Loudoun Now for Oct. 27, 2016 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 1, No. 51 ]

[ loudounnow.com ]

[ Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016 ]

21 Loudoun 2016 Election Guide inside this edition

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Construction work continues on the Loudoun Gateway Metro station at the intersection of the Dulles Greenway and Old Ox Road.

HOLDING THE LINE

Pressure Mounts to Allow Homes Near Dulles Metro BY RENSS GREENE

s Loudoun County leaders develop plans for two Silver Line Metro stations along the Dulles Greenway, letters from business interests have begun pouring in, trying to push supervisors to open up the area around Dulles Airport for homes. The Loudoun Gateway station sits at the intersection of the Dulles Greenway and Rt. 606, at the northern edge of airport property. That puts it squarely inside the loudest part of the county’s Airport Impact Overlay District, where as a matter of policy the county has long forbade residential development. Even the planned Metro station under construction at the

airport terminal is not expected to hear as much plane noise because it is not under a runway flight path. Supervisors have received position papers from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, the Dulles Corridor Rail Association, the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, mixed-use development expert and George Washington University Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis Chairman Chris Leinberger, the county’s own Economic Development Advisory Commission, and even the Antigones, the family that owns upwards of 260 acres of real estate neighboring the Loudoun Gateway station. All wrote of the need to allow residen-

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tial development around Loudoun Gateway. “If the current zoning recommendation that prohibits residential development for Loudon Gateway/Route 606 is maintained, the major investment in this Metrorail station will be a very expensive ‘park and ride’ parking deck,” Leinberger wrote. “There will be little if any development generated and Loudoun County will have squandered a major opportunity.” Leinberger and others argue that the noise contours around the airport, which are based on a 1993 study, are out of AIRPORT NOISE >> 6 ✃

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B Chord Brewery Faces Renewed ABC Challenge BY RENSS GREENE Marty Dougherty, the would-be proprietor of B Chord Brewing Company, faced down objectors during a four-hour ABC hearing last week. Dougherty has tried for months to open B Chord in western Loudoun. A previous attempt to open on Foggy Bottom Road was stopped when residents in the area convinced the Virginia Alcoholic Beverages Commission not to issue a license. “In the present case, the Board cannot ignore the will of the citizens B CHORD >> 46

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INSIDE

Intermediate school proposed to handle enrollment surge

How safe is an online toaster? Techies talk Internet of Things

Loudoun goes all out for Halloween this weekend

Gabby Giffords Talks Gun Control in Loudoun BY DANIELLE NADLER Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords delivered a short and clear message at the Cascades Library in Sterling last week. “Now is the time to come together and be responsible—Democrats, Republicans and everyone. We must never stop fighting. Everyone, fight, fight, fight,” she said. “Be bold, be courageous. The nation is counting on you.” The brief statement prompted shouts and a standing ovation from a crowd of almost 200. Giffords survived an

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Lara Trump was in Loudoun County on Tuesday campaigning for her father-in-law, Republican Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump. She spoke to supporters at Trump National Golf Club DC in Potomac Falls. A rally she was scheduled to attend in Leesburg earlier that day was cancelled because she was caught in traffic, according to a campaign spokesperson.

GIFFORDS >> 46

IN APPRECIATION

Su Webb: 1943-2016

Loudoun Gov.............. 4 Leesburg.................... 8 Public Safety............ 12 Education................. 16 Our Towns................ 30 Biz........................... 32 LoCo Living.............. 34 Loudoun Moment...... 38 Obituaries................ 40 Classifieds............... 41 Opinion.................... 44

loudounnow.com

SU WEBB >> 40

INDEX

One of Loudoun’s strongest conservation and parks advocates, Su Webb, died on Oct. 18. She was found in her home early last week by Loudoun County deputies who were called to check on her welfare after she failed to keep several appointments where she was expected. A veteran newspaperwoman, Webb devoted decades of service to preservation efforts in Loudoun. She is credited with playing a pivotal role in preserving the county’s cultural and environmental treasures during a period of unprecedented growth and development. She was president of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum and served on the boards of the Piedmont Environmental Council, Aldie Heritage Association and the Lovettsville Park Advisory Board. For 20 years, Webb served on the Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board. She also served on the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority board of directors. In addition to her work on the farm museum at Claude Moore Park in Sterling with its founder and first president, former Loudoun Extension Agent Bill Harrison, her lasting accomplishments include the transfer of the historic Mt. Zion Church and Aldie Mill Park to the protection of NOVA Parks, the establishment of Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park and White’s Ford Regional Park. Among the accolades presented to Webb for her leadership service, she was named the 2012 Heritage Hero by the Mosby Heritage Association and was inducted as a Loudoun Laurel. Known for her sunny personality, enjoyment of life and strong leadership, tributes poured in for the Georgia-born

Webb this week. For staff at the heritage farm museum, Webb’s death hit particularly hard as she was at the museum on almost a daily basis. Co-director Katie Eichler Jones said Webb was “passionate about Loudoun County preservation.” Webb’s daughter Anne Fabry is working with the museum board and staff to hold an informal remembrance from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. Harrison, whose idea it was to create the museum was a longtime friend, having known and worked with Webb for 25 years. “She was a dynamic person,” he said, Sarah Huntington Photography recalling their partnership at the museum, including her tireless work on its behalf right up to her death. “She was practically a volunteer there every day,” he said. Prior to his election to the General Assembly as a state delegate, Randy Minchew first met Webb when he was asked by the Board of Supervisors to co-chair the new Rural Economic Development Task Force. “She was very concerned that the A-3 zoning then existing in over 200,000 acres of rural Loudoun was not really helping our rural economy and was actually hurting it [by] facilitating by-right residential development,” Minchew said. The task force met with Webb and Harrison at the farm museum, where she showed them “the richness of Loudoun’s agricultural history—we were all moved by her passion,” Minchew recalled. Webb then challenged them to come up with a rural economic development plan that would “not wind up on a bookshelf in the Planning Office but would actually make a

Five teens charged for schoolhouse vandalism

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, of Arizona, survived an assassination attempt in January 2011 and is now a vocal advocate for gun control. She spoke in Sterling with 10th Congressional District candidate LuAnn Bennett, at left, last Thursday.

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

Talks begin on county’s $57 million budget gap

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[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

County Budget Talks Begin with $57M Shortfall BY RENSS GREENE

t’s budget season again in Loudoun. The Board of Supervisors has instructed the county staff to prepare a fiscal year 2018 budget at the current real property tax rate of $1.145 per $100 of assessed value, and to provide the board options for lowering that rate. That is the board’s usual direction. Each year, the supervisors direct the staff to look for options for an estimated equalized tax rate, which would cancel out property value growth on the average Loudouner’s tax bill by lowering the tax rate. Last year, that process was upside down—property values shrunk, and the equalized tax rate was higher than the previous year’s tax rate. Supervisors last year added a penny to the tax rate. This year, the county budget office estimates the county will again face a funding shortfall. At the current tax rate, preliminary projections show the county falling $56.7 million short without making cuts. Property and other local taxes won’t keep up with increases in school needs and population growth. The county will have some leftover funding from this year to put toward that budget gap next year, but not as much as in years past. “Given the amount of fund balance we’ll have this year, which will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 to $35 million, perhaps that will help us close this gap,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). Last year, the county had about $63 million in fund balance, said Department of Management and Budget Director Erin McLellan.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Supervisor Ralph M. Buona stands with the current year’s budget document shortly after the supervisors narrowly supported the current tax rate in March.

County Administrator Tim Hemstreet also pointed out that the board has targeted several projects for potential funding from the surplus, possibly cutting further into this year’s extra cash. Those include installing more synthetic turf fields at high schools, paying some comprehensive plan review expenses, conducting an employee class and compensation study, and consolidating the county’s three emergency communication departments.

When the board was voting on current previous budget in March, the School Board said it wanted four additional artificial turf fields at an estimated cost of $1.1 million each. The deferred costs of the comprehensive plan review—for which the board has already set aside $600,000 this year— were estimated at $400,000. A classification and compensation study to update the county’s pay scale was estimated at $200,000. The cost to consol-

Supervisors Approve ADAMS Expansion Plan BY RENSS GREENE The ADAMS Center’s Beaumeade branch will be allowed to move next door into a slightly larger space to accommodate the ever-growing numbers of Muslims who come to the mosque to pray. The All Dulles Area Muslim Society faced opposition from some business owners around the Beaumeade Corporate Park, who said the larger space—which adds capacity for 50 more people, to 250—will exacerbate a parking problem and push out businesses in the same building. “I have invested over a million dollars into just the physical plant improvements for Keeper Technology,” said David Donald, owner of Keeper Technologies. Donald has been a vocal opponent of the ADAMS application and has said his business has suffered from lack of parking, especially during Friday prayers at the mosque. Although the mosque has submitted a parking plan and is working with the area’s Cape Court Commercial Condominium Owner’s Association

Loudoun Now/File Photo

Signs and police deter the faithful at ADAMS from taking up nearby businesses’ parking.

on parking, Donald said the plan “is entirely unenforceable” and that the board should not take action without fully reviewing the plan. “The problem with what’s going on here is that we have a special exception

use that is expanding, and it’s pushing out the permitted uses,” Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) said. Under a 1999 condition of approval on Beaumeade Corporate Park, all uses must go through a special exception process. Except for that condition of approval on that development, worship centers are allowed by right in that area’s zoning. But other supervisors said the county shouldn’t be getting into parking disputes. “It’s hard to believe we’re actually even in the middle of this,” Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said. “It seems inappropriate that we’re even in the middle of this.” Randall said she hasn’t seen the parking problem. “I have now gone over there three times and sat in that parking lot three separate times on a Friday, so I know that there actually is plenty of parking spaces,” Randall said. Others pointed out that the parking plan—which has ADAMS using 69 parking spaces at its location, with overflow parking across Beau-

idate emergency communications into one Office of Emergency Management under the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management was estimated at $150,000. Overall, those expenses could add up to $5.15 million. The board will consider those again in December or January. The county will also study reducing the personal property tax rate on computers to help the county retain its data centers. “Some of our competing jurisdictions have lowered their property tax rate, and Mr. [Department of Economic Development Director Buddy] Rizer is beginning to hear some complaints about that,” Letourneau said. “The nature of this industry is such that the data centers have to refresh every few years, because their equipment gets out of date, so it’s actually easier for them to move.” Letourneau said even though the data centers invest in the building themselves, “the real money is inside.” The board also again restated its position that if it takes on more than the 70 percent it now pays toward Leesburg’s school resource officers, those positions then would be filled by Loudoun deputies instead of town officers. The Leesburg Town Council wants the county to cover up to 100 percent of the cost of the SROs in town. Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) also asked the county staff to refer background information on the condition of the state, national, and world economy to the school board. Hemstreet is expected to present his proposed budget in February. rgreene@loudounnow.com

meade Circle at Christian Fellowship Church—is an improvement on the current parking, which allows ADAMS 110 spaces. An email from Cape Court’s attorney Noah Klein dated Oct. 4 indicates the Cape Court condo association board of directors has unanimously approved that parking plan. “The status quo is much worse than this, and all we’re talking about tonight is whether the Board of Supervisors wants to be a condo association,” Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) said. The board voted 6-3 to approve the ADAMS move. It is moving out of space it is renting from a synagogue, the Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation. Supervisors Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian), Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn), and Higgins voted against. “This is a very special thing that’s happened here, where we have a mosque that was renting from a synagogue, who is now getting assistance from a Christian Church,” Meyer said. “I mean, that’s Loudoun for you.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

