Loudoun Now for Oct. 18, 2018 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 3, No. 48 ]

[ loudounnow.com ]

[ October 18, 2018 ]

30 Iconic hospital rummage sale turns 80

County Pushes Ahead with Drug Court BY RENSS GREENE

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Students wait to board a bus in Lovettsville. While some changes to the county’s bus service have been painful, school leaders say they’re paying off.

Overhauling Loudoun’s School Bus Service May Mean More Money in the Classroom

BY DANIELLE NADLER

hree years ago, Loudoun’s school leaders set out to improve how they get the county’s then-52,000 bus riders to and from school. Their goal was to spend less money on transportation, but to also revamp the department’s staffing, pay, communication and bus routes to ultimately improving students’ experience. Their plan has hit more than a few bumps along the way, with some families upset that students who once rode the bus are now asked to walk. But school administrators told the School Board last week that, overall, the changes are paying off. Kevin Lewis, assistant superintendent of Support Services, told board members that the school system has saved millions in the past four years by redrawing bus routes, requiring more students to walk, and finding other efficiencies. He pointed to the route-to-bus ratio—the relationship between the number of routes

and the number of buses in the fleet—as an indication of improvements made. In 2015, the division’s route-to-bus ratio was one route for every 1.30 buses. This year, that’s improved to one route for every 1.19 buses. The goal is, by next year, to get that ratio down to one route for every 1.15 buses—the industry standard. A route is the driving assignment for one driver with a complete schedule. Lewis said that may include roundtrip runs to elementary, middle or high schools, as well as any special runs assigned to the driver. Already, reining in how many buses the division uses has saved $19.6 million in the past year. He expects another $18 million will be saved if his team can reach that one route per every 1.15 buses by next year. “We’re happy to report that we’re already making inroads to these goals,” Lewis said. While the school system has added 3,484 more students—and now has a total of 56,545 students eligible to ride the bus—since 2015, it has actually been able

to reduce the number of buses in that time, from a fleet of 815 to 809 mostly because of improved routing. “We’re using fewer buses to move more students,” Lewis said. The overhaul to the Transportation Department has been years in the making. In the fall of 2015, after new members to the School Board noticed just how much the school system was spending to transport students to and from school, they got serious about making improvements. At the time, several board members argued that finding savings in the Transportation Department—which provides a service that is not mandated by the state—would free up more money for the classroom. “We’ve struggled with transportation funding since I’ve been on the board,” Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) said in 2016 as the board was looking for solutions for bussing concerns. “I’m not trying to diminish the transportation concerns, but we’re trying to make the best use of what SCHOOL BUS OVERHAUL >> 43

The sheriff ’s office, Loudoun County government and the courts are pushing ahead a program supervisors have said can keep people with drug problems out of prison, in treatment, and off the public dole. County leaders are working toward a mental health docket in the courts and a new drug court to give law breakers with substance abuse and mental health difficulties an option other than incarceration. In particular, county supervisors have welcomed promising news on plans for the new drug court—including a half-million dollar grant to help get it off the ground. The county’s last attempt at a drug court ran from 2004 to 2012, but was dismantled after supervisors decided they weren’t getting their money’s worth. In the drug court, some Loudoun drug offenders got a chance to avoid jail time after violating probation by going instead to an intensive outpatient treatment program. Offenders would be under intensive supervision and mandatory treatment, and if they fell off the wagon, they could wind up back in jail. But the program at that time could handle few participants. Supervisors and other county leaders discussed reestablishing a drug court in 2016, but those conversations were cut short when in 2017 the General Assembly stripped funding for a judgeship from Loudoun’s already-overtaxed Circuit Court. Drug court can be very time-intensive for judges. In May, however, the General Assembly voted to restore funding for every unfunded judgeship in the state. Supervisors had already directed the creation of a drug court advisory committee in February. Last week, that committee made its report to the board’s finance committee, outlining what it would take to get a new drug court rolling in Loudoun, with plans to start in 2019. DRUG COURT >> 43

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INSIDE

3 October 18, 2018

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

County sees next budget tightening

Leesburg candidates say their piece

New elementary schools already maxed out

Detectives investigate Tuscarora sexual assault

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Purcellville to Hire Deputy Police Chief; Spend $235K to Improve Department

BY PATRICK SZABO

en weeks after the findings of an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister revealed no wrongdoing, the town will spend $235,300 to get operations back on track. The Town Council voted Oct. 9 to approve the spending to improve the department, as recommended by the investigation report that was compiled by Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP and retired police chief Timothy Longo. The town will hire a deputy chief, an operations commander and an accreditation manager, purchase new equipment and audit the department. The money will be transferred from the town’s unassigned reserve fund, which currently holds $5.2 million. “This is one of the top priorities of the administration,” said Town Manager David Mekarski. “The police department has a new vibe and the morale is

going through the roof.” The most important staffing addition will be to hire a deputy chief to support McAlister and establish a more clear succession of command. McAlister said that she is unable to effectively manage the department without a deputy who can consistently work “shoulder-to-shoulder” with officers. “You really have to have that other layer that’s in there closer to where the officers are working,” she said. McAlister said that a recruitment package would be advertised next week and remain active for about six weeks before an “in-depth” selection process begins. She said the deputy chief should be on staff by mid-January. “It is going to be a long process to bring them on,” she said. While $40,000 will be needed to fund the role until the current fiscal year ends on June 30, 2019, the deputy chief will be paid around $90,000 annually. As the town looks to hire a permanent deputy chief, Dianne Gittins, who retired in April as the City of Alexan-

dria’s deputy police chief, will act as interim deputy chief for the next six months and will be paid up to $45,000 during that time. The town has also hired Emily Johnson as its part-time accreditation manager to ensure that the department remains in compliance with the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission accreditation standards and to update the General Orders Manual as needed. She acted in that same role throughout 2017. Johnson is being paid $35,000 through the end of the current fiscal year. “I think having a solid knowledgeable accreditation manager is what keeps us out of hot water,” McAlister said. The town will also spend $30,000 to pay three consultants from the Virginia Association of the Chiefs of Police to review the department’s General Orders Manual and to implement policy changes. Although July’s report recommendIMPROVEMENTS >> 43

The Last Straw? Loudoun Businesses, Schools Join Campaign to Ditch Plastic BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Businesses, schools and even Northern Virginia’s largest hospital system are among those pointing to science and the environment in their decisions to eliminate the use of plastic drinking straws. In recent months, international corporations, like Starbucks and the Walt Disney Company, became some of the latest to announce their intentions to eliminate plastic drinking straws. They join others, including leaders in several large U.S. cities, who have decided they want to do what they can to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans. Some of these cities have banned the use of plastic drinking straws altogether. Many point to scientific claims, up

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Zach Hampton holds up a straw in the cafeteria at Leesburg Elementary School. Loudoun County’s school system expects to use 600,000 fewer straws this year, now that straws are only available by request at its middle and high schools.

for debate, that by 2050 plastics in the oceans will outnumber marine life. Straws are thought by some not to be the end game in eliminating plastic pollution, but a small step in changing habits and lessening the use of plastics altogether. Since plastic is not biodegradable and does not decompose quickly, it tends to often end up in landfills or the ocean. With China’s recent announcement that it will ban the import of non-industrial plastic waste, both the U.S. and many businesses and organizations may have to get used to creative recycling solutions. Locally, King Street Oyster Bar, with locations in Leesburg and Middleburg, is among the first of Loudoun’s small JUMP TO >> 43

INDEX Loudoun Gov.......................... 4 Leesburg................................ 8 Education............................. 12 Public Safety........................ 14 Real Estate/Home Improvement................... 15-22 Biz....................................... 26 Our Towns............................ 24 LoCo Living.......................... 30 Obituaries............................ 36 Public and Legal Notices...... 37 Classifieds........................... 38 Opinion................................ 40

Left, Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister and Sgt. Mike Owens examine the locker space in the department headquarters, which was intended as a temporary location when officers moved there in 2005. Above, a portion of the cubicle space at the Purcellville Police Department’s headquarters will soon be converted into room for 12 secure lockers to safely store ballistic vests and weapons.

[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

[ BRIEFS ]

October 18, 2018

Loudoun County

The county’s new website design.

County Government Seeks Feedback on New Website

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

County finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) works on the first draft of the current budget year’s capital improvement program. Supervisors are looking ahead to a tighter budget next year.

Supervisors Brace for Tough Budget Choices

BY RENSS GREENE

ounty supervisors have issued the first guidance on what is arguably the biggest vote they take each year: the county budget. And they expect to have to make some tough choices next spring. The board’s finance committee unanimously recommended county budget staff return to supervisors with spending recommendations based on the equalized real estate tax rate—the tax rate, usually lower, at which the dollar amount paid on the average Loudoun home remains the same despite fluctuating home values—along with options for a 2-cent rate increase or decrease. This year’s real estate tax rate is $1.085 per $100 of assessed value. At

this point, county budget staff has estimated next year’s equalized real estate tax rate will be $1.065. That number often changes between preliminary estimates and the time of the board’s budget vote in April after assessment changes are finalized. But particularly in the capital improvement program, the part of the county budget that includes major construction projects like new roads and schools, Loudoun’s coffers have increasingly felt the strain of rapid growth in one the most expensive areas in the country. Already, many projects come in over budget, in part because of a saturated construction market driving contractors’ prices up even faster than expected. Director of Management and Budget Erin McLellan said it would be “a

very challenging year” for the capital budget. Loudoun supervisors will have little room for accelerating projects without pushing something else back. “We are basically maxed out on our [debt] capacity, so any movements are probably going to require a trade-off,” McLellan said. That could be particularly difficult as the School Board, seeing the pace of growth slow overall but faster-than-expected growth in southeastern Loudoun, is expected to ask to move up some new schools in the construction schedule. “This year maybe a little bit different, where an acceleration may actually cause us to have to look at county projects in order to accommodate it,” BUDGET >> 7

Medicaid Expansion Means More County Gov’t Staffers in Loudoun BY RENSS GREENE The General Assembly’s decision to expand Medicaid eligibility greatly increased the amount of federal money the state will get for the program— but will end up costing the Loudoun County government, which needs to hire nine new positions to cover the increased workload. The Virginia Department of Social Services and the Department of Medical Assistance Services’ have estimated that Loudoun County will see about 5,800 new Medicaid participants, about 25 percent of Loudoun’s uninsured population. According to county staff members, that will mean a 22 percent increase in the total number of Medicaid cases managed by the county Department of Family Services. “It’s going to be a significant lift for us,” Family Services Director Glen-

da Blake said during a briefing of the Board of Supervisor’s finance committee last week. To handle that caseload, Blake said her department will need nine new hands on deck. Those would include benefit workers, a benefit supervisor, a benefits trainer, eligibility screeners, and administrative support. That would maintain the department’s average caseload of 725 cases per worker. In the first year of the program, the state will cover the full cost of the expansion, sending the county $712,173. In the future, however, the county will be required to fund 15.5 percent of those positions, a standard local match for positions administering state programs. That comes to $110,386.82 in new county funding—although County Administrator Tim Hemstreet cautioned any calculation would be an estimate, as county employees typically

receive annual raises, and the county is also in the middle of reviewing its pay structures. County staff members have estimated the county will need about $125,000 for its local match in its next budget. And Blake said there are other costs to those new hires. “It’s not like you can hire people and they can get to work the next day,” Blake said. “The state has a required amount of training for every person who has a benefits job.” Those people have to leave the county for their training, taking them out of the office on a workday to receive their face-to-face state-mandated training. Blake said she has asked the state for “a technological solution” so that her employees are not taken out of the office for a full day. MEDICAID EXPENSION >> 7

Over the past year, the Loudoun County Government has been working to design a new website. Now the county is seeking public feedback on the new design. “The community’s perspective will be important to us as we make final changes to the site before it launches later this fall,” said Deputy Public Affairs and Communications Officer Mary Frances Forcier, who is leading the website redesign project. “We encourage Loudoun residents and business owners to provide comments and share their perspectives by taking a quick survey.” The county’s goal is to make finding information and completing tasks easier for visitors to the new website. The new website will include responsive design for any device, including smartphones and tablets. It will also include a revised site structure, with a focus on new topic-level pages to highlight some of the most important, resident-focused information. The county held user-testing sessions this summer during the early stages of developing the new website. The website is the county’s primary communication tool, providing access information about county services and programs and allowing people to complete a broad range of online business transactions. The county’s current website, which was designed in 2012, received more than 2.6 million visits in 2017. The survey is online at www. loudoun.gov/WebsiteSurvey.

Loudoun Observes Disability Employment Awareness Month; Presents Awards The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the talents of people with disabilities and employers that hire them. In conjunction with the proclamation, the Board of SuperviBRIEFS >> 6

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet.

As the chief administrative officer of Loudoun County, Hemstreet is active in a number of collaborative efforts across the National Capital Region, including the Council of Governments. Hemstreet serves as chairman of the council’s Homeland Security Executive

Committee, which is responsible for regional emergency planning and setting priorities for spending the region’s share of federal homeland security funding. “Tim Hemstreet has been a fantastic leader and Administrator for Loudoun County, and we are glad that the entire Washington region has been able to benefit from his expertise,” said county Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who also serves as chairman of the council’s Board of Directors. “This award is well deserved and a fitting tribute for his work to bring the region together on critical public safety and homeland security issues, which are among our most fundamental responsibilities in government.” Hemstreet has been Loudoun’s county administrator since 2009. He oversees more than 5,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees in a county with an annual budget of $2.6 billion. Significant decisions made by the Board of Supervisors during Hemstreet’s tenure include the decision to extend Metrorail’s Silver Line into Loudoun County, a large expansion in transportation infrastructure projects, reform of the Fire and Rescue Service System, and legislation designed to enhance the county’s position as a preferred destination for top employers. Hemstreet was presented with the 2018 Visionary Leadership Award during the institute’s graduation ceremony on Oct. 12.

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Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet has received the 2018 Visionary Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Institute for Regional Excellence. The annual award recognizes top government leaders for their career achievements and outstanding contributions to the region and their home jurisdictions.

Purcellville

5 October 18, 2018

Hemstreet Selected for COG’s Visionary Leadership Award

October 18, 2018

Boy Scouts Run Mock Board Meeting

[ BRIEFS ] << FROM 4

BY RENSS GREENE Members of Boy Scout Troop 1174 in South Riding were disappointed when they arrived just as a brief Board of Supervisors public hearing was wrapping up last week, but they may have done one better. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) invited the scouts to take seats at the empty dais, walking them through the order of a Board of Supervisors public hearing and vote. The scouts debated the merits of a highway and a playground near a school, voting down the highway and approving the playground in a split vote. Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) approached the podium to provide input often heard at public hearings, complaining of the idea of a 300-foot-tall playground near his backyard.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County supervisors recognize National Disability Employment Month with representatives of the Disability Services Board, Jersey Mike’s in Purcellville and Giant Food in Leesburg.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) leads members of Boy Scout Troop 1174 through a mock Board of Supervisors meeting.

Loudoun Issues Demo Order, Arrest Warrant for Blighted Building BY RENSS GREENE Loudoun County supervisors are using their newly adopted blight ordinance to take down a building in Chantilly—while the Fire Marshal has issued an arrest warrant for the person who owns it. The target is the United Rentals Building at 43910 Eastgate View Drive. The ordinance, adopted in October 2017, gives the local government authority to tear down the building and charge the property owner for the cost. County contractor Madigan Construction estimated that cost at $373,274. This is the first time the Board of Supervisors is enforcing its newly strengthened

blight ordinance. According to county staff members, the property has been the site of at least four fires since November 2016. It has also been the site of numerous Sheriff ’s Office calls, including suspicious activity complaints, building checks, and a parking violation. “This property has been truly a blight on the citizens of Loudoun and Dulles South for as long as I’ve lived here,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “We have made numerous efforts to try to work with the property owner to improve this property, to eventually have them demolish it, and thus far those have been unsuccessful.”

The owner has said he hired a contractor and was pursuing demolition permits. Meanwhile, Fire Marshal Linda Hale has issued an arrest warrant for the building’s owner, Anthony DeSantis of New Jersey. County staff members say they advised the owner in May that a door had been pried open, and the building should be secured again. After a fire July 19, the fire marshal ordered the owner to secure the structure. After two such orders produced no result, the fire marshal issued a warrant for his arrest on a class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, DeSantis faces a fine or a jail term of up to 12 months. Hale said the county has been in contact with DeSantis, who is out of state, and has plans to meet with him. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Zoning Administrator Wins Top Award The Virginia Association of Zoning Officials has recognized Loudoun County Zoning Administrator Mark Stultz with the Administrator of the Year Award, the organization’s highest honor. The criteria for the award includes “performing with a clear, concise knowledge on policy, procedures, code interpretation, and enforcement,” and demonstrating “the highest level of leadership, integrity and professionalism.” Stultz started work with the county in 1995 as a planner in the Zoning Administration Division and was appointed deputy zoning administrator in 1999. He has served as Loudoun County zoning administrator since July 2015, following his appointment as interim zoning administrator in December 2014. He is also an assistant director for the Department of Planning and Zoning. Since becoming zoning administra-

tor, Stultz has overseen more than 20 amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. He holds several professional certifications including certified zoning official, certified zoning administrator and certified planner. “Mark is a valuable resource for the Loudoun County government and the community,” said Assistant County Administrator Kenny Young, who is currently serving as acting director of Planning and Zoning. “He leads a staff of more than two dozen people in the Zoning Administration Division who are continually working to ensure the Zoning Ordinance meets the needs of the county.” The Virginia Association of Zoning officials provides professional development and support for zoning administration and enforcement officials in the Commonwealth. More information about the organization is online at vazo.org.

