Loudoun Now for Sept. 29, 2016 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow Now LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 1, No. 46 ]

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INSIDE:

DISCOVER LOUDOUN

[ Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016 ]

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Deputy Sheriff Grander works crossing guard detail at Balls Bluff Elementary School in Leesburg.

WE’RE HIRING

Law Enforcement Agencies Ramp Up Recruiting Efforts BY DANIELLE NADLER & RENSS GREENE

hen you call 911, who shows up? Fewer young people are signing up to protect and serve. There is a nationwide shortage of law enforcement officers, with the number of applicants down by 90 percent in some departments, according to news reports. Working in law enforcement can be dangerous and stressful. The hours aren’t great, and the pay isn’t particularly enticing. But top law enforcement officers prom-

ise the job can be rewarding, and they’re working to spread that message to attract new talent. While the problem is less severe here, Leesburg Police Department and Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office are experiencing higher-than-normal vacancy rates, and rolling out major recruiting efforts to stay ahead of the problem. The Sheriff ’s Office has 48 unfilled deputy positions; Leesburg Police has 18. The hiring deficit is much worse at the state level. A Richmond Times-Dispatch article last week stated that 103 sworn employees and 76 civilian

employees have left the Virginia State Police so far this year, leaving 116 vacancies in the field. The growing tension between the police and the communities they serve, especially at the national level, is one factor law enforcement leaders say is hurting their recruiting efforts. “There’s a lot of tension in this profession, whether it’s from an officer safety perspective or from a citizen perspective,” said Major Vanessa Grigsby, who is servRECRUITMENT >> 34

As Investigation Continues, Mother of Fatally Injured Baby Thanks Community BY DANIELLE NADLER Four weeks after a baby in a stroller was hit by a car and killed, no charges have been filed, but Loudoun prosecutors and Sheriff ’s Office investigators have said they are continuing to review evi-

dence in the case. Five-month-old Tristan Schulz and his mother, Mindy, were hit by a Jeep while walking in a Lansdowne crosswalk on Aug. 31. The baby died and his mother was hospitalized but has since been released.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office issued an update on the case Friday afternoon. “As required by law, much of the evidence to be collected must be done so via search warrant to the appropriate entities,” the office stated. “To date, numer-

ous search warrants have been executed in relation to this incident. Gathering this type of information is largely dependent upon these entities and their ability to timely process and collect the inforINVESTIGATION >> 35

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County: metro funding outlook looks good

Hamilton councilman gets 3 months behind bars

Rock opera spotlights teen suicide

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Grape harvest is in full swing at Loudoun County’s vineyards. Here, a worker picks vidal blanc grapes for processing at Fabbioli Cellars north of Leesburg.

McAuliffe Urges Loudoun Muslims to Vote

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) meets a young attendee of Friday prayers at the ADAMS Center in Sterling.

leading up to elections. It also directs voters to check their voter registration with the State Board of Elections through MuslimVoter.org, campaigns to get Muslim women to vote with community meetings and the hashtag #CanYouHearUsNow, and hosts nonpartisan phone banks on Election Day to encourage voter turnout. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Gov.............. 4 Leesburg.................... 8 Public Safety............ 12 Education................. 14 Our Towns................ 16 Biz........................... 20 LoCo Living.............. 24 Obituaries................ 28 Classifieds............... 29 Opinion.................... 32

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dates by name. “We have got to send a message to the world on Election Day: We are for openness, inclusiveness. We are for diversity. We are a loving, caring nation.” Ahead of the speech, McAuliffe met with ADAMS leadership to talk about the economy, bullying in schools, civil rights, and criminal justice reform, Jaka said. Since 2000, the Sterling mosque has hosted voter registration on Fridays

INDEX

BY RENSS GREENE irginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) stopped by the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling last week to encourage the hundreds of congregants at Friday prayers to go to the polls Nov. 8. “Elections matter,” McAuliffe said in his brief remarks. “I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, because we’re in a house of worship. Look at what the candidates have said.” McAuliffe was the chairman of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. The governor was joined by Virginia Secretary of Natural Resource Molly Ward and White House Associate Director of Public Engagement and White House Liaison to Muslim-Americans Zaki Barzinji, who grew up in the ADAMS community and whose parents, according to ADAMS Board of Trustees Chairman Rizwan Jaka, started ADAMS’s Boy and Girl Scout programs. That program, according to scout master Saleem Arif, now has about 400 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Brownie Scouts. “Folks, I beg you, there is such a clear choice in this upcoming election,” McAuliffe said, although he did not mention any presidential candi-

Students get a lesson in planet repair

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Experts warn Loudoun families of opioid epidemic

3 Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016

IT’S HARVEST TIME

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Three Nonprofits May Get Tax Break

Jennifer T. Alcott, Capital Rail Constructors

The elevated aerial guideway at the north end of Dulles International Airport will carry trains in to and out of the new rail maintenance yard.

County: Metro Payment Plan Still On Track BY RENSS GREENE

ounty budget, transportation, and administration staff members report that Loudoun is still on target to cover the cost for Metrorail, contradicting a concern raised by developers. Some developers have warned that the special tax districts created around the future Metro stations will not generate enough revenue unless supervisors permit more residential than is already planned, instead of strictly commercial uses like data centers. But Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who chairs the board’s finance committee, asked the county staff the 297-million-dollar question: “Based on how the tax district’s performing to this point, does staff see a need that the board had previously adopted?” The answer from county administration: Stay the course. It’s all on rails. At the moment, the county expects to pay about $274 million for the Silver

Line extension construction, which it is paying for with loans and revenues from the Metro Service Tax District. Property owners in the district pay an additional tax of 20 cents per $100 of assessed value on top of their regular county tax. As part of its agreement to get metro service into Loudoun, the county also agreed to shoulder a share of the system’s operating and capital costs, estimated at a total annual contribution of about $22.9 million. The county plans to pay for operating expenses through a combination of the Metro Service Tax District; two smaller tax districts around the Ashburn and Loudoun Gateway stations, which currently levy no tax; the revenue from the local 2 percent gasoline sales tax; and an anticipated growth in the county general fund as property values around the metro stations continue to outpace other property in the county. Supervisors have not yet made a final decision on how the county will pay for its share of capital costs, such

as the cost of introducing metro’s new 7000-series rail cars. But to keep its options open, the board has allowed for $25 million in debt financing in the county capital budget from 2019 to 2022. The county expects to start paying operating costs when Metro opens in 2020, and capital costs 18 months before the service starts. The county has encountered some stumbling blocks in paying for metro. The local gasoline tax is bringing in less than the county anticipated because of an unexpected drop in prices, and an 18-month delay in construction may end up costing the county more. On the other hand, county staff members say these short-term bumps in the road shouldn’t be measured against the county’s long-term forecasts. “There is a fiscal benefit to Loudoun from metro coming here, and this benefit should be realized over time through things like employment METRO PAYMENT >> 6

Lexington 7 Development Approved, 30 Years Later BY RENSS GREENE Decades after it was first planned, the developers behind Lexington 7, a vacant 62-acre parcel next to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Blue Mount Nursery on Rt. 7, finally has permission to build something. Meladon Park LLC and Lexington 7 Park Owners Association Inc. faced stiff resistance from Loudoun supervisors and the county planning staff to its plans to build residential units on the property. The property was originally zoned for an office park, but like many developers along Rt. 7, Meladon Park watched the market for office parks shrink and demand move toward mixed-use environments. “Lexington 7 was originally rezoned

Umstattd

Volpe

in 1986 PD-OP (Planned Development-Office Park),” said Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian). “Needless to say, congratulations on your 30th anniversary. And needless to say, we’re here because not a lick of building’s ever been built on this.”

Supervisors eventually caved to the idea of another mixed-use development on Rt. 7, sacrificing some of their plans for allowing only strictly commercial buildings on the property. “I’ve had enough conversations about this particular parcel to understand that it’s simply not going to develop into what we want to develop,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “At least what’s coming is age-restricted, as well as a pretty good proffer package.” The developers now have permission to build 113 age-restricted townhouses and a 125-room continuing care facility, a service station, two drive-through restaurants, and other commercial uses LEXINGTON 7 >> 6

The Board of Supervisors’ finance committee has recommended that three more Loudoun nonprofits be awarded property and real estate tax exemptions in 2017. If approved by the full board, Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Loudoun Youth Soccer Association, and Tree of Life Ministries will all be exempt from county property taxes. If granted, the county would be giving up an anticipated $45,229 in revenues in 2016. Loudoun Interfaith Relief is the county’s largest food pantry, collecting and distributing food to needy people and families in the county. If granted the tax exemption, it would be exempt from $2,387.93 in property and real estate taxes. Loudoun Interfaith Relief received $47,237 in grant funding in this year’s county budget, and reported $3,289,691 in contributions and grant funding in its 2014 federal tax return. According to its application, Loudoun Soccer serves more than 15,000 players and 2,000 coaches. It would be exempt from $42,661.15 in property and real estate taxes, mostly real estate. It reported $42,772 in contributions and grants and $4,584,334 in program revenues in its 2014 federal tax return. Tree of Life Ministries would be exempt from $180.03 in property taxes. Its 2014 federal tax return shows $705,050 in grants and contributions. The tax exemptions would have to go to a public hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Finance Committee Recommends Vet Tax Break Disabled military veterans may get a personal property tax break if a recommendation by the finance committee is approved by the full Board of Supervisors. If the tax break is approved, starting in May, permanently disabled veterans—that is, veterans who have lost the use of either or both legs, arms, or hands, or who are blind, and are certified by the Department of Veterans Services—will pay only one cent per $100 of assessed value on one of their motor vehicles. For everyone else, and for the rest of a disabled vet’s vehicles, the rate is $4.20 on every vehicle. The county board directed Commissioner of Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. to study the fiscal impact of the tax break at its April 26 meeting. Wertz’s office estimates the county would give up approximately $32,551 in revenue annually.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Janet, Victoria, and Bobby Klancher, late planning commissioner Bob Klancher’s wife and children.

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Colleagues and friends of late planning commissioner Robert Klancher gathered in the county boardroom Thursday, Sept. 22, to remember his impact on the county over his 13 years on the commission. According to a resolution of respect adopted by the Board of Supervisors, Klancher advised the board on more than 750 land use applications including projects such as Loudoun Valley Estates, Arcola Center, One Loudoun, Waterside and Lansdowne. “For those of you who didn’t know Bob, you truly missed the opportunity to probably meet one of the best people that has ever graced the Earth,” said Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) tearfully. “I used to tell him that some day I hope to be half as good a person as he was. I pray that he will

look down upon us, and that we’ll continue to try to make him proud.” Board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn), who delivered the eulogy at the mass for Klancher, presented Klancher’s wife Janet with the county flag that was flown at half-mast for 24 hours after Klancher’s death. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him,” Buona said. “There’s a lot of love in the room, and we can all feel that Bob’s here with us,” Janet Klancher said. “He was very privileged to be a servant to Loudoun County.” Klancher’s son, Bobby Klancher, currently serves as a staff aide to Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run). Read the full resolution at LoudounNow.com.

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Metro payment << FROM 4 growth, development around the stations, increased property values and higher densities,” Management and Budget Director Erin McLellan said. Gasoline prices, she pointed out, are expected to rebound, and property value assessments in the Metrorail Service Tax District have increased by more than 40 percent since 2013, compared to 20 percent over the entire county. And while the delay in opening metro may end up costing the county more, it also gives the metro tax district more time to generate revenue before the county starts paying operating and cap-

ital costs. “To be perfectly blunt, I was asking if we need to put residential in LDN65 [the loudest area around the current and future runways at Dulles airport] as has been suggested by certain developers, who say that we need to do it for the benefit of our tax district,” Letourneau said. That answer, according to Letourneau and county planners, was no. County staff members say they will continue to monitor metro’s financial impact in the county by keeping an eye on tax district revenue, the rate of commercial growth around metro stations, and the real estate premium paid to build, live, and work near the rail stations.

<< FROM 4 within a smaller setback from Rt. 7. Like at One Loudoun nearby, Lexington 7 plans to build within 200 feet of Rt. 7, rather than the current 300-foot setback. Letourneau said the setback change may indicate a shift toward smaller setbacks all along the highway as the county revises its comprehensive plan. Plans at Lexington 7 have changed significantly from the first application to build residential, which the previous Board of Supervisors rejected unanimously in 2014.

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

For year’s this sign was the largest structure on the Lexington 7 property in Ashburn. That will change following action by the Board of Supervisors approving new development plans.

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Lexington 7

“I think the applicant learned from that and listened to the concerns from the Board of Supervisors at that time,” Volpe said. “They’ve worked diligently, not only with myself, but hearing concerns of other members on the board.” On Sept. 22, the board approved Lexington 7’s application 7-1-1, with Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) absent. Only Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) voted against the latest application. “Fundamentally, I think it’s a mistake to convert commercially zoned land to residential,” Umstattd said. “It limits your potential to bring in more businesses and help support the economy through non-homeowner taxes.”

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Supervisors have approved Harris Teeter’s controversial application to build a larger grocery store and shopping center in the county’s transition zone. The grocery chain will now be allowed to build a larger store, which it says will be a new type of store with places to stop and dine or pick up hot food to go, but only after Braddock Road is fully built out as a four-lane road. The county will also allow an automobile service station on the property. In addition, Harris Teeter will have to construct a six-foot berm, plant tree buffers, and will be limited to a 20-foot high building and light poles and face restrictions on light coming off the property. The application has faced both strong support and strong opposition from its neighbors. The majority of supervisors said approving the application was better than denying it and losing the leverage to negotiate the same conditions if the same application comes back later. The property is at the corner of Braddock Road and Northstar Boulevard in the county’s transition policy area, an area meant to provide a buffer between the rural west and suburban east. But supervisors pointed out that the Harris Teeter property is surrounded on three sides by residential developments that previous boards approved for higher densities than would normally be allowed in the transition area, and board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said there is “zero chance” the area will remain in the transition policy area after the county completes an ongoing review of the county comprehensive plan, which sets out the transition policy area. “What’s in front of us now is a much better application, and it’s a much better application, I think, because it’s still in the transition policy area,” Letourneau said. “When it’s not, a lot of the conditions of approval that were placed on this item will be a lot harder to justify, because it will become a suburban policy area.” “In this particular location, the battle for protecting the transition area has already been lost,” said Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin), adding residents and the board would be better off dealing with the application now than waiting for later and “rolling

the dice and seeing what happens after the comprehensive plan has been changed.” Supervisors gave Letourneau credit for negotiating stricter terms on the application, including thicker tree coverage, a higher berm, a lower building, and more lighting restrictions than when the application was filed. “I know we have some presidential candidates running on building a wall, but I believe Supervisor Letourneau may have succeeded in getting one built,” quipped Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run). He later added, “Not only will a six-foot wall-slashberm be built, but Harris Teeter will be paying for it. I really think you should consider writing a book after this, The Art of the Better Deal, by Supervisor Matt Letourneau.” A minority of supervisors, however, held out for outright denial. Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), whose district includes the application, said although the application had come a long way, he still could not support it. He, Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), and Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) voted to deny the application. Buffington has stridently opposed the application since its introduction. “Supervisor Buffington really went to battle for his constituents, and I just have a lot of admiration for how hard he fought and how much flak he had to take,” Umstattd said. The county will not be allowing three drive-through restaurants. Supervisors some time trying to find the best way to make sure that idea stays dead. Some supervisors argued for the idea of marking the application for the drive-through restaurants inactive rather than denying them, a procedural trick that would push back the earliest date that Harris Teeter could reapply with the same idea. With an outright denial, Harris Teeter could return with the same application in a year’s time. Buffington successfully pressed for denying the application. He said residents in the area felt the application would be hanging over their heads. Supervisors voted 7-0-1-1 to deny the drive-through restaurants, Volpe abstaining, Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) absent.

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[ LEESBURG ]

Council Candidates Square Off at Forum

[ BRIEFS ]

BY NORMAN K. STYER

even candidates vying for three seats on the Leesburg Town Council provided glimpses of their goals during a Sept. 22 forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Loudoun County. During an hour-long question and answer session, the candidates agreed that the town has much to be proud of. Veteran members urged voters to stay the course with their leadership, while challengers said they wanted to bring new ideas to Town Hall. Katie Sheldon Hammler is the most tenured of the candidates, seeking her fourth four-year term. She said the council has done a good job of making Leesburg a great place to live and attracting new businesses while also enacting fiscal policies that earned triple-A bond rates while still keeping tax rates low. Tom Dunn, who has served on the council for eight years, highlighted his consistent efforts to support lower taxes and utility rates and to help constituents work with the town staff to solve problems. Ken Reid is hoping to return to the council after serving as the Leesburg District supervisor for four years. He said the town needs a better relationship with the county government and to improve its cumbersome development review process. He highlighted his efforts to advance several transportation improvements around town while serving on the council and county board and said his top priority would be addressing the back up on Rt. 15 north of town. Four other candidates are making their first run for a council seat. Ron Campbell said fresh voices are needed on the council. If voters always elect the same people, “we really don’t get a chance to see how far we can go,” he said. John Hilton’s campaign is focused on land use issues. He called for a halt to high-density housing and wants more focus on expanding the commercial tax base. “I will do my very best to keep life livable despite these [growth] pressures,” he said. Evan MacBeth said his goal is to retain the family-oriented qualities that attracted him to move to Leesburg 10 years ago. “Ultimately, I want to build a Leesburg where my kids will want to raise their kids so we don’t have to chase our grandkids across the country,” he said. Gwen Pangle, after hearing the concerns of business owners and residents, said she wants to be part of the decisions the town is facing. She also wants a Town Council that more quickly solves problems and works better together. The candidates drew the most distinctions when addressing two topics— development planned in the Crescent District and the needs of downtown businesses and residents. The candidates said they support the overall vision of the Crescent District, an area south of the historic district planned for development as a pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use community. The Crescent Place project on Harrison

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Christian McDowell skateboards at Catoctin SkatePark on Sunday.

Skate Park Closes as Renovations Commence

Norman K. Styer/LoudounNow

Ken Reid, left, speaks during the Sept. 22 voters forum as Ron Campbell, right, and other Town Council candidates look on.

Street was the first to be built; the Town Council last month balked at the larger Crescent Parke proposal on land at the southern edge of the district. The candidates also seemed willing to give Crescent Parke a second look. “I’m open to suggestions in that area,” said Dunn, one of four council members who voted against approving the rezoning. He said the application got extensive review by the Planning Commission and the council, but he would be open to reconsidering the plan if neighbors support it. Hammler made the motion to approve the rezoning at the Town Council meeting. She said she was hopeful it would get another chance and that the final version would help achieve the vision of the Crescent District. “Everything that we have asked for, the developer has negotiated with us.” MacBeth agreed with the goals of the Crescent District, but said he was looking for the right development application—one that would have a consensus of support from town residents. If Crescent Parke returns, he said it should go back to the planning commission to hammer out the compromises residents want. Pangle said implementation of the Crescent District plan was important to the success of the downtown area. Crescent Place has already shown benefits of providing housing for downsizing families and for millennials, as well as bringing more foot traffic downtown, she said. Crescent Parke could have a similar impact, she said. Reid said the town may have trouble implementing the Crescent District plan because previous councils spent too much time debating the development rules before the housing market collapsed. Hilton seemed most critical of the plan, saying the type of high-density housing envisioned isn’t what is needed in town. Campbell also said town leaders should step back and look at the overall housing needs, including affordability.

