeship that was filled by a working judge.” Clemens also was active in the push to restore funding for the judgeship. He said it was clear that the cutback will make it difficult for the court to keep up with the number of murder trials and other criminal cases that have statutory deadlines, but the civil cases, including divorces, will be hit the hardest. Before Fleming was appointed as the fourth judge, civil litigants were strongly advised to settle their disputes outside of court or to hire private mediators rather than endure long waits for court dates. Clemens acknowledged that situation is likely to return.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Minchew and Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33), also an attorney who regularly handles cases in the courthouse, said they will to try to secure funding— somehow–by the time the Assembly reconvenes for April’s veto session. “We’re not going to give up on it,” Wexton said. “It is something we really need.” “I do not know what steps are available to remedy this, other than wait for the 2018-2020 Biennial Budget process and hope that funding can be restored effective July 1, 2018,” Minchew wrote to the Bar. “But, together with the other ten members of the Loudoun delegation, we will investigate all available options and continue the fight.”

Circuit Court caseload data show that Loudoun’s four full-time judges were plenty busy during 2016, and illustrate the challenges facing the judiciary after one of the positions was defunded.

pointed to that seat. The current debate arose when Judge Burke F. McCahill, who had served since 1998, retired in December. Loudoun’s legal community recommended Alexander N. Levay to fill the vacancy. The attorney received strong support locally and in Richmond and, following a formal interview before the Assembly’s judicial panel on Friday, was certified as fully qualified for the post. The budget battle was triggered by a new caseload study complied by the National Center for State Courts. Under metrics used for that report, Loudoun’s need was identified as just under 4.7 judges for the 20th Circuit, which also include a judge dedicated to cases in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties. Members of the House, with Greason leading the effort, agreed to round the number up to five; members of the Senate did not. How busy is Loudoun’s docket? According to figures provided by Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens, even with four judges serving full time, substitute judges were called to help out on 105 days during 2016—44 percent of the 241 days courts were open—and handled more than 2,000 cases. MaCahill handled 3,855 cases during 2016, according to the clerk’s office. Figures also show that, on a per capita basis, Loudoun has fewer judges than comparable jurisdictions. The Loudoun situation also is complicated by the loss of experience on the bench. McCahill was the third veteran judge to retire. He served 18 years alongside judges Thomas D. Horne and James H. Chamblin. The trio formed one of the most experienced Circuit Court rosters in the commonwealth—serving a combined 75 years on the Loudoun bench at the time of their retirements. And before that trio, Judge Carleton Penn served on the bench from 1970 until 1998, long after his formal retirement. The three remaining judges have a less than 10 years of experience combined. Former prosecutor Stephen E. Sincavage was appointed to replace Chamblin in 2013. Jeanette Irby replaced Horne in 2014. Douglas L. Fleming Jr. was tapped to fill the new fourth judgeship created in 2015.

Loudoun’s Judiciary By the Numbers

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

Judgeship

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Employment

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Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

EVENTS

[ OPINION ]

loudounnow.com

Asking Justice to Wait A stroke of the pen by the budget czars in Richmond will have long-lasting impacts here in Loudoun. The elimination of a Circuit Court judgeship will not just return Loudoun’s courts to the near-gridlocked status that existed before a fourth bench seat was created three years ago to help handle the growing caseload; it will be far worse. The caseload has only increased in those ensuing years. In fact, the court today is a lot closer to needing five judges to keep the docket moving than it is to being able to get by with just three. This month alone, the docket has three weeks set aside for jury trials in two murder cases. That leaves two judges available to do everything else. Before a recent plea agreement, the docket also had a week-long trial set in a fatal stabbing case—one that would have overlapped with a murder trial, leaving just one judge free to handle all the other cases. That may be an extreme example of the court’s schedule, but it certainly illustrates the challenges judges, prosecutors and attorneys face to ensure criminal defendants are afforded their constitutional guarantee to speedy trials. While they are attempting that, civil cases involving divorce petitions, contractual disputes or personal injury cases, among others, will wait. That’s not a hypothetical scenario. That’s what was happening in 2013 and 2014 before a fourth judgeship was added. Caseloads were lighter then than now. The General Assembly’s action to reduce Loudoun’s judiciary by 25 percent with the admonishment that all courts will just have to endure a bit of belt-tightening is reminiscent of the years-long debate over transportation funding. Downstate legislators didn’t have the context to understand the extent that commuter congestion threatened to undermine the economic growth that was fulling the commonwealth’s budget coffers. Similarly, ensuring Loudoun residents can get their day in court is a fundamental responsibility of the state government. A key difference is that on the transportation front, Loudoun taxpayers stepped in to contribute tens of millions of dollars to get the roads fixed. That’s not an option in the courtroom. Nor should it be. On a per capita basis, Loudoun already sends more money to Richmond than any other county. That certainly should be enough to keep the wheels of justice moving better than this.