Loudoun County

Loudoun County Zoning Administrator Mark Stultz.

sors and the Loudoun County Disability Services Board presented two Full Accessibility and Inclusion: Moving Toward Equality or FAIME Awards. The awards, which were presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting Oct. 2, recognize local employers for their commitment to hire, accommodate and promote employees with disabilities. This year’s winners, Jersey Mike’s Subs in Purcellville and Giant Food in Leesburg, were chosen from nearly a dozen businesses that were nominated through the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce. Employees at Jersey Mike’s in Purcellville are learning sign language and the business has purchased American Sign Language books for employees so that they can better communicate with an assistant manager trainee who has a hearing loss. Employees at Giant Food in Leesburg serve as mentors and trainers to their fellow employees with disabilities who work a variety of positions, including in customer service, as cashiers, bagging groceries, retrieving carts and other jobs behind the scenes. The FAIME awards, which are an annual initiative of the Disability Services Board, honor businesses and organizations in Loudoun County that display a strong commitment to hiring people with disabilities and demonstrate full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. The Disability Services Board is an at-large advisory body appointed by the Board of Supervisors, which identifies and advises on issues of importance to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers to help make Loudoun an accessible and inclusive community for all. More information is online at www.loudoun.gov/dsb.

Budget

Medicaid expansion << FROM 4 The new positions will go into the department’s Benefits Unit, which is already funded for 38.5 full-time equivalent positions and handles Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and the Energy Assistance Program. Under the new state legislation, that unit will also be responsible for the new Training, Education, Employment, and Opportunity Program, which requires every able-bodied, working age adult to work or be enrolled in training or education for a certain number of hours a month. The Medicaid expansion was adopted after months of deadlock on the state budget. In May, the General Assembly passed a compromise bill based on negotiations between two Republican committee chairmen, Sen. Emmet W. Hanger Jr. (R-24), co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee; and Del. S. Chris Jones (R-76), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. It implements the Affordable Care Act in Virginia by covering all adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty lev-

rgreene@loudounnow.com

el, estimated at 300,000 people. Those above the federal poverty level—this year set at an annual income of $25,100 for a family of four—would pay premiums on a sliding scale. In so doing, it also opens Virginia up to greatly expanded federal funding—rather than a 50/50 split on Medicaid funding, the federal government will fund 90 percent of Medicaid costs. In the first year of the expansion, the federal government pays for all Medicaid spending. The Medicaid expansion is a hallmark of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Virginia was the 33rd state to accept the expansion. This year’s state budget bill won support from every Loudoun state representative except Del. Dave A. LaRock (R-33) and Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13). The county saw a Democratic surge in its recent elections, leaving LaRock, Black and Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27) as the last state Republicans with district territory in Loudoun. Vogel was later censured by the Loudoun County Republican Committee for her vote in favor of Medicaid expansion. On Oct. 9, the finance committee voted unanimously to recommend the full board authorize those nine new positions.

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McLellan said. But the operational budget—which covers everything from gas for county cars to paychecks for employees— could feel pressure as well. That budget grows every year as a natural result of pay raises, growing staffing numbers, and growing county departments as the population itself continues to grow. But the county is also continuing work to update its job descriptions and pay scales after finding itself understaffed and its employees underpaid. Finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said that project needs to be first priority. “That may come at the expense of some other things, but I think that that really needs to happen more than anything,” Letourneau said. Other supervisors agreed. “I would obviously hope that we do not sacrifice other county programs

7 October 18, 2018

<< FROM 4

or positions, because I think that our staff is already understaffed and overstretched and too thin,” said County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). But board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) also expressed skepticism about early projections of the School Board’s budget request. “Their increase is as much as the request they made last year, but I will say their enrollment growth is significantly less this year based on the new counts than it was last year,” Buona said. “So they’re going to need to tell us why they need as big an increase going into next year as they asked for last year.” “Coming into this budget cycle, I hear what staff is saying,” Letorneau said. “We can’t do all these things and then expect to not have to pay for them.” The finance committee’s recommendation now goes to the full Board of Supervisors.

October 18, 2018

[ LEESBURG ]

Candidates Share Platforms Ahead of Election Day

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ ith Election Day less than a month away, candidates for Leesburg Town Council seats had an opportunity to share their campaign platforms and visions for the town before a packed house at the Leesburg Senior Center on Monday night. The three candidates for mayor, as well as four of the five vying for three Town Council seats on the ballot, participated in the League of Women Voters-organized forum. The lone absence was Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox, running for re-election for a second four-year term. Fox had to make an unexpected early trip to Idaho for the birth of her first grandchild. The concerns about increased partisanship on the council and questions about whether town elections, which under state law are nonpartisan, should move from November back to May were raised by audience members during the 90-minute forum moderated by Loudoun Now Publisher Norman K. Styer. Several candidates said they would be in favor of moving the elections back to May. Although lower turnout would be expected, many said they felt the elections then were far less partisan when not lumped in with November’s general elections. But some defended their decision to seek a party endorsement. “I am not ashamed to say I accepted the endorsement of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee,” council candidate Neil Steinberg said. “By accepting the endorsement, I got an army of people that know more about running campaigns than I do. Getting there is the hardest part and it takes a lot of work. Trying to do it by yourself would be virtually impossible.” Steinberg said he would not be in favor of moving the elections back to May, as staffing polling locations for non-November elections costs the town a significant amount of money.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Candidates for both the mayor’s seat and the three council seats on the Nov. 6 ballot shared their viewpoints with a packed house at the Leesburg Senior Center on Monday night.

Mayoral candidate Ron Campbell, a current sitting council member who won his first council term in 2016, said the partisanship on the council can be problematic. Campbell sought and received the support of the LCDC two years ago, but did not seek party endorsement for his mayoral bid. “People refuse to talk to each other because of the party they belong to. I’ve received criticism from the Democratic committee for talking to Republicans. It’s ridiculous when we need to get the people’s business done that it can come to that level,” he said. The issue was also addressed by Fox’s

husband Bill, who read statements to the audience on her behalf. “[Suzanne] has decided to take on the motto ‘principles not partisanship.’ She’s made a genuine effort to live by this motto. This approach has served her well. You can ask anyone who’s served with her she is a principled problem solver, a ridiculously hard worker and a great advocate and representative for her constituents,” he said. In her first bid for council in 2014, Fox sought and received the endorsement of the Loudoun County Republican Committee. She did not seek an endorsement this year. “I think it’s important now more than ever to improve

our quality of discourse. I believe people want leaders who are … productive. I think we’ve seen too many examples lately of government bodies plagued with divisiveness and dysfunction,” she said in a statement. Candidates were also asked what council accomplishments they were most proud of, and what they believed could have been done better or differently. Mayor Kelly Burk, running for her second mayoral term, said she was proud of the council voting to deny the controversial Meadowbrook commercial application over the summer. In terms of “do-overs” she said she wished she had not supported the creation of the Economic Development Steering Committee. That committee was formed following the spring 2017 budget deliberations at the suggestion of Campbell, one of her two challengers, to look at updates to the economic development section of the Town Plan and formulate recommendations. Burk criticized both the money spent on the facilitator, who largely did not run the meetings herself, as well as on staff time spent on the endeavor. “I regret that I supported that,” she said. Although not currently on the council, candidate Kari Nacy said she was proud of the council’s decision last week to support the HHHunt application to construct a memory care facility on Morven Park Road. She, along with incumbent Vanessa Maddox, said she would like to see some better collaboration between the town and Loudoun County. Development was also a key question posed to candidates. In particular, they were asked to share their viewpoints on the potential development of both the Westpark Golf Club and Rogers Farm. Nacy said the potential development of the golf course was one of the big drivers in her decision to run for council. She noted the golf course is literally in her backyard as a resident of the CANDIDATES >> 10

[ BRIEFS ] Police Appreciation Day Thursday This Thursday, Oct. 18, marks the annual Leesburg Police Appreciation Day. The town government will place blue ribbons on trees in front of town facilities and parks. Residents, schools, and businesses are encouraged to show their support for the Leesburg Police by tying blue ribbons around trees in their yards or on their mailboxes and wearing blue as an additional sign of support and appreciation. “Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” says Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk. “Police Appreciation Day gives us the opportunity to come together as a community to say ‘thank you’ to these dedicated men and women.” Members of the public are also in-

vited to write thank you notes or letters of encouragement and drop them off at the police department, 65 Plaza Street NE, in Leesburg, for all department staff to enjoy. Any images shared to social media should reference #LPDappreciation.

Semmes, Mason to Testify on Behalf of Town Two former town employees will testify on Leesburg’s behalf in an upcoming trial determining ownership of a stormwater management dam. Former public works director Tom Mason and Martha Mason Semmes, who formerly served as the town’s planning and zoning director, have been tapped by the Town Council to serve as witnesses to testify on the town’s behalf at a deposition requested by the Exeter

homeowner’s association. The town is set to go to trial with its largest HOA in February over ownership of its stormwater management dam. While both sides agree that the dam falls on HOA property, dispute remains as to whether the town or the HOA is on the hook for repairs or enhancements to the dam. Currently, the state of Virginia has required that the dam be brought into compliance with state regulations since it is considered a high-hazard dam. The price tag for those upgrades is in the neighborhood of $1 million and does not include annual maintenance costs. According to a staff report, the two former town employees have been identified as having the “requisite knowledge” to testify on the town’s behalf. Semmes served as the town’s planning and zoning director in the 1980s

and recently retired as Middleburg’s town administrator. Mason was hired with the town in 1985 and retired from the position of public works director in 2016. He currently serves as a flexible, part-time employee with Leesburg. The witnesses will be paid $75/hour for their time. The three-day trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 25, 2019.

Longtime Employees Honored Some of the town’s longest-tenured employees received recognition recently. During the annual Employee Service Awards ceremony, more than 80 employees were honored for achieving five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years of service. Public Works Assistant SuBRIEFS >> 10

Despite Opposition, Council OKs Memory Care Facility

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Strong neighborhood opposition to the project did not deter the Leesburg Town Council from approving construction of a memory care assisted living facility on Morven Park Road. The council voted 4-2-1 on Oct. 9, with Councilman Tom Dunn absent, to approve HHHunt’s Leesburg Cottages. The 5.52-acre site is zoned for residential development, but a special exception was needed to allow an assisted living facility on the land. The project will consist of three buildings, with two 14,150-square-foot structures with 24 beds each for residents and a 1,600-square-foot office. Sixty-eight parking spaces will be included onsite. While neighbors and council members agreed on the need for services to care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, in Leesburg, the debate boiled down to location. “At the end of the day, these are commercial buildings buried in a residenSubmitted photo tial neighborhood,” Ayr Street resident HHHunt received approval to erect a 48-bed memory care facility off Morven Park Road. Dave Donald said. Many Morven Park Road residents turned out to last week’s council meeting, largely opposed to the project. “We feel the vibrancy of our com- the neighbors voiced a preference for They pointed to nearby Heritage Hall munity is worth preserving,” Morven more houses over the memory care fanursing home and Inova Loudoun’s Park Road resident Nancy Morgan cility, despite studies that say the new Cornwall campus, both of which al- said. “None of us feel this is the right homes would generate more traffic ready produce significant amounts of place.” than the Leesburg Cottages project. 24/7 noise and traffic impacting their The R-4 zoning on the property The project also maintains 60 percent neighborhood. Allowing a commercial would allow for the by-right develop- of the site as open space, something use next door to homes is less than ide- ment of about 14 single-family homes, which would not occur with by-right 25184 Loudoun NOW 2018.ai 1 10/5/18 AM al and could impact property values, Scott 11:51 Parker, town senior planning development, HHHunt’s representasome said. project manager, said. At least some of tive Packie Crown noted.

“[That’s] a phenomenal number,” Mayor Kelly Burk said. Burk pointed to the Crescent Parke development, currently under construction, to underscore her point. “Go look at the site behind the Food Lion and see what they’ve done. There isn’t a tree to be left. This is an opportunity to preserve and keep trees that will be the buffer you’re looking for. To me, to put 14 homes there would be horrible for you all,” she said in addressing residents at the meeting. David and Renee Pillor were two neighbors to speak up in support of the project. They noted their home shares a boundary with the Leesburg Cottages property and the commercial use would be less impactful than adding more than a dozen homes to the street. The two also pointed out that locating a memory care facility in Leesburg could save many families from having to travel far to visit loved ones. “On many levels this is an improvement,” Renee Pillor said. Councilmen Josh Thiel and Ron Campbell were the two dissenting votes on the application. Both cited the incompatible location of the facility and resident opposition to it. “I do strongly believe this is something the town needs a facility for, but the question is: is the location correct? The problem I’m having is, we’re turning a residential neighborhood into a commercial/residential facility,” Thiel said.

October 18, 2018

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

[ BRIEFS ]

October 18, 2018

<< FROM 8

The Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company’s Station 20 on Plaza Street will soon be expanded to allow extra space for its staff and volunteers, as well as extra room for equipment.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

New Lease Paves Way for Fire Station Expansion BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ With the ink dry on a new lease between the Town of Leesburg and the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company, dirt can now move on plans to expand the Plaza Street fire station. Council members last week signed off on a ground lease of the 61 Plaza Street property. More than 20 years ago, in March 1996, the town and LVFC signed a letter of intent providing that the town would lease 1.5 acres to the fire company for the purpose of providing fire and rescue services. For whatever reason, Town Attorney Barbara Notar said, a lease agreement

Candidates << FROM 8 Country Club neighborhood. “The biggest thing I’ve heard from the citizens of Leesburg is slow down the residential development, give us a break, let us have a breather,” she said. “I understand we don’t have any control over people’s private property. But what we do have control over is rolling up our sleeves, doing the hard work, meeting with staff, meeting with the developer so when it does come across council’s desk it’s something that everyone wanted; it isn’t a surprise.” Councilman Tom Dunn, re-elected to his council seat two years ago but now challenging Burk in his third bid for mayor, said that opposition to the Meadowbrook application showed that neighboring residents did not want the commercial development eyed for that area. Other areas of town, however, would prefer commercial over residential, he said. Perhaps another look at the Town Plan is needed to determine what the best zoning for remaining vacant land is, he suggested. “Government does have the ability to rezone properties,” Dunn told the audience. Burk called the potential development of the Rogers Farm property a “heartbreaker.” She suggested that the council could explore putting a historic overlay on a part of the property to save some of the historic structures, like had

was never negotiated or executed so the town and the fire company have been operating under the letter of intent ever since. But, with Loudoun County submitting an application to the town last year to expand the fire station, the Department of Plan Review required as part of site plan approval that an applicant have a legal right to be on the property. Hence, the need for a signed lease, Notar said. Current plans call for an additional 7,162 square feet to be added to Station 20. The new space will provide space for bunks, lockers and an exercise room; a kitchen and dining

space; a dayroom; and apparatus day support. The lease will be for 40 years, the maximum allowed for towns and cities in Virginia, under state code and the Virginia Constitution. The nominal lease fee of $1/year will remain. At the conclusion of the 40 years, the town will own the land and improvements, but a new lease can be negotiated, Notar said. The council approved the lease in a 6-0-1 vote Oct. 9, with Councilman Tom Dunn absent.

previously been done with the Paxton property. But sometimes the council’s hands are tied when it comes to by-right development, some said. “Property owners should have the right to do what they want with their property even if we don’t like it,” Councilman Marty Martinez, vying for his fifth council term, said. The matter of the Eastern Gateway plan, currently before the council for review, was also broached. That area of the town, stretching from River Creek Parkway to the bypass, is eyed as the last frontier for development in the nearly built-out county seat. Some candidates also pointed to needed updates in the Town Plan for guiding future development. “We need to have a vision of what we want Leesburg to look like in 20 years,” Martinez said. Campbell pointed to sections of the Town Plan he called outdated to underscore the need for comprehensive updates. “It says by 2030 we should have over 30,000 jobs created in the Town of Leesburg. I’m not sure how we can fit that. The reality is not an achievable vision. To talk about jobs, jobs, jobs and do nothing about it. … We must change the vision and then have a process and procedures that match that vision,” he said. The protection of historic resources was also a hot topic, with Leesburg lately weighing the future of its ownership of the Sycolin Cemetery.

“We need to be as diligent about protecting African American cemeteries as we are Confederate cemeteries so we make sure we have an unvarnished picture of what history is,” said Steinberg, who noted that state law had long held special protections for Confederate burial sites. Maddox said it was important that Leesburg preserve “American history,” including the legacy of African-Americans in the town. “The matter of protecting historic cemeteries and American history is critically important,” she said. Adequately staffing the town government was also addressed, with Town Manager Kaj Dentler noting in recent budget presentations that significant staffing additions could be needed to meet service levels in future years. Several candidates pointed to the Leesburg Police Department in particular. Maddox pointed to a recent tour she took of the police department, which is planned for a $12 million expansion. “You really need to see how crammed they are in there. There’s no space left,” she said. Several candidates voiced support for adding to the police force, although some were more reluctant to give carte blanche for more staffing increases. “We don’t need to add to staff just for adding to staff ’s sake,” Dunn said, although he voiced support for providing the police with needed resources.

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

perintendent Brian Tribby was honored for his 35 years with the town. Deputy Director of Public Works Charlie Mumaw, Leesburg Master Police Officer Bill Wolff, and Utility Plant Supervisor Rodney Lloyd all celebrated 30 years. “The Service Awards Recognition Ceremony is an annual honor for any town manager, as it is not just an opportunity to recognize our employees for their years of service, but to honor them for providing outstanding service to our residents, businesses, and visitors,” Dentler said. “I am very proud of our employees, and we genuinely appreciate their dedicated service.” Mayor Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox, and Councilman Marty Martinez helped present each employee with a certificate of appreciation during the event. Town employees are recognized annually during Customer Service Week.