Candidates expressed a variety of views when asked what should be done to help downtown prosper and about growing conflicts between businesses and residents. Hammler said the investments made by the town to improve the streetscapes have helped, as have the influx of new restaurants. “The downtown is thriving,” she said. Dunn and Reid said the town should do more to increase housing downtown, including converting vacant commercial space to residences in an effort to increase foot traffic. MacBeth and Pangle, president of the Leesburg Downtown Business Association, said more needs to be done to bring businesses and residents together. On the noise issue, Hilton noted that Leesburg’s growing nightlife isn’t a problem for most town residents, but the concerns of those living near concert venues should be addressed by the town. Pangle said businesses, too, need more certainty when it comes to noise complaints. They need to be able to hire a band and not get shut down five minutes later because a neighbor complains, she said. Increasing the town’s nightlife will be an important part of the mix, Pangle said. “You won’t want to live in a town that turns into ‘oh isn’t that nice? That old historic town where nobody stops.’ So there is a middle ground before we don’t have any business downtown,” she said. MacBeth and Campbell also said it was important for town leaders to look beyond the historic district boundaries. MacBeth noted that most residents live outside the town bypass in areas that get little Town Council attention. Campbell said that the town needs to change the conversation, and not just worry about building a vibrant downtown, but also look at the needs of other town businesses and market the town’s businesses differently. nstyer@loudounnow.com

It was an exciting curtain call for the Catoctin SkatePark Sunday, as about 100 of its loyal users turned out during the course of the day to bid it farewell. On its last night, some of the people who have carved their names into its ramps since the park opened shared the space with young skateboarders just starting out. The evening also came with free hot dogs from ResQ BBQ Catering and giveaways from Alpine Ski. On Monday, demolition of the skate park began to make way for almost $1 million in new improvements and upgrades. According to Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, hopes are that construction on the $976,200, capital project will be wrapped up by the end of the year, assuming no surprises in terms of weather or anything else that could be unearthed during the construction process. The land the skatepark currently sits on will provide needed space for the expansion of the next door Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad. The new skatepark will move to a vacant parcel of land near the site.

Planners Irked by Unapproved Renovations to Downtown One year after a fire gutted the South King Street building, crews were at work for much of August making repairs to the former home of Caulkins Jewelers. This week, the building’s owner was called to appear before the town’s Board of Architectural Review to get permission for the completed work. Concerns of BAR members and town planners during a Sept. 20 meeting centered on the replacement of 29 windows and three doors on the building at 11 S. King St. Under the town’s historic district regulations, property owners wishing to make exterior modifications must get Certificate of Appropriateness approval in advance from the BAR, which reviews the designs and materials to be used. BAR members said it wasn’t clear why all the windows were replaced and raised concerns that some of the new windows BRIEFS >> 9

[ BRIEFS ]

The annual Leesburg 360 event, offering a glimpse to commercial opportunities in the town, is set for Thursday, Oct. 6. According to the town Economic Development Department website, the event is designed to showcase the avail-

Hilton Plans Kickoff Town Council hopeful John Hilton will host a formal campaign kickoff next week. Set for 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, the campaign kickoff will be held at a private residence. Those interested in attending may email Hilton at john.hilton67@gmail.com for details. Hilton is in a field of seven candidates vying for three Town Council seats in November. His opponents include incumbents Tom Dunn and Katie Sheldon Hammler, and fellow challengers Gwen Pangle, Ron Campbell, Evan Macbeth, and Ken Reid.

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able office, retail and commercial space in Leesburg. Brokers, developers and property owners showcase their listings and are available for follow-up questions. Businesses in the market for office, retail and commercial space as well as existing businesses and prospects new to Leesburg are urged to attend. The Economic Development staff will moderate a panel discussion on the town’s commercial real estate market and issues relevant to the town’s economy. The panelists will include members of town staff as well as representatives from the local business community. The event will run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at K2M’s headquarters on Hope Parkway. To register to attend the free event, go to leesburgva.gov/businesses/business-events.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

did not match the design of the originals—a tightly enforced standard on most historic district projects. Owner Michael O’Connor said he was assured the replacement windows were similar to the originals and would meet the town’s specifications. “The windows that were in there were just single-pane, crummy 60-year-old windows,” he said, adding that some did not even open. But BAR members said the right windows were the original windows, with as few as three having been significantly damaged in the fire. “I find this really disturbing because this is not the applicant’s first rodeo,” member Teresa Minchew said, noting that O’Connor owns and has renovated several historic district properties. “I’m sorry if you think we’re picking on you, but everyone else does this.” After an hour of questions, the BAR voted to continue its review of the case until Oct. 3 and to conduct an inspection of building to review the changes that were made.

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CHASING THE DRAGON Drug Experts Want Severity of Heroin Epidemic to Hit Home BY DANIELLE NADLER t’s much stronger than you, and it will win.” An audience of about 100 heard heart wrenching comments like that from families who have struggled with and lost loved ones to opioid addiction during a free screening of the documentary “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict.” The film, developed by the FBI and the DEA, is aimed at educating students and young adults on the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse. The screening was held Sept. 20 at Briar Woods High School and was followed by a panel discussion with some of the people on the front lines of fighting the epidemic in Loudoun County and surrounding communities. The discussion was moderated by NBC-4 reporter Julie Carey. Taking questions from Carey and audience members, Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, painted a somber picture of the seriousness of opioid abuse. He said its hold on users is worse than anything he saw during the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s. “If you overdose on cocaine, meth, alcohol, you’ll get a second chance. But heroin? People who continue to use it end up dying,” he said. Boente later added that the law enforcement, mental health and education communities are working hard to inform the public of the severity of the issue. “I hate to rain on the parade, but I’m very concerned that we haven’t seen the worst of this. If you don’t know someone who’s had an addiction problem, you will,” he said. While several panelists noted some of the resources that are available to

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Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

From left, Loudoun Sheriff Michael L. Chapman and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Field Division, speak at Briar Woods High School.

help addicts recover, Lt. James A. Cox III, supervisor of Organized Crime and Narcotics Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, said there are still serious shortfalls. Just three days ago, he arrested a 19-year-old who wanted to go to rehab and he had medical insurance to cover the cost. “But there was no bed available. … So I tell the detective, make the arrest because at that point, that’s the only way I’m going to save this kid’s life. That’s what we’re up against.” Audience member Peter Rush, a Leesburg resident who said his daughter is a recovering heroin addict, asked what it takes to make treatment “stick.” He noted that three addicts interviewed in the “Chasing the Dragon” movie relapsed and one overdosed and died months after filming of the documentary. “What do we do about treatment that actually works?”

Panelist Nick Yacoub, who described himself as an addict in long-term recovery, stressed the importance of addicts to surround themselves with others in recovery and to help others get treatment. “For me, it was going out there trying to help other people and surrounding yourself with people in recovery because it got me out of my selfish nature. The disease is inherently selfish,” he said. Todd A. Wills, special populations service coordinator for Loudoun County Mental Health, told the audience that treatment works when it is multifaceted and includes the addict’s family members and even treatment for psychiatric conditions. “You basically create a support network and those are the treatments that work,” he added. Wills stressed that the county will

help cover the costs of residential treatment and detox programs for families who do not have health insurance or cannot otherwise afford it. Go to loudoun.gov/mentalhealth for details. From the audience, a visibly frustrated Leesburg Town Councilmember Marty Martinez said he was disappointed that every seat in the auditorium wasn’t filled. “We need to treat this like an epidemic,” he said. “Do we need to scare these parents? I think we do.” In response, Yacoub said the solution is reversing the stigma connected to talking about addiction. Many families are too timid to admit a loved one needs help. “As long as people are looking at addiction as a moral failing [instead of a disease], we’re never going to win this thing.” The screening and panel discussion was held as part of the Department of Justice’s National Opioid and Heroin Awareness Week. Also on the panel were Loudoun Sheriff Michael L. Chapman; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Field Division; and Jennifer Wall, Supervisor of Student Assistance Services at Loudoun County Public Schools. dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ] Town Hall Planned on Building Relationships Between Community, Authorities The Community Engagement Coalition, in conjunction with the Loudoun NAACP Legal Redress Committee, will hold a town hall discussion on building relationships with local authorities to combat police brutality and reform the criminal justice system. This free event will take place at Tuscarora High School on Wednesday, Oct. 5, starting at 6:30 p.m. Confirmed speakers include: Leesburg Police Chief Gregory Brown, Loudoun Sheriff Michael Chapman, Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman, County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall, and educator Victor Leon Powell. The program will focus on bridging the gap between law enforcement and the Loudoun/Leesburg community. Topics of discussion include use of force, gun violence, officer grievance/complaint procedures, community-based policing, BRIEFS >> 13

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Suspicious Person Arrested on Weapons Charge A man wanted by authorities in Virginia Beach was arrested on Foxhound Lane near Middleburg on Sunday afternoon. A deputy was called to the area to investigate a suspicious person and detained Bryan S. Romero, 23, of Winchester. He was wanted on a failure to appear warrant, but now faces additional concealed weapons charges after brass knuckles were found in his backpack. Romero was taken into custody and held on a $1,000 bond.

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Purcellville PD Offers Online Safety Program The Purcellville Police Department will hold a town hall meeting about online safety for children in support of October being National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The event is 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Purcellville Town Hall, 221 South Nursery Ave. This program will provide parents with an understanding of online vulnerabilities to children’s safety. The event is facilitated by Matt Foosaner, a member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Law Enforcement Committee. “The internet is an extension of the real world and as parents we must teach internet safety to our children whether it be about social media etiquette, online privacy, cyber bullying, viruses, phishing, and any other online threats,” Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser said.

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office and Virginia State Police conducted a traffic checkpoint operation on Rt. 287 north of Purcellville on Sept. 21, issuing a slew of citations. Between 1 and 4 p.m., 956 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and 40 were detained for screening. As a result of the operation:

• eight drivers were issued a notice for not having a Loudoun County decal or displaying expired decals; • six drivers were issued summons for operating vehicles with expired registrations; • 21 drivers were issued summons for having expired inspection stickers; displayed; • two drivers were cited for having an expired operator’s licenses. • one driver tried to avoid the checkpoint by making a U-turn across a double solid yellow line, but was stopped and issued a summons for reckless driving; and • one driver was arrested for operating a vehicle with a revoked-DUI related license. In addition, the driver was served with an outstanding capias for failing to appear in court. Also, five summonses and five warnings were issued for other non-moving violations.

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Fifth-grader Ananya greets a box turtle, an example of the type of native animal she and her classmates are trying to welcome back to the school grounds.

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THINKING GREEN Students Work to Reverse Environmental Impact of School’s Construction BY DANIELLE NADLER

ifth-graders in Brambleton aren’t sugar-coating their impact on the environment. “We’re kind of the reason a lot of animals lost their homes because we needed a school,” 9-year-old Ananya said. “So it’s our job to make it right,” her friend Lailee chimed in. As part of a lesson in their life science course, students at Madison’s Trust Elementary School are learning about how the construction of their brand new school negatively affected the habitat of the native animals in the area. But they’re also learning how to reverse some of the damage. The students spent last Thursday outdoors with Susanne Ortmann, Northern Virginia Programs Manager for the Audubon Naturalist Society. Ortmann, holding a grumpy-looking box turtle, broke some not-so-great news to the students: “The habitat for some of these animals—like the deer and the box turtle—has been disturbed.” The students were shown a picture of their school property before and after construction began. Before the work started, the property was lined with dense forest. Now, it is home to a large, two-story building, an asphalt parking lot, a grass field and track. But not all is lost, Ortmann assured the students. She helped them come up with ways to restore some of the animals’ habitat,

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Susanne Ortmann, with the Audubon Naturalist Society, leads a lesson on the edge of the Madison’s Trust Elementary School campus.

such as planting native grass and trees and setting out bird baths. As part of the project, each student has been assigned an animal to research and depict in a work of art.

Loudoun County’s school administrators joined the staff and students at Hillsboro Charter Academy to formally dedicate the new school. It opened to 122 students on Aug. 29 as the county’s second charter school and only the ninth in Virginia. The school is housed in the same building that served as Hillsboro Elementary School for 50 years. Several Hillsboro Elementary alumni, as well as Superintendent Eric Williams and School Board members Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge), Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) and Jeff Morse (Dulles), attended the dedication ceremony.

Their works will be auctioned off at a fundraising event later in the year, with the money raised earmarked for the habitat restoration project. Fifth grade teacher Amanda Brown said the students can choose how they want to spend the money to help repair some of the natural habitat. Student Faizan said that he expects that the noisy construction vehicles scared away a lot of the creatures, like deer, frogs, squirrels and birds. The 10-year-old suggested putting out bird feeders and bird baths, and maybe planting bushes, to draw some of the animals back. “If they have extra food and some protection, they’ll feel comfortable here again,” he said. Ten-year-old Samnita had another thought. “A lot of the animals were probably smashed by big trucks,” she said. Her friend suggested holding a funeral for the deceased critters. “That’s a good idea” Samnita added. “We need to show some respect.” The students’ habitat restoration project aligns with the One to the World initiative, a division-wide push to connect classroom lessons to real-world problems. Brown was impressed with how her students showed empathy as part of their learning process. “They’ve really taken ownership,” she said. “They realized that, yes, we are part of the problem, but we can also be a part of the solution.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

The best of science, technology, engineering and mathematics will be on display at Northern Virginia Community College’s STEM Day, set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Designed for students of all ages, the day will feature handson exhibits, workshops, food and music in a festival-like atmosphere. Participants can check out NASA’s Exploring Mars Exhibit, learn how drones can help wildlife conservation, and experience underwater remote-operated vehicles with the Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Division, among other exhibits. STEM Day is put on as a collaborative effort among NVCC, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun County Public Schools and NVCC SySTEMic Solutions to expose Loudoun County youth to opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math fields in a new, fun and collaborative environment. STEM Day will take place at NVCC’s Loudoun campus, 21200 Campus Drive in Sterling. Learn more at locostemday.com.

Forbes Picks Ashburn Student for Scholarship Program Shivani Tara Seth, of Ashburn, has been selected to participate in Forbes Magazine’s 30-Under-30 Scholars Program. The third-year student at University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce will travJUMP TO >> 15

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Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients! Welcoming all new patients! Registration is now open for the Salute for Service Loudoun County 5K Race for The Homeless, put on by the Epsilon Zeta Boule Foundation, Volunteers of America and Stone Bridge High School. The race will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, rain or shine, at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn. To register, go to potomac.enmotive.com/calendar and click on 5K Race for the Homeless. The 5K is being held in honor of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month. Net proceeds will be provided to homeless shelters and organizations supporting the homeless in Loudoun and its surrounding counties.

Loudoun Teacher Named FabLearn Fellow Josh Ajima, the technology resource teacher at Dominion High School and the Academy of Science, has been named a 2016-2017 Stanford FabLearn Fellow. Ajima was one of 20 educators selected from a pool of 200 applicants. He will attend the FabLearn Conference at Stanford University Oct. 14-16. The theme for this year’s conference is “Diversity in Making: People, Projects and Powerful Ideas.” The program was created with a grant from the National Science Foundation to “bring together experienced educators from all over the world to contribute to research about the ‘makers’ culture and digital fabrication in education and to create an open-source library of curriculum.”

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

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This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 3679753.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

el to Boston in October to meet with top entrepreneurs during the Forbes 3 0 - Un d e r- 3 0 Summit. The event will highlight innovation in five areas: science and technolo- Shivani Tara Seth gy, finance and investing, media and creativity, and policy and social good. Forbes created the 30-Under-30 Scholars program for students at top universities to learn from leaders who participate in the summit and from each other.

[ OUR TOWNS ]

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Seems Lovettsville was the place to be Saturday. The town’s annual Oktoberfest drew thousands.

Oktoberfest 2016 Surpasses Expectations BY MARGARET MORTON ovettsville’s Oktoberfest was a record-setter this year, attracting a substantially greater number of visitors above last year’s 10,000—itself a record. Town Manager Laszlo Palko said Monday sales were up 50 percent over last year, with the most significant increase—fittingly given the theme—in beer sales. Councilman Jim McIntyre, who has led management of the event for five

years, was equally pleased. “Across the board, this year was a big success,” he said Tuesday, adding the weather could not have been better. This year, the festival was expanded to the Town Square and Town Green areas, “which did a great job of linking the old part of town with the new,” McIntyre said. Palko noted the Oktoberfest budget forecasted sales of $75,000 in sales—up boldly from $58,000 last year. However, this year’s total sales well exceed that expectation, reaching $95,000.

“Businesses were happy and very excited,” he said. For McIntyre, those sales represented a way to get money back into the community through the efforts of 200 volunteers and involvement by Lovettsville’s many civic groups. “The weekend pumped tens of thousands of dollars into these organizations, who will put the money right back into our community.” mmorton@loudounnow.com

Kesari Sentenced to Prison in Ron Paul Campaign Scandal BY MARGARET MORTON Hamilton Town Council member Dimitri Kesari was sentenced last week to serve three months in federal prison. Kesari served as deputy campaign manager Dimitri Kesari for former Rep. Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential bid. He was charged with covering up a $73,000 payoff for an endorsement from an Iowa state senator. Two others convicted in the case, campaign manager John Tate and campaign chairman Jesse Benton, were sentenced to six months of in-home

detention and probation. Judges in the Des Moines federal court also fined each defendant $10,000. The men were convicted of hiding the money given to State Senator Kent Sorenson as payments to a video production vendor on federal campaign finance disclosure reports. Kesari’s request to remain free while he appeals two jury convictions in the case was rejected by the district court judge. Kesari’s term on the Hamilton Town Council runs through June, 2018. He has so far resisted suggestions that he resign the post, citing his ongoing appeals of the conviction. Initial reaction by his colleagues was cautious. Mayor Dave Simpson said Monday that members of council are informally “discussing where to go from here, but no action has been tak-

en.” He said he understood that Kesari may consider further court action. Councilman John Unger said the council has not heard from Town Attorney Maureen Gilmore, but “in the past she has said sentencing is the chief thing, and that if convicted he couldn’t serve [under Virginia law]. That’s where I stand.” Councilman Craig Green said he has felt for some time “that it would be best for him to step down for the good of the town.” Councilman Mike Snyder, said it was his understanding that Kesari would resign. “He was not a legal felon until the judge sentenced him,” Snyder said, while acknowledging Kesari’s right to appeal. A call to Kesari was not returned. mmorton@loudounnow.com

Rodney Gray

A drone view of the Lovettsville Oktoberfest on Saturday.

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Round Hill County Proffer Funds OK’d For Round Hill Street Project After more than a decade of planning, Round Hill’s Main Street Enhancement project got a big boost last week. The Board of Supervisors approved a request to allocate $859,188 in proffer funds for the effort. The money was collected over the past two decades from the developer of the Villages of Round Hill. The proffer agreement for the 1,100 home development required the developer to pay $610 per house and $1.25 per square TOWN NOTES >> 18

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northern Loudoun County, through commerce, family and cultural connections. Perks will explain why Jefferson County chose to join the new state, while neighboring Loudoun remained in secessionist Virginia. That decision was contested for years, eventually taken up before the U.S. Supreme Court. The lecture is free, but contributions are welcome to help defray costs. The program begins at 2 p.m. at St. James United Church of Christ, 10 E. Broad Way.

Waterford Waterford Fair Opens Oct. 8 The village of Waterford will open its doors for the annual Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit Oct. 7-9. The fair celebrates traditional craftsmanship, and this year there will be unprecedented influx of new juried artisans—29, according to Fair Director Tracy Kirkman. Local beer and wine will be available, and, in a new addition to the fair, there will be special chefs’ tastings. The four experts will include celebrity Chef Ponder, known to viewers of Cutthroat Kitchen, Chopped and Real Housewives of Atlanta. A roster of music heard throughout the village, Revolutionary War and Civil War camps and re-enactments, craft sales, art and photography, dried flowers, children’s activities, and the popular tour of historic houses round out the offerings. New this year also, is a shuttle for those in need of a helping hand getting back to the parking lots on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $16 online or $20 at the door. Ages 12 and under are free.