County Adopts New Noise Rules BY RENSS GREENE

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Loudoun Supervisors have adopted new noise standards for Loudoun businesses, finishing a months-long process to update all of the county’s noise rules. As opposed to the codified noise ordinances, which are enforced by the sheriff ’s office and deal with problems like noisy cars and dogs and which were updated in July, supervisors on Oct. 20 updated the noise rules in the county’s zoning ordinances, which apply mostly to businesses and problems like the droning of data center cooling systems. Existing businesses, however, are grandfathered in. Under the new standards, noise levels will be measured at the property line of a complaining property, rather than at the property line of the business creating the noise. The ordinance now also specifies a device and method for measuring noise, and sets out maximum allowable noise levels—from 55 decibels at residential and rural uses, to 70 decibels for industrial uses. For reference, Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge) brought one of the noise meters the county will use around his district and into the boardroom. Some western Loudoun residents have been asking for quieter standards, as low as 45 decibels. Buffington said in a quiet area off a rural road, the background noise of nature was at 40.5 decibels. Board Vice Chairman Ralph M.

Buona (R-Ashburn) borrowed the sound meter and asked for silence in the boardroom, measuring 55 decibels from a fan of a ceiling mounted projector. “There’s not a lot of reason to try to say we’re going to go down to 45 decibels,” Buona said. “It’s not realistic. It’s less than silence in this room.” Nonetheless, Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) attempted to lower the rural standard to 45 decibels, but couldn’t find a seconder for her motion. The new noise standards are the same for residential and industrial uses and five decibels higher for commercial uses. There is also a new mixed-use residential standard that allows slightly more noise than other residential areas. The ordinance also has a number of exemptions, including aircraft noise, school activities, construction and demolition, generator testing, air conditioners for townhouses and houses, and noise from public utilities. Some supervisors felt the ordinance wasn’t yet ready for a vote—Supervisors Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) and Umstattd voted against it. And some western Loudoun residents are not content with the revisions. “It’s strange,” said Bluemont resident Marvin Watts. “You protect noise, not citizens. You embrace disease, not health.”

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Airport noise << FROM 1 date, and that modern homes can be built with insulation and windows that block out noise when inside. Several have called for new noise studies, and point to more recent environmental impact statements that have showed that the high-noise zone around the airport is much smaller than depicted in the county’s planning documents. Lars Henriksen, chairman of the board of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, said DAAR understands the biggest change to the Silver Line plan is the deletion of multi-family houses near Loudoun Gateway. “We also understand that the current noise contours are based on a study performed in 1993,” Henriksen wrote. “Since that time there have been changes in aircraft noise, airline operations, and Dulles Airport operations which may alter the noise contour lines.” It’s a familiar argument—the same questions come up around any residential plan around the airport, including most recently a proposal by nonprofit organization Windy Hill Foundation to convert the Old Arcola School into affordable housing. In the case of the Metro stations, developers argue that the county’s special tax district, which encompasses the Metro stations and is meant to pay for the county’s contri-

butions to the Metro system, will not develop adequately without allowing the construction of more homes. If the tax district underperforms, taxpayers countywide will be on the hook for the estimated $22.9 million a year contribution to Metro. “Eliminating residential development from the available mix of uses at a station will severely inhibit the prospects of attracting commercial business, economic investment and therefore realization of tax revenues,” wrote the Economic Development Advisory Commission. County staffers have disputed that argument. At a Board of Supervisors’ finance committee meeting in September, county budget, transportation and administration staff members defended the county’s policies and plans. Although the county may face a Metro funding shortfall because of anemic gasoline sales tax revenues, staff members say these short-term bumps in the road shouldn’t be measured against the county’s long-term forecasts. “There is a fiscal benefit to Loudoun from Metro coming here, and this benefit should be realized over time through things like employment growth, development around the stations, increased property values and higher densities,” Management and Budget Director Erin McLellan said at that meeting. Of these business groups, only the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has written in support of the

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county’s existing policy. “The Chamber encourages harmonious growth of Washington Dulles International Airport and the County by recognizing the current zoning in the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District, contained in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, which forecasts the ultimate build-out conditions of the Airport,” the Loudoun Chamber wrote in a policy statement. “The Chamber supports carefully-considered, Airport-compatible residential uses in the vicinity of the Airport.” And so far, supervisors are sticking to their guns.

Staying the Course “I don’t think it’s well understood what the nature of that 1993 study is, versus the environmental impact statements that have been done more recently,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), whose district includes the airport and Loudoun Gateway station. “The 1993 study was at full buildout of the airport, which includes another runway and 40 to 50 million passengers a year, of which we’re at 50 percent of that capacity right now. I guess the question to them is, do they really think that the full buildout potential of Dulles Airport has changed from 1993 until now, and if so, what has changed?” Letourneau has been a vocal defender of the county’s airport noise policy. He said that although technology and

“

Do we want to hold up this entire process of the Silver Line Comprehensive Plan Amendment, that we’ve been working on for several years now, to wait for a study?

”

flight paths can change, they don’t always change for the better. A recent upgrade to flight traffic control at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s other airport, Reagan National, has created new flight paths and with them new noise complaints, he said. Plus, Letourneau said, Dulles is meant to be a 24-hour airport and as the airport grows, overnight operations could grow, too—“how are you going to feel about planes at three in the morning?” And despite developer concerns that more housing will be needed to attract development at Loudoun Gateway, Letourneau said the county may actually have the opposite problem. The county AIRPORT NOISE >> 7

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has already approved millions of square feet of commercial and mixed-used development at the county’s future Metro stations, Letourneau said, and may only see a fraction of what’s already been approved in the next few years. “I have a real concern that we are going to actually create too much competition between projects,” Letourneau said. “Yes, the market will sort things out, but it certainly didn’t help the development at Kincora that One Loudoun was around and flourishing.” The bond rating agency Fitch Ratings this year upgraded its assessment of the county’s Metro tax district rating from AA to AA+. “If there was genuine concern in the market that our tax districts were not going to happen, that would not have happened,” Letourneau said. Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian), who chairs the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee, said now is not the time for another study. “If we were, as a county, to want to initiate another study, it would cost at least $1 million, and it would take two years,” Volpe said. “Do we want to hold up this entire process of the Silver Line Comprehensive Plan Amendment, that we’ve been working on for several years now, to wait for a study?” Metro is expected to begin service in

COMPLIMENTARY PHYSICIAN VISIT

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

<< FROM 6

Loudoun in late 2019 or 2020. Volpe said at this point, landowners around the future Metro stations need certainty from the county. “This is something that somebody should have brought up five or ten years ago, or even three years ago,” Volpe said. “Maybe if they had brought it up the day that we did the original motion… when we initiated the Silver Line CPAM, then the board could have had a discussion. But you’re now asking us to do it when all sorts of studies have been done. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) pointed out that the county’s near-term plans for the Silver Line stations are all interim uses—the county is looking forward to construction around those stations decades from now. “What we do now, if it’s an interim use, may or may not be there if it’s there in 20 years,” Randall said. “We’re looking at this thing at a 2040 buildout, so those interim uses will go away, and at that time, if it is appropriate to build inside the [airport noise district] at that time 20 years from now, we can do that.” “Who knows?” Volpe said. “100 years from now we may have cars that don’t even go on the road anymore. We may have those floating things from Star Wars. But you can’t make plans based on that. You’ve got to plan for what you know.”

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[ BRIEFS ] Hearings Set for Crescent Parke, Leegate

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Town of Leesburg

A Loudoun developer wants to turn the property on South King Street near the W&OD Trail into a development with housing and space for retail or a restaurant.