Town Wins Budget Award The Town of Leesburg’s budget team added to its hardware yet again, winning the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Award for the 33rd consecutive year. The most recent award was in recognition of the town’s fiscal year 2018 budget document. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award recognizes organizations that meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. Recipients must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget development and presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an organization’s budget serves the multiple roles of policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. Budget documents must be rated as “proficient” or “outstanding” in all four categories, and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. In a statement recognizing the award, Town Manager Kaj Dentler noted that only 8 percent of eligible organizations throughout the county receive the honor. As part of the award, the Department of Finance and Administrative Services was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation. Members of the budget preparation team include Clark Case, director of Finance and Administrative Services; Lisa Haley, deputy director/ treasurer; Jason Cournoyer, management and budget officer; and Cole Fazenbaker, management analyst.

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The Rotary Club of Leesburg on Saturday presented its inaugural Rotary STAR awards in front of a crowd of community and business leaders in the ProJet hangar at Leesburg Executive Airport. The Stanley F. Caulkins Tributes, Awards and Recognition or STAR program is a new fundraiser for the club and recognized leaders in three categories: Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development; Innovation in Economic Development; and Creative Use of Social Media in Economic Development. Caulkins, the long-time club member, World War II airman, and downtown business owner who died in January at the age of 92, provided the inspiration for the event, as well as the concept of awarding leaders in economic development, which he championed during his life. This year’s award winners were Toth Financial, Joe T. May of EIT, and MELT. Tom Toth Sr. and Toth Financial was presented with the Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development Award, for demonstrating consistent outstanding performance in its area of expertise over an extended period of time and benefiting a greater good than personal reward and financial success. The

company was recognized for its support of area organizations with funds, donations, and setting up functions for leaders to discuss their goals and requested assistance. Also, Toth was cited for his efforts to raising funds for the annual Leesburg Airshow and his active work with the town government. May was presented with the Innovation in Economic Development award. The founder of EIT Inc. is an inventor and patent holder who was cited for his work in medical, communications, industrial process control, analytical instrument and aerospace/defense fields. MELT was given the award for Creative Use of Social Media in Economic Development. The popular East Market Street eatery was cited for its innovative use of social media across multiple platforms to gain a competitive edge and to support economic development in Leesburg. Specifically, the restaurant was lauded for landing the best burger and cheap eats accolades on TripAdvisor, exposing the business—and Leesburg—to a worldwide audience. Proceeds from the event, which also included a silent auction and dancing, will be used to support the Rotary Club’s charitable outreach and scholarships.

October 18, 2018

Rotary Club Honors Economic Development STARs

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

October 18, 2018

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Madison’s Trust Elementary in South Riding is one of two elementary schools in the county that’s enrolled more than 200 students this year than planners had projected.

While Some Schools See Enrollment Boom, Growth Slows Elsewhere BY DANIELLE NADLER

“

he growth has surpassed anything we have planned.” That was Loudoun County School Board member Jeff Morse’s assessment when he saw the final enrollment count for the current school year during last week’s meeting. Countywide, 82,485 students have enrolled in Loudoun’s public schools. That’s 1,250 more students than last year. Surprisingly, it is the smallest incremental growth Loudoun’s school system has seen in recent years by far. But much of the county’s population growth has been concentrated in the southern end of the county. Planners expected high enrollment numbers there, but they underestimated just how high. The brand new Goshen Post Elementary School off Braddock Road opened with 1,140 students. That’s 227 more students than expected, and 180 students more than the building was de-

signed to hold. Five miles north, the one-year-old Madison’s Trust Elementary has enrolled 1,225 students this year. That’s 87 more than projected and 219 more than the building’s capacity. “In the elementary schools, we significantly underestimated enrollment,” Morse told planners when they delivered the news at the Oct. 9 School Board meeting. “We’re going to have to look at options for those areas because those schools cannot contain any more children.” Concerns about overcrowded schools hit close to home for Morse. The Dulles District, which he represents, has seen students move in faster than schools can be built. Morse said the only option he can see at this point, aside from redrawing attendance boundaries, is expanding existing buildings. “Short of having any boundary changes, that’s the only lever I see that we have left,” he said. In response, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Kevin Lewis

said he wasn’t prepared at this point to give details of his staff ’s plans to provide more classroom space in the south. But, he noted, the School Board did save space in its Capital Improvement Program for six three-classroom additions. The CIP serves as a six-year planning document for the school system’s capital projects. Lewis said he and Superintendent Eric Williams would present their recommendations for which campuses should get those additions when they present the full CIP for fiscal years 2020-2025 at the Oct. 23 meeting. Planners’ enrollment estimates were closer for the middle and high schools, where the rate of growth slowed slightly. Secondary schools that have been stretched in recent years actually will get some relief this year, in part because of the opening of Willard Intermediate School. Stone Hill Middle School counted 1,017 students, 123 below the projections and 361 below the building’s capacity. Rock Ridge High School count-

ed 2,225 students, 63 less than expected and 177 below capacity. John Champe High School has enrolled 1,656 students—78 fewer students than expected with room for 548 more in the building. With the latest numbers in hand, planners also presented their best guess for enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year, a number Williams will use to help craft his operating budget for next year. They expect 1,277 more students next year to bring the countywide enrollment to 83,762. Although the population boom has hit one part of the county particularly hard, overall the rate of growth is slowing throughout the county. The growth in the past year is the smallest jump the county has seen in several years. The division grew by 2,603 students from fall 2013 to 2014 (73,461); by 2,802 from fall 2014 to 2015 (76,263); by 2,738 from fall 2015 to 2016 (79,001); and by 2,555 from fall 2016 to 2017. dnadler@loudounnow.com

Students, Parents Charged with Naming New Alternative Education Center BY DANIELLE NADLER School leaders want to get students, teachers, parents and even historians to weigh in on what Loudoun’s alternative education center should be named. The Loudoun County School Board voted last week to appoint 17 to a naming committee. The group will come up with a final recommendation for what the site at 715 Childrens Center Road SW in Leesburg should be called. For 40 years, that campus has been home to the C.S. Monroe Technology

Center. But this school year, the center’s programs have moved to the new Academies of Loudoun campus on Sycolin Road and are operating under the new name Monroe Advanced Technology Academy, or MATA. The building on Childrens Center Road will be torn down and replaced with a two-story, 91,000-square-foot building to house the county’s alternative education programs that have for years operated out of Douglass School on East Market Street. Senior staff members initially sug-

gested calling the new facility Charles S. Monroe Education Center, but School Board members said they’d prefer to keep Monroe as the identity of the county’s vocational and technical programs and come up with a new name for the Childrens Center Road site. The naming committee includes three Douglass School students, two Douglass School parents, two Douglass School staff members, as well as James Hershman Jr. of the Thomas Balch Library Commission, and Atoosa Reaser

of the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee. Each School Board member also appointed a representative to the committee. They are: Suzanne Fox (Jill Turgeon’s nominee), Andrew Hoyler (Joy Maloney nominee), Kevin Kuesters, (Eric Hornberger’s nominee), Mark McElroy (Tom Marshall’s nominee), Neil McNerney (Brenda Sheridan’s nominee), Joseph Newcomer (DeKenipp’s nominee), Donna Shackleford ALT. EDUCATION CENTER >> 13

[ SCHOOL NOTES ]

The theater departments in Loudoun County’s 15 public high schools are in rehearsal to bring audience members a repertoire of entertainment, ranging from classic dramas to lighthearted musicals. The shows range from classics like “The Great Gatsby” and “Romeo and Juliet” to new twists on old favorites like “Alicia in Wonderland.” Show times can be found on each high school’s website. Tickets for each show can be purchased on those same websites or at the door. The productions in alphabetical order of the schools are: “Romeo and Juliet” at Briar Woods High School Oct. 25, 26, 27, 28; “The

Special Ed Ad Hoc Committee Asks for More Time The Loudoun County School Board has agreed to give the ad hoc committee on special education additional time to complete its work. The board created the panel in April after the school system faced scrutiny over allegations that discipline of special education students had included leaving them in isolation rooms for hours at a time. The 26-member committee is tasked with taking a deeper look at how Loudoun County Public Schools serves special education students.

The committee—made up of School Board members, parents, school administrators, and members of the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Council, the Special Education Advisory Council, and the Gifted Services Advisory Council—first met in June and has since met twice a month. It was initially asked to deliver recommendations to the full board no later than Nov. 30. But members asked for more time. School Board member Beth Huck (At Large), who chairs the committee, said that all 16 of the committee members present at the Sept. 20 meeting voted unanimously to request more time to complete their work. The School Board is expected to vote at its Oct. 23 meeting to extend the committee’s existence through June 2019.

Alt. Education Center << FROM 12 (Debbie Rose’s nominee) and Ram Venkatachalam (Beth Huck’s nominee). School Board members asked the committee to come up with a name that captures the variety of alternative education programs that will be housed on the campus. Those alternative education programs provide smaller class sizes and more support for students who may face anxiety in larger school settings or need to make up credits ahead of graduation. The new building will also house the county’s substance abuse education courses, for students caught using illegal substances, and daytime and evening adult education classes. “I think there is more misunderstanding about what goes on at Douglass School than any other school in Loudoun County,” Turgeon (Blue Ridge) said during a meeting last month. “This really could be an opportunity to open the eyes of the community about what goes on at Douglass— or whatever the name of the school will be.” Construction on the new building is expected to begin in the spring of 2020, with the building ready to welcome students by the fall of 2021. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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School Theater Departments Open Fall Season

Putnam County Spelling Bee” at Tuscarora High School Nov. 7-10; and “Just So” at Woodgrove High School Nov. 8-11 and 16.

October 18, 2018

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Crystal Claros and Seth Cooper perform during a dress rehearsal for “Ghost” at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn.

Great Gatsby” at Broad Run High School Nov. 8-11; “Our Town” at Dominion High School Nov. 15-18; “The Wind in the Willows” at Freedom High School Nov. 8-10; “Alice in Wonderland” at Heritage High School Nov. 8-11 and 15-17; “The Giver” at John Champe High School Nov. 1517; “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at Loudoun County High School Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1; “Rosie the Riveter” at Loudoun Valley High School Dec. 6-9; “Alicia in Wonderland” at Park View High School Nov. 16-18; “Fools” at Potomac Falls High School Nov. 16-18; “Shrek: The Musical” at Rock Ridge High School Oct. 19-20 and 2527; “Fractured Fairy Tales” at Riverside High School Nov. 16-17; “Radium Girls” at Stone Bridge High School Nov. 8-10 and 15-17; “25th Annual

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

October 18, 2018

Investigation Continues into Alleged Sexual Assault at Tuscarora High School

BY DANIELLE NADLER Detectives investigating an alleged sexual assault involving football players at Tuscarora High School were expected to finish interviewing potential suspects and witnesses in the case Tuesday. Leesburg Police Department and Loudoun County Public Schools confirmed last week that they are investigating an alleged assault that reportedly took place in the Tuscarora High School locker room and involved several football players. The school district declined to give additional details, other than it became aware of the allegation on Friday, Oct. 5. “At this point in the investigation, Leesburg police have not determined what charges, if any, will be sought regarding this incident,” the district said in a statement. Leesburg Police launched an investigation into the assault Oct. 5, four days after the assault allegedly took place. In a prepared statement sent to members of the media Friday, Superintendent Eric Williams said if the al-

At this point in the investigation, Leesburg police have not determined what charges, if any, will be sought regarding this incident.” — Loudoun County Public Schools Statement legations of sexual assault are true, the behavior will not be tolerated and will result in serious disciplinary consequences, including expulsion. He also asked people to avoid spreading rumors about the incident. “Out of sensitivity to those involved, and to the larger school community, we encourage everyone to refrain from speculation and from passing on the

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Authorities are investigating accusations that a sexual assault took place in the Tuscarora High School locker room.

speculation of others,” he said. The statement continues to say there is no indication that the alleged incident involves wrongdoing by more than three students. It also said that there is no indication that students’ safety is still threatened. “Based on the information available to LCPS, including information received from the Leesburg Police Department, we are confident that students are safe and that normal school activities can continue,” it states. “Should circumstances change, this decision will be reviewed.” Williams’ statement follows an emailed message to parents from Tuscarora Principal Pam Croft on Oct. 11. After she and other administrators were criticized for how they handled the situation, Croft defended the decision to allow the football team to continue to play its game on Oct. 5, the day

school administrators say they became aware of the reported assault. “First, let me say that the alleged incident that has gained so much attention in traditional and social media is isolated and involved a very small number of students. It is not indicative of the Husky football program, its players or Coach Wheelbarger and his staff,” she wrote. “I feel it is inappropriate and unfair to penalize all students of the program for the alleged actions of a few.” She also urged people to stop speculating and spreading false information about the alleged assault. “I would ask those purporting to tell ‘the true story’ through social media and other means stop and consider the care and time that must be taken to ensure fairness and proper consequences for all involved in this alleged incident.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ SAFETY BRIEFS ] Handgun Seller Robbed in Hamilton

Cab Passenger Caught with Stolen Credit Card

Loudoun deputies are looking for two suspects who allegedly took a handgun from a man in Hamilton last Tuesday. The victim reported that he was attempting to sell a handgun in front of a Sydnor Street home just after 9:30 p.m. Oct. 9 when two males arrived, grabbed him and stole the weapon. The suspects fled in a black sedan. One was described as a black male in his late 30s, 6-foot, 1-inch to 6-foot, 2-inches tall with a beard and a short haircut. He was wearing a grey and yellow sweatshirt with grey sweatpants. The second suspect was described as a white male, possibly high-school aged. He was wearing a white shirt with an unidentified logo and blue jeans.

After a Chantilly woman allegedly used a someone else’s credit card to pay for a cab ride, she faces a host of criminal charges. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, deputies were called to the area of Taylorstown Road and Barnhouse Place near Lucketts at 8 p.m. Monday to investigate the cab driver’s complaint that Melanie M. Neal, 23, of Chantilly, had presented a fraudulent credit card to pay the fare. During the course of the investigation, they discovered that she was in possession of stolen credit cards and identification. She was arrested and charged with credit card theft/fraud, petit larceny, defrauding a cab driver, and hindering. She was being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

Tight Inventory Curbs Home Sales, Hikes Prices

Source: Dulles Area Association of Realtors/GMU Center for Regional Analysis

Median sales prices continue to increase, jumping 5 percent last month compared to September 2017.

that’s attributed mainly to detached homes, which increased from 24 days on the market in September 2017 to 29 days last month. The median days on the market for condos also increased, rising from 14 days in September of 2017 to 16 days in September of 2018. Townhouses sold faster, in an average of 12 days. Homes sold faster than last year in eight of Loudoun’s 11 ZIP code areas, led by 16-day declines in both Purcellville and Great Falls. The decline in the number of September closed sales was the largest year-over-year decline since November 2013. Read the full report at dullesarea.com.

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The continuing decline in inventory has resulted in fewer home sales and higher prices in the Loudoun County market, according to an analysis of September data prepared by George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis for the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. Among the highlight of the report are that the 1,240 active listings in September were the fewest September listings in more than a decade and that the year-over-year decline in the number of monthly active listings continues the trend that began in July 2015. The low inventory is likely to continue, as new listings declined 24.7 percent from August and 9.8 percent from September 2017. The 619 new listings in September were 14 percent below the five-year average for the month. That’s all good news for home sellers. The low inventory resulted in increases to median sales prices pushed the share of the original list price received to new heights. Countywide, the median sales price increased to $485,000, a 5 percent increase over last year and the highest September price in more than a decade. Sellers received 98.2 percent of their original list price, 0.8 percentage points higher than the September five-year average. Although only 430 sales closed in September—16.8 percent fewer than last year—most homes sell quickly. The median days on the market was 19 days in September 2018. That is a three-day increase from 2017, but

October 18, 2018

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October 18, 2018

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Despite a strong local economy, some homebuyers may be sidelined by the mortgage application process and lean inventory, reports the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors. “Although Northern Virginia sellers remain in the driver’s seat, our September data regarding rising home values is a positive indicator to those wondering about market headwinds,” stated 2018 NVAR Chairman of the Board Lorraine Arora. She pointed out that the average

price increase of nearly 4 percent and the 3 percent rise in median sales price provide an encouraging picture for long-term appreciation gains. “Despite the volatility in the stock market and Federal Reserve decisions, homes that are priced and show well are selling,” Arora said. “Today’s consumers are savvy and know what they like and do not like and are willing to pay.” Although inventory remains tight, buyers are not rushing to pull the trig-

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Knutson’s Brambleton Town Center Community Earns GALA Honors LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT The Knutson Companies took home three prizes for architecture, interior design and marketing during this year’s Great American Living Awards. The program recognizes the best and the brightest in all areas of the Northern Virginia homebuilding industry, including development, architecture, sales, interior design and marketing. All three of the awards were for Knutson’s Brambleton Town Center luxury terrace townhome community. The Rockland model took home Best Design and Architecture and Best Interior Design and Merchandising for

a home priced between $600,000 to $700,000. The community also received an Award of Merit for Best Community Brochure. “There is a company culture here that extends to every person we team with on our projects and I believe it is in that attention to detail, in everything we do, that allowed us to be honored,” stated Don Knutson, president and owner of Knutson Companies. “It shows in the breadth of the awards that we won, from the architecture to the interior design and marketing, and because of that I am so proud to be a part of this award-winning team.”

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Rt. 7 west, right on Rt. Charlestown Pike, Right on Berlin Turnpike, Right on Broadway, Left on Lovettsville Rd. to #40777 on Right.

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$599,000 CHANTILLY/PERFECTION Immaculate, original owners, makes this home a perfect 10. Over 5,000 finished sq ft. 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths and bonus room. Unbelievable screened porch with gazebo ceiling overlooking totally landscaped gorgeous lot that backs to common.

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Lovely Waterford Tour home. Over 3,000 sq ft, located in the middle of the village on lg private lot. Brick, stone and wood. Brick floored FR w/original cooking FP. Huge dining room w/striking painted mural of Waterford. Master suite w/full bath & exterior porch. Upper parlor w/FP & original built-ins. 3rd level is finished w/2 bedrooms & full bath. Fence, patio, shed, lg driveway. Fabulous!