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[ LETTERS ] Disappointed Editor: Barbara Comstock’s so-called “TeleTown Hall” last Tuesday night was such a disappointment to so many of her constituents. I literally received a notice on my phone 30 minutes after it began. This was clearly a tactic to silence dissent. For heaven’s sakes, my little neighborhood HOA puts out a 30-day notice for public meetings ... and this is all we can expect from our congresswoman? What Barbara Comstock and so many of her Republican colleagues are doing is running from her constituents. It’s not public service. I’ve never been involved politically before, but this Republican attempt to bypass voters and avoid answering the most pressing questions people have about the way they are voting is a travesty and is not representative democracy. I’m so disgusted. And to the Republican naysayers who are repeating the same old line that these are “paid protests” and all set up by Indivisible, you clearly don’t understand what is actually happening with this grassroots dissent. I’m an Independent and not a member of any of these groups and I know hundreds of people in Loudoun County who are motivated not by a website or a political advocacy group but by their very real concerns about the terrible things that are being done by this administration (Muslim travel ban, mass deportation, environmental destruction, trying to silence the media, aiming to destroy our public school system, discrimination against every minority group including LGBTQ...). The list is too long to even fully describe here. Looking forward, it’s clear that our congressional representatives need to start actually represent-

ing all of their constituents. And Barbara Comstock ignores our concerns at her peril. — Kathleen Biesecker, Purcellville

Good Neighbors Editor: On Friday, Feb. 24, congregants of Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation were pleasantly surprised to find a group of 22 members of ADAMS, a Muslim organization, welcoming them to enjoy the Friday evening Jewish service and Sabbath. The group from ADAMS held signs including, “We are all descended from Adam.” The congregants from Beth Chaverim had worked together with ADAMS and the Christian Fellowship Church on charitable events, such as serving dinners to needy families in Sterling, mutual social events, and knew many of the ADAMS members. The recent military action against immigrants, and the executive orders allowing police to detain and turn over to immigration police authorities, any immigrant committing any, or suspected of any minor infraction, has led to anxiety and fears among our neighbors. To many it reminds people of the roundups by the Nazi fascists of political opponents, Jews, homosexuals, priests and others who opposed their regime. The ADAMS group was praying for respect, dignity, freedom of fear of persecution, freedom to worship, and just treatment by good neighbors. They are good people, hard-working members of our community. — David Mendelsohn, Ashburn LETTERS >> 41

[ LETTERS ] Supporting Vets

— Mackie Christenson, Leesburg

Balancing The EPA Editor: The EPA needs redemption—more real science and less ideology. It is not easy to say that there is too much environmentalism going on, but there is. Yes, the environment needed cleaning up and needs monitoring. It has, unfortunately, become a global political movement, one unkind to the United States and infecting the EPA. CO2, plant food and 0.04 percent of the environment is a victim of global

warming disease. A reporter asked Gina McCarthy, then head of the EPA, how much cooler temperatures would be if our country implemented CO2 reduction rules. Her answer, the temperature would not really change. She explained that we need the rules for symbolic reasons. Rep. Lamar Smith reportedly said that climate regulations could cost up to $176 billion per year, but estimated global warming would be reduced only 0.03 percent of a degree celsius. Cheap coal and natural gas generate about 66 percent of our energy use; costly wind and solar, 6 percent, both requiring lots of land. Is symbolism worth $176 billion—in a country heavily in debt and in need of energy-dependent economic growth to pay the bills? A market solution to CO2 reduction would be to stop paying billions of dollars in its abatement that would tie up our economy in knots with coercive and expensive “renewable” energy generation. The proposed carbon tax would become unnecessary. Money is our scarcest resource. Wasting it means that real challenges, like hunger, shelter, disease cures, economic empowerment, electrification are underfunded. Recently, whistleblower, Dr. John Bates, a retired National Climatic Data Center top scientist, alleged that his agency, NOAA, manipulated scientific data to discredit the almost 20-year