South King Street Plan Clears Commission BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

proposal to bring more housing to downtown Leesburg cleared the Planning Commission last week, and will likely be before the Town Council for a final vote next month. Crescent Place developer Don Knutson received the commission’s thumbs-up on a proposal to construct four four-story buildings with 64 multi-family units and 7,100 square feet of commercial space and recreation amenities. The project is on 2 acres on the east side of South King Street along Town Branch and the W&OD Trail. Commissioners present at the Oct. 20 meeting unanimously recommended approval of the special exception application. Chairman Lyndsay Welsh Chamblin and Doris Kidder were absent for the vote. Commissioners took two meetings

to review the application, with much of the focus on extending the project’s buffers, floodplain mitigation, and the nine modification requests put forward by the applicant. These included reductions in screening, open space, and loading zone requirements. In its action, commissioners recommended approval of all the modifications. In his initial presentation to the commission, Knutson pointed to a fiscal analysis conducted on the proposed development, which estimates annual revenues to the town of almost $4 million from real property tax, sales and meals tax, and business licenses. The property, which currently houses a small strip retail center and the Battery Warehouse, has some history to it. In 2008, Waterford Development received special exception approval to construct a parking garage and commercial space along the Town Branch. Jan Zachariasse, president and CEO

Leesburg Begins Sign Rule Overhaul BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ A federal Supreme Court decision is spelling some dramatic changes for the Town of Leesburg’s sign regulations. It has been almost a year since Town Attorney Barbara Notar came before the Town Council with news of a landmark decision in how localities may regulate signs. The Reed v. Town of Gilbert, AZ, decision of June 18, 2015, meant the town may no longer regulate signs based on their content. The suit was brought on by a local pastor against the Town of Gilbert, when he argued that stricter regula-

tions were placed on signs that displayed political or ideological messages. In that case, temporary signs directing local residents to church services were called into question. In the high court’s majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the town’s sign code “imposes more stringent restrictions on these signs than it does on signs conveying other messages. We hold that these provisions are content-based regulations of speech that cannot survive strict scrutiny.” The Leesburg Town Council initiated the changes to the town’s sign ordinance last November, and the staff

of Waterford Development, had envisioned a walkable, pedestrian-oriented commercial space that would bring foot traffic to an area more used to passing cars and crossing cyclists off the W&OD Trail. That project never got off the ground. Knutson is hoping to build on the popularity of the residential offerings at Crescent Place to bring that same energy to the South King Street area. An existing 3,100-square-foot office building on the site will also be part of the project. Knutson is proposing to make improvements to the Town Branch and add a small pocket park on the site, across the street from the town’s Georgetown Park. He also is working with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to make improvements to the area near the bike trail. krodriguez@loudounnow.com review of the changes has taken the better part of 2016. Deputy Town Attorney Shelby Caputo told the Planning Commission last week that review has included coordination with the Local Government Attorneys Association, which formed an ad hoc committee to study how to integrate the high court decision into rules for localities. “The town’s [proposed] sign ordinance mirrors in many ways the model ordinance,” distributed by the ad hoc committee, Caputo said. The Supreme Court ruling, she said, “doesn’t mean we can’t have restricSIGN RULES >> 11

Two major Leesburg development projects will have public hearings next month. The dates for the Leegate and Crescent Parke rezoning applications are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, respectively. Both hearing dates fall after the Nov. 8 Town Council elections. The Leegate special exception and rezoning application seeks approval for 468 residential units, 710,000 square feet of office, retail and hotel space, and two parking structures. The land is currently zoned I-1 (industrial) and is located at the southwest corner of Rt. 7 and Battlefield Parkway, across from the new Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. It will not be the first rodeo for the Crescent Parke rezoning application. A motion to approve that project, which went before both the Planning Commission and Town Council a number of times, failed on a 3-4 vote July 28. The council recently voted to rescind that controversial decision, again on a close vote, this time 4-3. Crescent Parke is a proposed mixed-use development located to the east of South King Street, north of the Leesburg Bypass and adjacent to Olde Izaak Walton Park. The application seeks approval for 344 residential units and 161,000 square feet of commercial space. The town staff has created project pages for each application. They can be found online at leesburgva.gov/leegate, and leesburgva.gov/crescentparke. Both public hearings will be held during regular Town Council meetings which are held in the Council Chamber on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Commission OKs Village at Leesburg Request The Leesburg Planning Commission has endorsed a request by the developer of the Village at Leesburg that could give some flexibility in how its final building is developed. In February, the Town Council initiated a Zoning Ordinance amendment at the applicant’s request to modify the ratio of commercial to office uses for planned developments that have been substantially completed. The request came in response to the lagging market for office uses. Over the years, the Village developer has maxed out the amount of retail and restaurant space to meet the required ratio of 2.5 to 1 square feet of retail, restaurant or hotel to office uses LEESBURG BRIEFS >> 10

Kidder Honored for Civic Leadership

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Doris Kidder receives the Ann Robinson Social Justice Award from John Stevens of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun.

away and agreed to let her proceed if she did the legwork. The chapter, and the community at-large, quickly lined up behind the effort, which will mark its 25th anniversary in January. Also, Kidder went on to serve as president of the NAACP chapter. Kidder also reflected on Robinson’s service. “I think the difference between Ann Robinson and myself is that she was naturally sweet and kind,” the always straight-spoken Kidder said. “I have to work at that.”

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When long-time Leesburg civic activist Ann Robinson died earlier this year, Doris Kidder worked to have the Leesburg Town Council and Loudoun Board of Supervisors formally recognize her community contributions. On Monday night, Kidder was recognized for a contribution of her own. She was presented with the inaugural Ann Robinson Social Justice Award. While Kidder has a long résumé of civic service, including her current seat on the town’s planning commission, the award highlighted her role as founder of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march in town. The award was presented by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun during its Loudoun Falls for Social Justice fundraising program at Shoe’s Cup & Cork. Kidder said she got the idea after moving to Leesburg in 1988 and attending an MLK event in Purcellville. Thinking Leesburg should offer something similar, she approached Peter Dunning of the Bluemont Concert Series. His advice: “Maybe you should get some people of color involved.” Next, Kidder went to her first meeting of the NAACP’s Loudoun Chapter. Asked why she was there, Kidder told them of her plans for a march. “I was the only white person in the room and they just looked at me as if I was a little bit off,” Kidder said. She went back the next month and the next. By that third meeting, Kidder said they figured she wasn’t going

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<< FROM 8 in the PRC zoning district. With one building remaining to be built, just north of Russell Branch Parkway and south of Rt. 7, the applicant contends the market would not support the amount of office space required by the zoning code, Senior Planner Michael Watkins said to the commission last week. Should the council approve the request, it would not change any approved uses in an established PRC district, according to a staff report. The amendment would only permit a developer to file a zoning modification request through a concept plan amendment, or, in the case of the Village at Leesburg developer, request an adjustment of the PRC use ratio for the development. The commission recommended approval of the Zoning Ordinance text amendment by a vote of 6-0-1, with Commissioner Doris Kidder absent for the vote.

Trick or Treat Downtown The Leesburg Downtown Business Association is getting a jumpstart on Halloween trick-or-treating this weekend. Youngsters are invited to the LDBA’s first annual trick-or-treating event from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Families are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat at more than two dozen participating businesses. Each will have an orange balloon out-

side, indicating they’re a stop. A map will also be available directing visitors to participating locations. “The LDBA really wants to see more family activity in the downtown,” board member Maryanna Conboy stated in a press release. “Between our three local high schools decorating the business windows for Halloween and the upcoming parade, we felt this would be a simple, yet fun event for everyone involved.” Children of all ages are welcome to attend, including pets, who are encouraged to wear costumes, as well. Call 703-771-6080 for more details.

A ‘Gold’ For Town in Early Education The Town of Leesburg has achieved “Gold” status from the Virginia Municipal League for its role in promoting early childhood education. The league’s “Stairway to Success” is a friendly competition among member localities highlighting the important role local government can play in supporting early childhood education— even those localities that don’t operate public school systems, like Leesburg. Recipients of bronze, silver and gold status in the program were recognized at the VML Annual Conference in Virginia Beach. The town achieved “Gold” status in the first year of the program by documenting programs and activities such as the Parks and Recreation Department’s A Room to Grow Preschool and recreational programs for young

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Ralph Ferraiolo and his wife Leann Micheals were joined by town leaders and a crowd of Ferraiolo Fitness clients Saturday afternoon for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.

children. In addition, the Town Council adopted a resolution in support of early childhood education. “While we easily reached gold status for programs we are already doing, our goal for next year is to expand activities into other departments and provide employees with volunteer opportunities that support early childhood education,” Town Manager Kaj Dentler stated in a press release.

Ferraiolo Fitness Celebrates Expansion The first business has officially opened in Leesburg’s Crescent Place neighborhood. Ralph Ferraiolo and his wife Leann Micheals were joined by town leaders and a crowd of Ferraiolo Fitness clients

Saturday afternoon for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. Ferraiolo opened his first fitness studio behind his Edwards Ferry Road home in 2005 and has expanded to Lansdowne and Reston in recent years. He was among the first to sign on to purchase ground-floor retail space at Crescent Place along Harrison Street. The studio specializes in personal training—addressing chronic pain, offering couples workouts, and helping athletes prepare for competition— while also offering weight loss and Reiki services. Mayor Dave Butler and Council members Katie Sheldon Hammler and Tom Dunn were on hand for the ceremony, along with mayoral candidate Kevin Wright.

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tions. We just have to do it a little bit differently.” Zoning Administrator Chris Murphy reviewed some of these proposed changes with commissioners. Chief among them is the elimination of content-based categories, which drops the number of sign categories in the town’s regulations from 44 to 29. No longer would there be different requirements or restrictions for temporary political signs, temporary yard sale or real estate signs, etc.—all would be lumped into the same category as a temporary sign. The town can regulate a sign based on where it is placed, Caputo said. Signs that are placed in the public right of way can be removed, and a 90-day restriction will apply to signs placed on someone’s property, whether it be a residence or a commercial establishment. Limitations also can be placed on the type of material and height for a sign based on its location. Caputo said both commercial and non-commercial signs are regulated similarly the draft ordinance, a strategic decision for the Local Government Attorneys Association in anticipation of a potential future legal challenge. The changes would make off-premises directional signs illegal, such as signs directing passing motorists or pedestrians to an open house, yard sale or church service, or even signs announcing a lost or found pet. But

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

Sign rules

Murphy noted the town’s zoning staff is usually not able to enforce these infractions, as the majority of these types of signs are placed over the weekend when the staff is not at work. He also noted it was the Town Council’s policy decision to do away with off-premises directional signage. If a sign infraction is found, an initial notice is given to the offending party to remove the sign within 10 days. An additional warning is given after the 10 days, giving an additional 30 days to remove the sign, so sign violators can still have their sign displayed for plenty of time without receiving any kind of monetary or legal penalty, Murphy said. The commission will continue its review of the changes at its Nov. 3 meeting, after some commissioners asked for some clarifications. Commissioner Sharon Babbin said she would like the 90-day limitation on signage placement to be changed to 90 days per calendar year, doing away with the possibility that someone could erect a sign for 90 days, take it down for one day, and then place it again for another 90 days. Doris Kidder was one of two commissioners who opposed postponing action until November, but said she was happy about the potentially shortened ordinance. “I think the Supreme Court did us a favor. We have a great streamlined ordinance now.”

loudounnow.com

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

Sheriff’s Office Celebrates New Round Hill Substation BY NORMAN K. STYER Deputies serving rural Loudoun have a new base of operation. County and town leaders on Saturday celebrated the opening of the Western Loudoun Sheriff ’s Station in Round Hill. The building includes office and roll call space, as well as a community room, exercise equipment and secured parking. Planning for the $8.2 million facility began in 2008, following voter approval of a 2007 bond referendum. Sheriff Mike Chapman noted that the project overcame many hurdles as area residents and town and county leaders debated the size, design and location of the center, culminating in a 2012 Board of Supervisors vote to proceed. “Much like the landscape of western Loudoun, rolling hills, there were a lot of ups and downs with this project,” Chapman said. “We wanted to make sure that western Loudoun residents had the same level of services as those in eastern Loudoun, Dulles South and Ashburn.” For the past 27 years, western Loudoun deputies have operated in leased space the second floor of the Round Hill Town Office on Main Street. Speakers at the Saturday morning dedication ceremony included County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large), Supervisors Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin), Round Hill Mayor Scott Ramsey, Rep. Barbara Comstock (RVA-10) and Capt. Greg Ahlemann, who commands the station. They highlighted the Sheriff ’s Office’s focus on working with the community to address public safety concerns and praised the work of

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

From left, Sheriff Mike Chapman, County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) and Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) cut the ribbon at the new Western Loudoun Sheriff’s Station in Round Hill.

those serving in law enforcement, here and around the country. “They’re not all perfect, but they do a good job and they do it every day,” Randall said.