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Knutson Companies’ Brambleton Town Center terrace townhomes won awards for design and marketing during the 2018 Great American Living Awards.

Knutson also is nearly sold out of its Brambleton sister community, Downtown Brambleton, which offers luxury urban townhomes right down the street. That community also took home multiple design and architecture honors during last year’s GALA ceremony. “It is incredibly humbling to be honored by our peers in the homebuilding industry who have such a deep knowledge, understanding and passion for what we do,” Knutson stated. “Year-after-year, to receive these awards of excellence means not only are we being

recognized for doing what we love, but it provides validation to our homeowners that they are receiving a top-quality home experience.” The luxury terrace townhomes at Brambleton Town Center are selling from $479,990 and the urban townhomes at Downtown Brambleton are priced from the upper $600s. Founded in 2012, the Knutson Companies specialize in townhome, condominium and mixed-use communities within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and recreation. Learn more at knutsoncos.com.

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Boomer said it’s important to know how long you expect to be in your home. “The national average is seven years before homeowners sell or refinance, which is why the 7/1 ARM is so popular,” he said. “If you expect to be in a home for fewer than 10 years, then you may want to consider an ARM.” Boomer suggests talking with a mortgage loan officer about whether an adjustable rate may save you money. Many people like the idea of that lower rate to start, while others prefer the peace of mind of a stable rate. For traditional mortgages, refinancing remains a viable option if interest rates fall in subsequent years. “It’s important to remember that mortgage rates rise and fall over time. It may be worth considering an ARM because over time there may be savings, as opposed to the cost of refinancing,” Boomer says. Look at your family, job, future and goals to decide whether this option makes sense. Your family may grow, you may get a new job and relocate, you may downsize for retirement or face other changing financial conditions.

REAL ESTATE | HOME IMPROVEMENT

An ARM typically starts out at a lower interest rate than the classic, 30year fixed rate. After an initial period, typically five, seven or 10 years, the interest rate adjusts over the life of the loan. There are several different types of ARMs, but one of the most popular is the 7/1, which stays at the same rate for the first seven years and then adjusts yearly thereafter. “After the fixed period, the rate can increase each year, but the good news is that there are caps on how high that rate can go,” says Peter Boomer, head of mortgage distribution for PNC Bank. “The opposite may also be true: it’s possible the rate will decline if market forces are pointing that way. The best advice is to check with your lender for the details.”

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OP SU EN N HO 1- U 4P S M E

While mortgage interest rates remain near historic lows, they have been slowly rising over the last year, increasing the cost of 30-year loans for borrowers. Home buyers concerned about higher rates have other options to consider: an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), which provides an initial lower monthly payment, or a 15year fixed rate mortgage, which has a higher monthly payment but reduces the amount of interest paid over the course of the loan.

15-year mortgage will have a higher monthly payment than a 30-year fixed, the interest rate is typically lower and you pay back the principle faster, which means you can save money on interest over the length of the loan. “The good news for consumers is that there are many financing options available. Talk to your loan officer to discuss which best fits your situation,” he says. To learn more about borrowing options, visit pnc.com. Owning a home is on the path to keeping your American dream alive, and exploring your options can help you more easily achieve it.

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ing to look their best, today’s vinyl siding needs only periodic cleaning with mild soap and water from a garden hose to achieve the same result,” says Kevin Mickle, product manager at ProVia, a manufacturer of siding and other exterior building products. For maximum curb appeal, the ex-

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Get Ready to Fire Up the Furnace

<< FROM 20

This is the week when many Loudouners will be turning off the AC and cranking up the heating system—and that means it is time to make sure your furnace is tuned up and ready to go. That’s important not just for your family’s safety, but also to save money this winter. At the top of the to-do list is to schedule a professional cleaning and tune up. The technician will inspect the furnace for any operational problems and perform a number of maintenance tasks that will help avoid future breakdowns, improve efficiency and keep the system is running safely.

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perts at ProVia are offering the following tips for maintaining and selecting vinyl siding. • To clean vinyl siding, use a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to keep the grooves in the texture stain-free. For best results, start at the bottom of the house and work your way up, taking care to rinse the cleaning solution completely before it dries. During this process, cover any brick facing so it’s not affected by the runoff. To remove mold and mildew, use a solution of 30 percent vinegar and 70 percent water. • Before using a power washer, read the washer’s instructions carefully, as well as the recommendations of the siding manufacturer. Some manufacturers advise against the use of pressure washers on their products or have limitations on the amount of pressure and the cleaners that can be used. If you do choose to use a power washer, hold it at eye level to keep water on top of the siding where it can clean most effectively. • Ensure your cleaner of choice won’t harm your siding. Spot check a small area first. Never use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover or furniture polish. • When doing any home maintenance project involving stains, sealants and wet concrete, or when spraying the lawn with insecticides or herbicides, cover vinyl siding to protect its color. • Keeping siding away from significant heat sources -- do your barbecuing many paces away from the house and keep readily ignitable materials such as dry leaves, mulch and trash away from the structure. • Whether you’re building a home or upgrading your current exterior cladding, make an informed selection. Look for the VSI Product Certification Program label. This means the vinyl siding has gone through a third-party inspection process and was independently verified to meet or exceed the industry standard for quality. One brand meeting these rigorous standards is ProVia, which specializes in elegance and endurance and offers three types of professional-class vinyl siding to choose from: insulated, traditional and decorative. All of their cladding is created with a Super Polymer Formulation for enhanced durability. To learn more, visit provia.com/ siding. Want to take your weekends back? By selecting vinyl siding for your home, you can get all the charm and curb appeal that traditional materials offer with a simpler maintenance routine.

After that, it gets a bit easier, starting with keeping the filter clean. Dirty filters cause all kinds of easily avoided performance and efficiency problems. Put a note on the calendar to switch out the filter each month. There is always the danger of exhaust leaks inside the home and it is wise to have a working CO detector to warn of the life-threatening carbon monoxide build up. Finally, take a tour of the home to ensure that the air registers are open and not blocked by furniture or otherwise obstructed and the air can flow freely and even heat your home.

October 18, 2018

Siding tips

REAL ESTATE | HOME IMPROVEMENT

October 18, 2018

Sellers

By the Numbers

<< FROM 17 ger to purchase right now, stated Gary P. Lange, managing broker of Weichert in Vienna. “The buyers are looking for move-in ready homes with all the bells and whistles,” he said. “If a home isn’t in tip-top shape, it is sitting. Sellers are trying to get top spring market prices and that just isn’t going to happen in fall and winter months. Sellers need to temper their expectations and be willing to do necessary updates to compel buyers to look at their property as ‘the home of choice.’ If they cannot do that, they need to lower their price. “We’ve seen instances where buyers keep a home on the radar and then pounce on it with other potential buyers when the seller lowers the price,” he added. “Advice to buyers would be to make an offer on a home you like while there is no competition and negotiate acceptable terms that work for both parties. In these cases, we are seeing flexibility by sellers.” Some clients who want to buy are challenged by this region’s high prices coupled with rising rates. “We all know that the housing market is the bellwether for how interest rates impact economic growth,” stated NVAR CEO Ryan Conrad. “Since our region continues to add jobs, this is driving up local housing demand. Due to new construction declines, we see upward pressure on resales. By year’s end, we expect sales

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activity to be on a level with last year’s.”

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors reports sales activity for Fairfax and Arlington counties, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton. A total of 1,427 homes sold in September 2018, a decrease of almost 12 percent compared with September 2017 home sales of 1,620. Active listings decreased last month compared with 2017. Listings were down 9.32 percent below last year, with 4,134 active listings in September, compared with 4,560 homes available in September 2017. The average days on market for homes in September 2018 was 36 days, a decrease of 14.29 percent compared to the 42 days on market for homes in September 2017. The average home sale price rose compared with last September, to $573,555. This is 3.63 percent above the September 2017 average price of $553,440. The median sold price of homes this September, which was $494,000, rose by 2.93 percent compared to September 2017, when the median price was $479,950. The 1,652 new pending home sales in Northern Virginia in September were 5.92 percent fewer than the 1,756 contracts that were pending in September last year. Total pending sales of 2,001 in September were down by 9.78 percent, compared with 2,218 total pending contracts in September 2017.

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October 18, 2018

Inova Hospital Marks Milestone Toward Major Expansion

[ BIZ BRIEFS ]

BY DANIELLE NADLER

ith a thumbs up from a DPR Construction crew chief, an important beam was lifted into place at Inova Loudoun Hospital’s expansion this morning. The beam was covered with the signatures of hundreds of hospital employees, as well as the names of men and women who had a hand in the construction of the addition and even patients staying at the hospital during the project. Many gathered on the construction site in Lansdowne to see the beam hoisted to the top of the seven-story building, that for now is only a skeleton of what’s to come. The hospital’s 382,000-square-foot expansion will add a total of 228 more beds. That includes 24 more neonatal intensive care unit beds; 12 in labor and delivery; 36 postpartum, antepartum and observation beds; 48 beds in the progressive care unit; 12 more surgical beds; and room for 96 future beds. “It’s not complete yet, but we’re well on our way,” Inova Loudoun Hospital CEO Deborah Addo said. “We wanted to celebrate all of this great progress.” She thanked the project’s design team at HDR and the construction team at DPR for their hard work—and for pausing that hard work to showcase the project for Tuesday’s event. “Thanks for allowing us to interrupt your day, but please don’t use this as an excuse to be late on the project,” Addo said with a smile. “We are going to be on time and on budget.” The $300 million project is scheduled to wrap up by the spring of 2020. “Today we’re building a legacy—a legacy of the future,” Inova COO and Chief of Staff Ben Frank told those who gathered in what will be the hospital’s lobby. “We’re building something we can all be proud of.” Scott Hamberger, member of the Inova Loudoun Hospital’s board of trustees, said he recently experienced the hospital’s service firsthand. After returning from Indonesia with a parasite, he spent two nights at the hospital’s Lansdowne campus in the worst pain he can remember. “Every aspect of my stay at this hospital … was excellent,” he said. “We treat people here with dignity and we interact with patients as authentic human beings. For that there is no higher calling or more noble work, and I thank the staff at this hospital for doing it every day.” Each hospital administrator who took a turn at the microphone thanked the donors who helped make the expansion possible and Inova’s doctors, nurses and other staff who make the hospital an establishment Loudoun is proud to call their own. “Thank you, all,” Addo shouted and waved toward the opposite end of the construction site, where about a hun-

JK Moving Named a Top Corporate Citizen JK Moving Services in Sterling is being honored as a top corporate citizen by the Washington Business Journal for its partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief. The award will be presented during the Journal’s 2018 Corporate Philanthropy Awards on Nov. 9. This year, the company established the JK Community Farm, a charitable effort designed to alleviate hunger by growing and harvesting crops and livestock and donating them to Loudoun Hunger Relief, which also distributes to other nonprofits. “We are humbled by the Business Journal award and proud of our partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief. Starting JK Community Farm is a sustainable, tangible way for us to meet a critical community need, but it only works by having a great relationship with a nonprofit with a shared interest,” stated President and CEO Chuck Kuhn. The JK Community Farm near Purcellville expects to donate 53,000 pounds of crops as well as protein this year with a retail value of approximately $235,000. In addition to sharing meat and fresh produce, the JK Community Farm is planning to host educational classes for nonprofit clients about cooking, gardening, nutrition.

Technology Coalition Forum to Address Cloud Security

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Crews from DPR Construction lift the iconic topping-out beam into place on Inova Loudoun Hospital’s addition. The project adds another 382,000 square feet and 228 beds to the hospital’s campus in Lansdowne.

The Loudoun Technology Coalition will put the spotlight on the roles and responsibilities—including yours—for protecting consumer data. Is your business taking the appropriate steps to protect your customer data and business from the repercussions of a breach? As cloud computing replaces the PC as the dominant computing platform for small businesses it is important to understand the responsibilities of the business versus the vendors storing data. The discussion will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29 at RagingWire Data Centers’ VA3 Conference Center, 21583 Megawatt Drive in Ashburn. Registration is required by 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 and attendees will be required to present government-issued identification. Learn more at loudounchamber. org

Aria Yoga & Wellness Center Opens in Sterling

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Hospital employees, patients and men and women who’ve had a hand in the construction of Inova Loudoun Hospital’s addition were invited to sign one of four beams that will be part of the completed project.

dred hospital staff members could be seen waving back from the top level of the parking garage. “None of this

would be possible without you.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

The grand opening celebration of the Aria Yoga & Wellness Center located in Sterling will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event will include tours of the new wellness facility, which offers advanced treatments designed to naturally boost energy, restart BIZ BRIEFS >> 25

[ BIZ BRIEFS ]

Virginia Women’s Business Conference Marks 10th Year Heather Malloy

Molloy Joins Madison Wealth Management Madison Wealth Management recently welcomed Heather Molloy, a certified financial planner practitioner and certified public accountant to its team as a wealth advisor. Based in Madison’s Leesburg office, Molloy has nearly 25 years of experience in financial, tax and strategic planning services. Most recently, she ran her own tax and business advisory firm. Previously, Heather was employed as a controller, finance, and human resource professional by several small-tomid sized companies in the Washington, DC area. The Aldie resident earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Richmond.

The National Again Honored by Meeting Planners The National Conference Center in Lansdowne has been presented a 2018 Platinum Choice Award by Smart Meetings magazine. Also, Meetings Today magazine has awarded The National with a Best of Award for top quality service, meeting space, rooms and amenities. “I am indeed honored and proud of our team as we accept these awards and

The 10th Annual Virginia Women’s Business Conference, sponsored by Inova, will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at the Sheraton Tysons Hotel. Organizers are planning for the biggest conference yet to celebrate the 10th anniversary milestone. The program, which draws more than 500 participants, is designed to offer businesswomen in the DC area the tools for success, opportunities to make strategic business connections and presentations that will leave them empowered and inspired to take action. “We are pulling out all the stops for our 10th anniversary,” said Tina Johnson, president and CEO of JP Events & Consulting, organizer of the event. “In addition to prominent women from our area leading eight different professional and personal growth workshops throughout the conference, we are thrilled to have powerful, dynamic keynote speakers. Attendees of our 10th anniversary conference will be inspired and energized as they take all that they learn and make goals to grow and find success.” Speakers include conference opener Fawn Germer, a prolific author and sought after leadership and work-life balance speaker, and Cindy Monroe, founder and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts. For details and tickets, go to virginiawomensbusinessconference.com.

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the process of weight loss, eliminate stress and anxiety, and improve sleep. Complimentary skin analysis with mini facials, silk peels, skin tests for laser hair removal, reflexology, and scalp massages will be provided. During the grand opening, Aria Yoga studio will be offering a complimentary classes every hour, along with raﬄes and refreshments. The center is located at 2 Pidgeon Hill Drive Suite 260 in CountrySide. Learn more at ariamedispa.com.

add them to our full trophy cabinet. These awards show how our staff, service, food, technology and space have continued to be at the forefront of the meetings industry,” stated Geoff Lawson, vice president and general manager of The National. The Smart Meetings award is presented by meeting planning professionals and the magazine’s readers. This is the third time The National has won this award, which honors remarkable standards of excellence in service including ambiance, amenities, breadth of resources, facility quality, guest services, recreational activities, dining options, and technical support. Each year Meetings Today readers, including planning professionals, determine the best hotels, conference centers and resorts for meetings in North America. This is the third year The National has won this award.

October 18, 2018

<< FROM 24

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN BRIEFS ] HILLSBORO

October 18, 2018

868 Estate Vineyards to Host Dance Party If you’re looking for a more exciting way to start the weekend, try a bit of dancing at 868 Estate Vineyards. The winery on Friday, Oct. 19, from 7-9 p.m. will hold a Wine and Dance Party with DJ Ralph mixing music from the 1960s to present times. The family-friendly event is free to attend and a great way to unwind from a long week by jumping into some active fun. Guests are invited to sip on one of the vineyard’s many wines and enjoy food from The Grill, including pulled barbeque pork sandwiches and Nathan’s hot dogs. To RSVP to the dance, go to 868estatevineyards.com.

LOVETTSVILLE Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Sleeter Lake Park in Round Hill is officially open to the public, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday.