pause in global warming. Other scientists have complained that raw data are not available to replicate the outcomes of studies that indicate global warming. It has also been reported that climate models employing actual data do not yield actual known outcomes. There is not a consensus among scientists to man-induced global warming. (Why was the use of “warming” replaced by “change”?) Scientists agree to climate change, of course, because the climate has always changed. In what direction, warmer or cooler, depends on the starting and ending dates that are used. Some climatologists are even predicting a cooling period. Nothing under the sun is new—like adverse weather events but hysterically correlated to “climate change” but does not prove cause and effect. CO2 has never been proven to increase temperature; it is a theory at best and heavily politicized at that. To answer why, you would have to start decades ago at UNESCO, include the UN’s climate protocol of 1992 and the global ideological environmental movement. It is unfortunate that so many Americans believe that human-induced global climate change is a fact. Because it is not. Our economic future hangs in the balance. The EPA needs to get back to science. — Rose Ellen Ray, Leesburg

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Editor: Many veterans face extreme mental distress after serving our country. This distress manifests itself in many forms, such as severe depression, which tragically in some cases leads to suicide. Just last year, a study by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that roughly 20 veterans a day commit suicide. The problem of veteran suicide has become all too pervasive and we have an obligation to do what we can to mitigate this problem. Fortunately, our representative, Barbara Comstock, is co-sponsoring legislation designed to combat the crisis of veteran suicide. The Veteran Suicide Prevention Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a thorough review of the deaths of veterans who committed suicide. In addition to listing the total number of veterans’ deaths which are suicides, the review would contain a multitude of information identifying risk factors for suicide, to include a complete list of the medications prescribed to and consumed by such veterans, the percentage of such veterans who have combat experience or trauma, and Veterans Health Administration facilities with disproportionately high rates of suicide among veterans. Most importantly, this review would provide the Department of Vet-

erans Affairs with recommendations aimed at improving mental healthcare at the VA and thus improve the safety and well-being of veterans and their families. Also, all we can learn about mental health will broaden the bank of knowledge for the general population as well. I want to commend Rep. Comstock for once again being at the forefront in promoting veterans’ welfare. She has supported a variety of important bills pertaining to veterans, including the Veterans Mobility Safety Act and she cosponsored the Hire More Heroes Act and the SALUTE Act. Rep. Comstock has made it her top priority to advocate for and assist those who have served our country in uniform and stands firmly behind our nation’s veterans.

Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

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[ OPINION ]

loudounnow.com

Follow the Facts to a Financial Aid Solution BY DEEP SRAN

ollege tuition has increased over the past few decades at a rate that has outpaced inflation, putting college out of reach for many students. Ironically, the financial aid designed to mitigate this problem may actually have the opposite effect. The cost of higher education has grown faster than inflation for decades. Travis Mitchell of U.S. News & World Report found that between 1995 and 2016, average tuition and fees at national universities rose 179 percent, while in-state tuition and fees rose almost 300 percent. During the same period, the Consumer Price Index (which tracks inflation) rose only about 55 percent. There are many explanations for this sharp increase in the cost of higher education. Per-student state contributions to public universities have declined. To attract students, schools have spent heavily on construction to improve facilities. They have also increased administrative staffs, in part to provide additional student services. Another theory to explain why college costs have grown so much points to increased public financial aid as the cause. Richard Vedder of the American

Enterprise Institute makes this argument—originally put forward by Bill Bennett—in The Wall Street Journal. Vedder notes that higher education costs rose only about 1 percent annually between 1840 and 1978. However, after the federal financial aid program expanded in 1978, costs have risen about 3 percent annually. While financial aid programs now total $158 bil-

tify whether aid causes tuition increases, but it certainly seems to relax the incentive to keep tuition low.” It should come as no surprise that there were compelling reasons in the late 1970s to increase financial aid, as noted by Lawrence E. Gladieux, then-executive director for policy analysis for the College Board. Gladieux wrote that in 1978, “under pressure

While college costs and aid have increased, the percentage of high school graduates enrolling in college has actually declined over the past few years.

lion annually—a 10-fold increase since 1970 adjusting for inflation—Vedder observes that the ”proportion of recent college graduates from the bottom quartile of the income distribution has fallen significantly since 1970, to 10 percent from over 12 percent. … On balance, federal assistance has not helped poor Americans gain access to college.” Summarizing the research on the relationship between financial aid and the cost of college, Andrew Kelly of Forbes noted, “It is difficult to iden-

for some kind of response to the perceived middle-income squeeze in financing college costs, Congress passed the Middle Income Student Assistance Act.” During the following year, as interest rates spiked, “Congress passed a little-noticed amendment assuring banks a favorable rate of return on guaranteed student loans…The problem of lender participation and capital shortage in the loan program became a thing of the past.” While college costs and aid have in-