It is the third of four planned regional Sheriff ’s Office stations. Others are the Dulles South Public Safety Center and the Eastern Loudoun Station. The Ashburn station is under construction in

the One Loudoun neighborhood. The Western Loudoun Station is located at 47 W. Loudoun Street. nstyer@loudounnow.com

[ CRIME BRIEFS ] 5 Teens Charged in Schoolhouse Vandalism

Sterling Workers Sickened by Poisoned Coffee

Felony charges have been filed against five teenagers suspected of involvement in the Oct. 1 vandalism of the Ashburn Colored School, which is being restored as a community museum. Juvenile petitions for felony destruction of property and misdemeanor entering property of another for the purpose of damaging it were served this week, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. Charged are three 16-year-olds from Sterling, a 17-year-old from Sterling, and a 16-year-old from Ashburn. The names of the juveniles have not been released. Although the graffiti spray painted on the wooden one-room schoolhouse included racist elements, the Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office determined the case did not meet the legal requirements for a hate crime. A small private school, Loudoun School for the Gifted, is working to renovate the historic schoolhouse and reopen it as a museum on the history of education.

A Sterling woman faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison if she is convicted of poisoning her former coworkers with tainted coffee. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, employees at a business in the 45000 block of Ocean Court in Sterling reported Oct. 13 that a former employee had poured a cleaning agent into the office coffeemaker over the course of several weeks. Several employees at Jas Forwarding Worldwide, a freight company, reported that they became sick. Investigators on Friday charged Mayda E. Rivera-Juarez, 32, with felony assault-adulteration of food, drug, with intent. The class 3 felony is punishable with a sentence of five to Rivera-Juarez 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. She was held without bond at the

Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. A preliminary hearing in Loudoun County District Court is scheduled for Dec. 20.

Woman Faces Multiple Charges After One Loudoun Altercation A Sterling woman faces 10 criminal charges following an Oct. 20 altercation at an Ashburn business in which she assaulted the manager and fought with deputies. According to the Sheriff ’s Office report, deputies were called to Bar Louie in One Loudoun after Myeesha S. Hamilton, 22, allegedly pepper-sprayed the manager and threw a glass. She did not comply with the deputies’ commands and resisted arrest. Four deputies were allegedly assaulted before she was secured in a cruiser. Hamilton was charged with four felony counts of assault on law enforcement, one felony count of malicious injury by substance, one felony count of malicious release of a gas substance, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice/resisting arrest, and simple assault. Hamilton was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

A trial is set for Dec. 15 in Loudoun County District Court. She also is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 22 on previous charges of filing a false report and contempt of court.

Bomb Threats Made to GOP Campaign Headquarters Bomb threats were called and emailed in to the Loudoun County Republican Committee’s Victory Office in Sterling Monday morning, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. Just before 9 a.m., the campaign office staff received a phone call from a person threatening to bomb the building at 42 Pidgeon Hill Drive. They later received an email with a similar threat, according to Kraig Troxell, sheriff ’s office public information officer. Troxell said the threat was not very specific. “We searched the area and found nothing suspicious,” he said. It was the second time in just more than a week that someone reportedly made threats to the county’s Republican campaign headquarters. Last SunCRIME BRIEFS >> 14

Oct. 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nov. 2, 2016

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[ CRIME BRIEFS ] << FROM 12 day, the sheriff ’s office received a report that someone overheard another person talking about vandalizing the office. The sheriff ’s office has since focused more resources in the area near the Republican campaign headquarters. “In an abundance in caution we’ve been doing directive patrols in that area,” Troxell said.

Authorities Warn of New Twist in ‘Jury Duty’ Scam If you’ve gotten a call from a county deputy demanding payment and threatening arrest because you missed jury service, you have been a target in an ongoing phone scam. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office and the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, several Loudoun residents have reported receiving calls from a man claiming to be LCSO Lt. Vance Berry. The caller states that an arrest warrant has been issued because the resident failed to report for jury duty. “Lt. Berry” then says arrest can be avoided by paying a fine using money cards from a local store. In the latest case, the victim paid the “fine” and was sent an official-looking invoice with “Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office” across the top. “These thieves use the appearance of authority and prey on a person’s fears in hopes that the victim will be

more willing to provide the money,” Sheriff Mike Chapman stated. Under no circumstance will a Virginia law enforcement official be permitted to collect fines of this nature. Only the judges can order the payment of fines for failure to report for jury duty, but individuals would be required to attend a court hearing before any fines are assessed. “Jury service is an important civic duty,” Court Clerk Gary M. Clemens stated. “We do not want potential jurors to be intimidated or discouraged to serve as jurors by virtue of individuals who use these deceitful tactics to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.” Anyone who may have been a victim of this scam or of a similar scam is asked to call the Sheriff ’s Office at 703-777-1021 or file a report online at sheriff.loudoun.gov/reportonline.

Missing Lansdowne Teen Located in Mexico A Lansdowne teen reported missing almost two weeks ago has been found safe in Mexico, the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office announced Monday. An alert asking for the public’s help in locating Remedios Munoz-Nava was issued Oct. 13. She was last seen at home Oct. 11. At the time, it was thought she might be in the Winchester area.

Ultimately, she was found to be with family members in Mexico.

Deputy Assault Case Dismissed A Shenandoah County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge has dismissed a domestic-assault charge against a Loudoun deputy. Deputy First Class Chad Neff, 32, was charged in July with misdemeanor domestic assault by Woodstock police. The charge was dismissed Oct. 13, according to the Sheriff ’s Office. Neff, a five-year Sheriff ’s Office veteran, has returned to active duty.

Moped Rider Hit in Sterling Loudoun deputies are looking for the driver who struck a moped in Sterling on Thursday, Oct. 20, and left the scene. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the moped driver was heading northbound on Sterling Boulevard with a white or grey SUV made a right turn on a red light from East Frederick Drive. The vehicle struck the moped and the driver was thrown off. The SUV fled north on Sterling Boulevard. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries described as non-life threatening. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Deputy Jacobsen at 703-777- 1021.

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Five Leesburg Police officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant on Monday, following a competitive process to evaluate their readiness and competency for the increase in responsibility. Chief Greg Brown presided over the ceremony. He said sergeants hold great responsibility. “They are the ones who interact on a daily basis with the officers under their supervision to help guide and mentor them,” he said, adding that they are the first level of supervisor response during critical incidents are called upon to make immediate decisions based on the department’s procedures and the law. The newly promoted sergeants are: Wael Abilmona, a 14-year veteran of the department who has served in the Patrol Section and the Emergency Communications Center. He is also a member of the Crisis Negotiations Team; Christopher Mongelluzzo, who joined the LPD eight years ago and previously worked in the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. He has served in the Patrol Section and is also a member of the Crisis Negotiations Team; Bradley Shultz, who joined the LPD three years ago and was previously employed by the Winchester Police Department. He has served in the Patrol Section and as a Field Training Officer; Christopher Vogel, who joined the department four years ago coming from the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. He has served in the Patrol Section and Criminal Investigations Sections; and Eric Wakeham, who has been worked for the LPD for 13 years and was previously employed by the Norfolk Police Department. He has served in the Patrol Section, School Resource Unit, and is also a member of the Crisis Negotiations Team.

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

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The new middle school (MS-7) would relieve the overcrowded Mercer Middle School, which has such high enrollment students must follow strict traffic patterns to move between classes.

‘THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX’ Board Considers Intermediate School to Get Through Enrollment Spike BY DANIELLE NADLER

oudoun’s School Board was presented with three possible solutions this week for what has been described as the most difficult enrollment puzzle in the county’s history. The board dove into another round of attendance boundary changes, meant to reshuffle secondary students ahead of the opening of a new middle school along Braddock Road known as MS-7 in fall of 2018 and provide much needed relief to overcrowded schools in the Dulles area. As the board redraws attendance lines, it is also taking into account a new high school (HS-11) that will open in Brambleton in 2019 and a new high school (HS-9) scheduled to open in 2021. The board does not yet know where HS-9 will be built. At a work session Monday, the school system’s Planning Department unveiled three proposals. What Executive Director of Plan-

“

We have never, ever experienced anything like this here in Loudoun County.