Round Hill’s Sleeter Lake Park Celebrated After 28 Years of Planning

BY PATRICK SZABO fter decades of planning and a year of labor, the opening of the Town of Round Hill’s Sleeter Lake Park was formally celebrated Saturday. Among those attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were current and former Town Council members, volunteers who helped build facilities at the park, Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Steve Torpy, and children of Frank and Elizabeth Sleeter, who created the lake in 1963 by damming Simpsons Creek to irrigate the family’s

surrounding orchards. The 11-acre park has been in the plans since 1990, when Oak Hill Properties proffered the land to the town when it set out to build The Villages at Round Hill development. Substantial planning didn’t pick up until recent years, however, when the town received a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in 2014 and $425,000 from the county government in 2016. Physical work on the park didn’t start until last September. After eight months of labor, the park prepared for a May 1 opening, but that was delayed when the town and the Round Hill Owner’s Association,

Purcellville Council Sets Vote on Warner Brook Annexation BY PATRICK SZABO The future of the 131-acre Warner Brook property could be decided next week, with the Purcellville Town Council set to vote on whether to annex the land. The Town Council recently weighed the pros and cons of the annexation of the Warner Brook property, located just north of Rt. 7 on the east side of Purcellville Road, during an hourlong discussion that yielded differing views from council members on how the process should be handled. The discussion came as the sixth step in an eight-step annexation process. Next is the Town Council vote on Oct. 23 to approve or deny the annexation. The final step would be reaching an annex-

ation agreement with the county Board of Supervisors. The Warner family initially submitted its annexation application to the town on Oct. 8, 2015, with plans to develop 160 single-family homes on 65 acres, 15,000-square-feet of office space on 24 acres, an outdoor recreational area with a soccer field and trails on 22 acres, a commercial village with a small town center and 70,000 square feet of retail space on 11 acres and nine acres containing an indoor recreation center with a 120,000-square-foot soccer field. The main thrust behind the Oct. 9 discussion was the question of whether the review process was moving too quickly. Councilman Tip Stinnette said updated traffic and water resources plans, which the town intends to com-

which oversees the 1,100 homes in The Villages at Round Hill and owns the 100-acre lake, couldn’t reach an agreement on the rules to regulate public activity on the lake—something the 1990 proffer required the two parties to etch out before the park opened. In August, the town and the owner’s association reached an agreement on the rules, which limit the number of non-gasoline powered boats on the lake at any given time to 18, establish guidelines for fishing and prohibit swimming. The park opened on Aug. 15. “We’ve been talking about this since the late ‘90s,” Mayor Scott Ramsey SLEETER LAKE >> 29 plete within a year, should be in hand before discussions can be thoroughly conducted. “An updated transportation and water resources plan are not only reasonable, but they’re obtainable,” he said. “It occurs to me that to underestimate the costs or the benefit of this application would be to commit representative government malpractice.” In response to Stinnette’s concern, Councilman Nedim Ogelman said that, while the Town Council does have a responsibility to get as much information as it can, it also has an obligation to not engage in “analysis paralysis.” “Do we ever make decisions based on complete information?” he asked. “We need to vote in the now, prepare for the future and engage in a cost-benefit analysis to the extent that we can.” Mayor Kwasi Fraser said the traffic and water studies could take more than WARNER BROOK >> 29

Town to Appoint 2 Council Members For a third and fourth time this year, the Lovettsville Town Council will appoint new members to serve on the dais. The council on Thursday, Oct. 18 will appoint two new Town Council members to fill vacancies created by the Sept. 6 resignations of Mike Senate and Renee Edmonston. The selection will be made after the council interviews behind closed doors with four candidates—Rebekah Nicole Ontiveros, David Steadman, Tony Quintana and Nicholas Hayward. The two appointees will serve on the dais until a special election is held in February. The winners in that election will fill terms that expire in June 2020 and June 2022.

Coop Seeks Volunteers to Help Clean Rt. 287 The Lovettsville Cooperative Market will hold its fall AdoptA-Highway Cleanup next Sunday, Oct. 28, from 2-4 p.m. to pick up trash and debris from Rt. 287 between Purcell Road and the Potomac River Bridge. Volunteers are encouraged to help beautify the 1.5-mile section of road that the coop has sponsored for the last five years. Since 2013, volunteers have helped to collect 160 bags of trash, recycling materials and large debris. Volunteers are asked to meet at Bonnie’s Country Kitchen parking lot where they will be given bags, gloves, grabbers and reflective vests. For more information, email info@lovettsville-grocery.com.

MIDDLEBURG It’s Film Festival Weekend There’s no need to travel to Utah for the Sundance Film Festival TOWN BRIEFS >> 28

Purcellville Cell Coverage Problems to Continue BY PATRICK SZABO

BY PATRICK SZABO

there will be more of them, modifications have to be made to accommodate the added weight. He said that work could be done by the end of the year and that the new antennas, which will provide residents with better cell coverage than before, could be back atop the water tower by March. Throughout the next five years, the town will also pay Suez $48,629 to provide preventative maintenance on the water tower.

NEW!

Purcellville NEW METRO CONNECT BUS SERVICE FROM

PARK AND RIDE LOT • 412 Browning Court, Purcellville •

pszabo@loudounnow.com

COFFEE SALES >> 28

STARTING ON OCTOBER 1ST,

Loudoun County Transit will operate direct Metro Connection bus service from the new park and ride lot in Purcellville to the Silver Line Metrorail Station at Wiehle-Reston East. ROUTE 931/932 PEAK RUSH HOURS ONLY • 4:45 a.m.–8:45 a.m. (9 morning trips) • 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (9 afternoon trips) Most buses that drop off at Wiehle in the morning will also allow passengers to ride to Purcellville, and vice versa in the afternoon.

FREE! This new bus service will be free through October 31st. Fare on November 1st will be $1 cash or punch pass. Free transfers from/to any local or Metro Connect Route. www.loudoun.gov/silverlinebuses

Purcellville Metro Connection service is funded through revenue from the I-66 tolls collected during peak period Inside the Beltway in partnership with NVTC.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Renovations to the Town of Purcellville’s 200,000-gallon water tank should wrap up by the end of the year, with cell carrier antennas to be re-installed by March.

For a second time in the last month, the Bullets & Beans gun shop will have to wait a bit longer to find out whether it can sell coffee. The Hamilton Town Council Monday night pushed back a vote until Nov. 19 to determine if Kevin Jones, the shop’s owner, will be allowed to sell coffee as part of a 6-month trial period. According to Town Attorney Maureen Gilmore, Jones did not provide the town with certain pieces of information about his plan for coffee sales in time for the council to take the vote. Gilmore said that while Jones emailed the town the information by the Oct. 9 deadline, it was late at night when he did so. “It really didn’t leave us enough time to go through it,” she said. For the time being, the town will hold a meeting with Jones on Oct. 22 to finalize a list of conditions that will play into the potential trial period. Gilmore said that Jones’ attorney, Caleb Kershner, was understanding of the delay. “I think they’re comfortable with that,” she said.

27 October 18, 2018

Aside from opting for a few temporary fixes, Purcellville residents will have to wait until spring for cellphone coverage problems to be fully reconciled. The Town Council last week held an hour-long meeting with representatives from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint to discuss the coverage concerns that residents—especially those in the Hirst Farm and Locust Grove neighborhoods—have faced since June when the cell antennas atop the town’s water tower were relocated during a renovation project. In 2012, Suez Water Technologies recommended that the 200,000-gallon water tank, which sits across Maple Avenue from Loudoun Valley High School, be renovated before 2015. It wasn’t until 2016 that the town contracted with Suez to complete that work for $507,081 and not until June of this year, following an unscheduled repair to fix a leak, that any work actually began. At that point, cell antennas were moved from their perches 175 feet above ground atop the water tank to a temporary tower supplied by AT&T. In the temporary configuration, AT&T antennas are 150 feet high, the Verizon antennas are 130-140 feet high and the T-Mobile and Sprint antennas are 110-120 feet high—and residents’

cell coverage has diminished. When Town Manager David Mekarski asked the carrier representatives if there were any temporary solutions for residents and businesses, Justin Barlow, a Smartlink project manager contracted by AT&T, suggested that residents use WiFi calling whenever possible. He said that installing a Cell on Wheels—a mobile cell site that would boost wireless coverage—could take up to three months to set up. “There’s just no quick solution,” he said. “The ultimate solution is getting back on the tank.” Kevin Johnson, Verizon’s regional systems engineer, said that another temporary fix could be to install a network extender in individual households, which would enhance their 4G LTE coverage. After hearing that the carriers would continue measuring cell signals in town, Councilman Tip Stinnette told the representatives that he’s tired of dealing with the issue and that the solution should not be measuring where service gaps are, but actually doing something to fix the problem. “I’ve got entire communities out there that can tell you [where the gaps are],” he said. “You have that data available, it is time to deploy a solution.” Suez Water Systems Consultant Brad Brown said that since the new antennas to be installed on the water tower would be larger than before, and since

Hamilton Council Delays Vote on Gun Shop’s Coffee Sales

Minshall Resigns from Round Hill Council

October 18, 2018

BY PATRICK SZABO Michael Minshall has resigned from the Round Hill Town Council to prepare for a move to Branson, MO, after serving a little more than two years in the role. The town is soliciting candidates to fill the vacant seat, which has a term that expires on June 30, 2020. According to Round Hill’s Town Charter, the council has 60 days from the date of the vacancy to make an appointment. Although Minshall resigned on Sept. 7, creating a Nov. 6 deadline, the Town Council will extend that deadline to its regular meeting on Nov. 15 so that residents have a full month to apply, since the vacancy was not posted to the town website until last week. The appointed interim council mem-

ber will serve until Nov. 5, 2019, when the town will hold a special election to fill the seat until the May 5, 2020, municipal elections. Candidates must live within the town and are asked to submit an application, a letter of interest and résumé to Town Administrator Melissa Hynes at mhynes@roundhillva.org and to the Town Council at council@roundhillva. org by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13. It’s been a period of heavy turnover for Loudoun’s towns. Purcellville and Lovettsville have seen a total of six council members resign within the past year. In Purcellville, Kelli Grim resigned in October 2017 just a year-and-a-half after her election to prepare for a family move to Pennsylvania, and Karen Jim-

merson resigned in April after nearly four years on the dais to prepare for a move to Aldie and with the stated intent to campaign for the Blue Ridge District seat in the 2019 Board of Supervisors election. In Lovettsville, Rob Gentile resigned in December after nearly two years of service in preparation for a move out of town, followed by Tiffany Carder who stepped down as vice mayor after eight years on the dais to fulfill her work requirements as the assistant librarian of the Lovettsville Library. Just last month, Mike Senate resigned for personal reasons after nearly two years and Renee Edmonston resigned just 67 days after taking her seat. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Lovettsville’s Zoldos Hired as Durham, NC Fire Chief BY PATRICK SZABO Former Lovettsville mayor Bob Zoldos hasn’t just left his seat on the dais after serving the town for six years, but he’s also leaving Loudoun to become the fire chief for the City of Durham, NC. Zoldos last week announced that he would be leaving Loudoun, where he was born and raised, to replace Durham Fire Chief Dan Curia, who served as chief for five-and-a-half years. Zoldos will be leaving his job as the deputy chief of the Health, Safety & Wellness Division of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on Nov. 1 after working there for 25 years. His first day on the job in Durham will be Nov. 13. “I cannot tell you how honored I am to be trusted with the leadership of such a fine department,” Zoldos wrote in an Oct. 9 Facebook post. “Working for

Fairfax has been an honor and a privilege, and I would like to thank everyone who has mentored me and helped me develop over the years.” Zoldos said that while he is struggling with the thought of leaving Lovettsville, he and his family are looking forward to the new chapter in life. He said that he is committed to being a part of the Lovettsville’s 2019 Oktoberfest and that he might retire in Loudoun one day with his wife, Sherri. Zoldos was elected as the mayor of Lovettsville in 2012, after Elaine Walker stepped down after 20 years. In that time, he helped lead the town through several development projects that brought in the Lovettsville Square commercial center and hundreds of new residents. A lifelong resident of Loudoun County, Zoldos worked as an adjunct fire in-

structor for the county’s Fire and Rescue Services from 1993-2004 after graduating from Penn State. While working with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue for the past 25 years, he has been deployed 11 times for international rescue missions and served as a rescue squad officer at the Pentagon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield said that it’s all of Zoldos’ experience that makes him “a great choice for leading the Durham Fire Department.” “We felt his extensive leadership experience and on-the-ground know-how was a great fit for Durham,” he said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and dedicated people who provide outstanding public service to this community.”

Coffee sales << FROM 27 Jones said that he remains optimistic about the situation and will continue to follow the rules and “jump through every hoop.” This is now the second time since early September that the Town Council has postponed a vote on the matter. Jones opened Bullets & Beans in the former Farmer’s & Merchants Bank building in summer 2016 to sell guns and provide firearm safety and self-defense classes—something that concerned some Hamilton Elementary School parents because the shop sits within 1,000 feet of the school. Although Jones opened with the intent to also sell coffee, he has been prohibited from doing so because of a provision in the town’s zoning ordinance that restricts food sales in buildings adjacent to residences in that district. Jones in August 2017 submitted a special use permit application seeking the Town Council’s approval to sell coffee. After several public input meetings, it became clear that some residents were concerned that allowing the shop to sell coffee would bring more traffic to the town and create safety issues along Colonial Highway. pszabo@loudounnow.com

pszabo@loudounnow.com

[ TOWN BRIEFS ] << FROM 26 when the Town of Middleburg hosts a comparable event each year. Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 18-21, the town will host its 6th annual film festival, with four days full of film screenings and Q&A sessions with famous filmmakers and actors. This year, 33 films will be screened, with two premiering on opening night and about 20 showings on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at four different locations around town—Salamander Resort, The Hill School, the Middleburg Community Center and the National Sporting Library & Museum. Special events include conversations with actor Joel Edgerton and director Jason Reitman on Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m., respectively, at the Salamander Library. Remaining available tickets to the event start at $1,400 and include a pass to the opening night film and after party and access to all screenings. The Middleburg Film Festival in years past has welcomed actors like Emma Stone, Meg Ryan, Bruce Dern and Greta Gerwig. Last year, the town screened 26 films with 33 Oscar nominations between them. For more information on the festival, go to middleburgfilm.org.

Melon Book Release and Signing Saturday History buffs, gardeners and book lovers all have a chance this weekend to learn more about the Town of Middleburg’s historic gardens. Second Chapter Books on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 5:30-7 p.m. will host author Linda Jane Holden as she releases and signs her newest book, “The Gardens of Bunny Melon.” Residents are invited to attend the event to meet Holden, discuss the book and enjoy refreshments. Through extensive interviews Holden conducted with Bunny, the wife of billionaire art collector and philanthropist Paul Mellon, before her death in 2014, Holden’s book details not only Bunny’s personal gardens in Upperville, but also those of President Kennedy and the Rose and East Gardens at the White House. To RSVP to the event, contact the book store at 540-687-7016 or secondchapterbks@gmail.com.

ROUND HILL Shred Event Saturday Round Hill will offer a community shred event this Saturday, Oct. 20, at

Round Hill Elementary School from 10 a.m. to noon. Accepted materials include paper, checks, envelopes, small fasteners, paper clips and binder clips. Newspapers, magazines, 3-ring binders, cardboard and plastic or electronic media will not be accepted. The limit is four boxes or trash bags per person. For safety reasons, residents are asked to remain in their vehicles while ProShred employees collect boxes and bags for shredding. Those who want to watch the shredding occur are asked to park and walk to the back of the shredding truck. For more information, contact Utility Billing Administrator Kim McGaha at 540-338-4772 or kmcgaha@roundhillva.org.

PURCELLVILLE Hail to the Trail Saturday Purcellville will hold its annual Green Expo Hail to the Trail nature walk Saturday, Oct. 20, from 1-4 p.m. at the Chapman DeMary Trail behind the building at 205 Hirst Road next to the KFC and Taco Bell. Residents are invited to explore the 10-acre area, talk with environmental experts, participate in hands-on ed-

ucational activities, enjoy live music from Willie White, buy gluten-free treats, interact with animals, help to plant trees and learn about a townwide effort to reduce cigarette litter. For more information, go to purcellvilleva.gov, or call the town at 540-3387421.

Arts Council to Hold Filmmaking Workshops For those thinking about submitting a film to the Town of Purcellville’s second annual Cabin Fever Film Festival, there are three opportunities to prepare. The town last week announced that its Arts Council would sponsor three filmmaking workshops through the end of the year, with the first scheduled for this Monday, Oct. 22, from 7-8 p.m. at the Purcellville Train Station. Held in preparation of January’s film festival, the workshops will host local film and television professionals who will provide their input on ideas for short films. The next workshops will be held on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, also from 7-8 p.m. at the train station. For more information on the workshops or the festival, email the council at purcellvilleartscouncil@purcellvilleva.gov.

Warner Brook

Sleeter Lake << FROM 26 said, recalling his first bid for office as a write-in Town Council candidate in 2004 when the council’s longest serving member, Mary Anne Graham, was campaigning with just one goal—to complete the park. “We’ve been through a lot of dips and valleys since that time, but the momentum really picked up when we started to get into a good relationship with the county,” Ramsey said, noting not only the grant support, but also the having the county’s parks staff manage the park’s operations. “They’ve been such a fantastic partner.” Torpy said the partnership with the town is a “phenomenal opportunity.” “I like to say that we are in the business of creating memories and that is really what this is about. This is about having the opportunity to come here and catch your first fish. It’s about the opportunity to come here and hike and experience nature as an oasis, to get away,” he said. “This is a unique gem we have in Loudoun County.” “This is really a big deal for Loudoun County because this is the only public-

8th Annual Purcellville Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

The Purcellville Town Council is scheduled Oct. 23 to vote on the request to annex the 131-acre Warner Brook property on the town’s northern boundary.

The Town Council is following an annexation process that it adopted in 2015, which establishes eight steps the town is required to complete when considering a property annexation— community briefing, application submission, Town Council and county notification, staff review, a Town Council briefing, Town Council discussions, a Town Council vote and annexation negotiation between the town and county. In November 2014, the Warner family held a public charette to review development options. In October 2015, the family submitted its application, which prompted town staff to notify the Town Council and county that same month and review the application in November 2015. The Town Council was briefed in January 2018. If the annexation is approved, the town will request that annexation agreement negotiations commence between it and the county. If it’s denied, the Warner family can reapply for annexation after 12 months. Town Attorney Sally Hankins said that even if the Town Council approves the annexation, the town can suspend the process at any time before the court enters the order to expand Purcellville’s corporate boundary.