Aldie Tax District Dissolved With its mission accomplished, the Aldie Sewer Service District was formally repealed last week. County supervisors dissolved the special tax district after final accounting confirmed that village property owners had repaid the cost of constructing a sewage treatment plant in 1997 to address a public health concern. The county government paid $700,000 for the project and the State of Virginia Water Control Board provided a $527,000 loan. Property owners in the service area paid a real estate surtax— initially 27 cents per $100 of value on top of their county taxes—to repay the loan. The final payment was made in 2012.

Middleburg Middleburg Grows by 3 Acres County supervisors on Sept. 14 unanimously approved a boundary line adjustment with the Town of Middleburg, incorporating into the town an additional 3.153 acres. The town’s only wastewater pump station is in need of replacement, and although it is on land owned by the town, it and the access road to it are outside the town’s corporate limits. According to the county staff, incorporating that land into the town will facilitate the approval process for work on the pump station. The station only serves Middleburg properties.

r e v o c s i D LOUDOUN

THE GUIDE TO LOUDOUN COUNTY

Our Communities Then & Now

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The annual Loudoun County Fair is a popular summer destination that offers a glimpse of the county’s agricultural roots. Here, the Virts family nudges a stubborn sheep to be weighed in at the fair in July.

LOUDOUN COUNTY: FROM 1757 TO 2016 BY MARGARET MORTON & RENSS GREENE Loudoun County will turn 260 years old next June. In the sweep of its two-and-a-half century history, Loudoun has gone from a rural, agricultural county peopled by Tidewater planters, Irish, Scots-Irish, Quakers, Germans and both free and enslaved black people to an urban, high-tech society, whose landscape now boasts high-rise apartments, data centers and six-lane highways—where grain mills, bustling villages, gravel roads and farms once dotted the area. The Loudoun we know today began taking shape hundreds of years before the jurisdiction’s lines were ever drawn. When John Smith sailed up the Potomac River in the early 1600s, he found Sioux living west of the mountains and Algonkian living to the east. By the time he arrived, however, migration and instability caused by the first European explorers on the continent had already caused upheaval among the Native Americans in the area. Previous cultures and crafts from the area had already been lost during the 1500s.

LOUDOUN BY THE NUMBERS 520 SQUARE MILES

375,629

2016 POPULATION

417,700

PROJECTED 2020 POPULATION BY RACE 69.8% WHITE 13.6 % LATINO 18% ASIAN 7.9% BLACK

35.4

MEDIAN AGE

Both the Sioux and Algonkian peoples were largely peaceful; the Sioux hunted and lived a nomadic lifestyle, while the Algonkian farmed. By 1670, the more aggressive Susquehannock tribes had driven the Sioux from western Loudoun, and were battling with the Iroquois for control of trails to the south. The main trading area among the Native Americans in what would become Loudoun was along the Potomac near Point of Rocks, Maryland. In 1722, the Treaty of Albany between Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood and the Iroquois opened the way for European settlement in the western areas of Loudoun. The Iroquois agreed to stay north of the Potomac and west of the Blue Ridge. Where once the population was mostly clustered in the small towns of western Loudoun, the population in the large planned communities of eastern Loudoun now far outpaces that of the west. Early tobacco plantations gave way to large dairy farms and then to housing. Loudoun was among the top dairy producers in Virginia in the 1950s, but homes have replaced four-legged bovines in those former pastures. LOUDOUN COUNTY >> 4

INSIDE

COUNTY GOVERNMENT ............ 5

SCHOOLS ............................... 12 LEESBURG .............................. 17 WESTERN LOUDOUN ................24

[ LOUDOUN COUNT Y THEN & NOW ] << FROM 3 It’s a startling transformation, all the more so because most of it has occurred over the past 50 years, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. Sterling Park, the county’s first planned community, opened in 1963. The population for the county’s first 200 years stayed fairly constant at around 20,000. Today’s population is estimated at 373,694, more than double the population in 2000. It all began when Fairfax County was divided to form Loudoun County in 1757. Ironically, the county gets its name from an intemperate Scottish nobleman who was Commander-in-Chief and Governor General of Virginia, but who never set foot in either Virginia or Loudoun. Gen. John Campbell, fourth Earl of Loudoun, arrived in New York in 1756 with lashings of wine, silverware and china, along with 19 horses, 17 personal servants and his mistress. Known more for his organizational army reforms than his military prowess, Lord Loudoun was recalled after two years. That year, 1758, saw the establishment of “George Town,” quickly renamed Leesburg, after the influential legislator Thomas Lee, at the intersection of the north-south Old Carolina trading route and the colonial Potomac Ridge Road. From an initial layout of 60 houses, the town has grown over the past 258 years to a population of more than 50,000. There are seven incorporated towns in Loudoun—Leesburg, Hamilton,

Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill—but many of the smaller communities in western Loudoun were thriving agricultural centers up until the Civil War. Although Loudoun County had many Union supporters in the Civil War—particularly in Waterford and Lovettsville, which had voted against secession—the fertile Loudoun Valley and the county’s location on the Potomac River close to Washington, DC, made it critically important to the Confederacy. Because the county had divided loyalties, local conflicts raged in the county even when major armies and battles were far away. In 1864, Union General Ulysses S. Grant ordered General Philip Sheridan to raid the Loudoun Valley. Sheridan dispatched Major General Wesley Merritt and his cavalry, who laid waste to the valley, destroying crops and driving off or slaughtering livestock. Fitzhugh Turner wrote in 1961 in his Loudoun County and the Civil War: A County Divided that “Loudoun County suffered possibly more severely during the Civil War than any Virginia County in which no major engagement was fought.” The county, particularly the western sector, suffered badly in that war as Union forces—despite the jabs inflicted by Confederate partisan leader Col. John Singleton Mosby—constantly raided farms, driving off stock and burning buildings. But prosperity slowly returned, and the end of World War II brought an

influx of Washington, DC, area residents interested in moving west. The second half of the century also saw the integration of Loudoun schools—a far cry from the racial profile of the county 200 years before. The big growth boom came with the opening of Dulles Airport in 1962 which brought the Dulles Access Road and the Potomac Interceptor sewer line, the latter of which opened eastern Loudoun to suburban development. As dairy farming ebbed, large planned communities including Ashburn Farm, Ashburn Village, Cascades and Brambleton sprung up in their place. In the late 1980s, work began to widen two-lane Rt. 28 serving Dulles Airport. A decade later a company called America Online moved to the corridor—which also included a key intersection on something then called the Information Superhighway. Few residents had email accounts at that time, but the area has developed into Data Center Alley, handling 70 percent of the world’s online traffic, including your credit card transactions and Netflix movies. The privately owned Dulles Greenway opened in 1994, providing a nonstop route from Leesburg to Washington, DC. Loudoun will experience another game-changing milestone transportation in 2020 when the Silver Line extension to Ashburn is scheduled to begin carrying passengers—the county’s first operational rail line in 60 years. Today, Rt. 15 still forms the dividing

line between the urban, built-up east and the more rural western Loudoun. The county’s position this year as (again) Virginia’s fastest growing county is a good omen for the future. Data centers and high-tech companies have replaced the dairy industry, and wineries, craft breweries, farm markets, bed-and-breakfasts and horse and specialty farms are fast replacing traditional farming. Music, the arts and special events are adding an increasing element to the fast-changing Loudoun scene. mmorton@loudounnow.com rgreene@loudounnow.com

ON THE COVER

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now Thomas Balch Library

Patrons at Dirt Farm Brewery near Bluemont take in a stunning view of the Loudoun Valley, where wine and beer have replaced cattle and corn as the region’s top agricultural products. Inset, women pick apples in an orchard near Purcellville during World War I.

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FROM BOARD OF JUSTICES TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Loudoun County was created when it was split from Fairfax County in 1757 over protests from Fairfax. It was named for Scottish aristocrat John Campbell, Fourth Earl of Loudoun and Governor General of Virginia from 1756-1758. The first Board of Justices held an organizational meeting on July 12, 1757, to organize the court and begin the work of governing. At that time, Boards of Justices held both administrative and judicial powers. It’s believed that for the first two years while the courthouse was under construction, meetings were held at the home of Nicholas Minor, who owned the tavern and property along present-day Rt. 7 that would become the seed of the Town of Leesburg. After the Civil War, the county was reorganized and the first Board of Supervisors met on Aug. 16, 1870. At that time, the board had five members and elected Josephus Carr to serve as chairman. One supervisor, Harrison Osburn, was not present at the first meeting. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower selected a site in Sterling for

a second major airport to serve the Washington, DC, area. In 1962, Dulles International Airport opened with three runways and its iconic main terminal building. Since then, Loudoun has seen rapid growth and change. Sterling and Leesburg were the only populated places in the 1960 census. In 1969, population growth prompted the Board of Supervisors to redraw their election districts for the first time since 1870, creating seven districts. In 1975, the county redrew the districts again, creating eight districts; and in 1991 the county created a chairman at-Large position, creating a ninth seat on the Board of Supervisors. In 2000, the census counted 169,599 people in Loudoun, and 2016 estimates show 373,694 people living in in the county, more than double the 2000 population. The county has been planning for Metrorail service to Loudoun since 1996, and in 2012 the Board of Supervisors voted to commit to the project. The Silver Line is expected to open three new stops in Loudoun County

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Clerk of the County Circuit Court Gary Clemens, left, and archivist Eric Larson discuss efforts to create an online database from the centuries of records they have on hand.

Loudoun is one of the few counties with records dating back to its founding, thanks in large part to Clerk of the Court George K. Fox Jr., who served during the Civil War. When Union troops arrived in the county, Fox got permission from the justices to have the county’s records sent out of the county. Today, Loudoun’s Clerk of the Circuit Court is one of the few such offices with a dedicated Historic Records & Deed Research Division, which today continues its work digging through the centuries of history contained in Loudoun’s records.

in 2020, and developers and the county are scrambling to be ready. In 2020, the county anticipates well over 400,000 people will call themselves Loudouners. Today, Loudoun has two faces: a rural west, and a suburban east, divided by a Transition Policy Area acting as a buffer between the two—although those boundaries could be moving soon after the county finishes updating

its comprehensive plan. There are many ways to get involved in Loudoun community and government. With 54 board-appointed advisory boards, commissions, and committees, there is a place for almost every interest and expertise. To find a way to get involved, go to loudoun. gov/advisory-vacancies. —Renss Greene

The Coat of Arms and Flag Loudoun County has both an official Coat of Arms and a flag. The county coat of arms, adopted in 1968, was modeled after that of the county’s namesake, John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun. It was approved by the College of Arms in Loudoun after many years of effort and after making a minor change to Campbell’s coat of arms— changing the spelling of the word “tyme” in Campbell’s motto. The county coat of arms reads “I Byde My Time.”

The county flag was adapted from the coat of arms with nods to the county’s agricultural past. It has a green, indented edging with white drops suggesting milk. The center of the flag has eight alternating red and white fields, with nine wheat symbols in each white field. The indented or “embattled” edging represents the county’s association with the Monroe Doctrine through President James Monroe, who was a resident in Loudoun County, at Oak Hill, at the time the doctrine was written.

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[ GOVERNMENT ]

TODAY’S SUPERVISORS Today’s Board of Supervisors has nine members, representing eight election districts and a chairman elected by voters at large. Supervisors serve four-year terms and all run for office in the same year. The election districts are adjusted each decade to maintain approximately equal populations; currently, there are two large western districts covering the county’s rural west and the transitional area, and six smaller districts covering Leesburg and the county’s populous east. In the most recent election in 2015, Loudoun elected its second female chairman at large, its first two black supervisors, and its youngest-ever supervisor. Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) follows only Chairwoman Dale Polen Myers, who served from 1996 to 1999, as female chairman at large. Supervisor Betty W. Tatum, who represented the now-defunct Guilford District, was twice elected chairman of the board by her colleagues before the county adopted the chairman-at-large position in 1991. The most recent election also saw big turnover on the board; five of the nine supervisors are first-term supervisors. Three supervisors are military veterans.

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Thomas Balch Library

Early boards of supervisors (bottom) were made up of five representatives, white men who were farmers and business leaders. This Winslow Williams photograph shows the 1953 Board of Supervisors at the Leesburg Hotel where government meetings were held. County of Loudoun

Modern boards (top), expanded to nine seats in 1991 with the addition of a chairman elected by all county voters, are more diverse. Three women have served as board chairman since 1990 and voters last year elected the county’s first black supervisors.

The board meets at least three times each month except for August. The board meets at 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, holds a public hearing on the Wednesday of the week following the first meeting, and holds a second business meeting on the Thursday of the week following the public hearing. Meetings of the Board of Supervisors are held in the boardroom at the government center at 1 Harrison St. in downtown Leesburg and are open to the public. The county also televises board meetings on Comcast government channel 23, Verizon FiOS channel 40, and open band channel 40, and webcasts meetings at Loudoun.gov. This year the board combined two of its board committees, leaving three standing committees. Board members now serve on the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee, the Transportation and Land Use Committee, and the Joint Board/School Board Committee, which includes all nine supervisors. Since 2008 supervisors have been paid a $41,200 annual salary. The vice chairman, elected by his colleagues on the board, is paid $45,320. The chairman makes $50,000.

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[ GOVERNMENT ] << FROM 6

Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall

Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) began public service with volunteer work in Loudoun County Public Schools. She worked for more than 15 years as a mental health therapist working with substance abusing offenders in an adult detention center. Randall serves on all three board committees, as well as on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Dulles Area Transportation Association, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and the Route 28 Transportation Improvement District Commission. She is the current chairman of the Virginia State Board of Corrections. She has a husband and two sons, aged 21 and 18. She was born in Denver, CO, and lives in Lansdowne. Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov Staff aides: Jeanine Arnett, Jeanine.Arnett@loudoun.gov Laura TeKroney, Laura.TeKroney@loudoun.gov

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona ASHBURN

Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) is in his second term as Ashburn District supervisor. A former Air Force captain, he concluded his service at Air Force Space Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, where he managed software development related to early warning missile defense systems. He has worked at Telos Corporation since 1984 and is now the company’s senior vice president of corporate business development. He serves on the board’s finance committee, as well as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Planning Coordination Advisory Committee, and is the Board’s representative on the Loudoun County Fiscal Impact Committee, the Other Post-Employment Benefits Investment Committee and the Length of Service Awards Program Committee. Buona has served on the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce board of directors since 2005, and is active in trade organizations including

the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council, the Air Force Association, the Navy League, the Army Association, and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. He was born in Ashtabula, OH, and lives in Ashburn’s Carisbrooke neighborhood with his wife. He has two children and three grandchildren. Ralph.Buona@loudoun.gov Staff aide: Dorri O’Brien, Dorri.OBrien@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe ALGONKIAN

League, Detachment #1205; and the Dulles South Alliance. A former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, Buffington grew up in Berryville and lives in Brambleton. Tony.Buffington@loudoun.gov Staff aide: Shevaun Hochstetler, Shevaun.Hochstetler@loudoun.gov Rachael Chambers, Rachael.Chambers@loudoun.gov Pamela Keegan, Pamela.Keegan@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. BROAD RUN

County Agricultural District Advisory Committee and the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee. He is the vice president of Labor Relations for NECA Inc. and is an arbitrator for the Industrial Relations Council. He previously served on the Loudoun County School Board and is a member of the Loudoun Museum Board of Trustees. Higgins was born in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Montgomery County, MD. He and his wife live near Waterford and have three daughters and three grandsons. Geary.Higgins@loudoun.gov Staff aides: Stacy Carey, Stacy.Carey@loudoun.gov Mikayla Feil, Mikayla.Feil@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau DULLES

Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) is in her second term in office, as well as her second term as chairwoman of the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee. She represents the board on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee. She also is the board’s representative on the Loudoun County Disability Services Board and the Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Board. She has worked both for the federal government and the private sector, specializing in communications, public affairs, marketing and event planning. She has previously served on the Loudoun County Library Board of Trustees, the Loudoun Arts Council, the county Commission on Aging, and the Planning Commission, among other postings. She was born in Vienna and lives in Cascades with her husband and daughter.

Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) serves on the Board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee and represents Loudoun on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Air Quality Committee, and the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. The board’s youngest-ever supervisor, Meyer was elected at 26 years old. He manages a millennial-focused conservative website, Red Alert Politics, for MediaDC, the parent company of the Washington Examiner and Weekly Standard. Before that, he ran his own public relations firm in Northern Virginia, Springboard Media Strategies LLC, and was a spokesman for the conservative nonprofit Young America’ s Foundation in Herndon. Meyer lives with his wife in Loudoun Station in Ashburn, but is relocating to One Loudoun as they prepare for their first child.