”

ning Sam Adamo called Option 1 would open MS-7 as a traditional middle school, serving sixth through eighth grades. It would reassign students in densely populated planning zone, DS 16, from the severely overcrowded Mercer Middle School to J. Michael Lunsford Middle School. The downside with the option is that it would leave John Champe High

School—the feeder high school for Mercer students—with an estimated 930 students more than its building capacity by 2020. “John Champe High School would require 11 or more trailers by 2018-19 school year to sustain the projected enrollment of 2,379,” Adamo said. Staff ’s Option 2 is in response to a request from parents, to keep students who live south of Rt. 50 in middle schools south of Rt. 50. “This makes an attempt to do that,” Adamo said. To do so, it would turn MS-7 into an intermediate school, housing grades eight and nine, while John Champe High School would house grades 10 through 12. Students in grades six and seven would attend Mercer Middle School. The plan would also reassign students in three attendance zones, DS 9.1, 16 and 16.2 which all sit south and east of Tall Cedars Boulevard, from Mercer to Lunsford Middle School. “Our goal with this plan was to proENROLLMENT SPIKE >> 18

Books for Babies Celebrates 16 Years of Love of Reading BY LISA HENTIES A few dozen Loudoun County public school students got a chance to practice their speaking skills last week when they read books in front of a crowd of parents, teachers and classmates. Students from four schools read during the 16th annual celebration of the Books for Babies program. Loudoun County Public Schools and Inova Loudoun Hospital have been collaborating on the campaign since 2000, providing each newborn at the hospital with three age-appropriate

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Students from Sanders Corner Elementary in Ashburn read at Books for Babies’ 16th anniversary celebration.

stories in English and Spanish. About 3,000 books are given to newborns’ parents each year. With Books for Babies, the school system and hospital encourage young parents to read to their children from the very beginning of their lives to foster an early love of reading. It’s also meant to get elementary students excited about books. Supporters, such as Books-a-Million, donate books to Loudoun elementary schools each year. A representative from the Loudoun County Public BOOKS FOR BABIES >> 18

A new partnership between the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties and several community members is raising money for Loudoun’s public school teachers. The Support a Teacher, Build a Classroom Fund formally launched Oct. 16 with its first fundraising event at Smokehouse Live in Leesburg. Several musicians volunteered their time for the concert. It was free, but attendees were asked to donate to the cause, and more than $1,000 was raised. All proceeds will go to establish the fund and provide “minigrants” that will be awarded to teachers at Leesburg, John W. Tolbert and Frederick Douglass elementary schools, according to Ron Campbell, charter member of the organization and candidate for Leesburg Town Council. Campbell said he and others worked to create the fund with the goal of providing teachers with money to enhance classroom projects and supplies. They will start with providing grants to teachers who work at schools in Leesburg. He referred to a Time magazine article that stated that last year teachers spent nearly $500 on average out of pocket for classroom supplies. Also part of the Support a Teacher, Build a Classroom Fund is Barb Lawrence, president; and charter members Sandi Redman and Todd Lapham. Campbell said they have five years to raise $10,000 in order for the fund to become a permanent endowed fund.

Riverside High Presents ‘The Full Moon’ “The Full Moon,” a full-length play written for Riverside High School theater students by their teacher Marilyn Gilligan, will take the stage this weekend. Featuring a cast and crew of more than 100 students, the show is the story of a summer camp where something went terribly wrong—and much to the dismay of the campers throughout time, the horror continued to play out over 50-plus years. The first act is set in 1950, the second act in 1971 and the third is present day. The play encourages audience interaction, so audience members who scare easily are encouraged to not sit near the aisles. Show times are: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Tickets are sold at the door and cost $5 for students/children and $10 for adults. Riverside High School is at 19019 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. SCHOOL NOTES >> 20

17 Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

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<< FROM 16

Thank you! After the vandalism that occurred at the Ashburn Colored School on October 1st, local organizations and businesses immediately began contacting us to see what they could do to help with both the restoration and the community event that we held on the 9th to repair the damage. Without their support, and the work of the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the Community Restoration Celebration (www.loudounschool.org/crc), we would not have been able to accomplish what we have. Special thanks to: • Phyllis Randall, Board of Supervisors Chair • Phillip Thompson, President, NAACP Loudoun Branch • Donna Bohanon, Black History Committee Chair, Friends of the Thomas Balch Library • Mike Chapman and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and apprehension of the vandals, and traffic control for our event. • Pastor Michelle Thomas for organizing the beautiful interfaith service which started our event. Our speakers: • Congresswoman Barbara Comstock • Phyllis Randall, Board of Supervisors Chair • Susan Warsinger, Holocaust Survivor • Donna Bohanon, Black History Committee Chair, Friends of the Thomas Balch Library • Larry Roeder, Edwin Washington Project Thank you for your contribution: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Ashburn/Sterling Masonic Lodge #288 Blend Coffee Shop Buto Capital Rentals Cassel’s Sports and Awards Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties Cypress Contracting Dunkin Donuts G-Force Gymnastics Georgia Braun Heather Howell Jimmy John’s, Ashburn JK General Contractor L’Angelica Photography Loudoun Chamber of Commerce L.S. Lagana & Sons Floor Service

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lowe’s, Leesburg Magpie Michael Martin NonPareiL Not Furlong Temps Paul Davis Restoration Potbelly Sandwich Shop Renee Ventrice Sherwin Williams Signs by Tomorrow Solutex Sonny-n-Son’s Painting Split this Rock Star Home Theater Studio Bleu Tart Lumber Taylor Jackson Taque US Holocaust Memorial Museum Virginia Ground Covers Wegmans The Zone

For more information on the Ashburn Colored School rehabilitation project visit www.loudounschool.org/oldschool. 44675 Cape Court, Suite 105 Ashburn, VA 20147 info@loudounschool.org

vide immediate relief to Mercer and Champe,” Adamo said. But he noted that it would still leave Mercer with 472 more students than its building capacity. Board members sounded most warm to the intermediate school option. “We may end up doing something like that for at least a few years,” Joy Maloney (Broad Run) said. Option 3, the plan Adamo and his

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Sam Adamo, executive director of planning for Loudoun County Public Schools, presents attendance options to the School Board Monday.

staff is recommending, received the most criticism from School Board members. Beginning in fall of 2017, it would move middle schoolers in planning zone DS 16 from Mercer to Lunsford. It also recommends reassigning students in planning zones DS 12.2 and 12.3—which are south of Braddock Road and east of Gum Springs Road—outside of their normal school cluster to Stone Hill Mid-

Books for Babies << FROM 16 Libraries encouraged the students to get a library card. She said the county’s libraries offer a variety of books for every age with the goal of building “a community of lifelong readers.” Studies show that reading to children from “day one” can have an enormous influence on their development. Not only does it help improve their vocabulary, but enhances their overall knowledge. Ahead of the Books for Babies’ 16th anniversary celebration last Wednesday, the students, grades 3-5, practiced ambitiously to read their parts. Some of them illustrated the books’ content by wearing costumes and acting. Principals at the four elementary schools— Sanders Corner, Newton-Lee, Leesburg, and Mountain View—did not necessarily choose their best readers, but rather students at different reading levels. After their presentations, the students received applause and a certificate for “being an outstanding guest reader.” “I was really nervous and shaky

dle School, until HS-11 opens in fall of 2021. In all, those shifts would move about 500 students out of Mercer Middle School. Adamo said he backs Option 3 because it keeps enrollment at all of the area’s middle schools below 1,650. “Our concern was the instructional program, and how to provide continuing education in a reasonable environment,” he said. Several School Board members said they were concerned that Option 3 would move those 500 students away from their elementary classmates just for their middle school years, and return them to their original school cluster for high school. “I have a lot of concerns with that especially with the social aspect,” Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) said. Maloney told Adamo she appreciates that he and his staff are “thinking outside the box.” But of Option 3, she said, “It seems troublesome to me.” Chairman Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) shared some of his colleagues’ concerns, but acknowledged, “There are no perfect solutions here.” Adamo said he and his staff looked at several alternatives, but the three options seemed like the best choices to solve a surge in enrollment growth. “We’ll have to look at some tradeoffs,” he said. “We have never ever experienced anything like this here in Loudoun County.” The School Board will return for a public hearing and work session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1. The board will hold several work sessions and public hearings ahead of adopting a final boundary plan Dec. 13. People can sign up to speak at lcps.org or by calling 571-252-1050. The meetings are held at LCPS School Administration Building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. dnadler@loudounnow.com

at first, but once I got up there, I felt ready,” said 9-year-old Constance, a student at Mountain View Elementary School in Purcellville. The Books for Babies program has been a huge success, according to Jennifer Sedlmeyer, clinical specialist at The Birthing Inn at Inova Loudoun. She said she often sees parents or even siblings reading the donated books to their newest family member. She’s seen reading become a way for parents to connect with their newborn babies, especially with infants who are too fragile to be held because of an early birth or illness. Sedlmeyer read the Books for Babies to her daughter when she was born. Now, years later, she was one of the elementary student readers at the celebration. Shawn Lyons, the principal of Newton-Lee Elementary, told those gathered that reading can spark creativity and a love of knowledge early on. “Do it and watch the kids grow,” he said. Lisa Henties is an exchange student from Loudoun County’s sister district Main-Taunus-Kreis, Germany. She job-shadowed at Loudoun Now through the George C. Marshall Education Center’s Student Partnership Exchange Program.

Oct. 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nov. 2, 2016

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Students at Evergreen Mill Elementary in Leesburg gave their bus drivers a warm welcome Oct. 19, School Bus Driver/Attendant Appreciation Day.

Students Celebrate Bus Drivers Students and staff at most of the county’s public schools went all out to make their bus drivers feel appreciated last week. The school system celebrated its second annual School Bus Driver/Attendant Appreciation Day on Oct. 19. Schools throughout Loudoun showed their gratitude to the drivers and attendants by giving them gift cards, goody bags, T-shirts, lanyards, coffee, pastries and other treats. Loudoun Superintendent Eric Williams greeted the drivers as they pulled up to Evergreen Mill Elementary; Assistant Superintendent for Support

Services Kevin Lewis greeted drivers at Culbert Elementary and Harmony Middle School; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Talent Development Kimberly Hough met drivers at Discovery Elementary while Public Information Officer Wayde Byard joined the staff and students at Cedar Lane Elementary to honor bus drivers. The appreciation day comes as the school system faces a severe driver shortage, with as many as 95 vacancies. School leaders have said they are working to address concerns to retain and recruit drivers.

Loudoun County Public Schools

Students at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School in South Riding gave their bus drivers goody bags as part of School Bus Driver/Attendant Appreciation Day on Oct. 19.

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[ 2016 ELECTION GUIDE ]

Oct. 27 27 –– Nov. Nov. 2, 2, 2016 2016 Oct.

Congressional Candidates Fight for Loudoun

t wasn’t long ago that the 10th Congressional District was considered a practical shoo-in for Republicans, with Frank Wolf handedly outpacing opponents for most of his 34 years in office. But this year is different. The incumbent is freshman Republican Barbara

Comstock, and the challenger, LuAnn Bennett, has gotten the help of national committees who see this year as their best chance to bring the district into the blue for the first time since 1980. Two years ago, nonpartisan polling aggregate RealClearPolitics described the race against Comstock and her then-opponent Democrat John Foust as a

toss up, but she took the seat with 57 percent of the vote. This year’s race is tighter, with polls taken in recent weeks showing Bennett taking a narrow lead that could win the seat for the Democrats. The 10th Congressional District includes all of Loudoun County and stretches from McLean to the east to Winchester to the west.