21st Street Old Town October 27th • 5:00-9:00 pm

Costume Contest Over $2000 Cash & Prizes! The Place to Be This

pszabo@loudounnow.com ly accessible lake right now,” Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), said noting the temporary closing of the Beaverdam reservoir as Loudoun Water completes dam repairs. John Sleeter said his parents moved to a stone house west of town in 1942, after his father was brought to the Pentagon to build penicillin plants during World War II and they sold the Illinois turkey farm his mother had been managing. The 50-acre Round Hill property had a small, neglected orchard and Elizabeth Sleeter went to work building a new family business. A decade later, they built cold storage and a packing plant. In 1963, they created the lake to provide irrigation to the orchard operation that had grown to nearly 1,000 acres. Sleeter said his mother envisioned family picnics and water skiing on the lake, but did not live to see its completion. “I know that dad and mother would be very happy today to see the lake become a public park for all to enjoy,” he said. The park, located at the end of Lakeview Road east of town, is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. It will close for the season on Nov. 1. pszabo@loudounnow.com

www.PurcellvilleHalloween.com

Official Media Sponsor

a year to perform and cost taxpayers more than $1 million. He said that delaying a vote on the annexation would border on “operational malpractice.” “If this council is seeking a perfect number to make a decision, we might be here a year from now having the same discussion,” he said. “We have discussed this already I think sufficiently and we have to make a decision.” According to Jim Herbert, the Realtor representing the Warner family, these studies would better inform a Town Council vote by showing how Warner Brook’s development would impact traffic and how much water would be necessary to sustain development. Herbert said that annexation could help address the town’s utility fund woes by providing nearly $11 million in one-time permit and tap fees and about $1 million in net annual tax revenues. According to the town’s Utility Fund Financial Strategies report released in April, the town might need to increase water rates by 9 percent in each of the next five years if more users aren’t added to the system after fiscal year 2021. “An immediate discussion of Warner Brook will only underscore the need to get further information regarding critical infrastructure,” Herbert wrote in an email to Community Development Director Patrick Sullivan on Oct. 5. “Discussions regarding Warner Brook plans or any other plan until that data is available cannot be fully informed.” Although Sullivan acknowledged there “is an issue with enough water,” he also said that the town has an incomplete assessment of the potential development’s impact on traffic and utilities.

October 18, 2018

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October 18, 2018

[ LOCO LIVING ]

Volunteers Are Golden at Hospital Rummage Sale

BY JAN MERCKER or bargain hunters and collectors, the annual Inova Hospital Ladies Board Rummage sale is a can’tmiss event. And for the 500 or so volunteers who make the event happen every year, it’s a homecoming of sorts, a chance to catch up with friends and have a blast while working for a great cause. This year, the board honored three women who have each volunteered for 50 or more years. These longtime volunteers earned the inaugural Golden Apron awards, a nod to the familiar blue aprons that all volunteers wear for the sale and for the weeklong sale prep that started Monday. “I love the people that I work with, and this is the only week of the year that see some of them. I go for the friendship, the camaraderie and for the hospital. ... We’re all there for the good of the hospital,” said Rachel Roberts, one of the golden volunteers recognized this week. Roberts was recognized Monday as set up for the sale began at the Morven Park Equestrian Center, along with fellow veteran volunteers Joyce Bengston—who for the past 14 years has returned from Arizona to help with the sale—and Mary Owen Chatfield Taylor, a 99-year-old Lincoln resident who has volunteered at the sale for 65 years. Roberts is only 63 but has a five-decade volunteer history thanks to her own mother, the late Lucille Muse, who was a Ladies Board volunteer and brought her own children along to help. “It was just a week of our life, even the children,” Roberts said. A Leesburg native, Roberts took over for her mother at the Ladies Board’s permanent Twice is Nice thrift shop in Leesburg and continued volunteering for the sale as an adult, helping in various departments before finding her happy place in the barn dedicated

Ladies Board Rummage Sale 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 Morven Park International Equestrian Center 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg Details: ladiesboard.org

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Annie Hewatt, left, and Joylyn Hannahs are among the new generation of Inova Hospital Ladies Board Rummage who are working to modernize the storied event, which marks its 80th year this weekend.

Renee Brohard/Inova Loudoun

The dedication of three longtime Rummage Sale volunteers was recognized Monday with the presentation of Golden Apron Awards. Clockwise from back left are volunteers Rachel Roberts, Mary Owen Chatfield Taylor, Joyce Bengston, and Ladies Board President Susan Mills.

to holiday décor—full of everything from Halloween costumes to loads of Christmas items. Roberts, who’s also well known for the gorgeous flower arrangements displayed outside of her home on Edwards Ferry Road in Leesburg to benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief, is tasked with decorating the department’s nu-

merous themed Christmas trees every year. Roberts’ sister Joy Griffith is another longtime volunteer who helps run the very popular book barn at the sale. This year’s Golden Apron awards are the brainchild of another Leesburg native, local photographer and Ladies Board member Joylyn Hannahs. Han-

nahs is part of a wave of Gen-X volunteers, joining long-timers to bring the rummage sale into the 21st century. These fashion-minded 40-somethings are helping update the feel of the sale while honoring the enormous contributions of senior volunteers. Last year, Hannahs introduced special ribbons noting years of service attached to the obligatory nametags all volunteers wear throughout prep week and during the sale. “They were great conversation starters,” said Hannahs, who decided this year was the right time to honor a few volunteers who have gone above and RUMMAGE SALE >> 31

[ THINGS TO DO ] LOCO CULTURE Middleburg Film Festival Thursday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 21 Details: middleburgfilm.org With four days of films at four venues, the Middleburg Film Festival returns for its sixth year. Highlights this year include Hugh Jackman as presidential candidate Gary Hart in “The Front Runner” and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma.” Check out the website for a complete schedule of films and events. Individual tickets and packages are available online.

Loudoun Fall Farm Tour Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Countywide Details: loudounfarms.org This free self-guided tour features lots of fall color and favorite spots including farms and craft beverage producers.

Shocktober Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, 7-10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21, 7-9 p.m. Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg Details: shocktober.org Northern Virginia’s best haunted house

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 32

Courtesy of Loudoun Farms

LOUDOUN 100

LOUDOUN CHAMBER’S 2017 NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR

1968

FIFT Y YEARS

2018

From memorial funds, to scholarships funds, to donor-advised funds, we can help you make a difference that never ends.

A Community Foundation Fund in the Spotlight

Photo by Alimond Studio

Loudoun100 Episode Features Military Veteran Turned Artist “When I went into the military, I didn’t think I was going to fight.” It was a transitional time for Lisa Jones, the creator of Sip and Shot US, after serving a tour during a desert storm in Iraq. “You were scared. A lot of our soldiers don’t want to admit that, but that’s what you feel” Jones said. When she returned to the United States, she discovered that she could cope by painting and drawing. Then she experimented with culinary arts, and fused the two together with her edible shot glasses. “I’ve actually, with these glasses, raised about $6,000 dollars for one organization.” Jones contributes to local nonprofits with her glasses and has a true passion for helping those

around her, because she believes it would have made a “big difference” in her life if she had more help. “Whether you are volunteering, whether you are giving money, set some type of example.” Lisa continues to be a conduit of change by creatively contributing her art to our community. Go to sipandshotus.com for more information about Lisa and her delicious edible glasses. View Loudoun100’s videos at Facebook.com/Loudoun100, where a new episode will be posted each Wednesday. Ahead of each release, Loudoun Now will highlight the upcoming episode right here in our print edition and at LoudounNow.com.

Philanthropy is a family value of the Barbe Family, owners of Backflow Technology. Their new donor-advised fund creates the Barbe Family Foundation. From one generation to the next, this is how we make Loudoun County one of the most charitably generous in Virginia.

Won’t You Join Us?

CommunityFoundationLF.org  (703) 779-3505

62nd Annual Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade Thurs., Oct. 31 6 pm

Rummage sale << FROM 30 beyond. For Hannahs, giving an award to Roberts is especially meaningful. Hannahs babysat for Roberts’ children in the ‘80s and the two women have remained friends over the decades. Roberts brought her on board as a volunteer a few years ago to help in the holiday barn, and Hannahs was soon all in as a hospital volunteer: she was nominated to join the Ladies Board three years ago, and for the past two years, Hannahs has run the sale’s ladieswear department with her longtime friend and fellow board member Annie Hewatt. For volunteers, prep week is an intense but fun few days, full of hard work and lots of laughs. Preparations for the sprawling two-day sale start the Monday before the event as trucks roll in with loads items for dozens of departments from housewares to children’s clothing to upscale fashions and antiques. “It’s amazing what can get done in one week, from nothing being on the tables to those tables being completely filled and ready to go,” Roberts said. For the dozens of ladieswear volun-

teers, this means unpacking, sorting and hanging truckloads of coats and dresses over five full days. The excitement culminates in the opening announcement at 8 a.m. sharp on Saturday, with dozens of early bird shoppers already lined up and waiting to come in. “It’s a rush when they open those doors,” Hewatt said. “We’re all so excited, and [shoppers] are excited too.” Hannahs and Hewatt have assembled an ace team of younger volunteers for their department. But Hannahs is inspired by the energy and commitment of the older generation. “I’m amazed at the energy these ladies have, and the sale gives them energy. They’re like Energizer Bunnies,” Hannahs said. “It’s inspiring—I like to think I’ll be doing this when I’m in my 70s and 80s, too.” The 80th annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale takes place Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Early bird tickets for entry at 8 a.m. Saturday are $12 in advance and $15 day of sale. For more information and early bird tickets, go to ladiesboard.org

no rain date; all participants must be in Ida Lee ﬁeld by 5:30pm

Rout e:

Suggested donation:

Canned goods to beneﬁt Loudoun Hunger Relief encouraged For information, including registration, go to

www.leesburgkiwanis.org

On K from ing Stre et I to Ca da Lee P ark tocti n Cir S (Sa cl f Aid) eway, Ri e te throu Lees burg gh the h distr istoric ict

Designed to Serve Your Charitable Vision

October 18, 2018

for

[ THINGS TO DO ] << FROM 30

October 18, 2018

parade and costume contests for pets and children. Event is free and open to the public.

Fall Kicks at Loudoun Station Saturday, Oct. 20, noon-9 p.m. Loudoun Station, 43805 Central Station Drive, Ashburn Details: loudounstation.com Join Loudoun Station in welcoming Loudoun United FC to the county. D.C. United players will be on hand for autographs. The event also features live music, children’s activities, wiener dog races and food and drinks for sale.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

is right here in Loudoun and gets better every year. This year’s edition features three levels of the terrifying Paxton Manor, plus its basement, Carnival of Souls full of creepy clowns and carnival carnage. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Advance purchase is recommended. Proceeds benefit Paxton Campus.

Twin Maple Farm Corn Maze, Bonfire and Beer Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, 7-11 p.m. Twin Maple Farm, 39913 Lovettsville Road, Lovettsville

Hope 4 Lyme Music Fest Saturday, Oct. 20, 4-9:30 p.m. Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts Details: keylyme.org

Short Hill History Talk: Rich Gillespie at Burnt Mill Sunday, Oct. 21, 4 p.m. • 15250 Cider Mill Road, Hillsboro Details: shorthillhistoricalsociety.org Historian Rich Gillespie discusses Hillsboro’s beloved Burnt Mill, reviewing the story of the burning of the mill in 1864 and going back to the fall of 1859 for a picture of Hillsboro and the mill in the wake of John Brown’s raid just a dozen miles away. In keeping with local tradition, visitors can bring a pumpkin to place at the mill. The event is free but a $5 donation is suggested. Courtesy of Shirt Hill Historical Society

Details: twinmaplefarmva.com One of Loudoun’s newest agritourism spots offers an adults-only fall celebration featuring a corn maze, bonfire, beer from Old 690 Brewing Company and barbecue from GK’s BBQ.

Ladies Board Rummage Sale Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg

The second annual Hope 4 Lyme music festival features live music from School of Rock and ‘80s tribute favorites The Reflex, libations from Tarara Winery and Old Ox Brewery, health information and food for sale. Tickets are $25 in advance, $10 for youth under 21. Proceeds benefit the Key Lyme non-profit that focuses on awareness, education and prevention of Lyme Disease.

Tales and Ales

Details: ladiesboard.org

Village at Leesburg Monster Mash

Saturday, Oct. 20, 6-9 p.m.

The mother of all Northern Virginia rummage sales features treasures and bargains from antiques to children’s clothes. Proceeds go to Inova Loudoun Hospital Ladies Board nursing scholarships and programming. Early bird tickets for shopping from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday are $12 in advance, $15 at the gate.

Saturday, Oct. 20, 3-7 p.m.

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn

Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com Celebrate the season with costume contests, pumpkin carving, live music and a 3D sculpted mummy cake from Food Network winner Jason Reaves. Trick or treating starts at 3 p.m., followed by a

Details: novatalesandales.com The second installment of Loudoun’s new storytelling series features funny, inspired and mind-changing tales from local legends and everyday folks. This month,

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 33

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

JOIN US FOR A

Celebration! Tribute at One Loudoun’s One Year Anniversary Party!

Thursday, November 8th | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm RSVP by November 5th to 571-645-5437 or Rachael.Bissett@TributeatOneLoudoun.com Drinks, Food and Fun for all. Take a tour of the community. See what life at Tribute is like. Celebrate our founding residents and families.

20335 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147 Hello@TributeAtOneLoudoun.com thrivesl.com/oneloudoun TributeatOneLoudoun

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. 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.” 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) 367-

9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

[ THINGS TO DO ] A Place To Be’s Tom Sweitzer returns to the stage, and Loudoun Hunger Relief’s Jennifer Montgomery makes her debut at the mic.

October 18, 2018

<< FROM 32

NIGHTLIFE

Lovettsville Co-op Barn Dance Sunday, Oct. 21, 4-8 p.m.

Details: lovettsville-grocery.com

Loudoun Centre Theatre: ‘The Lion King Jr.’ Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Loudoun Centre Theatre presents a one-hour, family-oriented production of the classic musical, bringing the African savannah to life with an unforgettable cast of characters. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

‘Newsies’ Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m. Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19445 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne

Teddy Chipouras Album Release Friday, Oct. 19,7-10 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Local favorite Teddy Chipouras releases his first full-length album, full of his catchy but thoughtful original tunes. Justin Trawick and The Common Good and Maggie Miles open. Tickets are $10 in advance, $35 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Zac Quintana Saturday, Oct. 20, 5-8 p.m. Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg Details: spankyspub.com Get Saturday evening going with acoustic folk and Americana from this Manassasbased singer/songwriter.

Live Music: The Wailers with Nappy Riddem Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.

Details: thepickwickplayers.com

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg

The Pickwick Players present the funny and inspiring musical story of the New York City newsboys strike in 1899. Tickets are $15 for adults and $11 for seniors and children 12 and under.

Details: tallyhotheater.com

Lucketts Bluegrass: Sideline Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg Details: luckettsbluegrass.org This band of bluegrass veterans delivers bluegrass classics and contemporary tunes with crisp instrumentals and tight harmonies. Tickets are $17 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 17.

LIBATIONS Doener Bistro Oktoberfest Thursday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 21 Doener Bistro, 202 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg Details: doener-usa.com Doener’s 11th annual Oktoberfest features Oktoberfest beers from several German breweries, Bavarian food specials, live music and DJs and karaoke with German and English songs—all under a huge fest tent.

Breaux Harvest Celebration and Oyster Throwdown Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville Details: breauxvineyards.com Breaux partners with King Street Oyster Bar to serve up over 15,000 oysters prepared six different ways: raw, topped and grilled. Lobster rolls, crab cakes and spiced shrimp will also be available for purchase. Joey Bauer provides live music both days. Admission is free.

The legendary Wailers continue to bring their revolutionary sound to fans, led by founder and bassist Aston Barrett along with a younger generation of Barrett family musicians. Tickets are $30 in advance, $75 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Rumpke Mountain Boys Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.

SHOP HANDCRAFTED

B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com The Rumpke Mountain Boys combine signature vocals, a unique command of string instruments (acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo) and dynamic special effects into a singular musical experience. No cover.

COMING UP Main Street Theater: ‘Shrek The Musical’

do lph

ON STAGE

Courtesy of Teddy Chipouras

Oct. 26- Nov. 4

Enjoy live music, Famous Dave’s barbecue and beer and wine for sale to support the planned Lovettsville Cooperative Market. Tickets are $20. Advance purchase is required.

Franklin Park Arts Center Details: mainstreettheaterproductions.org Main Street Theater Productions presents the beloved story of Shrek the ogre and his life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Leesburg Halloween Parade Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8:30 p.m. King Street, Leesburg Details: leesburgkiwanis.org The 62nd annual Kiwanis Halloween parade features high school bands, fabulous floats, classic cars, police, fire and rescue and other community groups. Come in costume and bring a canned good or paper product for Loudoun Hunger Relief. The parade starts at Ida Lee Park and makes its way along King Street to Fairfax Street.

NEWw! Sho 250+ AMERICAN ARTISTS LIVE! •FREE Painting Class •Exciting Demos •Tasty Treats •Kids’ Entertainment

OCT 19, 20, 21 Dulles Expo Center

a Ch

rl e

R ne

CHANTILLY, VA • RT. 28 AT WILLARD RD Admission: $8 online; $10 at the door Admission good all 3 days Children under 12 & parking are FREE Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5

DISCOUNT TICKETS, show info, exhibitor lists, directions and more at:

SugarloafCrafts.com SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN WORKS, INC. • 800-210-9900

Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 12837 Berlin Turnpike, Lovettsville

October 18, 2018

TEDDY CHIPOURAS ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT! 10/19/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

The Wailers 10/20/18 Doors 7:00PM

The Bodeans 10/26/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

90’S HALLOWEEN PARTY WITH

AS IF!

10/27/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

GEORGE CLINTON AND PARLIMENT FUNKADELIC HALLOWEEN FUNKDOWN! 11/01/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

A Tribute to pearl jam:

the ten band

11/02/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

80’s night with

the reagan years 11/03/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

TRIBUTE TO REM:

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The restored Aldie Mill is a centerpiece of the village’s annual harvest festival and will be open for demonstrations during Saturday’s event.