Suzanne.Volpe@loudoun.gov Staff aide: Josh Fornwalt, Josh.Fornwalt@loudoun.gov

Ron.Meyer@loudoun.gov Staff aides: Judy McCary, Judy.McCary@loudoun.gov Bobby Klancher, bobby.klancher@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. BLUE RIDGE

Supervisor Geary M. Higgins CATOCTIN

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) is a second-term supervisor and chairman of the board Finance/ Government Operations and Economic Development Committee. He serves as vice chairman representing Virginia on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors, represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and is chairman of the Route 28 Transportation Improvement District Commission. Letourneau is senior director of Communications and Media for the Institute for 21st Century Energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Chamber, he was the Republican communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and press secretary to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico. He is originally from Shrewsbury, MA. He and his wife and four children live in Little River Commons in Chantilly. Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov Staff aides: Monica Filyaw, Monica.Filyaw@loudoun.gov Tom Parker, Tom.Parker@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd LEESBURG Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge) works in federal law enforcement in Washington, DC. He serves on the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee, is one of Loudoun’s two representatives on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and represents Loudoun on the Coalition of Loudoun Towns. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police’s Loudoun-Dulles Lodge #69; the Loudoun County Marine Corps

Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) is in his second term as the Catoctin District supervisor. He serves as co-chair of the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee and is a member of the Board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee. He represents Loudoun County on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Human Services and Public Safety Committee, the Potomac Watershed Roundtable, and serves as the Board’s representative on the Loudoun

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) is serving her first term on the county board. She serves on the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS >> 10

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<< FROM 8

Committee, and is one of the Board’s representatives on the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee and on the Family Services Board. She has previously served as president, Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions; chair, Northern Virginia Regional Commission; Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council; Dulles Area Transportation Association; chair, Towns’ Association of Northern Virginia; Coalition of Loudoun Towns Advisory Committee; Loudoun Hospital Executive Council; trustee, Journey Through Hallowed Ground; and Commander, American Legion Post 34. A former Naval Reserve lieutenant, she joined the Central Intelligence Agency after leaving the Naval Reserve to translate Soviet naval documents into English. She served on the Leesburg Town Council from 1992 to 2016. She served as Leesburg mayor between 2002 and 2016, when she resigned to take office as county supervisor. A native of Philadelphia, PA, she and her husband and daughter now live in Leesburg. She and her husband practice law in Leesburg. Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov Staff aide: Valerie Suzdak, Valerie.Suzdak@loudoun.gov

Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) serves on the Board’s Finance/ Government Operations and Economic Development Committee and represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Manpower Consortium Workforce Investment Board. He also serves as one of Loudoun’s representatives on the Route 28 Transportation Improvement District Commission and is one of the Board’s representatives on the Family Services Board. He works in human resources at Washington Gas. He has previously served as an election officer, including as chief election officer in 2014. Saines was born in Fairfax and attended Broad Run High School. He and his son live in Chatham Green. Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov Staff aides: Matthew Leslie, Matthew.Leslie@loudoun.gov Jacqueline Pujol, Jacqueline.Pujol@loudoun.gov

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THE PLANNING COMMISSION The Legacy of Vinton L. Pickens Loudoun’s Planning Commission is the creation of one of Loudoun’s most energetic and influential women, artist and activist Vinton L. Pickens. Born Jan. 1, 1900, in Charlotte, NC, she moved to Loudoun with her husband, the author and journalist Robert Pickens, in 1934. She purchased property in Ashburn and had Janelia Farms, named for her daughters Jane and Cornelia, built. The farm property is now the Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In reaction to the proliferation of roadside signs in the 1930s, Pickens’ work led to the county’s anti-billboard ordinance, one of the first in the county, and the predecessor to today’s relatively strict sign ordinances in Loudoun. She also created the county zoning department by persuading the Board of Supervisors to appoint a planning commission, which she then served on for 21 years, from 1940 to 1961. In 1978, the Board of Supervisors appointed Pickens as one of the three founding members of the Art Display Advisory Committee, which today is called the Art Advisory Committee, and still schedules exhibitions of work by local artists in the government center. Pickens died in 1993. Today, her artwork is on display in public and private collections across the country, and her stamp on the county lives on in the Loudoun Sketch Club, which she founded in 1944, and the Planning Commission and Department of Planning and Zoning, which can trace their origin to her work. Today, the Planning Commission is involved in work to update the county’s comprehensive plan. That plan will guide development in the county for the next 20 to 30 years,

Thomas Balch Library

From right, Vinton L. Pickens is congratulated by Board of Supervisors Chairman Betty W. Tatum and Vice Chairman Chuck Bos on the occasion of her 90th birthday during a reception at her home Janiella in 1990.

and consists of the General Plan, last revised in 2001; the Countywide Transportation Plan, which was updated in 2010; and a number of strategic plans on specific topics and areas, such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan, the Heritage Preservation Plan, and the Arcola Area/Rt. 50 Corridor Plan. Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Salmon (Dulles) and Vice Chairwoman Kathy Blackburn (Algonkian), lead a stakeholders committee that is reviewing the plan right now. The commission will then work on the plan when the stakeholders committee has concluded its work before passing it to the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission meets as called by the chairman or two commissioners. Public hearings are advertised in local media. To see the county government master calendar, including Planning Commission meetings, go to loudoun.gov/calendar.aspx. –Renss Greene

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CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES The county’s Board of Supervisors grabs most of the headlines, but there are five elected constitutional officers who also have a big impact on the county’s quality of life. They are elected by voters countywide and serve somewhat independently of the general county government, although their office staffing, expenditures and revenues are included in the general county budget. Each officer serves a four-year term, except for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who serves an eight-year term.

Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens was first elected as the Clerk of the Circuit Court in 2000 as the first Republican to hold the office. He is in his third eightyear term. The clerk serves as Clemens the recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator for all civil and criminal court cases. The clerk’s office creates and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts jurors and issues summons and

court processes. The office has a staff of 47 full-time equivalent positions and a $4.2 million budget.

Commissioner of the Revenue Robert Wertz has worked for the county for nearly 25 years, including as the Commissioner of the Revenue since 2003. The Republican took over following the retirement Wertz of Kitty Ashby, a Democrat, who held the post from 1985 to 2003. The commissioner of the revenue is the chief tax assessing officer in the county, responsible for assessing real estate, individual and business tangible personal property, machinery and tools, business license, short-term rental, transient occupancy, public service corporation, and bank franchise taxes. The commissioner also provides state income tax assistance and administers the tax relief program for the elderly and disabled. The commissioner’s office has a staff of 67 fulltime equivalent positions and a $6.8 million budget.

Commonwealth’s Attorney James Plowman has served as Loudoun’s C o m m o n wealth’s Attorney since 2003. His office represents the people of Virginia in prosecuting criminal cases, ranging from Plowman the most serious felonies, including murder, rape, and robbery to misdemeanors and violations of local ordinances, including traffic offenses. Plowman oversees a staff of 33 full-time equivalent positions and a $3.5 million budget.

Sheriff Mike Chapman is serving his second term as county sheriff. The office provides all law enforcement services, including investigating crimes, pursuing offenders and making arrests. The sheriff also

Chapman

maintains the local jail, manages other local corrections programs and transports criminal defendants to and from corrections facilities. The office provides courthouse security, serves legal papers, summons jurors and witnesses, and executes court judgments. The office includes 790 full-time equivalent positions and an $87.3 million budget.

Treasurer H. Roger Zurn is the county’s longest serving constitutional officer, first elected to the post in 1996 after representing the Sterling District on the Board of Supervisors. Zurn The treasurer is the chief financial officer for the county, collecting taxes and local fees and making payments on behalf of the local government. The office is responsible for all forms of revenue which come to the locality including taxes, permit fees, and fines. The treasurer also manages the investment of local funds and maintains records of local finances. The office includes 49 full-time equivalent positions and a $5 million budget.

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ GOVERNMENT ]

[ SCHOOLS ]

EDUCATION IN LOUDOUN COUNTY From one-room schoolhouses to magnet academies

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Hillsboro Charter Academy (top) opened in August as the county’s second charter school. It is housed in the same building that served as Hillsboro Elementary School for 50 years.

Waterford Foundation Archives Local History Collection, Courtesy of John Middleton

The one-room Second Street School in Waterford educated black students from 1867 to 1957.

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

A look at Loudoun’s education system over the past 150 years provides an accurate picture of how the county has grown and evolved since its founding. Now, at a time when the local public schools together add more than 2,000 students to their rosters each year, it may be hard to believe that Loudoun was a county resistant to change. The county established its school system in 1870, and for the next 100 years, it educated white and black children in separate schools, and often at different standards. Men and women who attended all-black schools in the ’30s and ’40s recount stories of pulling drinking water from a well while white children across town were taught in schools with running water. A major milestone for Loudoun’s black community came in 1941, when a small four-classroom

school—Douglass School—opened on the outskirts of Leesburg to provide educational opportunities to the county’s black teens. Black families, organized as the County Wide League, raised money to purchase land for the school when the Loudoun School Board refused to do so. They raised $4,000 to purchase the land and then sold it to the school system for $1. The school would serve Loudoun’s black students until court-ordered desegregation in 1968, 14 years after the federal Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. Loudoun was one of the last school systems in the country to agree to educate white and black children together, and equally. The county has undergone more change in the five decades since that decision than the nine previous decades combined. It’s become one of the fastest growing and most diverse school systems in the nation, with the most recent U.S. Census reporting that close to 50 percent of the population is made up of Hispanic, Indian, Asian or black residents. The student body at Park View High School in Sterling alone represents 80 different countries. Through the recent years of rapid growth and major changes, residents have worked to preserve the county’s educational history. One example of that is in the Second Street School in Waterford, which operated as an allblack school from 1867 to 1957 and is now part of Waterford Foundation’s Living History program. The restored one-room schoolhouse opens for tours for public and private school students, who spend a day playing roles of actual pupils who spent their formative years there, as researched from the 1880 U.S. Census. To date, the program has educated 32,000 students. Another example of residents working to protect the county’s past is in Ashburn, where students from the Loudoun School for the Gifted are raising money to restore the one-room Ashburn Colored School, which operated from 1892 to 1959. Students from the private secondary school want to transform the once-abandoned schoolhouse into a museum on the history of education. Deep Sran, founder and academic lead of Loudoun School for the Gifted, said it’s easy for some of the county’s past to just slip away. But holding on to it can help teach today’s students about the experiences that shaped the county and guide them as they shape its future. “This is really an opportunity to restore a piece of Loudoun County’s story,” he said, “and in a broader sense, inform ourselves about the social and political events that made our county what it is today.” In another effort to keep some of the oldest schools in Loudoun from being EDUCATION >> 13

LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Loudoun’s nine-member School Board oversees the county’s 78,700-student school system. Board members are paid a salary of $20,000 per year and the chairman is paid $22,000. They serve four-year terms, and their current terms end Dec. 31, 2019. The board holds regular business meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the school administration office, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. Meetings can be watched live at lcps. org/page/140009. Members of the public can email the full board at lcsp@lcps.org or email individual board members. << FROM 12 shuttered, the communities of Hillsboro and Middleburg have converted their schools to public charter schools. Middleburg Community Charter School, housed in the original Middleburg School that opened in 1911, launched two years ago as the first charter school in Northern Virginia. In August, Hillsboro Charter Academy opened in the same building that served as Hillsboro Elementary School for 50 years. Charter programs are led by a board of parents and educators and offer schools more flexibility in meeting federal and state standards.

Douglas Graham/LoudounMYNow

Hillsboro Charter Academy

Now, education in Loudoun is on the brink of yet another turning point. This summer, construction started on the Academies of Loudoun, which will house three magnet programs: expanded versions of the existing Academy of Science and C.S. Monroe Technology Center, as well as a new program, called the Academy of Engineering and Technology. It is designed to serve 2,500 students who attend classes every other day, and is meant to put Loudoun on the map as one of the country’s most cutting-edge school systems. School leaders are sitting down with business leaders to help create the academies’ curriculum to meet the needs of the future workforce. “This is a great day,” Superintendent Eric Williams said at the groundbreaking ceremony in June. “The Academies of Loudoun will bring students together to innovate, to explore, to research and collaborate as they solve real STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] problems. This is the future of education.” CMY

—Danielle Nadler

Eric Hornberger, Chairman

Ashburn District Email: eric.hornberger@lcps.org Phone: 571-291-5685

Hornb erger joined the board with a variety of local and international experience. He served as the president of the Ashburn Farm Association board of trust- Hornberger ees and as a leader in the citizens advocacy group Ashburn Farm Parents United. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa, prior to working

Eric Hornberger is serving in his second term on the School Board representing the Ashburn District. Since being elected in 2012, he has been repeatedly elected annually to serve as the School Board’s Chairman. He serves on the board’s Legislative and Policy Committee and its Student Support and Services Committee, as well as serves as the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the Academies of Loudoun. He is Loudoun’s representative on the 160923_LTP_print_ad_6-78x9-5_crvs.pdf Washington Area Boards of Education.

9/26/16

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at the Office of Private Sector Relations at Peace Corps’ headquarters in Washington, DC. Hornberger currently works as the executive director of The Mustard Seed Foundation, a private family foundation based in Falls Church. In that role he oversees a variety of international giving programs and was responsible for establishing field offices for the foundation in Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Cairo. He and his wife, Paula, have lived in Ashburn since 2004. Paula works as an LCPS teacher. The couple has three children who have or are currently attending local public schools.

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ SCHOOLS ]

LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Brenda Sheridan, Vice Chairwoman the Sterling District Residence: Sterling Phone: 571-233-0307 E-mail: brenda.sheridan@lcps.org

In January, Brenda Sheridan was elected vice chairwoman of the board, unseating Jill Turgeon who had served in the role the four previous years. She is chairwoman of the board’s Legislative and Policy Committee and serves on the Charter School Committee, Discipline Committee, and Finance and Facilities Committee. She is also

School Board liaison on the Head Start Policy Council, and is a Virginia School Boards Association delegate. Sheridan is an 18-year resident of Sterling and is in her second Sheridan full term as a School Board member. She served a partial term in 2011 after she was ap-

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pointed to represent the Sterling District after the death of longtime School Board member J. Warren Geurin. She has one child in Loudoun County Public Schools and one attending Christopher Newport University. She currently serves as a board member representative on the National PTA Board of Directors, the president of Park View High School’s PTSA, and is the immediate past president of the Virginia Parent Teacher Association. Previously, she served as the Forest Grove Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association vice president for three years and president for two years; she also worked as a substitute teacher in Loudoun before she was appointed to the board in 2011.

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Debbie Rose is serving her second term on the School Board. She is the chairwoman of the Discipline Committee and the Student Support and Services Committee. She also Rose serves on the Ad hoc Committee on the Academies of Loudoun and is the board’s liaison to the Special Education Advisory Committee. She works as an intellectual property fellow for the Association for Competitive Technology. She also worked at the Entertainment Software Association and as a counsel on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property. She previously served as a District Chair of the Loudoun County Republic Committee. Rose grew up in Southern California; she moved to Virginia in 1998 and to Potomac Falls in 2006. She and her husband, Randy, have three children, all of whom attend Loudoun public schools.

Jill Turgeon

Blue Ridge District Phone: 571-420-3818 Email: jill.turgeon@lcps.org

Jill Turgeon taught second grade at Cool Spring Elementary School before she was elected to the School Board in 2011. She owns a photography business and is active in a vari- Turgeon ety of civil and community organizations. She serves as chairwoman of the board’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee and serves on the Charter School Committee, and the Communications and Outreach Committee.

She is also the School Board liaison on the Minority Students Achievement Advisory Committee. Turgeon’s family has spent a lot of time in Loudoun County Public Schools. Her husband, Bill, also teaches in the school system, their oldest daughter graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 2010, their youngest daughter graduated from Woodgrove High School in 2013 and their son graduated from Woodgrove in 2015.

Joy Maloney

Broad Run District Email: joy.maloney@lcps.org Phone: 571-577-0439

Joy Maloney is in her first term on the board. She unseated first-term board member Kevin Kuesters in her second try for the seat in 2015, after running a write-in camMaloney paign in 2011. She co-chairs the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee and is a member of the School Board’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and the Student Support and Services Committee. She is the board’s liaison on the Technology Steering Committee. A former high school teacher, Maloney holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s in secondary education mathematics. She’s worked in the information technology field for the past 19 years, holding positions at Marriott and at AOL and currently as a government contractor. She and her husband have lived in Broadlands for 15 years and in the Washington metro area for almost 40 years. In that time, she’s volunteered for the Girl Scouts, Sterling Playmakers, Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Women Giving Back and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also served as vice president of the Loudoun Education Alliance of Parents, known as LEAP.

Jeff Morse

Dulles District Phone: 571-420-2243 Email: jeff.morse@lcps.org

Jeff Morse is a 14-year resident of South Riding and is in his second term on the School Board. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring as a commander in 2006. He is a Morse lead associate for Booz Allen Hamilton, managing and procuring technology and services for the federal government. SCHOOL BOARD >> 16

15 LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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[ SCHOOLS ]

LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD He is chairman of two board committees: the Finance and Facilities Committee, and Charter School Committee. He also serves on the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee and the Ad hoc Committee on the Academies of Loudoun, and is the board’s liaison for the Loudoun Education Foundation. His wife, Karen, is a kindergarten assistant at Hutchison Farm Elementary. The couple has three children; two attend Loudoun public schools and one attends Virginia Tech.

Eric DeKenipp

Catoctin District Phone: 571-291-5685 Email: eric.dekenipp@lcps.org

Eric DeKenipp is in his first year on the School Board. He was sworn in in January, after Jennifer Bergel resigned following three terms serving the district. DeKenipp He serves on the board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, Personnel Committee and the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee. He is also the board’s liaison on the School Business Partnership Executive Council.

He is a Marine Corps veteran and currently serves as the Director of Human Resources at government contracting company SOS International. His wife, Elizabeth, is a School Counselor at Briar Woods High School. They live in Leesburg and have two daughters, 10-year-old Ava and 7-yearold Alexa, who attend Evergreen Mill Elementary School.

Beth Huck

At-Large Member Phone: 571-233-9928 E-mail: beth.huck@lcps.org

Beth Huck is serving her first term on the board. She was sworn in in January, following the resignation of Thomas Reed who served as the at

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Leesburg District Email: tom.marshall@lcps.org Phone: 703-727-2318

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Tom Marshall returned to the School Board in January following a four-year hiatus, when he was unseated for one term by Bill Fox. Marshall regained the Leesburg seat in November 2015. Marshall He serves as chairman of the Personnel Committee, and is a member of the Communications and Outreach Committee and Legislative and Policy Committee. He is also the board’s liaison for the Career and Technical Education Foundation. He has worked as a Realtor in Virginia since 1998 and currently works for McEnearney Associates Realtors. He has previously served as a teacher, guidance counselor and guidance director, as well as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. Marshall was born in Washington, DC, was raised in Alexandria, and has lived in Leesburg for the past 25 years. He and his wife, Barbi, have a 24-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son, both of whom attended Loudoun public schools.

Loudoun Schools at a Glance • Virginia’s third largest school system • 89 public schools • 78,700 students • 10,000-plus employees • Annual budget of $1.06 billion

17 LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ THE TOWNS ]

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

LEESBURG Established in 1758, Leesburg is the seat of government for Loudoun County. The town’s roots date back to the early 18th century after the 1722 Treaty of Albany pushed the Iroquois west of the Blue Ridge and colonists populated the region. In 1730, Thomas, the 6th Earl of Fairfax, granted 4,054 acres, including what would become Leesburg, to Francis Awbrey. It was a small community, but its location at the crossroads of the major north-south Carolina Road (today’s Rt. 15) and the east-west Potomac Ridge Road (today’s Rt. 7) assured its

importance. In 1757, the Assembly of Virginia selected this settlement for the location of the Loudoun County courthouse. The land was then owned by Nicholas Minor, who hired John Hough to survey and plat his 60 acres into 70 lots to form a town, which he called George Town. The name was changed to Leesburg the following year. The Town of Leesburg was incorporated by the General Assembly on Feb. 18, 1813. By 1850, Leesburg had grown to 1,688 residents. It was a border town during the Civil War, and control of the town changed

Courtesy of Stanley Caulkins, Thomas Balch Library

An early 20th century view of South King Street looking north contrasts with a similar view today. In 1963, the town established the Old and Historic District that imposed architectural controls designed to preserve the downtown streetscapes.

LEESBURG BY THE NUMBERS 12.5

SQUARE MILES

51,201 POPULATION

$101,719

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$377,100

MEDIAN HOUSING VALUE

BY RACE

71.1% WHITE 17.4% HISPANIC/LATINO 9.5% BLACK 7.1% ASIAN James Goode Photograph Collection, Thomas Balch Library

The original map of Leesburg as laid out by Nicholas Minor in 1759.

33.8

MEDIAN AGE

hands—from Confederate to Union and back again—some 150 times during the course of the war. In addition to the Battle of Balls Bluff in October 1861, there were frequent raids and skirmishes in and around Leesburg during the war. Leesburg recovered more quickly than other communities after the war, bolstered by its proximity markets in Georgetown and Baltimore, its status as Loudoun’s economic hub, and its rail connections. Like Loudoun County, the town experienced significant growth during the past three decades. A major annexation in the 1980s expanded the town’s boundaries to incorporate more than 12 square miles. In 1980, the town’s population was 8,350; today it is 51,200—the largest town in Virginia. —Kara C. Rodriguez

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ THE TOWNS ]

LEESBURG GOVERNMENT The Town of Leesburg operates under the council-manager form of government, which divides responsibilities between an elected mayor and Town Council and an appointed town manager. The council determines town policy, adopts all ordinances and resolutions, sets the annual tax rates and adopts an annual budget based on a staff-prepared draft. The town manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of town affairs, implanting the Town Council’s policies, and hiring a staff to assist in that work.

Town Council The Leesburg Town Council has seven members. The mayor serves a two-year term, while all other council members are elected for four-year terms. Council member terms are staggered, with three seats filled each election cycle. Elections occur in November of even-numbered years, with the next election set for this November. Council members are paid an annual stipend of $15,600. The mayor is paid $16,200 per year.