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

LuAnn Bennett

Barbara Comstock 2016 ELECTION GUIDE

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

LuAnn Bennett, Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District, campaigns in Winchester on Sunday. She’s considered one of the best chances Democrats have had in recent years to return the district to blue.

BY RENSS GREENE

BENNETT >> 26

BY DANIELLE NADLER Barbara Comstock is considered the political veteran in the race for the 10th Congressional District. That’s a factor that her opponent has used to characterize her as a Washington insider, but a point the incumbent has said is an asset to her constituents. Comstock worked as an aide in Congressman Frank Wolf ’s office for five years, and later as chief investigative counsel and senior counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform. She represented the 34th District in the Virginia House of Delegates from early 2010 to late 2014. That year, she beat Democrat John Foust by 16 points, stepping in as the successor to Wolf, upon his retirement after 32 years in the seat. Comstock said her years of experience in politics has helped her to build relationships with area elected officials, entrepreneurs, police chiefs and sheriffs and other

community leaders. “I’ve been immersed in this district,” she said. “I am the only one in this race who has experience [in] getting things done on a bipartisan basis.” She accused her opponent, Democrat LuAnn Bennett, of spending more time in Washington, DC, than in Virginia’s 10th District. “Someone who comes from DC is not someone who’s working with a lot of Republicans. I’ve actually practiced what she’s preaching.”

TRANSPORTATION Who Comstock will be backing for president on Election Day has been the topic grabbing headlines and air time on debate stages, but the congresswoman said that’s not what constituents are talking to her about. As she’s knocked on doors throughout the district, residents repeatedly bring up Northern Virginia’s congested roadways. COMSTOCK >> 26

loudounnow.com

LuAnn Bennett is the political newcomer in the race for the 10th District—a badge she wears with pride. Bennett likes to point out her experience as a business owner, the president and owner of Bennett Group, a business she started with her late husband Richard Bennett in 1980. Bennett was born in Highland, IL, and moved with her husband to Great Falls. After her husband’s death of leukemia in 1994, Bennett stepped in as president of the firm. She was also an appointee of then-Governor Tim Kaine to Virginia’s Climate Change Commission and currently serves on the boards of The Virginia Health Care Foundation, the Charity Works Advisory Board and the National Children’s Museum. She was married to former Congressman Jim Moran from 2004 to 2010, during which time he represented the neighboring 8th District. Bennett said her business experi-

ence sets her apart from Comstock, whose made her career in politics, and prepares her for work in a divided Congress. “Right now, what I believe that Congress needs is people who have spent their life solving problems, who have spent their life making compromises,” Bennett said. “You know, compromise isn’t a bad word. I’ve negotiated many, many business deals in which you understand that you don’t get 100 percent of what you want, but you work together to move the ball forward.” Her campaign has tried to link Comstock to Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump. Although Comstock has disavowed Trump and called for him to drop out of the race, Bennett’s campaign claims Comstock’s policies closely mirror Trump’s views. She dismisses Comstock’s experience. “This Congress has worked less than half the working days avail-

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Rep. Barbara Comstock, who is vying for a second term in Congress, campaigns at the Independence Day Parade in Leesburg. She faces Democrat LuAnn Bennett in the Nov. 8 election.

loudounnow.com

10 Vie for Leesburg Seats

he 2016 Leesburg Town Council races are among the most hotly contested in recent history, and much sets this election cycle apart for the town. It’s among the most experienced council ballots in terms of government service. Five of the candidates running—Mayor David Butler and mayoral challengers Kelly Burk and Kevin Wright, and council candidates Tom Dunn, Katie Sheldon Hammler and Ken Reid—have almost 50 years of combined council experience. Two candidates—Burk and Reid—are former Leesburg District supervisors. One familiar name finds itself off the ballot for the first time in decades: Kristen Umstattd. The longtime mayor and council member won election to the Board of Supervisors last fall, so voters will be asked to choose from three candidates to fill her seat. On

Mayor 2016 ELECTION GUIDE

Choose one (*incumbent)

David S. Butler*

on our environment. Attracting larger companies such as Rehau and K2M are doubly positive: They reduce the tax burden on homeowners and provide opportunities to work close to home, reducing the number of people commuting long distances.

of the 10 candidates for mayor or council sought or received endorsement from either the Loudoun County Democratic Committee or Loudoun County Republican Committee. Hammler was the lone exception. Sample ballots indicating each party’s endorsed slate of candidates are expected to be distributed at the town’s polling places. Town voters will be asked to select one choice for mayor, and up to three for council seats. Each council member will be elected to a four-year term, while the mayor serves for two years. For more information on the candidates’ views, read their positions on a variety of subjects in the Election 2016 section of the newspaper’s website, LoudounNow.com.

dents expect and deserve. I will work to make sure town services are reviewed for efficiencies, such as cross training, so that staff can do different jobs, and that town funds are being spent with an eye on what the town residents need and expect.

Age: 58

Kelly Burk

Kevin D. Wright

Occupation: Information technology security director, Asurion

Age: 63

Age: 43

Occupation: Retired Loudoun County teacher

Occupation: Delivery manager, Cisco Systems

Campaign website: votedavebutler.com; Facebook, Dave Butler, Leesburg Mayor Contact: dave@votedavebutler.com, 703-395-6524

What are your top priorities if elected?

Oct.27 27––Nov. Nov.2, 2,2016 2016 Oct.

the ballot are Butler, the council member appointed to take Umstattd’s seat; Burk, the town’s vice mayor, and Wright, a former Town Council member. But even those who do not have Board of Supervisors or Town Council experience are still well known in the community. All of the council challengers are serving, or have served, on town or county boards or commissions. Some, like Evan Macbeth and Ron Campbell, have been active leaders in citizen engagement efforts, like Educate Don’t Segregate and Faith Has a Voice, respectively. Gwen Pangle and John Hilton are well regarded in the real estate and life insurance industries, respectively, with the former owning her own downtown business. Although the town elections are to be nonpartisan, party politics has certainly come into play in a year that also hosts the presidential elections. Nine

Leesburg is a wonderful town. It’s nationally recognized as one of the best places to live (and in my opinion the #1 place to live) in America. Almost everyone I talk with loves Leesburg. By far the number one concern I hear is about traffic. Too many cars on Rt. 15 (King Street), Rt. 7, and Rt. 9. As long as Northern Virginia continues to create jobs, traffic will be something that we have to manage. My top priority will be to ensure that we continue to work with the county, state, and Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to address our major transportation bottlenecks. These include the completion of Battlefield Parkway, the elimination of the lights on Rt. 7 at Battlefield and Cardinal Park Drive, and an interchange at the bypass and Edwards Ferry Road, removing both lights. Traffic simulations have shown that these projects are the ones that will have the greatest positive impact on our traffic flow. I will also continue to work to find a resolution to the traffic congestion on Rt. 15 North in the evenings. This is a regional and multi-state problem that affects our residents greatly. We also need to manage our future in Leesburg, maintaining a positive atmosphere of economic growth, while minimizing congestion and the effects

Campaign website: kellyburkformayor. com; Facebook, Kelly Burk, Leesburg

Campaign website: wrightforleesburg. com; Facebook, Kevin D. Wright – Leesburg, VA

Contact: KellyBurk2011@gmail.com

Contact: kevin@wrightforleesburg.com

What are your top priorities if elected?

Economic commercial growth and support for our small business development. Business growth is key to maintaining a vibrant and exciting town with a reasonable tax rate. When a town has a strong business component that is supported with sensible regulations plus reliable and consistent governance, residents can enjoy a lower tax rate. Our historic downtown is unique and an economic draw, but we need to create flexible requirements that allow business owners to adapt to changing models. I will work to make Leesburg an arts hub where people can enjoy the historic aspect of the town along with the artistic elements. Open, honest and fair government procedures. Lately, there has developed a public perception of mistrust and lack of decorum at council meetings. I am committed to changing that perception by bringing civility and transparency back into the process of governance. I put forth a motion to record all the council votes on individual issues. I am working to make the Town Council business ethical, open and fair. I support the residents’ input and their right to be informed. A budget that is effective and productive while maintaining a tax rate that citizens can afford. The budget needs to support the services that resi-

In talking with many residents of Leesburg these last months, I have heard the same common concerns. Traffic, reasonable taxes, adequate delivery of public services, and public safety are at the top of the list. I agree with these concerns. Also, there is real frustration regarding the division, partisanship, and indecision on the current Town Council. If elected mayor, I will set a different tone, set a different expectation of council, and encourage a different atmosphere. My vision for Leesburg is that we continue to have a vibrant community that preserves its unique sense of place and character, provides for a stable future and responsible fiscal management, addresses our transportation challenges, and is a safe and welcoming home for our families. A place where our children can thrive, residents can feel safe in their homes, and businesses can flourish. I will also focus on creating an open relationship with the public that is engaged, approachable, where everyone is kept informed on the issues before the town. We have a good, professional, town government but there are areas we can improve. One of those areas is building a more cooperative partnership with county and state leaders to work jointly for our shared interests and challenges.

—Kara C. Rodriguez

To accomplish all of this will take focus, energy and a willingness to listen. It will need leadership from the top. I feel I can be that leader.

Town Council Choose three (* incumbent)

Ronald E. Campbell Age: 63 Occupation: President/CEO, College Business Concepts Campaign website: electroncampbell. com; Facebook, Elect Ron Campbell Contact: 703-728-3965

What are your top priorities if elected? My top priorities align with what I have heard from my many interactions with different members of our town and my involvement in the community. One of the top things is the desire for effective leadership and a more civil and collaborative working relationship among Town Council members. I bring a record of strong leadership and administrative experience along with the ability to develop collaborative relationships. I will work to attract new businesses to Leesburg that support the town’s need for retail and commercial businesses to stimulate economic development and bring jobs. I will work to support our town manager to identify ways to improve the operation of town services. A top priority is to deliver a fiscally responsible town budget that eliminates inefficiencies and makes great use of tax dollars. I will develop a budget process that will identify operational priorities and revenue projections for the next two-year fiscal budget. The town’s advocacy relationship with the School Board and with the TOWN COUNCIL >> 24

“Appreciate the lower taxes!”