Aldie Celebrates Community Heritage with Saturday’s Harvest Festival For more than half a century, the village of Aldie has celebrated its history and sense of community with an annual harvest festival. This Saturday will be the 54th year for the event, which has expanded significantly through the decades. History is at the core of the daylong program, but the festival also is known for its wide variety of antique and craft vendors, food offerings and musical performances. Bisected by Rt. 50 east of Middleburg, the village thrived starting in the early 1800s when it served as an important stop for travelers and a center of commerce. The restored Aldie Mill allows visitors to step back in time to those days. Construction of the mill was financed in 1807 by Charles Fenton Mercer, a member of the House of Delegates and Congress, who named the community

NEW ATHENS with

after his family’s ancestral home, Aldie Castle, in Scotland. Mercer sold the mill in 1834 to the Morse family, which continued its operation until 1971. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. On Saturday, the mill returns to action with grinding demonstrations by the NOVA Parks staff, which now owns the property. The festival also provides lessons on the county’s Civil War history. In June 1863, the village the site of a bloody cavalry skirmish at the start of the Gettysburg campaign. Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart stationed a cavalry brigade at Aldie to shield the northward push of General Robert E. Lee’s infantry up the Shenandoah Valley toward Pennsylvania. Union cavalry brigades sent from Washington, DC clashed with the Confederates in a series of bat-

tles in Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville. Reenactors will be encamped on the mill grounds to provide insight into Civil War life. Also on tap are kids games and a moon bounce, specials offered by the village’s businesses, food trucks, and the popular wine garden. There will be musical entertainment as well; students from the School of Rock perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Loudoun favorite Todd Wright takes the stage from 2 to 4 p.m. The attractions are throughout the village, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. The festival is free. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is available at the Church of Our Redeemer on the east end of the village with a donation requested. For more information, go to aldieheritage.com/harvestfest.

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11/09/18 DOORS: 7:00PM

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everlast 11/15/18 Doors 7:00PM

REMEMBERING JOHN DENVER, A TRIBUTE STARRING

TED VIGIL

11/16/18 Doors: 7:00PM

Hope for Lyme Music Fest

The Wailers

Saturday, Oct. 20 4-9:30 p.m. Tarara Winery, Lucketts keylyme.org

Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Village at Leesburg Monster Mash Saturday, Oct. 20, 3-7 p.m. Village at Leesburg villageatleesburg.com

Employment

35 October 18, 2018

Hiring for MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS Discover the difference, discover home.

We are looking for additional Team Members!

Currently seeking Maintenance Technicians for Leesburg and Sterling areas for The Manor Apartments and Village at Potomac Falls. Looking for prior apartment maintenance experience.

Part Time & Full Time FOH Shift Leaders / Servers You feel comfortable hosting guests and making sure everyone feels welcomed, well informed and satisfied. You can multitask, think ahead and manage your own workspace while being a team player.

Apply online today at www.HomeProperties.com or

Starting pay $10/h plus tips

Email resume to tammybr@homeproperties.com

Please download an application at: www.doener-usa.com/news

Home Properties is an EOE.

Seeking Foreman, Equipment Operator & Quality Control Inspector Come Grow With Us: (Purcellville, VA) Equipment Operator – skid steer/ excavator experience required. Quality Control Inspector – college degree in Construction/Geology/ Environmental Science degree or 1 year of experience in a QC role within the construction industry. Foreman – oversee a 5-man crew installing ground improvement solutions using heavy equipment. 1+ years of heavy construction Foreman experience required.

Email together with your resume to: info@doenerbistro.com

Now Hiring Experienced Auto Technician Job Description: • Be able to repair or replace worn parts and systems such as spark plugs, wheel bearings, brakes, fuel systems, sensors, timing belts, etc. • Test systems and individual parts to ensure proper working and/or evaluate degree of damage. • Identify mechanical and electrical problems with computerized diagnostic equipment. • Must have your own tools. • Great payment - according to experience.

To apply or schedule an interview, Email: leesburgautoservice@gmail.com Call: (703) 777-6232 Visit the Shop: 306 Industrial Ct. • Leesburg, VA 20175

PT Bus Driver Wanted National non-profit organization serving America's combat-wounded veterans seeks caring, team oriented individual to fill the following fulltime position: Customer and Donor Relations Manager Fielding donor calls and handling correspondence and administering records in the organization's customer database. Must be proficient in computer use and data entry.

County Christian School has an opportunity available for a parttime bus driver for the 2018-2019 school year. Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to afternoon/evening driving of athletic teams for practices and games and driving students and teachers to field trips during the school day. Drivers are expected to have an up-to-date CDL.

Interested individuals should send a resume and their salary requirements to: hr@saluteheroes.org

Apply and check us out on our Careers website at www. GeoConstructors.com or send your resume to employment@ geoconstructors.com. All positions — Willingness to be away from home every week with a weekend home every two weeks. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Busy Leesburg chiropractic office seeks front desk assistant to join our team. 25-30 hours a week. Previous medical insurance experience REQUIRED. Please send resume to: loudounchiro@gmail.com. Dulles Insurance in Leesburg

Looking for an outgoing friendly receptionist. Entry level requirements: • Great attitude • Spanish a plus • Great typing skills • $12/hour Hours full time or 10-3pm Contact: Nick 703-220-2408 Or send resume to nick@dullesins.com

Loudoun Now, an award-winning, locally owned community newspaper is seeking an enthusiastic, results-driven person to join our sales team full time. Advertising sales experience preferred, but if you feel conﬁdent presenting media products to advertisers, have another type of sales background, and enjoy helping clients succeed, you may be just the right ﬁt for our team. If interested, please send your resume to sstyer@loudounnow.com.

Loudoun Now Employment Ads Post your job, get responses. Mailed weekly to over 42,000 households. Online Always.

703-770-9723

Interested candidates should contact Tye Stone tstone@countychristianschool.org 703-724-4904 or 703-729-5968.

These are the words we live by each and every day we go to work.

October 18, 2018

[OBITUARIES] Andrea Mary Dombrowski Our beloved Andrea Mary Dombrowski, age 49, of Leesburg, VA, passed away Sunday, October 7, 2018. Andrea was born Wednesday, February 26, 1969 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she is the daughter of Ronald and Barbara (Ptak) Krall. She is survived by her parents, her husband Bernie Dombrowski, children: Tyler Pratt, Richie Dombrowski, Madison Dombrowski and Jessica Rinaldis grandchildren: Makenna, Carter and Parker Rinaldis, brother Michael Connor and sisters Lisa Connor and Allison Harris. Andrea was a devoted and loving wife, mother and daughter who was larger than life and always put others before herself. The family will be planning a Celebration of Life in the near future. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Stroke Association at www.stroke.org or at 9707 E. Easter Lane, Suite B Centennial, CO 80112. Online condolences may be expressed at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.

Charles William Felix

On Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018, Charles William Felix passed away at his cabin on the property of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC. He was 89 years old. Charlie was born on June 26th, 1929 in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up with his brother Jerry in Meriden, CT. On December 8th, 1954, Charlie was ordained a Cath-

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olic priest in Rome, Italy. He served as a priest for 18 years at Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. After leaving the priesthood, Charlie married Kathleen Skelley Felix on June 30th, 1967 in New York, NY. He earned a Master of Public Health from Yale University in 1969, and served 30 years at Foodservice & Packaging Institute where he was the founder and editor of Environmental News Digest, and a founding member of the National Conference for Food Protection. Following these roles, Charlie launched Charles Felix Associates which provided consulting services and also published newsletters Food Protection Report and Food Talk. He and wife Kathy led this sole proprietorship for 12 years before a successful sale. Charlie was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous through which he co-founded several meeting groups, and attained 43 years of sobriety. Charlie enjoyed dessert (always!), photography, writing, public speaking, and travel, including a notable two week public health exchange trip through the former U.S.S.R. in 1986. He wrote a private memoir titled, “The Times of My Life” in which he passed along the following advice, “happiness comes of doing the right thing. It’s as simple as that. If you do the next right thing that life and your conscience calls you to do, you will be happy.” Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Ann Walsh Felix (1983) and Charles Emile Felix (1984) and and wife Kathleen Skelley Felix (2013). He is survived by his son Charles Andrew Felix, daughter-in-law Kendall Bambrough Felix, grandsons Kelley Canon Felix and Cosmo Canon Felix (Raleigh, NC), brother Jerome Felix (Ocala, FL), and many extended Felix and Skelley family members. Memorial services were held on October 5th, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh, NC and will be held on October 11th at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church 55 Oakcrest Manor Drive Lees-

burg, VA20176. He will be buried at Union Cemetery alongside wife Kathy and his parents. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Duke HomeCare & Hospice Office of Development 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101 Durham, NC 27704. https://dhch. duhs.duke.edu/make-donation which provided end of life care for both Charlie and Kathy Felix.

Margaret L. Trauger

Margaret L. Trauger, 75, of Charles Town, WV, formerly of Leesburg, VA, passed on Saturday, October 13, 2018 in Kearneysville, WV. Born October 8, 1943 in Washington, DC, A daughter of the late Ralph and Lorraine Crouch. Margaret graduated from Loudoun County High School, and worked in Loudoun County Public Schools as a substitute teacher for many years. She leaves her family to cherish her memory including her sons Rob & daughter in law Mary Trauger of Ashburn, VA, and Bryan and daughter in law Allison of Charles Town, WV; four grandchildren Samantha, Tristan, Tyler, and Trevor. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Meg’s life on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 6 pm, at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel. A reception will immediately follow at the funeral home. Interment will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430, http:// www.hospiceotp.org/helpinghospice. Please share condolences with the family www. LoudounFuneralChapel.com

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Fred Maurice Lucas Age 77 Fred Maurice Lucas, age 77, of Ranson, WV and formerly of Hamilton, VA, departed this life quietly and peaceful on Tuesday Oct. 9, 2018 at Hospice of The Panhandle In-patient Center in Kearneysville, WV. He was born on April 30, 1941 to the late John Westley Lucas and Mary Jane Mitchell Lucas. Fred had four siblings, who preceded him on his journey to heaven: Isaac Westley Lucas, Flossie Mable Cook, Charles Mckinley Lucas, Lawrence Leo Lucas. “Pop-pop” and Fredy are fond names given to him by his grandchildren and family and friends. He joined Mt. Zion United Methodist Church as a young child, and was baptized at an early age. He was a hard worker and he was known for the up-keep of the cemetery as an assistant to the director, helping with the marking of the grave sites. He was educated in the Loudoun County Public Schools, attended Carver Elementary, and graduated from Douglas High School. He loved to work on cars, and would do anything for anyone. Fred was a former Military soldier in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He was united in marriage to Esther Jean Nickens in 2000. With the joining of lives, he became the proud father of Montey Allen. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Montey Jay Allen and son-in-law, Tony Allen, of Ranson, West Virginia; sisters, Ruby Sanford of Sterling, Virginia, Pearl Lucas and Frances Lucas of Leesburg, Virginia; grandchildren, Brooklyn Nickens and Tony Allen, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Viewing will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 250 West Virginia Avenue, Hamilton, VA 20158. Interment will be at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hamilton, VA. Arrangements By: Lyles Funeral Service serving Northern VA, Eric S. Lyles Director Lic. VA, MD, DC 800-388-1913.

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Legal Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on November 1, 2018 at the Lovettsville Town Office located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue: LVCU 2018-0001 Application for a Conditional Use Permit to Install Wireless Communication Equipment on the Town of Lovettsville Elevated Water Tank Located at 14-A Quarter Branch Road Consideration of an application for a Conditional Use Permit filed by Centerline Communications LLC on behalf of the applicant Sprint Communications, Inc. to install additional wireless communication equipment on the Town of Lovettsville elevated water tank located at 14-A Quarter Branch Road within the R-2 Residential Zoning District. The property is more particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 333-45-9227. The application proposes to install three (3) additional antennas, install six (6) additional remote radio heads (RRHs), replace the two (2) existing ground-level cabinets, and upgrade related wireless communication equipment at the site. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review at the Town Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm during weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call (540) 822-5788 for more information or contact Joshua A. Bateman, Zoning Administrator at jbateman@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly-scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 10/18/18, & 10/25/18

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V I R G I N I A: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY RE: Estate of Julian Roger Peverley, Deceased Probate File No. 16450

SHOW CAUSE ORDER It appearing that a report of the account of W. Franklin Pugh, Administrator of the Estate of Julian Roger Peverley, Deceased, and of the debts and demands against his Estate have been filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, and that 6 months have elapsed since the qualification of the Administrator; IT IS ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate show cause, if any they can, on the 2nd day of November, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., before this Court at its courtroom in Leesburg, Virginia, against payment and delivery to the sole heir at law of the Estate of Julian Roger Peverley, Deceased, with refunding bond.

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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.:

CL117468

Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Jenifer Nailely Quinilla Duarte /v. Name Change The object of this suit is to: NAME CHANGE. It is ORDERED that David Quinilla appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before 12/07/18 at 2:00 pm. 10/11/18, 10/18/18, 10/25/18, 11/01/18

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[ OPINION ]

October 18, 2018

An 80-Year Mission Few community traditions are as deeply rooted as the hospital Ladies Board Rummage sale, which marks its 80th year this weekend. The event was born in an era when the operations of Loudoun Hospital quite literally depended on the support of its volunteer Ladies Board. Items selling for nickels and quarters at the annual sale provided funding for critical needs of doctors and patients. Today, local health care is a multi-billion-dollar industry; the expansion underway in Lansdowne is a $300 million construction project. The numbers are huge, yet community contributions continue to play an important role in the hospital operations. Those are evident in major donations— including those that resulted in the Schaufeld Family Heart Center, the Virts Miller Family Emergency and Trauma Center, and the Wheeler family’s contributions to the

[ LETTERS ]

Cornwall Emergency Department—that funded significant advances in critical care services available to Loudoun residents. And the money collected by the Ladies Board through the annual sale and thrift shop operations continues to play a vital role. The work of the board’s volunteers has launched the careers of scores of nurses and last year provided $110,000 for scholarships. The board also provided $1 million to help build the new birthing inn and another million to update the Cornwall emergency room. Eight decades after its founding, the Ladies Board Rummage Sale has built a well-earned reputation as a bargain hunter’s paradise and as one of the region’s top tourist magnets. But with the dedication of an army of volunteers, some older than the sale itself, the event continues to meet its core mission and provide a vital community service—all by collecting donations quarters and dollars at a time.

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 Danielle Nadler Managing Editor dnadler@loudounnow.com Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmerker@loudounnow.com

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Disturbing Dynamic Editor: My family moved to Leesburg in 1984 when I was seven. With a few brief exceptions, I’ve lived here my entire life and am now raising two children in the Exeter community, barely a 15-minute walk from downtown Leesburg. We’ll be making that walk in just a few short days to attend the Halloween Parade, and I’ll be doing it with a pit in my stomach that started forming weeks ago when I realized how short a span separated that tradition from the upcoming midterm elections. I’ve attended and participated in that parade countless times over the years, as a kid collecting candy, on a float sponsored by my Little League baseball team or Loudoun County High School clubs, and now as a parent. That said, I never enjoyed it less than in 2016 when the first half of the parade was a celebration of the shared underpinnings of our community and the second half was an endless string of political aspirants doing their best to drive us apart. There’s no denying that our political landscape has changed. I’m uninterested in taking sides other than to point out the obvious; that our affiliations are no longer about the merits of our positions, but instead about the reasons why opposing positions do not deserve to be considered. This dynamic was present under the surface as the various red and blue floats made their way down King Street two years ago, and the thought of how the drastic degradation of our political discourse will manifest itself this year is thoroughly, utterly depressing. I wrote to the Kiwanis Club the other day. I was wondering what the parade would look like this year, if, maybe, anyone shared my concerns and thought to keep the focus on what this tradition was supposed to be about. I was informed that while they were reiterating to entrants that they were to decorate in a Halloween theme and pass out candy, anyone who wished to participate in the parade must be allowed. I understand

their position. I just know what will come of it and wish something could be done. Sadly, I have no solutions to suggest. I suspect, given our state of polarization, that any efforts to depoliticize the parade would be viewed by one side or the other as an effort to silence opposing voices. It is, however, ridiculous that our political climate has so saturated our daily lives that it would be unthinkable to hold this one, tiny moment sacred. I believe that there remain things that unite us. I’ve grown up with people who love this town, people who share in its prosperity. When we bring our toddlers to the children’s reading room at the Rust Library on Tuesday mornings we don’t take turns shouting at the librarian to read Chelsea Clinton’s or Glenn Beck’s kid lit. I don’t understand why an event we have staged for the children of Leesburg for the past 62 years can’t be held to the same standards. — Jason Slepetz Purdy, Leesburg

Dedicated Spaces Editor: Most Loudoun residents believe in the importance of the arts in our community. Certainly, the hundreds of artist-entrepreneurs who live in Loudoun County are an economic force. According to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts employ more than 4.7 million workers nationwide, creating 4.23 percent of our domestic product. Much more importantly, the arts are the glue that binds us all together. A dance or musical performance, or an experience journaling, or learning a craft, connects us to our history and prepares us for new ways of thinking. Public art projects transform urban environments in ways that bring people together. When we use the term “culture,” we are referring to these shared understandings, this “created community.” This past year we saw the closing of some prominent cultural programs. The LETTERS >> 41

[ LETTERS ] << FROM 40

Editor: Each Oct. 1, the Loudoun County Toys for Tots season begins, and each year we are tasked with securing warehouse space in which to run our toy collection, sorting, and distribution operation. The past several years we have been fortunate in securing space which was generously donated by various building owners. This year, we are having difficulty in securing space and therefore are appealing to our communities for assistance by getting the word out about this need