David Butler, Mayor Email: dbutler@leesburgva.gov

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

David Butler was appointed mayor in February, following former mayor Kristen Umstattd’s election to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Butler was first elected to the

Town Council in 2008, and re-elected four years later. His mayoral term ends this year, and he is running for election for his first twoyear term. Prior to his election to Town Council in Butler 2008, Butler was a member of the Leesburg Planning Commission, the Utility Rate Advisory Committee, and the Standing Residential Traffic Committee. He also chaired the SE/SW Trails Committee during the summer and fall of 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University and a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Syracuse University. He serves on, or is council’s liaison to, the Tree Commission, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, and Virginia Municipal League’s Environmental Quality Committee. He previously served as council liaison to the Leesburg Technology and Communication Commission. Butler is a native of Oswego, NY. He and his family, which includes wife Pamela and two sons, have been Leesburg residents since 2002. He is the chief security officer for National Electronics Warranty in Sterling.

Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor

Email: kburk@leesburgva.gov

Kelly Burk was first elected to the Town Council in 2004. Three years into her term, she was elected as the Leesburg District repres ent at ive to the Loudoun County Board of Burk Supervisors. She served on the county board from 2008 to 2011, and during that time chaired the Transportation and Land Use Committee. She was re-elected to the Town Council in an April 2012 special election. She was re-elected to a new four-year term in 2014. Her current council term ends Dec. 31, 2018, but she is running for mayor on November’s ballot. She serves on, or is the council’s liaison to, the Economic Development Commission, the Environmental Advisory Commission, the Standing Residential Traffic Committee, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Advisory Committee, the Virginia Municipal League’s Transportation Committee, and VML’s Human Development and Education Committee. A Leesburg resident since 1979, Burk was a special education teacher with

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Loudoun County Public Schools until her retirement in 2014. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from George Washington University and a master’s degree in middle school curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech. She is a past president of the Loudoun Education Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Education Association from 1994 to 2000. In 2001, the Loudoun Commission on Women honored her as the Woman of the Year for Education and Training.

Fernando “Marty” Martinez

Email: mmartinez@leesburgva.gov

Fernando “Marty” Martinez was elected to his first term on Town Council in May 2002 and served as vice mayor from July 2004 to June 2006. His current term expires Dec. 31, 2018. He currently serves on, or is Martinez council’s liaison to, the Commission on Public Art; the Parks and Recreation Commission; the Thomas Balch Library Advisory LEESBURG GOVERNMENT >> 22

21 LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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[ THE TOWNS ] << FROM 20 Commission; and Virginia Municipal League’s General Laws Committee. Martinez previously served as council’s liaison to the Economic Development Commission, the former Leesburg Information Technology Commission, and the former Leesburg Cable Television Advisory Commission. Before his election to council, he served on the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as the Loudoun County Community Services Advisory Board. Originally from California, Martinez is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in economics and computer science from Portland State University. He has lived in Leesburg with his wife, Doris, and children since 1993. He works as a consultant for the Federal Aviation Administration and employed by SAIC. He founded Heritage High School Project Grad, and helped to co-found the Boys and Girls Club of Loudoun County and La Voz, a Hispanic advocacy group. He serves on the board of directors for the Paxton Campus, which is a full service organization for children with special needs. He has also been appointed by the governor to serve on the Aerospace Advisory Council.

Katie Sheldon Hammler

Email: khammler@leesburgva.gov

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

Katie Sheldon Hammler is serving her third four-year term on the Town Council, having been first elected in

2004. She served as vice mayor from 2008 to June 2010. She is currently running for re-election for a fourth council term. She serves on, or is council’s liaison to, the Technology Hammler and Communications Commission, the Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Committee, Loudoun County’s Night Time Economy Committee, the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee, the Joint Task Force on Potential Efficiencies and Savings—Police/Sheriff Operations, Virginia Municipal League’s Community and Economic Development Committee, and an alternate to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Hammler is a past council liaison to the former Leesburg Cable Television Advisory Commission, the Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. She also served on the Leesburg Economic Development Commission for four years prior to her election to council. In October 2015, Hammler was elected vice president of VML. A former captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, she earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University, and an MBA in information systems management from The George Washington

University where she graduated Beta Gamma Sigma. She is also a 2004 graduate of the Virginia Certified Planning Commissioner’s Program. She has more than 25 years’ hightech experience at firms such as VeriSign, Interliant and Alcatel Data Networks and works as the Xacta product manager for Telos’ Cybersecurity and Information Assurance practice area. She was also the founder and president of KSH Technology Solutions LLC. She is a member of Morven Park’s President’s Council and an advisor to its Center for Civic Impact. She has also served on the boards of the Loudoun Free Clinic, the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association and the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter. She and her husband, Rich, also an Army veteran, have been residents of Leesburg for 21 years. They have two children.

Thomas S. Dunn, II

Email: tdunn@leesburgva.gov

Tom Dunn was first elected to Town Council on 2008, and elected to a new four-year term in 2012. He is currently running for re-election for a third council term. He serves on, or is council’s li-

Dunn

aison, to the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee, the Dulles Area Transportation Association, the Joint Task Force on Potential Efficiencies and Savings—Police/Sheriff Operations, and Virginia Municipal League’s Finance Committee. Prior to being elected to the Town Council, Dunn served on the Leesburg Planning Commission and the Leesburg Economic Development Commission. He previously served as the council liaison to the Thomas Balch Library Commission and the Board of Architectural Review. He was the Leesburg District representative to the Loudoun County Planning Commission from 2011 to 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Mary Washington College. Dunn is a Certified Planning Commissioner and has 16 years’ experience in mortgage banking. He formerly served with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers for eight years and is currently the president of VCR Inc., a marketing company he founded. Dunn has been and continues to be an active community volunteer, having held various volunteer positions with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League, Youth Football, Balls Bluff PTO and Loudoun County School of Ballet. He directed youth summer camps at Morven Park, Oatlands and the Loudoun Museum and is a volunteer tour guide at Balls Bluff Battlefield. He is a member of the Leesburg Downtown BusiBOARD OF SUPERVISORS >> 23

<< FROM 22 ness Association and the Christian Fellowship Church.

Suzanne Fox

Email: sfox@leesburgva.gov

Suzanne Fox was elected to the Town Council in 2014. She is the council’s representative to the Airport Commission, and the Board of Architectural Review. Fox also serves on Fox Loudoun County’s Court House Grounds and Facilities Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brigham Young University. She is the owner of Legacy Weddings, a wedding planning/coordinating business, and is a civil celebrant. In addition, she and her husband, Bill, own and operate Weddings on Wirt Street, a small wedding venue in downtown Leesburg. She and her family moved to Leesburg in 2003.

R. “Bruce” Gemmill

Email: bgemmill@leesburgva.gov

Bruce Gemmill was appointed to the Town Council in February. His council term expires at the end of this year,

and he is not running to be elected to a new council term. Prior to his appointment to the Town Council, Gemmill served as the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ Gemmill representative to the Leesburg Airport Commission, on the Leesburg Commission for the Public Arts, and on the Leesburg Economic Development Commission’s Performing Arts Center Task Force. He serves on the boards of Visit Loudoun and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and is a past board member for the Fairfax County and Dulles Regional chambers of commerce. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University and holds a graduate certificate in Public Relations from the Kogod School of Business at American University. Gemmill has more than 35 years of sales, marketing, public relations and business development experience. He is currently the senior vice president/chief marketing officer for John Marshall Bank. Previously, he was the owner of Campbell Communications, an advertising and public relations agency. A Washington, DC, native, Gemmill and his family have lived in Leesburg since 2005.

Town of Leesburg Staff Town Manager: Kaj Dentler Deputy Town Manager: Keith Markel Assistant to the Town Manager: Scott Parker Public Information Officer: Betsy Arnett Town Attorney: Barbara Notar Police Chief: Gregory Brown Leesburg Executive Airport Manager: Scott Coffman Director of Public Works and Capital Projects: Renee LaFollette Economic Development Manager: Marantha Edwards Director of Finance & Administrative Services: Clark Case Human Resources Manager: Mark Hauer Director of Parks & Recreation: Rich Williams Director of Plan Review: Bill Ackman Director of Planning and Zoning: Susan Berry-Hill Thomas Balch Library Director: Alexandra Gressitt Director of Utilities: Amy Wyks

Courtesy of Bob Sharp

This former West Loudoun Street residence once served as Leesburg’s Town Hall. The modern government complex was built in 1990.

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LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ THE TOWNS ]

PURCELLVILLE After the Civil War, Purcellville began its rise to prominence as the agricultural hub of western Loudoun, taking over that spot formerly held by Waterford. It is still the agricultural and trade center of that portion of the county. The town’s first known settler was James Dillon, who arrived in 1764. His name is commemorated in the town-owned Dillon Woods at Fireman’s Field. Ordinaries were established, followed by a store and post office opened by Valentine Vernon Purcell, whose name was chosen in 1853 to be the town’s official name. A turnpike linked Purcellville to Alexandria in the east and Winchester in the west. But the most significant factor in its post-war growth was the arrival of rail service that began prior to the war, and was extended westward in 1874. The growing settlement was incor-

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Chances are you’ve been to a Christmas or Independence Day parade in Purcellville. They’re a long-standing community tradition. These photos contrast a 1912 School Fair parade with the Christmas 2015 parade, following the same route.

Caylor-Howser Post Card Collection, Thomas Balch Library

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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porated in 1908, and town leaders, all prominent businessmen, had definite ideas of what they wanted—and did not want—in their community. A peek into the early Town Council minutes gives an interesting glimpse into that early 20th century mindset. The town was hit by some disastrous fires between 1900 and 1914, destroying most of the wooden structures in the downtown business district on 21st Street. Nichols Hardware, the town’s best known store, was rebuilt and celebrated its centennial two years ago. In the first part of the 20th century, the town was considered the orchard grass capital of the U.S., providing important packing materials for ammunition being sent to Europe during World War II. In the latter part of the 20th century, the town saw big changes. The railroad ceased running in the late 1960s. Agriculture ceased to be the main plank in its economy as more and more residents left the farms for employment elsewhere. But the town experienced a huge spurt of population growth in the early 2000s, tapering off over the past few years. Over the past decade, the town sought and established new water sources for the town and enlarged its sewer treatment capacity. North 21st Street began to see a revival of downtown stores and the town government acquired the Bush Tabernacle and Fireman’s Field, and the former Train Station—all now placed under protective easements. Town leaders also established a new government center in the former Purcellville Baptist Church. And, in a return to its standing as the agricultural hub of western Loudoun, Purcellville now is at the center of thriving winery and craft brewery enterprises. —Margaret Morton

Purcellville at a Glance • • • • •

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Population: 9,132 Households: 2,831 Median Age: 34 Mayor: Kwasi A. Fraser Council: Vice Mayor Karen Jimmerson, Chris Bledsoe, Ryan Cool, Kelli Grim, Doug McCollum, Nedim Ogelman Council meetings: 7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays at Town Hall, 221 S. Nursery Ave. Stipend: mayor $7,025 per annum; council members $6,050 per annum Town manager: Robert L. Lohr Jr. Find information on town taxes, fees and utility rates at purcellvilleva.gov

LOVETTSVILLE Independence of thought has always been a feature of the Lovettsville area. Of all the western Loudoun towns, Lovettsville is the one that most strongly emphasizes its original descendants—a group of 60 German families of the Reformed Church fleeing strife in their Palatine homeland who had emigrated to England’s American colonies. They first went to Pennsylvania. Then, in the early 1730s, pushed farther south into what became northern Loudoun County when it achieved

Lovettsville at a Glance • • • • •

•

• • •

Population: 1,934 Households: 574 Median age: 32 Mayor: Robert Zoldos II Council: Vice Mayor Tiffaney Carder, Kimberly Allar, Robert Gentile, Jennifer Jones, Kim McIntyre, Mike Senate Council meetings: 7:3010:30 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays at 6 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Stipend: Mayor $8,000 per year; council members $2,000 per year Town Manager: Laszlo Palko For more information and details of town taxes, fees and utility rates go to lovettsvilleva.gov.

county status in 1757. Their numbers swelled about 30 years later when a group of German Lutherans arrived, establishing the predecessor of the present-day New Jerusalem Lutheran Church. Led by Elder William Wenner, the German farming families soon established a prosperous “German Settlement.” The names of some of those original settlers continue to be reflected in various place names around the town. To this day, Lovettsville celebrates Alicia Bruce/Love Knot Photography that heritage, most noLovettsville pays homage to the tably with its annual town’s German roots with its Oktoberfest event— annual Oktoberfest. that celebrates German food, music, beer divisions have sprung and dance. over the past two decades, The town took the attracting many young name of Lovettsville, families drawn by its rural named after David location, the scenic views, Lovett, a descendant and the proximity of the of one of the original MARC train just across the families, who sold Potomac River in Brunsquarter-acre lots that wick, MD. started a building The town has active stewboom in the 1820s. ards of its heritage—the During the CivLovettsville Historical Sociil War, Lovettsville ety, which puts on a well-reand the neighboring Thomas Balch Library searched lecture series on all Quaker community The Lovettsville High School in 1911, situated near the present Lovettsville aspects of the area’s history of Waterford, were Community Center. each year. And the town constrongly pro-Union— an unpopular stance in Confederate C. Means, and the only Union cavalry tinues to stress its heritage—erecting a Loudoun. Men of the two communi- unit to be formed in what is now Vir- clock tower, “Glockenspiel,” feature on the southern end of the newly comties formed the Loudoun Rangers, an ginia. Today, Lovettsville has experienced pleted Town Square Retail building. independent cavalry unit under the — Margaret Morton command of Waterford miller Samuel a building boom, as a number of sub-

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

MIDDLEBURG As its name suggests, Middleburg was a half-way, “middle-town” location on the Ashby Gap trade route (Rt. 50) between Alexandria and Winchester. Founded in trade, it remains that way today—even though the numerous mills that surrounded it up to

Middleburg at a Glance

the Civil War are gone, and the former thriving agricultural trade has given way to high-end boutiques, retail stores and many restaurants and cafés. The town was laid out by American Revolutionary War Lt. Col. Leven Powell, who purchased land in 1763 from George Washington’s cousin, Joseph Chinn. Winslow Williams Photographic Collection, Thomas Balch Library

Middleburg’s main shopping thoroughfare, Washington Street, in Middleburg in 1948.

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Tainer Eva Smithwick with jockey Woods Winant puts one of her steeplechasers through its paces before this year’s Oatlands Point-to-Point races at her Sunny Bank Farm.

As in so many Loudoun towns—most of which were located west of the Carolina Road/Rt. 15 corridor—Middleburg suffered from the ravages of the Civil War. The horse has not always been king in Middleburg. It was not until the early decades of the 1900s that the town began to recover from the Civil War, establishing horses as the dominant aspects of its future history. Wealthy New York foxhunters, steeplechasers and sportsmen looking for land on which to pursue their favorite sports came south. Soon, northern visitors began buying large tracts of land around Middleburg. In support of those new owners and their pursuits, businesses grew up to support the area’s growing equine industry. That tradition is continued in the National Sporting Library and Museum, whose research center for equine and field sport is considered one of the finest collections in the country. The town is a sturdy commercial center—its former predominantly rural trading outlets having given way to specialty shops that support the surrounding area and draw numerous visitors. Its many restaurants include the Red Fox Inn, originally established in 1728 as Chinn’s Ordinary. Today, it is cited as the oldest continually operated inn in the country. Middleburg is also the center of an area filled with horse training, breeding, jumping and racing facilities that draw numerous visitors,

• • • • •

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• • •

Population: 807 Households: 350 Median age: 47 Mayor: Betsy A. Davis Council: Vice Mayor C. Darlene Kirk, J. Kevin Daly, Kevin Hazard, Trowbridge Littleton, Philip M. Miller, Mark T. Snyder, Kathy Jo Shea* Council meetings: 6 p.m. second Thursday of each month, work session on fourth Thursday at Town Office, 10 W. Marshall St. Stipends: Mayor $500/ month; council members $200/month Town administrator: Martha Semmes Find information on town taxes, fees and utility rates at middleburgva.gov.

*Note: Shea will resign on Oct. 15. A special election will be held Nov. 8 to fill the remainder of her term.

as well as being at the heart of the heritage education nonprofit, the Mosby Heritage Area Association. New attractions for visitors include the Salamander Resort & Spa and the Middleburg Film Festival. —Margaret Morton

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ THE TOWNS ]

[ THE TOWNS ] Before fire: Carriages outside the Laycock & Shoemaker General Merchandise store. In 1926, a fire that started in the store destroyed many of the downtown businesses.

After fire: The day of the 1926 fire, looking east along Colonial Highway across the ruined structures toward Samuel Rogers’ house that still stands today.

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Charles Preston

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Baseball players wave at a drone hovering overhead during the annual Hamilton Day Parade June 4.

HAMILTON

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

Hamilton is the second smallest town in Loudoun County. Its history dates to the native American Indian era, before European settlers moved in in the 1730s. The settlement was first known as Harmony. The town changed its name to Hamilton Store, after store owner Charles Bennett Hamilton—later simplified to Hamilton when a post office was established in his building. A road built in the early 1830s connecting Leesburg and Snickersville (today’s Bluemont) resulted in growth. Hamilton came into its own after the Civil War, with the advent of the railroad from Alexandria in 1868, along the future route of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. The railroad, later extended to Purcellville, Round Hill and Bluemont, brought tourists seeking relief from the summer heat and humidity in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD.

Hamilton at a Glance • • • • •

Population: 609 Households: 221 Median age; 43 Mayor: David R. Simpson Council: Vice Mayor Kenneth C. Wine, Mathew L. Clark, Craig Green, Dimitri Kesari, Michael E. Snyder, John D. Unger • Council meetings: 7 p.m. second Monday of each month • Stipend: mayor $15,000 per year; council members $1,200 per year. • Town Manager: None For more information and details of town taxes, fees and utility rates go to town.hamilton.va.us.

That influx brought prosperity to those towns, as visitors flocked to the hotels, boarding houses and stores that sprang up to accommodate them. Hamilton prospered. In contrast to today’s relatively small commercial life, the town had a dance hall, two newspapers, a butcher’s shop, men’s clothing store, a broom factory, a hat shop, a dentist, two hardware stores, livery stable—even a flat racecourse— and a one-and-a-half-mile boardwalk throughout the town. But a fire that broke out at about 5 a.m. on March 22, 1926, devastated the commercial center of town and much of the boardwalk. The rebuilt commercial area along Colonial Highway today contains the town office and several stores. One account has it that the fire was started by a candle held by robbers in George Laycock’s clothing store. Despite the efforts of the only fire companies in Loudoun—Leesburg and Purcellville—six businesses and four homes were destroyed. For many years, Hamilton children attended elementary school in what is now Loudoun Valley Community Center in Purcellville, and high school in Lincoln, the current elementary school. Longtime resident Charles Preston recalls his father “firing up his Model T truck” to take kids to school—as there was no county bus system then—and even hitching up a horse team with a sleigh behind to get them to school in bad weather. The fire and the arrival of automobiles caused a sharp drop off in the summer tourism trade. Today, Hamilton is a pleasant, relaxed residential community, with a small town park popular with young families. Town leaders intend to repair and construct sidewalks in town for more connectivity. —Margaret Morton

27 LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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[ THE TOWNS ]

ROUND HILL LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Thomas Balch Library Photographic Collection

This 1930 photo shows Woodgrove Road entering Round Hill from the north. The road is paved today, but not much wider.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The challenging but picturesque Stoneleigh Golf Course just west of Round Hill has been named “the prettiest golf course in Northern Virginia” by Golf Magazine.