“Love the on-street dining!”

Oct. 27 27 –– Nov. Nov. 2, 2, 2016 2016 Oct.

“Proud you’re fighting for high-paying jobs!”

“Thanks Mayor Dave!”

“So happy we have trash pickup twice a week!”

“Glad we have the new Oaklawn gas station!”

2016 ELECTION GUIDE

“Can’t wait for the Leesburg bike loop!”

Proven Leadership

For Moving Leesburg Forward www.votedavebutler.com dave@votedavebutler.com

loudounnow.com

“The future is arriving at the rate of 60 minutes an hour whether we like it or not. We can have a vision, grab the future, and help shape things to be the best they can be for all of our residents, or we can watch as the future is done to us. I’ve never been much of a watcher. I will continue to move Leesburg forward.” - Mayor Dave Butler 2016 Paid for and authorized by Friends of Dave Butler-Mayor

loudounnow.com

Town Council << FROM 22 Board of Supervisors must be improved. We cannot expect support for roads, schools, or other human services without a positive, healthy relationship. Transportation and roads are high on the priority list and the town must improve its own planning process in order to have the necessary funds approved and deliver timely results to bring relief to overcrowded roads. Leesburg is a great place to live, work and play. All these good things however can be negatively impacted if we don’t have effective leadership working together.

Thomas S. Dunn, II* Age: 55 Occupation: Finance marketing, AmeriFunding Inc. Campaign website: ElectDunn.org; Facebook, Tom Dunn – Leesburg Town Council

you want assurance that a council vote stays the way you want it and not flip, or a big-box store is causing noise issues, or you have a standing water problem or your water bill does not look right, who do you call? I get those calls and your priority becomes my priority. Political parties don’t fix sidewalks or do any of what I mentioned. I ask you to look past political party or even those who claim no party. The services you enjoy such as clean water, safe streets, trash and brush pickup, nice parks, new businesses coming to town, transportation improvements, lower tax and water rates, and more will continue to be my top priorities. But anyone can make claims to priorities. I have a strong record of voting for what I have heard the citizens want. There are candidates who have never voted for what they will claim or made claims and voted the opposite. I opposed sprawl, I voted down every increased density development. I have always voted for lower water and tax rates and still provide the services you want. I have a record of citizens knowing I will work for them and my word is my bond.

Katie Sheldon Hammler* Age: 50 Occupation: Hightech marketing professional, U.S. Army veteran

Contact: 703-801-0377 tshelbydun@msn.com

Oct.27 27––Nov. Nov.2, 2,2016 2016 2016 ELECTION GUIDE Oct.

What are your top priorities if elected? With 17 years’ service to you, the citizens of Leesburg, I know who to call and how to get what you need done. When your sidewalk needs to be fixed, or your street did not get plowed, or

Campaign website: katiehammler.com

Contact: Katie@ KatieHammler.com, 571-228-9515

What are your top priorities if elected?

John Hilton

My priority, if I am honored to be re-elected to a fourth term, is to continue council’s great track record of success. I hear from so many Leesburg residents that it’s refreshing to see a government that works. Leesburg is the best town in America, according to Forbes and CNN Money. We are one of the most financially-sound municipalities with a rare AAA rating, which we achieved through sound long-term budget planning. We have one of the lowest tax rates amongst our peers—$200 to $400 less. My priorities are continued homeowner affordability, more transportation successes, and tackling several tough “quality of life” issues. First, Leesburg faces a continuation of our “fiscal budget cliff ”—balloon debt payments. I will not support adding major new locally funded projects to our CIP. We are also anticipating a $475,000 loss in state funding for road maintenance. I will work diligently to restore this by leveraging my role as president-elect of the Virginia Municipal League. Second, we must complete the Rt. 7/Battlefield interchange and fix the Rt. 15 North bypass gridlock by securing funding from NVTA and other sources. Third, I will work to bring a coalition of partners together to find a creative solution to save Ida Lee Park from sprawling byright residential development on the 40 adjacent acres, which would destroy the passive section of the park. I recently initiated addressing Leesburg’s overcrowding problem. Council will receive a full report so we can take action to enforce our zoning ordinances.

Age: 49 Occupation: Life insurance and financial services, MassMutual Financial Group Campaign website: Facebook, John Hilton for Leesburg Town Council Contact: John.Hilton67@gmail.com

What are your top priorities if elected? Public safety, a balanced approach toward land use and traffic reduction. Because Leesburg has its own police department, every council member’s most basic duty is public safety. Protecting the public and keeping Leesburg’s citizens safe is the prime function of town government. This goal is realized by working with our new chief of police to ensure the department has all of the resources it needs to serve and protect our town, and for council to give its unequivocal support, affection and respect for every police officer in Leesburg, at all times. The issue of land use and development consumes much of the Town Council’s time and labor. It affects nearly every aspect of life here in Leesburg. It also affects the character of our town. Leesburg is a large town that lives and feels like a small town. We must never put that character at risk with unwise land use decisions. In recent years, the council has approved TOWN COUNCIL >> 25

Put Experience Back to Work for You! Council Member, 2004-2016 - Only 12-year Incumbent! Vice Mayor, 2008-2010 Certified Planning Commissioner Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Comimittee Captain, US Army Reserves (’88-’96) BA, Brown University & MBA, George Washington University

Committed Non-Partisan Leesburg Leadership! Virginia Municipal League President-Elect – First in Leesburg’s History!

Dedicated to YOU, the Leesburg Taxpayer! Champion of Low Local Residential Taxes – Fiscal Conservative! Creating Real Transportation Solutions and Fighting Sprawl Revitalizing our Historic Downtown and Approving High-paying Jobs Close to Home Authorized and Paid for by Hammler for Leesburg

Reprinted with permission (Loudoun Now, 9/15/16)

Town Council

Kenneth D. Reid

Age: 59 Occupation: CEO Pangle & Associates, Realtor; retired registered nurse Campaign website: pangleforcouncil. com; Facebook, Pangle For Town Council

Age: 58 Occupation: Publisher, Washington Information Source Co. Campaign website: kenreid.org; Facebook, Ken Reid for Leesburg, VA

Contact: gwen@pangleforcouncil.com

Contact: LeesburgReid@fdainfo.com, 703-779-8777

What are your top priorities if elected?

Facilitation of a Town Council whose members treat each other with respect, on and off the dais. Policies that support Leesburg businesses and our historic downtown in particular. Continue to promote art, music, culture and a night-time economy as a means to bolster economic development in Leesburg Support forward-thinking policies that look beyond current problem solving ideas into the future to potential ideas that would address the issues. Health; mental and physical; safety and education.

People I speak with love Leesburg and want to keep it a wonderful community. They are very pleased with my 12-year record on council, the Board of Supervisors and as a town/county commission member in achieving this. However, we must address congestion on U.S. 15 to Maryland; ensure we get funds to replace traffic lights on the Leesburg Bypass and Rt. 7 with interchanges to move traffic; and ensure we get our due from the county and state. We must give Leesburg Police the proper resources to keep crime and gangs out of our community, too. Keeping residential taxes low and government efficient are critical. So, getting more business downtown is important in helping grow our commercial tax base, but we also need council members not to be afraid to scrutinize spending.

LoudounNow We’ve got you covered. In your mailbox weekly. Online always.

WRIGHT Kevin

2016 ELECTION GUIDE

A united team for Leesburg’s future: Working together, listening to people

Gwen Pangle

Oct. 27 27 –– Nov. Nov. 2, 2, 2016 2016 Oct.

the Bypass that would replace the lights at Edwards Ferry and Ft. Evans and provide bike and pedestrian passage << FROM 24 from east to west. Our town also has a housing gap. many highly dense residential projects Because we are a fantastic destination which threatens the balance needed for arts, entertainment, and raising a to preserve Leesburg as we love it. An family, it has become increasingly difemphasis on commercial projects and ficult for young professionals to find low density, low impact residential de- reasonable cost-effective housing here velopment will shift more of the tax in town. When they decide to live elseburden from the homeowner to com- where, Leesburg misses a great oppormercial properties, make it possible for tunity to strengthen our community. our town to achieve its environmental To address this, we can prioritize develgoals, and halt the oppressive increase opment applications that address this in traffic. need. Finally, Leesburg needs to balance its Evan Macbeth tax base. The vast majority of our revenues come from residential taxes. We Age: 41 can, and should, seek to increase our Occupation: Softcommercial and non-residential tax ware support and base to ensure that Leesburg remains development mana cost-effective place to live and work. ager, Sine Nomine Leesburg is doing a great job attracting Associates new businesses, we should examine Campaign website: what we’re doing right, and ensure we sustain that success. One option would macbethforleesburg.com be a regular survey of new businesses in Facebook, Macbeth for Leesburg town, which can be used to understand Contact: evan@macbethforleesburg. why they chose Leesburg, and what the com town can and should be doing to partWhat are your top priorities if elected? ner with them to succeed further. Fixing the traffic on the Bypass. This will involve working closely with Learn more about the the county and VDOT to mitigate the candidates’ views on causes of that traffic, including reasontransportation, the budget, able solutions to address the bottledowntown and growth necks north of town at Whites Ferry management in our online and Lucketts. Similarly, the town needs election section, go to to expedite, to the extent it can be done LoudounNow.com responsibly, the design and implementation of the proposed interchange on

MAYOR

I am running for mayor for one reason: to serve

YOU.

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GWEN PANGLE

RON CAMPBELL

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H VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 H PAID FOR BY THE LOUDOUN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

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EVAN D. MACBETH

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Bennett << FROM 21

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

First-term Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock delivers remarks at a debate in Loudoun on Oct. 6.

Comstock

Oct.27 27––Nov. Nov.2, 2,2016 2016 2016 ELECTION GUIDE Oct.