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FINANCIAL AID >> 43

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creased, the percentage of high school graduates enrolling in college has actually declined over the past few years, falling from 69 to 66 percent, according to Alia Wong in The Atlantic. One reason for this decline could be the rising cost of college; another could be an improved job market following the Great Recession. Given the low financial return on investment for many college degrees, it is also possible high school graduates are choosing to pursue careers that pay well but do not require a college degree. While enrollment declines, the Pew Research Center reported in 2014 that, “On virtually every measure of economic well-being and career attainment—from personal earnings to job satisfaction to the share employed full time—young college graduates are outperforming their peers with less education. And when today’s young adults are compared with previous generations, the disparity in economic outcomes between college graduates and those with a high school diploma or less formal schooling has never been greater in the modern era.” Getting a college degree remains critically important for most young people, the cost to do so continues to climb out of reach, and one solution—

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Outside Loudoun, significant easements include Buck’s Elbow Mountain in Albemarle County, where owner Mitch Carr conserved 263 acres of forestland including the site of the 1959 Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crash where remnants of the fuselage remain. In Fauquier County, Howard and Jane Grove conserved 181 acres of their beef cattle farm in Morrisville through the Fauquier County Purchase of Development Rights program. The property was once known as Belvaderia Farm, dating back to pre-Civil War times, and an archaeological site has revealed remains of historic outbuildings and an Afri can-American cemetery.

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acres. Among the properties put under easement last year was Crooked Run Farm in Purcellville. “One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years is that landowners choosing to permanently conserve their land, generally do so out of a sense of optimism about the future. They believe in the intrinsic value of the Piedmont’s farms and forest, history and beauty, and want to protect those resources for future generations,” stated Mike Kane, director of conservation at PEC. “That wonderful spirit is evident again as more than 60 families, landowners, farmers, organizations and local government conserved—in just one year—more farm and forest land in our region than the entire land area covered by the City of Charlottesville.”

increasing financial aid—could actually make matters worse. So, what should we do to make college affordable for more students? Though he was writing about the difficulty of explaining enrollment declines, Terry Hartle’s observation about that question applies here too: “This information cries for more analysis.” In deciding whether to reduce or increase public financial aid to make college affordable, we need to answer a number of additional questions. How did students pay for college before 1978? Would private lenders now provide financing for student loans without public support? Can we revise financial aid programs to give colleges an incentive to keep tuition low? Are there more efficient ways to support college students, like having private companies subsidize students who complete specific degrees? If the government spent less supporting higher education, would more people have the disposable income to afford higher education that may also cost less without public support? Should federal and state governments subsidize higher education at all? Or, stated differently, should American taxpayers be asked to reduce their disposable incomes to subsidize higher education because doing so is in their long-term best interest? We need to answer these, and many other, questions with the best available evidence before deciding whether to increase or decrease financial aid. Unfortunately, those charged with improving public policy too often do so by relying on ideological shortcuts rather than going where the facts lead. Conservatives will likely propose cuts to financial aid, because they favor private sector solutions and fewer government programs and regulations. Liberals will likely propose increases, because they favor government programs and regulations to address the acts or omissions of free market actors or forces. In my experience, conservatives adopt an ahistorical perspective by ignoring why government has extended its reach over time to solve problems the market would not address, while liberals adopt an overly optimistic view of government programs and regulations while underestimating the remarkable ability of private actors and markets to allocate resources efficiently to increase social welfare. I submit that the question of whether and how to change public financial aid is not a question where ideological shortcuts help. Policymakers need to gather the best available information, analyze it without seeking merely to confirm their existing hypotheses or beliefs, and go where the facts and analysis lead.

More than 7,500 acres of wetland, farms and forests in Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties were protected by conservation easements during 2016, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council. The work was led by various land trusts and public agencies and brings the total acreage of protected land in the nine counties to 394,963 acres. Conservation easements are voluntary agreements between a landowner and a land trust to permanently protect natural, scenic and cultural resources on their land. In Loudoun, new easements covered 1,536 acres, bringing the total of conserved land in the county to 56,375

43 Mar. 2 – 8, 2017

Financial aid

Regional Conservation Easements Near 400,000 Acres

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