Settlers began arriving in what would become the Round Hill area in the 1730s. But the town as such would not exist until surprisingly late—1858, shortly before the opening salvoes of the Civil War. It got its name from a 910-foot knob west of town, named Round Top.

At that time, Woodgrove to the north was the area’s main community. In the 1830s, when the Leesburg and Snicker’s Gap Turnpikes were built, things began to change. In March 1858, the U.S. Postal Department opened its Round Hill post office and storeowner Guilford C. Gregg was appointed the

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first postmaster. As it did for Hamilton and Purcellville, the arrival of the railroad in 1875 gave a boost to Round Hill, bringing many tourists from the steamy Washington, DC metropolitan area to the cool of the hillside town, enjoying the hospitality of its many boarding houses. By 1900, when the Southern Railroad took over the line, Round Hill hit its stride, incorporating that same year. As with Purcellville, the town’s main concerns were its streets, finances and public sanitation—the latter incurring strong displeasure against pig pens, overflowing privies, manure piles and public drunkenness—in large measure to not offend or harm the lucrative summer tourist trade. For today’s motorists, it may be mind-boggling to see that in 1915, the Town Council mandated that the speed limit should be a racy 12 miles per hour. Round Hill is best known for two highly successful ventures just west of town—first, Hill High Orchards, where the Slater family grew apples and peaches on the rocky ridge overlooking Rt. 7 and sold the succulent fruit and resulting pies at its country

store, known to everyone by the old covered wagon by the side of road. The second, and equally successful venture, is Stoneleigh Golf Course, named “the prettiest golf course in Northern Virginia” by Golf Magazine, set on an estate featuring old barns and stone buildings once owned by U.S. Ambassador to Germany William E. Dodd. The residential community surrounding the course was developed on the hillside land by Bob Lewis and his partner Bruce Brownell in the early 1990s. —Margaret Morton

Round Hill at a Glance • • • • •

• • • •

Population: 661 Households: 242 Median age: 38 Mayor: Scott Ramsey Council: Vice Mayor Mary Anne Graham, Kimberly Fortunato, Janet Heston, Frederick Lyme, Michael Minshall, Christopher Prack Council meetings: 7:30 p.m. first and third Thursdays at Town Office, 23 Main St. Stipend: None Town Manager: Buster Nicholson Find more information, including town taxes, fees and utility rates, at roundhillva.org

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HILLSBORO Boasting a pristine assemblage of 18th and 19th century stone architecture, the Quaker settlement of Hillsboro is one of the smallest towns in Virginia. Initially known as “The Gap,” it had its recorded beginning in 1746, although settlers had arrived earlier. It is nestled between two hills on the busy turnpike (today’s Rt. 9) between Alexandria to the Shenandoah Valley. In pre-Civil War times, the road helped fuel the town’s economic prosperity; today the town’s Main Street is filled with commuters to the Northern Vir-

Hillsboro at a Glance • • • • •

• •

Population: 90 Households: 32 Median age: 52 Mayor: Roger Vance Council: Vice Mayor Belle Ware, John Dean, Bill Johnston, Amy Marasco, Steve Walczak Stipend: $0 Council meetings: 7 p.m., third Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, 36966 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Town Manager: None Find more information at hillsborovirginia.org.

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW

Hugh Grubb Jr. Photography Collection, Thomas Balch Library

This 1962 photo of Hillsboro’s downtown shows little has changed in town, although the volume of traffic rumbling through on Rt. 9 has certainly grown.

ginia job market. Once a flourishing mill town, Hillsboro experienced an economic decline during and after the Civil War, especially during The Burning Raid of November 1864 that destroyed numerous farms and buildings in Loudoun Valley. Union Gen. Philip Sheridan led the campaign to eradicate Confederate partisan leader, Col. John Singleton Mosby and stamp out his means of support. The town also suffered from the building of the railroad along Rt. 7 farther to the south, bypassing Hillsboro. In 1945, current Hillsboro Vice Mayor Belle Ware moved as a child of 9 to Hillsboro with her family. Back then, many houses had in-home businesses. She attended the Hillsboro grade school (today’s Old Stone School), then went to Lovettsville for high school. Loudoun schools remained racially segregated until the late 1960s and the town’s few black students went to Carver School in Purcellville and then to Douglass High School in Leesburg. Rt. 9 traffic was already bad back

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Today, Hillsboro is the center of a thriving rural industry, surrounded by bed and breakfast inns, wineries and breweries.

in the ’50s, with cars lined up for the Charles Town Races from 5 p.m. to midnight. Then, “you had to wait to cross the street,” Ware recalled. She remembers when the town acquired the Hill Tom spring for its water supply. Water was brought into town by a wooden pipe installed by the Roberts family, then owners of the Hill Tom store, which still serves as the town’s commercial anchor. Today, Hillsboro is the center of a thriving rural industry, surrounded by bed and breakfast inns, wineries and breweries. Despite its small size, Hillsboro is pushing a major expansion

of its boundaries and an ambitious traffic-calming project, as well as installation of a modern utility system in place of the spring and private wells and septic. Ware is carrying on a family tradition started by her mother Evelynn Turbeville Ware, who was one of the first woman mayors in Virginia. Her father also served as the town’s mayor. The town holds its elections in November of odd-numbered years, and, following a long tradition, selects its council members and mayor entirely by write-in ballot. —Margaret Morton

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LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

[ THE TOWNS ]

LOUDOUN HOSPITAL’S CENTURY OF SERVICE The first purpose-built hospital in the county, Loudoun Hospital, opened its doors in 1918. The building was razed in 2013 as part of an expansion of the Leesburg hospital.

In the early years of the 20th century, three determined men—Dr. William C. Orr, Dr. John A. Gibson and Leesburg pharmacist Horace Littlejohn—made good on their determination Ladies Board Collection, Thomas Balch Library to bring hospital facilities to president, while LittleLoudoun. Convinced that babies being born john served as treasurat home, and minor surgeries taking er—a volunteer position place in homes or doctors’ offices were he would hold for 37 years. medically unsatisfactory—while paFrom the start, the founders tients needing major surgeries had to knew they needed the support of wombe transported to Washington, DC—the en, and Gibson went to clergyman’s men were bolstered by the accounts of daughter Alice Davis, and told her, P. Howell Lightfoot, expert in hospital “Unless you women will go along, we’ll management, who told them of small not attempt it.” Those fighting words hospitals being built around the country. worked. Davis galvanized the women After many planning sessions in Lit- and, two weeks later, the Ladies Auxiltlejohn’s back room at his pharmacy on iary Board formed, with Mrs. William King Street in Leesburg, the trio took Corcoran Eustis serving as president. the plunge. With $100 in the bank and Davis was vice president. The Ladies pledges of $2,000, they rented space Board quickly took over supervision of on West Market Street and opened the housekeeping and fundraising—immeLeesburg Hospital on June 5, 1912. diately holding a Donation Day, urgThe first patient was a jockey who’d ing everyone to donate whatever they broken his leg after being thrown from could toward patients’ comfort—money, his horse. Orr became the hospital’s first sheets, towels, groceries, eggs and vege-

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

LOUDOUN THEN&NOW Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The 1997 Inova Loudoun Hospital at Lansdowne. Hospital authorities are planning a major expansion that includes a trauma center.

tables, even a pound of tea. It took no time at all for the hospital board to move to its aim of building the first purpose-built hospital in Loudoun—which they opened as the Loudoun Hospital in 1918 on land along Cornwall Street. The hospital had 26 beds, six private rooms, four wards, an operating room, a chemical laboratory and an X-ray machine. That was the beginning and the hospital underwent several expansions—in 1960 with the Arthur Godfrey Wing, and a new wing in 1974. The first longterm care unit opened in 1974 and was expanded in 1981.

As the county developed, there were more patients in eastern Loudoun and many doctors pressed for a new location farther east. After a divisive debate, the hospital ceased major operations, apart from emergency care, in the Leesburg facility and opened a new hospital at Lansdowne in 1997. In 2005, the hospital merged with the Inova Health System. The hospital opened an urgent care center in Purcellville in 2009, carried out a multi-million-dollar overhaul of the Cornwall hospital campus in 2013 and opened a LOUDOUN'S HOSPITALS>> 34

LOUDOUN COUNTY ADULT DAY CENTERS For Seniors with Physical Limitations or Memory Loss

Our licensed adult day centers provide: • A safe, social environment with therapeutic activities • Respite for caregivers needing support & free time • Reasonable sliding scale fees Offering engaging activities, individualized personal care, nutritious lunch and snacks, exercise, medication administration, health monitoring and limited transportation. Open weekdays from 7:30AM to 5:30PM. Purcellville

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LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

LOUDOUN

During THEN&NOW the late 19th and first half of the 20th century, the rail line fueled economic growth in Loudoun, and communities including Farmwell, Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville, Round Hill and Bluemont prospered along the tracks. The trains stopped running 50 years ago, but that will change in 2020 when the Silver Line operations extend to Ashburn. County leaders expect communities along the new rails to prosper as well.

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

33 LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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<< FROM 30 comprehensive emergency facility at the Inova HealthPlex in Ashburn last year. It has strengthened its professional care, services and sophistication of technical care and equipment and is embarking on a master plan for expansion, including applying to become a level 3 trauma center. Loudoun’s hospital scene is growing fast, as Inova is now joined by the new Hospital Corporation of America’s 124bed, state-of-the-art acute care medical and surgical StoneSprings Hospital on Stone Springs Boulevard along Rt. 50. The hospital will mark its first anniversary of operation in November.

The Medical View Dr. John H. Cook III, of Loudoun Internal Medicine, has long experience of medicine in Loudoun County as one of its most senior practitioners. Looking back over the past 50 years, Cook noted the advent of antibiotics has made a huge difference in treatment of a

number of diseases. “Seventy years or more ago we only had two antibiotics,” indicating the inability to treat everything from gonorrhea to syphilis to tuberculosis, he said. By 1960, the antibiotics revolution largely had put an end to TB, put tonsillitis out of business, as well as those sexually transmitted diseases. “So the biggest difference between 1960 and now is that people don’t die of heart attacks any more. Between the technology of heart disease [treatment] and antibiotics, that’s made a huge difference,” Cook said. The disease of today, he said, is dementia, which he attributed to people living longer. Cook noted that when the need to expand the hospital was discussed in 1960 the growth projections said “we’d need a 500-bed hospital by 1985.” Because of advances in outpatient surgery and care, when plans were made to build the hospital in Lansdowne, “we could only qualify for a 140-bed hospital” even though the population had grown exceptionally.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

StoneSprings Hospital opened last year just off Rt. 50 in Dulles. The 124-bed acute care medical and surgical hospital will mark its first anniversary in November.

The Public Health Perspective The Loudoun County Public Health Department is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Public health Director Dr. David Goodfriend agrees with Cook.

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“Back in 1941, there were no vaccines, and a lot of diseases are vaccine-preventable, such as TB and measles, which are now cured by antibiotics, although “We do spend a lot of time preventing TB” he said. Some things remain consistent like the common cold, flu, pneumonia, ear and skin infections. The department focuses heavily on sanitation. “That’s a big issue. We have to make sure people don’t get sick from drinking water or bathing, or from a restaurant where the food preparation is not safe,” Goodfriend said. The department also inspects well and septic for the same reason. Throughout the 1960s, health care services improved, including regular vaccinations, maternity care for healthy babies, treatment of sexually transmitted disease, Goodfriend said. He noted that the big government programs—Medicare and Medicaid—started to provide basic services for the most vulnerable, although not all states signed up for Medicaid at the same time. But that care extended to pregnant women and their children saves money in the long run, Goodfriend said, because it makes them healthier and better able to do well in school. Special education instruction was also a big step forward. He notes the huge changes in Loudoun over the past 75 years—from a predominantly white, rural county to a greatly diversified community. The influx of Spanish speaking, and South Asian, families plays an important role in Loudoun’s ability to be rated the healthiest county in Virginia, as it has been ranked this year, also as the happiest county in Virginia, according to a Realtor survey. Noting Ashburn has just been named the 22nd best place to live, according to a recently released study, Goodfriend said, “a lot of that is due to the vibrancy of our growth and our changing communities.” Growth does bring challenges, he said. “How do we continue to provide services in regard to demand, as the county grows and diversifies?” But Goodfriend is optimistic, saying the county has handled the growth from “white to a very mixed community, almost a rural suburb of Fairfax in a very short period of time, incredibly well— better in many cases than Fairfax,” he said. He is particularly focused on making sure residents in the western portion of the county continue to receive the care they need. “From 1941 to 1980, we were a sleepy rural community where little changed— to where it was constant change.” How coming changes will affect the county and what they will be are key questions, Goodfriend said.

www.loudoun.gov/commute 703.771.5665

Member of

35 Acknowledgements More than 33,000 people visited the library last fiscal year to conduct research or attend lectures. In recent years the library has added invaluable private manuscript collections and oral histories to its inventory, most notably the Charles A. Johnston Collection that details life in Loudoun from the late 1700s through the 20th century—due to be released to the public next March. For hours and information on the library, go to leesburga.gov/thomasbalchlibrary, or call 703-737-7195.

Our thanks also for their assistance to: • Charles Preston • John Unger • Jane Covington

• Eugene M. Scheel, “The History of Loudoun County” • Yetive Weatherly, “Lovettsville, The German Settlement” • “Memories of a Mill Town,” Hillsboro Bicentennial Committee • The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

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LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

Loudoun Now gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Laura E. Christiansen, curator of Manuscripts and Archives at Leesburg’s Thomas Balch Library for assistance with historic photographs used in this edition. The town-owned history and genealogy research center at 208 W. Market St. houses collections that focus on Loudoun County, regional and Virginia history, genealogy, ethnic history and military history, with emphasis on the American Civil War. The Balch is a designated Underground Railroad research site.

LOUDOUN NOW | Discover Loudoun | SEPTEMBER 2016

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[ BIZ ]

ARMY VETERAN GETS SOLAR HOME IN PURCELLVILLE BY DANIELLE NADLER

onstruction on Brian Haas’ new home is still underway, but the U.S. Army veteran welcomed a yard full of guests to the property last week. Elected officials, business leaders and volunteers were there Sept. 21 to celebrate the installation of a rooftop solar system on Haas’ new three-bedroom house, built by Purcellville nonprofit HeroHomes. The organization is dedicated to “building houses, jobs, and community for those who have fought for the preservation of freedom and democracy for others.” Today’s event showcased the solar system that was made possible through donations from GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic and Standard Solar. The solar system will save Haas and his wife $1,000 each year on their electricity bills. The idea of retrofitting a HeroHomes house with solar started with a conversation between former Purcellville Mayor Bob Lazaro and Jason Brownell, founder of HeroHomes. Lazaro asked

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Volunteers install solar panels on the home of U.S. Army veteran Brian Haas. The home was built by Purcellville nonprofit HeroHomes, and the solar system was made possible through donations from GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic and Standard Solar.

Brownell if he’d ever thought about adding solar to any of the organization’s homes.

“I said, ‘that’s a great idea but our budget is zero.’ Two days later, we had a fully donated system,” Brownell said at

[ BIZ NOTES ] Pataky Joins Loudoun Insurance Group Shari Pataky has joined the Commercial Lines Insurance Division of the Loudoun Insurance Group in Leesburg. The Potomac Falls resident has 18 years of Pataky industry experience and makes it a point to help each customer find the right coverage for his or her business. “I like to take the pain out of the insurance process,” Shari stated. “We are happy to have Shari join our staff and are confident she will have a smooth transition to our office,” Chief Operating Officer Pamela Pine stated. “She brings nearly two decades of insurance industry experience and excellent customer service skills to our team. We are proud to welcome her.” Loudoun Insurance Group LLC provides business and personal insurance to residents throughout Northern Virginia and is located at 5 Wirt St. SW, Suite 300 in Leesburg. Learn more at loudouninsurancegroup.com.

“Loudoun County is truly privileged to have many outstanding leaders and businesses that have generously invested their time, talents and treasure to serve our community,” Chamber President and CEO Tony Howard stated. “The Loudoun County Chamber is proud to honor these great community leaders for the hard work and the indispensable contributions they have made toward making Loudoun County a world class community.” Each Community Leadership Awards winner will have the opportunity to select one nonprofit organization to be the beneficiary of a $1,000 grant, courtesy of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. There are four award categories: Outstanding Community Leader - Large Organization (more than 100 employees), Outstanding Community Leader - Small Organization (100 or fewer employees), Executive Leader of the Year, and Young Professional Community Leader of the Year. Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 6. The winners will be announced at the Loudoun Chamber’s 2016 Annual Meeting on Jan. 26, 2017. For more information, go to loudounchamber.org or contact Event Manager Danielle Kabban at 571-209-9037 or dkabban@loudounchamber.org.

UNO in Lansdowne Offers The Loudoun County Chamber of Immediate Translations

Leadership Nominations Sought

Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2017 Loudoun Community Leadership Awards. The program honors local business leaders and companies that have made exceptional contributions of leadership, expertise and resources to support the needs of the Loudoun County community and its residents.

UNO Translations and Communications in Lansdowne has rolled out a new method of interpretation to its list of services. The company now offers rapid over-the-phone interpretation, designed for organizations working to bridge communication gaps with their customers. The service allows users to dial a

phone number when services are required. An operator then connects the user with the needed interpreter in seconds, assisting even when the language is unknown. The service provides interpretations in more than 200 languages and is staffed by interpreters with a variety of industry certifications. “In this day and age, companies must speak the language of their customer,” said Brigitta Toruño, founder and CEO of UNO Translations and Communications. “Fast and reliable interpretation services allow companies to provide unparalleled customer service in an instant.” The service has already proven valuable to the nonprofit community. “We were so grateful to be able to quickly access a Hungarian interpreter,” said Rahman Parker, executive director of the Loudoun Free Clinic. “We needed to explain important medical information and were able to do so in a matter of minutes. The smile on the patient’s face conveyed her appreciation.” Learn more at unotranslations.com/ wp/services/phone-interpretation.

NSA Taps NVCC for Cybersecurity Education Partnership Northern Virginia Community College has been named a Regional Resource Center by the National Security Agency. The community college will serve as a central hub for institutions seeking to be designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity and will work with the NSA to help train and manage faculty peer reviewers who assist in the designation process. The Center for Academic Excellence designation recognizes schools that BIZ NOTES >> 22

the event today. “That’s how everything has worked with this house.” He thanked the hard-working volunteers, a long list of local companies who donated materials, and community members who attended one of the several HeroHomes fundraisers to help make their vision a reality. Haas flew as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, earning his Master Wings. In 2013, due to a hard landing, he suffered a severe back injury, requiring treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the past two and a half years. The veteran showed his gratitude for those who helped make the home possible and to the Purcellville community for welcoming and supporting him and his family. “Thank you, thank you. Thank you to everyone here.” He commended several active military personnel who were on site today helping to install the panels. “It’s about these guys now,” Haas said. “They’re taking the torch and running with it.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

Chamber’s ‘People’s Choice’ Voting Ends Friday Panels of judges have selected the Finalists for this year’s Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s Loudoun Small Business Awards, but there is more work to be done. Public voting for the “People’s Choice Award” in five categories will continue online until 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. The candidates are: • Nonprofit of the Year: Loudoun Literacy Council, Loudoun Youth Inc., Mobile Hope, and Morven Park. • Service Business of the Year: B3 Group Inc., Champagne Services, People Tactics, Select Construction, and The Wellness Connection. • Tourism and Rural Business of the Year: Leesburg Animal Park, North Gate Vineyard, The Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek, and Total Equine Veterinary Associates PC. • Innovative Business of the Year: Comfenergy, Cucinamore, CycleLuv, Evergreen Sportsplex, MoverJunction, and StageCoach Theater Company. • Retail Business of the Year: Best Rack Around, CraftyStitches, Crown Trophy, and Plum Grove (Re)Cyclery. • Home-Based Business of the Year: Access Point Public Affairs LLC, Bow Tie Strategies, Loudoun Clear Marketing, and Paperfish Creative. To cast a ballot, go to loudounchamber.org/SBA. The awards will be presented Nov. 4.