Missed Point Editor: Ms. Rose Ellen Ray’s letter to the editor “Staying Put” failed to respond to the concerns raised by Mr. Glen Peterson in his Oct. 4 letter to the editor. Ms. Ray disagrees with Mr. Peterson’s description of the current Republican Party, but does not show how he is wrong. I searched for responsive arguments that the current GOP, in fact, retains the conservative values of decency and respect for others, of fiscal responsibility, free trade and defense of truth—but no such arguments were advanced. Instead there was the tiresome litany of alt-right talking points and buzz words advanced by “Reichbart” and “FoxSpews” to redirect the focus onto straw men and avoid the inconvenience of truth. Winston Churchill once said: “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” Not long after Pearl Harbor, the American government produced a film to provide its answer to the American people’s biggest question: “How could this have happened?” In a dialogue between Uncle Sam and Teddy Roosevelt, the case was made that the real cause was not a failure of American policy or military readiness, it was—wait for it— the fact that the Hawaiian Islands were teeming with Japanese-Americans who were bound by their culture and religion to follow the Emperor. In short, argued Uncle Sam, we were betrayed by people who weren’t like us. In similar fashion a vocal minority of Americans seeks to divert attention from the grievous failures of the Republican Party leadership, including the president, by pointing to their own versions of the “enemy within” as the reasons for the current state of political affairs. Its because of them, those (fill in the blank) people led by (insert the following names: Obama, Clinton, Pelosi, Comey, Clapper, etc. etc.) that our country is riddled with political and social impurity. Mr. Peterson does not advocate that conservative Republicans change to Democrats. Rather, he calls upon his fellow true conservatives to take a stand against the vocal minority to bring honesty, decency and truth back to his po-

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with the hope that someone has space they would be willing to donate for two months (Nov. 15- Jan. 15). We are looking for 10,000 to 12,000 square feet of warehouse space, preferably with a loading dock, located in Loudoun County. We are a nonprofit organization and will provide a tax letter as well as a Certificate of Insurance. Although we are an aﬄuent county, there is still a great need to assist families. Last year, we provided more than 7,000 toys to The Salvation Army, which allowed the organization to operate a Toy Shop (in addition to its Angel Tree program), where families in need could go and select toys for their children. For us to conduct this program, it is critical that we find a space for our operations. If you can help us, please email Toys4TotsLoudoun@gmail.com. — Frank Holtz Toys for Tots Coordinator, Loudoun County

October 18, 2018

LAC’s Arts in the Village Cooperative Gallery lost its lease in January. A fortyyear-old performing arts institution, the Bluemont Concert Series, also closed its doors this year. Other arts organizations are struggling to find performance space and keep afloat. In this environment, we are more determined than ever to fight for a role for the arts in the development of Loudoun County. Scores of new construction projects are started here every year. As one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., Loudoun seems to enjoy an embarrassment of riches when it comes to commercial development. It is indeed embarrassing to witness the small amount of attention paid to creative placemaking here compared to nearby Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Clarke, Shenandoah or Frederick counties. Surrounding counties offer their residents several places to attend performances and make and view art. These facilities are funded a variety of ways, by crowdfunding, through dynamic partnerships between businesses, community groups, and non-profit organizations—and with local government support. This is something we can improve. This year, we would like to join with all arts and community organizations in Loudoun to support our own local culture and call for policy change. Arts facilities should have a central place in future development and redevelopment plans in Loudoun’s towns and urban areas. Monetizing every square inch of real estate won’t lead to lasting success. Strong communities have physical facilities dedicated to public life. We need those dedicated spaces in Loudoun. It’s a big goal. We can’t do this alone. Most of our community arts groups are run, like the LAC, by just a handful of volunteers. The LAC, for example, has no paid staff. Everyone on the Board has—at least—one other job. These volunteers put in many hours supporting local arts organizations, recognizing and rewarding our young talent, managing grants, and creating new opportunities for working artists. Like other arts groups in Loudoun, we often feel like we are pedaling as hard as we can. But, by coming together, with all of our various connections, we can have a much louder voice. In my last full year as Loudoun Arts Council president, I ask everyone to help create a new local arts coalition for this purpose. The arts deserve a place in our policymaking, and in our towns. — Jill Evans-Kavaldjian, President Loudoun Arts Council

PARENTING WITH PURPOSE

October 18, 2018

Teen Stress and Anxiety

BY NEIL MCNERNEY In the past few years, I have seen a significant increase in the number of teens in my office complaining of anxiety. Kids these days are dealing with more stress and anxiety than any other generation, and it is causing them a great deal of difficulty.

Here are some of the symptoms of anxiety: • Difficulty sleeping • Avoidance behaviors (school refusal, being sick right before a game or performance) • Irritability • Physical symptoms, such as digestive issues, fear of vomiting, fatigue, and headaches • Outbursts • Panic attacks (heart racing, difficulty catching breath, sweating, dizziness, and nausea) We have learned quite a bit about what is happening in the brain of an anxious person. During times of stress, our amygdala is overactive. The amygdala is a primitive part of our brain that processes threats. It’s the “flight/fight/freeze” part of our brain. Because this section is so active, our logical parts of our brain are not nearly active enough. One of the most common coping mechanisms that teens use during anxious moments is avoidance. If I avoid thinking about the upcoming test, I won’t feel as much anxiety. If I avoid going to school, I don’t have to face the awkward lunch time, or the friend who stopped talking to me, or the mean teacher. It is much easier to avoid the stressful event than face it. Avoidance works, in the short term. Avoidance behaviors decrease stress for many types of anxiety,

including social anxiety, school avoidance, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But avoidance almost always backfires by causing more anxiety in the long run. The more we avoid the stressors in life, the stronger those stressors become. For instance, the more a student avoids school, the more makeup work is needed. This will, of course, produce more anxiety. As a parent, dealing with an anxious teen can be very tricky. Our first response is to soothe. We tell them it’s no big deal, that they will get through it, et cetera. There is a reason these approaches don’t work: Our kids don’t feel understood. What they are feeling is real to them and when we try to tell them it’s no big deal, they will try to convince you that it is a big deal. Instead, first try to communicate that you understand that they are very stressed about the situation. Communicate that you get it. “I can see why this is upsetting you so much right now.” When we let our kids know that we get it, they no longer feel alone, and it can then lead to helping with a solution. Second, remember that when teens are anxious, their brain is not thinking logically. It is in a bit of a panic mode. Imagine getting ready to bungee jump off a bridge while at the same time trying to solve a math problem in your head. This is what it is like for a teen in the midst of feeling anxious. Third, we know that the best approach to reducing anxiety is by facing it. For instance, we know that the best approach for a phobia is to expose the person to increasingly stressful examples of the fearful thought. The same concept works well for dealing with teen stresses. Encouraging our kids to face their fear is one of the more effective things a parent can do when a teen is facing anxiety.

Being Brave In my work with children and teens experiencing anxiety, I use the term bravery quite a bit. Bravery, in my opinion, is not the same as being fearless. In order to be brave, one must also be experiencing anxiety or fear. Bravery is the act of facing fear. I will often try to have the teen recall times when they faced a fear in the past and will ask them to try to remember how they actually talked themselves into being brave. For instance: “I know how worried you are about going to school today. You must feel miserable. I can’t imagine how lousy you feel right now and the thought of going to school must be very hard. It would take a tremendous amount of bravery to face this situation. However, I’ve seen you be brave in the past, and I’m wondering if you can also face this fear.” If you have instances that you can share when they were brave, now would be the time to share them. Discussing bravery can only be helpful if you have successfully accomplished the first step: Make sure your teen knows that you understand how stressed they are. Validate their experience. If they don’t think you get it, then trying to talk about bravery will flop. Dealing with anxiety, like other aspects of becoming an adult, is teachable. We, as parents, can teach them this skill, just like we taught them how to tie shoe laces and how to ride a bike. Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out! and The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s.

Anxiety Makes Teen So Sick He Can’t Eat BY CHRIS CROLL This is an interview with the mother of a child who has anxiety-induced medical anorexia. It is one in a series that profiles children who have conditions, diagnoses or temperaments that require specialized support from parents, teachers, coaches, therapists, friends, family members and other influential people in their lives. The goal of these profiles is to elicit greater empathy from the community for these highneeds children and their families. Croll: What does it mean to have anxiety-induced medical anorexia? Julia: Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. For my son, his anxiety prevents him from eating. He gets nauseous before a meal and sick to his stomach after a meal. As a result, he is at a dangerously low weight. He does not have the body dysmorphic disorder where he thinks he’s fat that is typically associated with anorexia. He just finds eating to be an extremely unpleasant experience. Croll: When did you realize this was an issue with your son? Julia: The eating issues started in sixth grade after transitioning from a private school to public school. He was assigned to a lunch table without any of his friends. He felt so uncomfortable eating alone that he stopped eating lunch at school. His weight started to drop and soon he began not turning in work. It was obvious something was off. Croll: How do his exceptionalities impact his ability to be successful academically and socially? Julia: He has missed a lot of school because his anxiety didn’t allow him to get out of bed. It is impossible for me to drag a 5-foot, 9-inch 17-year old

kid out of bed to go to school. The battling every morning only fueled his anxiety. Eventually he went on homebound and then I pulled him out of public school altogether. By that point he was very sick. When a child is malnourished, the nutrients they do take in go to support vital organs like heart, lungs and kidneys. The brain suffers as a result. When the brain is not adequately fed, cognitive function is impaired. Being anxious made my son not eat and him not eating made him even more anxious. It’s a vicious cycle. When he got down to 92 pounds, his team of doctors insisted that he be admitted to an eating disorder clinic for inpatient services. Unfortunately, that was a horrible experience for him and created even more mental health challenges. He became suicidal. I finally took him out of there against medical orders after a nurse whispered to me that he didn’t belong there. I then had him at home with me and he promised to try harder to eat. He was still very unwell physically and mentally. He confided in a friend that he wanted to end his life. I was terrified every time I ran out to the store that I would come home and find him dead. Croll: What are some of the unique parenting challenges you face with this condition? Julia: Nonstop stress and worry! I am a single mom and I constantly wonder if there’s something I could have done differently. I never in a million years thought I would have a child with mental health issues and an eating disorder. I’m angry that there are not more readily available and affordable resources for children like my son. Croll: What are some of the challenges your child faces? Julia: Eating is still a huge challenge for him.

Overcoming stress and anxiety to get out of bed in the morning is still a struggle. My son feels tremendous guilt for causing me to worry about him. He chokes down many supplements drinks every day, even though they taste terrible, and it is still hard for him to eat enough calories. Croll: What type of education environment does your child attend? Julia: He takes a few classes right now at a private school for kids who require a flexible education. Croll: How do you think your child is perceived by others? Julia: Adults perceive my son as very smart and interesting. Younger kids like him and go to him for advice. He always comes across as very level-headed and mature. He has a few close friends. Croll: What would you like others to understand about your child and others like him? Julia: If your child has mental health issues it doesn’t mean you are a bad parent. There is no shame in being honest and letting people know your kid isn’t perfect. My message to parents with children suffering from anxiety is this: It may take ten psychiatrists or counselors before you finally find one that fits. It may take ten medications before you find one that works. Keep pushing for your child and know that you are not alone out there. Many of us are going through the same struggle. Chris Croll is a parenting consultant specializing in educating and raising gifted and twice-exceptional children. She leads the National Center for Gifted Services and the nonprofit Loudoun County Parents of Gifted Students.]

<< FROM 1

Drug court << FROM 1 It will require hiring to fill new positions, including two new workers in Community Corrections, two in the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, and a new sheriff ’s deputy. But some of that cost will be covered by grant money— the county has already won $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to cover the first three years of a new drug court coordinator along with necessary equipment and drug testing supplies. Other than the grant, the program is estimated to cost $505,000 in the first year for a new probation officer, two new positions in the department of

Improvements << FROM 3 ed that the department relocate its offices to a more secure and functional location, staff members said that won’t be practical for at least the next three years. A study is underway to determine whether the department should move into an existing building or have a new office built. For the time being, the department will rearrange cubicles to allow officers to share space and to make room for a $3,200 purchase of 12 secure lockers

Last straw << FROM 3 businesses to publicly announce the eliminated the use of plastic drinking straws in its restaurants. It’s all about another way to give back to the ocean, owner Rick Allison said. The restaurants also participate in an oyster shell recycling program through the Oyster Recovery Project based out of Annapolis, MD. “I just think we need to do our part as a restaurant, in general,” Allison said. “Hopefully, we can start a trend.” Loudoun County Public Schools

provements to routes are being made every day, especially as a new school year gets underway. “But we believe we have reduced some of those longer runs. There’s always more work we can do, but we do believe we have improved overtime.” Hornberger, who has been the most vocal proponent of overhauling bus services, commended Lewis for nearing the industry standard. “It’s great to see we are moving LCPS to be more efficient with the transportation resources it has,” he said, and asked if the goal will be an even better route-to-bus ratio than the industry standard. Lewis said just reaching the standard will be a big win. “Right now, our goal will be to maintain that.”

mental health, and a new deputy. That cost is expected to go down after the first year, since deputies have significant hiring costs for training and equipment. That is estimated to equip a drug court to start with 20 participants, growing eventually to up to 50. Supervisors welcomed the news. Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said although “this isn’t all about money,” at about $25,000 per participant, the new drug court seems to be working toward a workable model. “I’m really hoping that this can be structured for it to be a lot more effective than we were last time, and that was the problem we had last time: we spent a lot of money, and it seemed like there were no results,” Buona said. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said a drug court has

the potential to save the county money in the long run. “It costs about $30,000 a year to incarcerate an adult that has no mental health issues or problems,” Randall said. “So you have to factor the difference in— not to mention that person is probably working, their children are not on the system, all those types of things.” The Drug Court advisory committee is assembled of representatives from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, county administration, community corrections, the county Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services, the county Department of Family Services, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, the Leesburg Police Department, the Office of the Public Defender, the Virginia Depart-

ment of Corrections Adult Probation and Parole, and Circuit Court Judges Douglas Fleming and Stephen Sincavage. The finance committee also heard hopeful news on the county’s new mental health docket at the District Court level. That program launched in July aimed at getting suspects whose crimes are related to mental illness into treatment rather than jail cells. The docket, another collaborative effort under Judge Deborah Welsh, is expected to serve up to 10 people in its first six months. Eventually, it is expected to serve up to 25 people. The county is waiting on news about a $750,000, three-year grant to help pay for that program.

that will safely store ballistic vests and weapons. McAlister said that while the Hirst Road headquarters is secure, officers currently hang their vests over chairs, which isn’t ideal when officers lead office tours. “We would like to make sure that we have everything safely stored away, and neatly as well,” she said. To address the report’s finding that there was a “cycle of complacency and mediocrity within the department,” the town will spend $18,900 to purchase the Annual Law Enforcement Policy Manual and Daily Training Bulletins from Lexipol, a policy management software designed for public safety, to

reinforce the department’s policies and aid refresher training. The town will spend $8,442 for subsequent annual subscriptions to the bulletins. The town will also spend $63,200 to purchase 16,000 rounds of ammunition, which is a three-year supply for active officers, training, weapons qualifying sessions and cadets at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the town will need to spend $22,000 on ammunition in each year. Corp. Paul Kakol said that the ammunition order needs to be placed as soon as possible because it could take

up to nine months to arrive. “We need to have this ammunition on hand,” he said. The town expects the increased costs to be somewhat offset through traffic ticket fines and savings from staff turnover in the department. Mayor Kwasi Fraser said that the $235,300 needs to be put into perspective, noting that the police department will use it to protect the town’s more than $125 million in assets. “That [$235,000] is just 0.18 percent,” he said. “I think it’s worth that investment.”

has also taken steps to reduce the use of straws in its cafeterias. In the county’s middle and high schools, straws are available only by request, noted Leigh Anne Critzer of LCPS’ School Nutrition Services. Just by making the straws available by request only, Critzer said the school system expects to use 600,000 fewer straws by the end of the school year. Straws are still provided— without request—to all elementary and special education students. They also still are provided with smoothies. “When we look at ways we can make choices that better support our initiatives, and that’s LCPS-wide, it is a financial benefit, but that’s not the impetus—just a byproduct, really,” she said.

“When you see the number 600,000 it really brings to light something people don’t think about and it ties into the non-necessity of the item.” Inova Health System is using America Recycles Day on Nov. 15 to eliminate plastic straws in its public areas, such as cafeterias and gift shops, in all five hospitals in the system. Eventually, that will be rolled out to include its patient areas, according to Seema Wadhwa, assistant vice president of Inova’s Sustainability and Wellness. A straw made with alternative, biodegradable material will still be made available for anyone with a medical need for straws. The impact of Inova’s elimination of straws alone leaves a mark. Wadhwa

notes that the hospital system currently goes through one mile of straws per day, for a total of 3 million straws annually. Wadhwa said focusing on the health of the environment has a direct correlation to taking care of one’s own health. Eliminating straws is an example that “the smallest decision can make a big impact.” She said the hospital system is hoping others follow suit. “Our approach has always been to make an impact,” she said, “but also leading the conversation and engaging stakeholders. We believe it’s important to engage by starting the conversation.”

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we have and put as much as we can in the classroom.” First, the board better executed a “walk zone” policy that had been on the books for years but never fully enforced; more students were getting bus service than the policy allowed. They asked the staff to now only provide bus service to elementary students who live more than 1 mile of their school and middle and high school students who live more than 1.25 miles from their schools. In that first year, it meant about 2,000 fewer students were eligible for bus rides.

had to make double runs, picking up and dropping off one bus-load of students only to turn around and pick up and drop off a second bus-load of students. In many cases, that resulted in students arriving to school late or riding the bus for 90 minutes one way. The transportation team also adopted a new software system to consolidate bus routes, reduce lengthy rides, maximize bus space, and reduce the number of drivers needed. School Board member Tom Marshall (Leesburg) acknowledged the improvement to the bottom line has come at the cost of putting more students on buses. He asked Lewis, “are students spending more time on the bus overall?” “We don’t believe rides are longer overall,” Lewis responded. He said im-

October 18, 2018

School bus overhaul

As part of that effort, they also secured funding through the Safe Routes to School program to improve crosswalks and sidewalks to encourage more students to walk or ride bikes to school. Another big push toward improving bus service was boosting pay and hours for bus drivers to recruit and retain more drivers and fill a severe driver shortage. Transportation Director Michael Brown said earlier this year that those changes all but solved the driver shortage. In early 2017, the school system was about 160 drivers short, and as of the start of the school year, it had about a dozen unfilled positions. Having enough drivers has meant a better overall experience for students. When the transportation team faced with too few drivers, it meant drivers

October 18, 2018

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