Working for You: The American Red Cross

Home Fires – Preparedness and Disaster Response

CPR and Babysitter Training We recently finalized an agreement with Paul Davis Restoration in Ashburn to begin offering lifesaving skills training classes at their state-of-the-art training room. These classes include First Aid/ CPR/AED training, babysitter training, and instructor trainer training. To find a class near you, visit www.redcross.org/ take-a-class.

[ NONPROFIT NEWS ]

NONPROFIT NEWS >> 22

Erwin Stierle is the executive director of American Red Cross in Loudoun and Prince William counties. 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.

loudounnow.com

Loudoun-based nonprofit All Ages Read Together is hosting its big Horseshoe Hoedown fundraiser for its sixth year Saturday, Oct. 1. All Ages Read Together helps prepare disadvantaged children for success through the instruction of certified teachers and volunteers. The Horseshoe Hoedown will feature food, drinks, mechanical bull riding and dancing starting at 5 p.m. at River Farm Stables, at River Farm Lane near Leesburg. Tickets are $65 ($35 of which is

Numerous Loudoun volunteers spend their time serving patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In fact, we have more than 600 Red Cross volunteers there from across the region. These volunteers provide care and comfort to patients in many ways: through our Red Cross Therapy Dog Program, making milkshakes for patients, assisting with physical rehabilitation, distributing Holiday Mail for Heroes cards, being part of the Weekend Comfort Cart Team, teaching yoga classes to wounded war-

All Ages Read Together Plans Hoedown Fundraiser

We supply more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply. Loudoun County companies and organizations can help ensure the need for blood is met by hosting a community blood drive. Donors receive email notifications when their blood has been sent to a local hospital to help a patient in need. Please call 571-

Service to the Armed Forces

riors and traumatic brain injury patients, or simply boosting patient morale. We support Loudoun military families during deployments and emergencies, provide financial assistance when needed, give information/community referrals, and continue serving our nation’s veterans after their service ends. To join our team as a volunteer, please contact Executive Director Erwin Stierle at 571-293-1771.

We partner with local fire departments, which includes Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, to assist families displaced from their homes for reasons such as home fires, flooding, gas leaks, etc. This assistance includes mental health services to help families deal with the trauma of losing a home; financial assistance to help families with hotel stays, obtaining food and clothing; coordination with doctors to help with prescription refills; pediatric medical assistance for children in need; and much more. A joint initiative between your American Red Cross and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue is a county-wide fire prevention initiative to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent over the next five years. We visit at-risk communities in Loudoun County to provide home fire safety education and to install free smoke alarms in homes where they are needed. This is a door-to-door initiative that needs the help of our community. You can register yourself and your family (these are family-friendly events) for our next Home Fire Campaign on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. by visiting redcross.org/local/washington-dc/ volunteer/smoke-alarm-installations or calling 571-293-1771.

Blood Drives

249-0364 if you are interested in hosting a blood drive. To donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter your zip code to find a drive near you.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

There are many local, Loudounbased nonprofits serving the needs of the Loudoun community. One of those local nonprofits is your American Red Cross. In fact, the American Red Cross has been serving Loudoun County for the past 99 years. March 9 will mark our 100-year anniversary here in Loudoun. The American Red Cross is known for responding to large-scale disasters and as the largest supplier of blood in the United States. But there is so much more that goes on at the local level:

We also offer free Hands-Only CPR training to any organization in Loudoun who can pull together at least 5 people. This 30-minute class provides you with the basics of what to do in the event you witness a sudden collapse. This is a great activity for Loudoun companies, HOAs, faith-based organizations or any organization who wants to prepare their teams.

Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016

BY ERWIN STIERLE

[ BIZ NOTES ]

Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016

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offer cutting-edge, innovative programs and excel in preparing students to become leaders in cybersecurity. NVCC will provide professional and program development support to other institutions in the Central Eastern Region seeking to be designated as Centers for Academic Excellence. These states include Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, and Washington, DC. “Virginia is becoming a national leader in cybersecurity and much of that is attributed to the great work of our institutions of higher learning,” Virginia Secretary of Education Dietra Trent stated. “By being only one of six colleges nationwide designated as a Regional Resource Center, NOVA is helping the commonwealth build and sustain a 21st century workforce.”

Workforce Resource Center Offers Youth Employment and Education Services The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center want to help young people who are looking for employment opportunities to significantly improve their job and career options. “If you’re between the ages of 17 and 24 and opportunity hasn’t been knocking on your door lately, then the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program might be right for you,” said Shelly Rodriguez of the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center. Among the free services offered by the center are résumé building, interview coaching, internships, vocational training, tutoring, and professional clothing assistance. To schedule an appointment or register for an information session go to myskillsource.org and click on “Young Adults,” or contact Farihah Kuraishi at 571-3859672 or by email at Farihah.Kuraishi@ loudoun.gov. The Workforce Resource Center is located in the Shenandoah Building, 102 Heritage Way SE, first floor, in Leesburg. For more information about other center

services and a full calendar of events, go to loudoun.gov/wrc or call 703-777-0150.

IKOR Office Opens in Sterling IKOR, a network of offices offering healthcare and financial advocacy, life management services and guardianship, has opened a new branch in Sterling. The office will provide legal and financial services to help secure care and optimal quality of life for seniors and the disabled in Loudoun and Clarke counties. Mary Bergamini, of Aldie, will lead the new office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Albany and earned a master’s degree in health care management from Iona College, and an MBA from Virginia Tech. She has more than 30 years of experience in the technology field. She also is a certified senior advisor, a certified aging in place specialist, and a licensed practical nurse (inactive). The office is located at 21335 Signal Hill Plaza, Suite 250 in Sterling. Contact Bergamini at mary.bergamini@ ikorglobal.com or 571-465-9696. Learn more about IKOR’s services at ikorglobal.com.

GO Virginia Regional Council Forming A coalition of Northern Virginia chambers of commerce, along with other regional leaders, have formed a steering committee to develop the GO Virginia Regional Council. The 13-member panel will identify members and establish structure for Regional Council, which will be responsible for proposing projects to compete for economic development funds available through the state’s new GO Virginia initiative. GO Virginia is a bipartisan initiative adopted by the General Assembly and supported by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to encourage greater collaboration among localities, higher education and private sector partners on projects that create jobs and spur economic growth. Learn more about the program at govirginia.org.

[ NONPROFIT NEWS ] << FROM 21 tax-deductible) and includes dinner and two drinks. Learn more and buy tickets at allagesreadtogether.com.

Weichert Offices Raise Money for Cancer Society Weichert Realtors offices in Ashburn and Leesburg raised more than $1,000 for the American Cancer Society during a recent raffle and brunch event. All of the proceeds from the fundraiser, held at the Grant Corner subdivision by Evergreene Homes on Orchard Lane in Manassas, will benefit breast cancer research. The event was attended by more than 130 Weichert sales associates at the new construction property and featured raffle items donated by Weichert offices, friends and merchants in Loudoun County. “On behalf of our Ashburn and Leesburg offices, I would like to thank everyone who came together to help make our

event a success,” manager Omni Casey stated. “Their generosity will impact and aid an organization that fights tirelessly to battle such a devastating disease that unfortunately affects many individuals.”

Red Cross Plans CPR Training, Fire Safety Outreach The American Red Cross will offer free hands only CPR Training from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Cascades Library. This is not a certified course, but an educational, hands-on class that teaches the basics of CPR to make our community better prepared. As part of a nationwide Red Cross initiative to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent over the next five years, the Loudoun Red Cross volunteers will canvass neighborhoods that are atrisk for home fires to install smoke alarms where needed and to provide fire safety education. Residents may join the effort from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. To register for either event or for more information, contact Red Cross Executive Director for Loudoun County Erwin Stierle at 571-293-1771.

Sept. 29 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oct. 5, 2016 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

loudounnow.com

[ LOCO LIVING ]

LSO Pays Tribute to Maestro Mark McCoy Oct. 8

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

“A Will to Survive” cast members rehearse at A Place to Be in Middleburg. The production is meant to be a tribute to Will Robinson, who committed suicide in January, and shine a light on the need for mental health support for teens.

‘A WILL TO SURVIVE’ Music Therapists, Teen Rockers Take on Suicide in Rock Opera BY JAN MERCKER

hen Ann-Charlotte Robinson’s son Will committed suicide in January at the age of 17, her longtime friend Tom Sweitzer felt a call to reach out to teens with a message of hope through music. With Robinson’s participation, Sweitzer, a well-known local music therapist and his colleague Cedric Dimapilis created a rock opera, “A Will to Survive,” that is both a tribute to Will and a call to teens that they are not alone in their mental health or social struggles. The producers have scheduled a series of public performances throughout October (starting this Sunday), and the show is also set to run for students at all Loudoun high schools throughout the next 18 months. The spark was ignited, Sweitzer said, when he read a moving letter that Robinson and her husband had written to Will at his funeral, held at the packed Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. “[Will] felt so much for the world. ... He everyday went to school to make everybody happy. He was the first one to put his arm around somebody. He did not have the facility inside of himself to do it for himself,” Sweitzer said. “It was in that moment at Trinity Church where I’m standing at the pulpit reading in front of hundreds and hundreds of people and hundreds and hundreds of teenagers. And it was in that moment that I thought to myself: I have to do something. I have the tools. I have the way.”

“A Will to Survive” debuts 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Hill School, 130 S. Madison St., Middleburg. Admission is $10. Upcoming public performances, in cooperation with Loudoun County Public Schools, are: at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Loudoun Valley High School; Saturday, Oct. 22, at Woodgrove High School; and Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Heritage High School. Admission is free for these shows. Sweitzer and Dimapilis are both therapists at A Place to Be in Middleburg, which treats an increasing number of teens with mental health issues. The goal was to give the show an edge that would be engaging to high school students and avoid the classic anti-bullying assembly that gets eye rolls from students. Dimapilis tapped into the teen zeitgeist with his passion for indie music, moving away from the poppy, catchy songs in A Place to Be’s well-known “Behind The Label” show designed for middle schoolers. “‘A Will to Survive’ encapsulates the contemporary teenage angsty soundtrack of their daily life in a rock opera,” Dimapilis said. “What I wanted to bring differently were songs of angst that teenagers and adults could relate to, songs that sound similar to their musical taste.

Many of the influences of sound and tone come from bands/artists I listen to that this generation relates to, such as M83, My Chemical Romance, The Temper Trap [and] The Casualties.” Sweitzer and Dimapilis conducted interviews with dozens of teens, including Will’s friends, several of whom have been cast in the show. The cast is made up of 16 teens, most of whom attend Loudoun schools. Many of the actors are clients of A Place to Be and some are living with depression and anxiety. But all of the performers are talented musicians and were cast for their musical skill, Sweitzer said. “It is as professional as you’re going to get when it comes to teenage shows.” Sweitzer said. The co-authors have worked to handle the teen experience—sometimes with humor and sometimes with pathos. The score includes a song dedicated to the intense pressure to succeed that many middle and upper class teens are surrounded by, while others focus on the all-consuming role technology plays, including the song “Text Me” about a teen girl waiting for a text from her boyfriend. For both Sweitzer and Robinson, the goal is to launch an open conversation about mental illness, to convey the sense that teens are not alone and to encourage them to reach out to their peers and trusted adults. For Robinson, getting involved with the play has been a way to reach out to teens and has also become part of her ROCK OPERA >> 25

T h e Loudoun S y mp h o ny Orchestra will remember its charismatic, longtime director Oct. 8, with a concert d e d i c a t e d McCoy to Maestro Mark Allen McCoy, who led the symphony for 18 years. “Awakenings,” a program of moving and joyful pieces, is designed to pay tribute to the maestro, who died of colon cancer Aug. 1. “For the LSO members who had the pleasure to participate in the LSO, Mark is known for nurturing the musicians so that they presented the best program artistically for the people of Loudoun County,” LSO executive director Karen Knobloch said. “Mark is also known for exposing concert goers to well established classical music but also contemporary music such as Interstellar Arias composed by Steven Snethkamp and presented at Mark’s last concert with us in April. He was always professional but had a warm, gentle way about him and we miss him greatly.” In an interview with Loudoun Now earlier this year, McCoy recalled that his landing the LSO post was something of a fluke, leading to the Washington Post’s April 1998 headline, “Dark Horse Beats 2 Others to Baton.” But McCoy was a perfect fit and was instrumental in establishing the Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra, which has helped develop hundreds of young musicians, many of whom are studying music at the college level and pursuing music professionally, Knobloch said. The Oct. 8 concert features the Master Singers of Virginia led by Dr. Erik Jones which will perform the beloved Fauré “Requiem, Op. 48” and O’Regan’s “Triptych.” Guest conductor David Searle will lead the orchestra on Schumann’s “Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major,” which Knobloch describes as “a fitting tribute to the maestro who inspired excellence in the musicians he touched and the members of the audience who left LSO concerts stirred and awed by so many different musical presentations over the years.” “Awakenings, A Celebration of Life Dedicated to Maestro Mark McCoy,” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors (65 and older) and free (but must be ticketed) for youth 17 and younger. Admission includes a reception immediately following the concert. Advance purchase is recommended. See details at loudounsymphony. org. —Jan Mercker

[ THINGS TO DO ] Thursday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Oct. 1; Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. Details: oldstoneschool.org

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SHOCKTOBER Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1, 7-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 2, 7-9 p.m. Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. Details: shocktober.org The area’s favorite haunted house is back and scarier than ever, featuring zombies and other new terrors. Proceeds benefit programming at the nonprofit Paxton Campus. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the ticket office. Advance purchase is recommended. Shocktober is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30.

Event features handmade treasures from local artisans, live music and food trucks. Admission is free.

LIVE MUSIC: JOSH WALKER Saturday, Oct. 1, 2-5 p.m.; North Gate Vineyard, 16031 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville. Details: northgatevineyard.com Walker’s solo guitar performances consist of a mixture of all-instrumental versions of jazz, Latin American music, classical, and original compositions, performed on an acoustic, nylon string guitar.

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Co-director Tom Sweitzer comforts AnnCharlotte Robertson as she reacts to a Christmas video of her late son, Will, during rehearsal for “A Will to Survive.” Will took his own life at the age of 17 in January.

is not about suicide,” Sweitzer said. “It’s about hope. It’s about no matter who you are as a teenager, reaching out to somebody is never too late.” jmercker@loudounnow.com

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healing process. Robinson gave Sweitzer access to Will’s journals and, after some initial hesitation, agreed to take a role in the play. “I love performing. I love being on stage. It’s something that’s deeply within me anyway. And then to have the opportunity to connect and communicate through this art form that I love with this very important message to a very important constituency, that combination seemed irresistible,” Robinson said. “There are moments in rehearsal that my breath catches in my throat or my heart, and that’s OK because it’s also part of the process. … Working with these kids is an inspiration and it fills some of the void for me to be doing this with them.” Both Sweitzer and Robinson are hopeful that the play will take on a life beyond Loudoun. And while the play is a tribute to a gifted young person who lost his battle with mental illness, the message is intended to be more far-reaching. “Will and his life is the thread, but it

Courtesy of Nicholas Graham

Who needs Trump and Clinton when you can have Wilson v. Hughes? Take a trip back to the 1916 election at Hillsboro Heritage Days on Saturday.

This three-day World War I-themed celebration includes Thursday’s living history presentation; an old-fashioned speakeasy Friday night featuring music, food and drinks; and Saturday’s family-oriented Gaptoberfest celebration with live music, children’s activities and a 1916 presidential debate. Visit the website for a complete schedule.

Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016

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LIVE MUSIC: HARD SWIMMIN’ FISH

LOUDOUN MEN ARE COOKING

Friday, Sept. 30, 8 p.m.; Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. Details: monksq.com

Saturday, Oct. 1, 7-11 p.m.; The National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne. Details: lmacooking.com This annual fundraiser for the Operation Uplift Foundation draws top professional and amateur chefs from around the county for an evening of delicious food and live music from Just’s Friends. Tickets are $75.

NIGHTLIFE ROUND HILL BLUEGRASS JAM Friday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.-midnight, The Old Furniture Factory, 6 W. Loudoun St., Round Hill. Details: theoldfurniturefactory.com This monthly bluegrass, folk and old-time jam is a western Loudoun tra-

These local favorites are known for down home roots music with a danceable, contemporary twist. Get ready to let your hair down.

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dition. Come and play or just tap your toes. Requested donation is $5. Food will be available for sale.

LIVE MUSIC: MINDY MILLER & THE CHROME TEARS Friday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Honkytonk country with soul from a regional favorite. No cover.

LIVE MUSIC: THE GLIMMER TWINS—A TRIBUTE TO THE ROLLING STONES Saturday, Oct. 1, 8:30 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com With an uncanny resemblance to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in their prime, this high-quality tribute captures the raw energy of the Rolling Stones’ most electrifying performances. Admission for this fully seated show is $20 in advance, $25 day of show.

PARTINI 2016: FIRST RESPONDERS BENEFIT Monday. Oct. 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Sterling Restaurant Supply, 22601 Davis Drive, Sterling. Details: loudounfrf.org Food, fun and craft cocktails to benefit the Loudoun First Responders Foundation. Tickets are $45.

LOCO CULTURE LEESBURG WALKING TOUR WITH JAMES ROBERTS Saturday. Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-noon; Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 703-737-7195 Leesburg native and Loudoun History Award winner James Roberts provides an insider’s commentary on local people, places, and points of interest both in and around Leesburg. Wear comfortable shoes. Event is free but advance registration is recommended.

HIKE WITH HOPE! Saturday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Rotary Pavilion, Franklin Park, Purcellville. Details: loudounfriends.org Friends of Loudoun Mental Health’s annual Hike with Hope! invites the public to enjoy a free hike on a scenic country trail while raising awareness of mental illness, support recovery and end the stigma. No registration required. Event includes a free lunch, prizes and games.

BOOK SIGNING: BERYL YOUNG Saturday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m.; Lovettsville Library, 12 N. Light St., Lovettsville. Details: library.loudoun.gov Local photographer and author Beryl Young signs copies of her new children’s book “Phoebe The Photographer Gets A Camera.” Event is free and open to the public.

OATLANDS YOGA IN NATURE Sunday, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m., Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, Contact: dtsumuki@aol.com This accessible yoga practice will be held in the beautiful circa 1810 greenhouse or in the historic garden. Bring a yoga mat, water, walking shoes and any props you need. Registration is required, and admission is $25.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AND PET FOOD DRIVE Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m.; Saint David’s Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. Details: sdlife.org Saint David’s offers an afternoon of animal-oriented fun leading up to the 4 p.m. blessing of the animals service. Activities include demos from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, Ashburn Volunteer Fire Department truck, Humane Society of Loudoun County, advice from a local veterinarian, music and food. Ashburn Cares will host a fall food drive and the church will be accepting pet food donations.

GALLERY COFFEEHOUSE: WRITERS NIGHT OUT Sunday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter Amherst Writers and Artists facilitators Lisa Colburn and Sue McCollum lead a workshop featuring fun, innovative writing prompts and experiment with different forms of poetry, fiction, and memoir. All writers, both novice and experienced, are invited to join the party. Admission is $8 at the door and includes coffee.

ON STAGE LAST HAM STANDING Friday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter A 30-minute comedy bootcamp for audience members will be followed by classic Last Ham improv. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children.

“A WILL TO SURVIVE” Sunday Oct. 2, 2-4 p.m.; The Hill School, 130 South Madison St., Middleburg. Details: aplacetobeva.org This original rock opera handles the theme of teen suicide with a message of hope and breaking down barriers. Tickets are $10.

COMING UP WATERFORD FAIR Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Waterford. Details: waterfordfoundation.org The 72nd Waterford Fair features historic homes tours, juried crafts, living history and children’s activities. Advance tickets are $16 for one day, $35 for a three-day pass.

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “AWAKENINGS” Saturday, Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.; National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne. Details: loudounsymphony.org The Master Singers of Virginia joins LSO in a musical celebration of the life of Mark McCoy, LSO’s longtime conductor who died of cancer earlier this year. The program includes works by Fauré and Schumann. Tickets are $35, $30 for seniors and free for youth 17 and under (must be ticketed).

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[OBITUARIES]

Otto Gutenson, 68, of Lovettsville,

Virginia passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Otto was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 21, 1948, the son of the late Otto and Dorothy Gutenson. He is survived by his wife, Debra Gutenson, two children, Alexander Gutenson and his wife Angela, and Andrew Gutenson, and grandchildren Kaitlin, Josh, Jake and Luke (all of Northern Virginia). In addition to devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Otto was an ardent environmentalist and a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. Otto grew up in Vienna, Virginia where he graduated from James Madison High School. Otto obtained a bachelor’s of science in biology from Virginia Tech in 1970 and went on to earn his master’s degree in biology in 1979 from George Mason University. After graduation, he worked at Litton Bionetics, and was in the Neurological Disease and Stroke unit at the National Institutes of Health for 11 years. He then began a notable career dedicated to the conservation and protection of the environment, serving in various roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until his retirement in 2008. Throughout his tenure at EPA and into retirement, he volunteered endless hours actively working to protect the environment for the benefit of generations to come. He was a graduate of the 1993-94 class of Leadership Loudoun, designed to develop current and emerging leaders in the county to work together to make a better community. He spent the next two decades doing just that. Just a sampling of his efforts includes becoming a charter member and past treasurer of Loudoun Future. He was on the steering committee and charter member of Sustainable Loudoun Network. He was on the steering committee and EPA liaison for the Loudoun Environmental Indicators Project of George Washington University. He served on the Loudoun County Board of the Piedmont Environmental Council. He served on the board of directors as public policy chairman for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. He became a certified Virginia Master Naturalist. He was a member of the Catoctin Creek Watershed Project and the North Fork Goose Creek Project, and a founding member of the Catoctin Creek Scenic River Advisory Committee. In short, he was a tireless water quality advocate, fought for sustainable growth and got his feet wet doing water quality monitoring. He was deeply committed to volunteer activities that benefited not only the environment but also society’s most needy, serving with the Lovettsville Lions Club. As he raised his two sons, Otto was in-

volved as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, attending summer camps, pinewood derbies, and endless weekly meetings. He enjoyed his sons’ science projects, probably more than they did. He taught them by example how to be patient and meticulous in approaching any problem. At his core, he was a fixer. Whether he was tinkering with something that needed fixing or advocating to right a wrong, he was active in taking a hand-on approach to making things right. Otto, a man without artifice, was known for his quick and irreverent wit. He spoke his mind freely and gave of his time generously. He loved reading, lively debate, and volunteering his time for the betterment of his community. A graveside service was held on September 24 at the Lovettsville Union Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in Purcellville, with Rev. Dr. David Milam and Rev. Jessica McClure Archer officiating. Donations may be made to the Piedmont Environmental Council for the Catoctin Conservation Fund. (PEC 45 Horner Street Warrenton VA 20186 Attn: Doug Larson.) Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home of Purcellville VA. hallfh.com

Andres Rafael-Quintana Garcia,

lovingly known as Andy, passed away on September 16, 2016. Andy is survived by his Mother, Sister, Father, Step-Father, Grandmas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and frankly a list too long to write full of more family and friends of every age, color, and creed. The history of this family cannot be told without Andy nor will our future unfold without him. Andy you will forever be the greatest love of so very many. A memorial service for Andy will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Colonial Funeral Home (201 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg); visitation begins at Noon with the service beginning at 1pm. colonialfuneralhome.com

Shawntel Renee Menefee departed this life on Sept. 14, 2016 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at 11:00 am with the viewing at 10:00 am. Repast will follow at First Mount Olive Baptist Church, 216 Loudoun Street, Leesburg, VA 20175. Interment is private. Arrangements by Lyles Funeral Service of Purcellville, Virginia. Keturah (Katie) Denny Neville

of Leesburg, Virginia passed away on September 7, 2016, from complications of pulmonary hypertension. Katie was born on May 6, 1949, in Richmond, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth P. and Joseph L. Denny. Katie is survived by her husband Joseph Neville of Leesburg and a son Joseph D. Neville of Alexandria. She is also survived by a sister Jane Levy of Glen Allen, Virginia, and was predeceased by her sister Laura Denny. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14 at Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, Virginia. Funeral services was held on September 15 at Saint David’s

Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia. Donations in Katie’s memory may be made to the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department in care of John Burns at 7701 Landover Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20785, or via PayPal to Kentlandvfd@ gmail.com. Alternatively, donations may be made to Every Citizen Has Opportunities (ECHO) located at 71 Lawson Road SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20175. colonialfuneralhome.com

Edward August Young, Jr. of Sterling, Virginia, died September 26th, 2016, at Loudoun Hospital. Born June 12, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of Edward August, Sr. and Mary Kathryn (Echols) Young. He married Janice Louise Vittore on July 17, 1976; she survives. In addition to his wife, survivors include: son, Brendan Young, his wife, Beryl Ayn, and granddaughter, Brielle, of Lovettsville, Virginia; brother Carl F. Young, of Pataskala, Ohio.

Friends may call between 6:00 and 8:00 PM on Thursday, September 29th at the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 30th at the Colonial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Please note that the contribution is being made in memory of Edward Young. colonialfuneralhome.com

To Place an Obituary, Death Notice or Memoriam Contact Lindsay Morgan lmorgan@loudounnow.com 703.770.9723

Crossword

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COMMUNITY YARD SALE Lakes at Red Rock will be holding a community yard sale

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YARD SALE Friday, October 7 & Saturday, October 8 8am - 2pm Power tools, hand tools, routers, wood lathe, furniture, rugs, chipper/shreader, costume jewelry, pictures, mirrors, chest of drawers. 40054 Glenmore Ct. Paeonian Springs, VA

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[ OPINION ]

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Circus-Free Locally Those who took the time to attend the recent League of Women Voters’ forums featuring the candidates for Leesburg mayor and Town Council had reason to feel pride in their community. If they watched

Monday night’s presidential debate, that feeling could only have grown. In sharp contrast to the mean, snarky, dysfunctional national campaign, the local race features candidates eager to share their ideas and even to work together to protect and improve their community. They are running for positions that are largely thankless and are rarely a jumping off point for greater political careers. More likely, those winning local government office are signing up for long nights of meetings and frequent public criticism. Luckily for us, these men and women will have more impact on our community than the one selected to occupy the White House.

Reaching Out [ LETTERS ]

Following a swell in the number of student suicides, the Loudoun community is rallying to ensure troubled teens have access to resources that can help them survive. That effort is ongoing in the halls of government and the hallways of public schools. One extraordinary project grew from the rooms of a special teen center in Middleburg. A Place to Be has long served as a safe haven for teens battling social or mental health struggles. Its staff and students are well aware of the thoughts of helplessness, hopelessness and loneliness that lead to senseless, tragic endings. They have teamed with a mother whose son hanged himself outside his high school less than a year ago to offer teens a message of hope in a way teachers and counselors cannot—through the thundering amps of a rock opera. The project is extraordinary in another way, too. School administrators have embraced it and made plans to have the show performed in every Loudoun high school over the next 18 months. That’s an unprecedented partnership—and one that just might help save a life. A theme of the show is that is it never too late to reach out to somebody. The lesson of this project is to not limit the ways you reach out.

LoudounNow

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 • Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 • Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723 Norman K. Styer Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

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Classified Manager Lindsay Morgan lmorgan@loudounnow.com Production Electronic Ink Leesburg, VA 20175

Our Job Editor: Loudoun Now’s thoughts on “Filling the Gap” which address the dilemma facing the Board of Supervisors about how much of our tax dollars should go to which non-profit organizations only added to my questions prompted by the front page article, “Nonprofits Headed for Grant Funding Reset.” Both the article and editorial made mention of past, present, and likely, future criteria for allotting our tax dollars to charities. Now, at the risk of being Grinch well before Christmas, I object to my contribution to Loudoun County’s tax base being used for purposes other than our government needs. If the Board of Supervisors is so concerned about charitable causes, I invite them to read Matthew 25:31-46 and donate their personal funds (which, I believe, many do). Loudoun Now brings up, “There is an argument to be made that the government shouldn’t be giving any tax money away to private organizations.” Then Loudoun Now says, “That assumes that the county is providing adequate services,” which brings up another matter. I went to Loudoun County Social Services website and found numerous areas of government services—family, children, abused women, public assistance, food stamps, housing, mobile hope, child protective services, even animal services. If all of these services are not adequate to meet the needs in our county, why not? Have these services become bureaucratic entities? Have they duplicated services? Are some people milking the system? The Loudoun County nonprofits I found in another listing far outnumber the government services and extend to a greater range of concerns with some duplication. Among nonprofits in Loudoun County are those addressing physical and mental health, youth and children, the disabled elderly, veterans, organ donation, literacy and even a nonprofit that helps nonprofits manage their operations. By the way, our churches weren’t on the list, and I know what good they do. May I suggest that county supervisors

take the $1,058,915 set aside for grant funding and use it to examine the existing services for efficiency, results, and waste? May I suggest that pastors and churches remind the faithful that it isn’t the government’s job to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, shelter the homeless, etc. It’s our job. —Maureen H. Whalen, Leesburg

Costly Vote Editor: Last Thursday’s 5-3-1vote by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Kirkpatrick West Commercial Center had larger implications on whether the board intends to retain its ability to hold developers accountable for the increase in intensity of their projects as development expands both west and south. The vote was a strong indication that some are willing to relinquish most of the board’s rights over the future development of thousands of acres of land that is currently zoned for low-density. While housing densities have been allowed to increase, approval is subject to oversight and scrutiny by the board and the public at hearings. The justification for approving the Kirkpatrick West’s 30 percent increase was shocking. Several board members indicated that after the Comprehensive Plan process, which has just begun, much of this area will be included in the higher density Suburban Policy Area which will allow by-right development. In this case, the developer was permitted to build a gas station 100 yards from residents in return for basic safeguards of increased screening, operation restrictions and lighting limitations. The Kirkpatrick West decision also signaled that that the cost of road improvements needed to fully mitigate resulting traffic congestion will be subsidized by the residents. The 1.2-mile, two-lane stretch of road that feeds the center currently handles approximately 5,000 cars per day. Centers of the LETTERS >> 33

[ LETTERS ]

Just Beginning

Editor: On Sept. 10 Leesburg Community Church hosted the inaugural HopeFest Health and Wellness Fair. This fair is a part of a larger picture called The Hope for Mental Health Initiative. The purpose is to help eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness and to educate the community in how to deal with things such as, suicide prevention, drug addiction, PTSD, schizophrenia, depression and other mental illness’. Mainly though, it is being established to reach out to those who are afflicted with these many issues and to help guide them through the myriad of health services, insurance issues, state laws and rabbit trails. It is time to join together, not only in the Christian community but also in the private sector to educate people and to expose the awesome resources available in our county. I want to give a shout out to the many vendors, panelists, and speakers who participated in the inaugural HopeFest Health and Wellness Fair. Thank you to the many area leaders, such as Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman, County Chair Phyllis Randall and Supervisor Geary Higgins for lending their insight, support and time

Ugly Editor: I hope my African-American friends will not mind my sharing what they already know, but what has taken me a lifetime to realize: How I have been brainwashed to believe that everything will be OK if we just enact the right laws and treat people fairly. Yet, nothing really changes. Could it be that we have never dealt with the root causes of racism? As long as we allow the veneration of the Civil War and its heroes who fought to preserve white supremacy, the enslavement of human beings and the withdrawal of southern States from the Union to preserve the right to own slaves, how can we ever be rid of racism? The Civil War is part of our history and, as such, Civil War monuments and Confederate flags belong in Civil War cemeteries and museums, not on Main Street and public buildings where they are constant public reminders that we Americans allow the glorification of one of the ugliest periods of our history. And the original ugliest period of our history prevails even today in our treatment of Native Americans and the conditions they still endure. —Doris Kidder, Leesburg

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size approved last Thursday require 4 or 5 times the traffic. A last-minute attempt to make the developer shoulder more of the cost of widening the road to four lanes failed. Furthermore, this area of the county has the top two most overcrowded schools. While the increased size and upscale nature of this center will be a plus for many of the nearby residents, it is of the caliber that will greatly ignite home sales in the surrounding area—The Wegman’s Effect—and will also significantly expand its original intended market. Should a decision be made to limit board control and muzzle the voice of residents when approving an increase in housing density or commercial intensity for thousands of acres, you better start checking the cushions of your couch for a lot of spare cash to cover the need to increase taxes. —Giovanni Coratolo, Aldie Founder, Save Braddock Road Task Force

to this event. Although the temperatures reached the high ’90s, there were still many who came to see the vast services that Loudoun County provides to those in need. To the over 70 volunteers who spent the day making this a success, including the J.R.O.T.C of Loudoun County High School, Boy Scouts of America Pack 982, and several area churches. Words cannot express my gratitude. This is just the beginning. There is much work to be done and my prayer is that this will spread all over Loudoun County. Keep your eyes out for other seminars, teachings, trainings and support groups at Leesburg Community Church (leesburgcc.org/ hope) throughout the year and in other churches and community facilities in Loudoun County. Thank you all again for your help. We will see you next year for HopeFest 2017. —Doug Wall, Worship Pastor Leesburg Community Church

Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2016

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ing as Leesburg’s interim police chief. “Now, as people see these videos of officer-involved shootings. … It’s tough for a young person to say, OK, I want to sign up for that.” For the Sheriff ’s Office, Sheriff Mike Chapman said the challenge is marketing. “If you see what’s happening kind of across the board in law enforcement, especially the way law enforcement is being looked at right now, it’s making it even more difficult to attract and retain good people,” Chapman said. In response, his department is aggressively marketing itself across the Washington, DC, metro area. “From the courts, to corrections, to patrol detectives, motors, crime scene folks—you name it—we pretty much have what every major police department in the nation has,” Chapman said. The department has been taking steps to make itself a more attractive place to work, including getting funding from the county to increase the retirement multiplier, boosting retirement pay based on years served. Increasing that multiplier means some longtime department employees can better afford to retire, so the Sheriff ’s Office anticipates more people leaving in the short-term. But it also makes Loudoun a more appealing place to work for new hires. But there’s more work to do. This year, the Sheriff ’s Office will press to add periodic step increases to the pay scale, a change aimed at rewarding experienced deputies. Currently, without a promotion or taking time to earn a new certification, deputies earn only minimal annual pay increases. “In other words, you get your 2 percent, 2 1/2 percent, 3-percent annual raise, so basically where you come on at is pretty much where it’s going to stay,” Chapman said. That means an officer who’s been in the same position for years could leave the department looking for better pay. There are several factors playing into Leesburg Police’s higher-than-normal vacancy rate, Grisby said. The department has seen an uptick in retirements, as well as officers leaving for other local public safety agencies or federal agencies. But the real difficulty, she says, is the time and the money it takes to hire and train a new officer when one leaves. She did not have an estimate for what it costs to train new hires, but she said it takes nine months. “Six months of academy and three months of in-field training—it’s a long process,” she said. “That’s what’s tough and what departments around the nation face.” While new hires undergo training, it will mean fewer officers on duty. Leesburg Police has decreased the number of officers on the clock at any given time from 16 to 14, and had to increase overtime hours for its sworn employees. But Grigsby is hopeful the department will fill most of its vacancies by next year. It recently received 47 applications. It will take some time to test the applicants and train any new hires, but she’s pleased by the applicant pool. Leesburg Police’s pay is one of the

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Deputy Sheriff Cumberludge makes a routine traffic stop in Ashburn.

best among police employment wages in Virginia, with a starting salary of $53,233. Loudoun Sheriff ’s Office deputies start between $41,885 and $56,654, depending on education and experience. The department also offers pay incentive for a second language and higher education. The salary for first-year State Police troopers is $36,207. Sheriff Chapman also says his department is on its way to filling its vacancies, with 35 applications awaiting processing. “I think when you have people that really want to be a part of solving the problem out there, and addressing some of these trust issues, that’s what we’re looking for,” he said. But the problem of attracting talent could be a long-term one, if efforts to improve the image of public safety officers are not made now. Grigsby said part of a recruiting strategy should include emphasizing community policing. That means giving young people as many positive interactions with public safety officers as possible, she added. Starting in elementary school, Loudoun students get to know officers through the D.A.R.E. program. In the local middle and high schools, students regularly see either Sheriff ’s Office deputies or Leesburg Police officers on their campuses working as school resource officers. Leesburg Police also puts on a Law Enforcement Explorers program, meant to give young people a glimpse of a career in policing. Purcellville Police Department, which has two sworn officer vacancies, for years has worked with students in its afterschool Homework Club. And Chapman said his department actively reaches out to minority communities. “That’s where it starts,” Grigsby said. “All those community activities to connect with young people hopefully translates to a positive impression and over time our numbers will get better. It just takes time.” For her, it’s been the only career she’s wanted since she was a young girl. “Working in law enforcement has been the dream job for me,” she said. “Helping people through difficult times or being the voice for victims is very rewarding.” dnadler@loudounnow.com rgreene@loudounnow.com

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mation requested and within the scope of the warrants. As such, an exact date or time frame for when the investigation will conclude cannot be given. Any charging decision prior to the conclusion of the investigation would be premature.” “We thank the Schulz family and the public for their patience as we continue to work toward a swift but thorough completion of this investigation,” the statement concluded. Search warrants identify John Miller, a 45-year-old Leesburg resident, as the driver. The warrants, targeting the driver’s two cell phones, state that a forensics examiner found that the driver deleted a voicemail Aug. 31 about the same time a 911 call was made from the same phone. It is unclear if the voicemail was deleted before or after the call to 911. The court records also include comments from a witness who said the driver was watching or reading something as he approached the crosswalk at Riverside Parkway and Coton Manor Drive. While many unanswered questions remain surrounding Tristan’s death, the community’s support for his family has not waned. A GoFundMe page created to raise money to cover the Schulz family’s medical and funeral costs approached $100,000 in donations this week. Donations are still being accepted, at gofundme.com/2mr4cpg. In an email to Loudoun Now, Mindy Schulz expressed her gratitude to those who have donated, delivered meals, offered words of comfort and set stuffed animals at an impromptu vigil near the Riverside Parkway crosswalk. “We would like to deeply and wholeheartedly express our most profound and humbled gratitude to the community,” she wrote. “My words cannot do justice to the overwhelming outpouring of love and support we have experienced and are so grateful for. When every day feels dark and impossible, many beautiful souls have reached out in some way to be those small points of light to give comfort, encouragement, compassion, or hope. Every single one of those points of light have mattered in these dark days. I wish I had better words than ‘thank you.’”

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Flowers and notes mark the crosswalk where Tristan Schulz, in a stroller pushed by his mother, was hit and killed by a car Aug. 31.

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