<< FROM 21 It takes all parties working together to improve the district’s transportation infrastructure, she said. She touted the five-year $305 billion transportation bill that Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law in December 2015. Now, she’s talking with county supervisors and state officials about where this region’s share of the funds should go. “So that we can work with them to get the best bang for our buck,” she said. She also wants to free up opportunities for technology companies to come up with transportation solutions, such as driverless cars and high-tech tools to track maintenance issues on Metro. She pointed to mending Metro’s service and safety record as a major factor in curing the region’s transportation woes. She said so far she’s impressed with new Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and his stated goal to create “a culture of safety.” “We’ve asked him ‘what resources do you need,’ and he said we have too many staff in the back office, not enough staff on the front lines,” she said, noting that the contract Metro has with its union workers is “a big problem” because it prohibits any work from being outsourced to private companies. The day-to-day maintenance fixes, such as downed escalators, would cost less if done by a private company, she said. “We need to add a little competition there and get back to having an on-time system,” she said. “And make sure, as Metro comes to Loudoun, that we have a system that’s really working right.”

FIXING GRIDLOCK IN CONGRESS This year’s presidential battle has played more of a role in the 10th Congressional District race than any in recent history. Bennett’s campaign has worked to tie Comstock to Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, repeatedly accusing her of standing with the controversial candidate. After a 2005 tape of Trump making lewd comments about grabbing women was made public Oct. 7, Comstock publically distanced herself from him. She released a statement saying she

could not in good conscience vote for Trump and she “would never vote for Hillary Clinton.” This week, she said she plans to write in a Republican on Nov. 8, but she would not say whom. “I’m my own woman and I have my own record,” she said. “I’m the only one in this race who has already demonstrated that I will stand up to a candidate, to my party, to do what’s best for my district.” She predicted that Bennett would be a “rubber stamp” for Clinton. “Clinton has said she needs a Congress that works for her. I think a congressperson should work for the 10th district,” Comstock said. Asked what it will take to relieve the gridlock in Congress after the hard-fought presidential election that proved to be divisive not only across party lines but especially for Republicans—Comstock said “a change in focus.” The key is for elected officials to turn their attention to solving “common ground” issues, such as national security, jobs and the economy, and health care. “When you organize around issues and bring people together around good commonsense ideas, you tend to attract Democrats and Republicans,” she said. “You’re better off finding points you can agree on and starting there.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

able to it,” Bennett said. “It has passed only about 20 consequential laws in this Congress, so it’s really got nothing done, so I don’t know why that should be an advantage to be part of a Congress that gets nothing done.” Bennett’s campaign declined to answer allegations from the Comstock campaign that she only moved to the 10th District shortly before declaring her candidacy, and that she has been a DC resident since purchasing a condo in The Ritz-Carlton Residences in DC’s West End. In December 2015, Bennett began renting a home in McLean, shortly before declaring her candidacy that same month. Bennett’s campaign has previously said her primary residence is her farm in Delaplane, and that she keeps the DC condo to rent out.

TRANSPORTATION Bennett says transportation is one of the big topics on everyone’s mind in the 10th District. She sees a lot of opportunity to break up gridlock on the district’s roads—from telework, to Metro, to Dulles Airport, to mixeduse communities getting people off the commute and working closer to home. “We need to get people off the roads and back into their homes,” Bennett said. “It’ll impact the economy. There’s a real cost, a loss of productivity, increased fuel costs—it’s not great for the economy or quality of life for our families.” She also pointed out the environmental damage of hundreds of thousands of cars driving into and out of DC every day. “We have to find alternative ways of commuting,” Bennett said. “We have to look at bus services, bike trails, road improvements. … There’s not one solution that’s going to solve all of our problems, but we need to be able to fund these solutions.” That’s why Bennett says she supports the creation of a federal infrastructure funding authority. “I think across the county we clearly have problems in infrastructure,” Bennett said. “Metro is a perfect example of our issue here locally, but we need revenue sources in order to fix our Metro

Hillsboro election Get Your Pencils Ready The only western Loudoun town to hold its council election on Nov. 8 is Hillsboro, which traditionally selects its leaders entirely through write-in ballots. That tradition continues. Town voters will be selecting the mayor and five council members. The positions are unpaid. Only one change is envisioned on the proposed 2016 slate being circulated. Mayor Roger Vance is running for his seventh term. Incumbents Belle Ware, who serves as vice mayor and is the town’s longtime treasurer; John Dean, who also serves as the

Planning Commission chairman’ and Amy Marasco, president of The Nature Generation, are standing for re-election. Also, Bill Johnston, who was appointed to fill a vacant seat last year, will be running for his first elected term. Steve Walczak is planning to step down because of an increased workload at his job. Claudia Forbes, who already helps with many town events, has said she is willing to step into that seat. Voting will take place at the Old Stone School from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 8.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Democrat LuAnn Bennett, considered a political newcomer, traded jabs with incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock at a debate in Loudoun on Oct. 6.

system, so I will fight for an infrastructure funding source from day one. I will get the federal government to set up and play a role in funding Metro properly.” She said she wants the federal government to contribute both capital and infrastructure money to Metro. Currently, it only contributes capital money. Bennett also supports international trade deals to help boost business at Dulles Airport.

WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE Bennett said things will be different after the election, when she expects Democrats to take many more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, although not the majority. “That’s going to change the face of Congress,” Bennett said. “No one thinks that we’re going to have the same proportion of Republicans and Democrats in Congress after November 8.” She said things will change after Democrats get “more of a critical mass,” but that she is willing to work across the aisle, starting with meeting with every representative individually to start a relationship—including everyone in a divided Republican party. “I have a belief that we’re all more the same than we’re different, and I think we have to listen to one another, which we don’t do very often,” Bennett said. “But it’s more important that we have to hear one another. We have to hear the challenges that they face back home.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

Voters Will Be Asked to Approve $344M in Bonds Along with choosing the next president, Loudoun voters will be asked to green light a hefty $344.69 million in bonds for school and county projects at the polls Nov. 8. The proposed general obligation bonds, if approved, would be used to fund construction of three new schools, a regional park, road improvements and a new fire and rescue station, among other projects. Voters will not necessarily have a say on whether the projects will be completed; School Board and Board of Supervisors have already approved them. The referenda seek the authority to issue general obligation bonds to fund them. If the bond referendum is not approved, the supervisors may move the projects forward with other funding mechanisms. The four bond questions will read as follows (vote yes or no on each): Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $76,115,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct and equip a recreation and community center in Ashburn, Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park in the Blue Ridge District, and other public park, recreational and community center facilities approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?

Public safety projects: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $17,500,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct and equip the expansion of the Leesburg Fire and Rescue Station (#20); and the costs to design, construct and equip the replacement of the Lovettsville Fire and Rescue Station (#12); and the costs of other public safety facilities approved in the County›s Capital Improvement Program?

Transportation Projects:

School Projects: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $233,070,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct and equip ES-28, Dulles South Area Elementary School; the costs to design, construct and equip three classroom additions to six elementary schools in the Dulles North and South planning areas; the costs to design, construct and equip MS7, Dulles South Area Middle School; the costs to design, construct and equip HS-9, Dulles South Area High School; and the costs of other public school facilities as requested by the Loudoun County School Board?

Loudoun Now/File Photo

Voters will be asked to approve bond funding for to build three new schools to relieve overcrowding at schools in the southern end of the county.

NEW LEADERSHIP

FOR OUR COMMUNITY • Keeping America Safe by supporting tough, smart policies to destroy ISIS and combat terrorism

• Creating New Jobs by rebuilding our infrastructure, supporting small businesses and investing in new industries • Ensuring High-Quality Education by supporting community colleges, reducing student loan debt and expanding universal Pre-K

• Enacting Equal Pay so women get paid the same as men for doing the same work • Supporting Bipartisan Transportation Solutions to invest in our roads and bridges and improve the safety, management, and oversight of Metro

VOTE FOR LUANN ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH! Paid for by LuAnn Bennett for Congress

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Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $18,000,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design and construct improvements to Shellhorn Road; the costs to design and construct improvements at the intersection of Braddock Road and Supreme Drive/ Summerall Drive; the costs to design and construct an interchange at Route 7 and Route 690; and the costs of other public road and transportation proj-

ects approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?

2016 ELECTION GUIDE

Parks and recreation projects:

Oct. 27 27 –– Nov. Nov. 2, 2, 2016 2016 Oct.

Bonds

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The Constitutional Amendments

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On Nov. 8, voters will be asked to vote yes or no on two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution. The Constitution may be amended in two ways. The most common method is for a proposed amendment to be initiated by a majority vote of the House of Delegates or the Senate. The proposal is then automatically referred to the next legislative session following a general election of the House of Delegates. If then supported by a majority of each house, the proposal is sent to voters at referendum. If approved by a majority vote, it becomes part of the state’s constitution. The constitution also may be amended through a constitutional convention called by a vote of twothirds of the members elected to each house. The two amendments on the Nov. 8 ballot followed the traditional legislative process.

Virginia’s ‘Right to Work’ Amendment Article I. Bill of Rights. Section 11A. Right to work Question one: “Should Article I of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to prohibit any agreement or combination between an employer and a labor union or labor organization whereby (i) nonmembers of the union or organization are denied the right to work for the employer, (ii) membership to the union or organization is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or (iii) the union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any such enterprise?” The proposed amendment was initiated by statehouse Republicans with the intent to incorporate Virginia’s statutory prohibitions on mandatory union membership into the constitution, with the stated intent to block legislative attempts to change those rules. A vote “for” the measure supports adding a section to the constitution

First Responders Surviving Spouse Tax Exemption Question two: “Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to provide an option to the localities to exempt from taxation the real property of the surviving spouse of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel who was killed in the line of duty, where the surviving spouse occupies the real property as his or her principal place of residence and has not remarried?” The amendment is intended to provide localities with the authority to enact tax exemptions for the spouse of first responders killed in the line of duty. If adopted by the local government, a surviving spouse would be eligible for a property tax exemption on his or her primary residences as long as not remarried. In 2010, Virginians approved an amendment that provided property tax exemptions to military veterans if the veteran had a 100 percent permanent and total disability related to military service. Surviving spouses were also allowed to continue to claim the exemption if they continued to keep the same property as their primary residence and did not remarry. In 2014, voters overwhelmingly (87 percent to 13 percent) approved an expansion of the property tax to include surviving spouses of military members killed in action. A vote for the measure supports providing a local option property tax exemption for surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. A vote against the measure opposes providing this tax exemption.

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Loudoun Hunger Relief celebrated the support of Rachel Roberts, who raised donations of more than $17,000 and nearly 800 pounds of food through her flower stand in Leesburg. For the past four years, Roberts has grown flowers and placed arrangements on a stand in front of her Ed-

loudounnow.com

‘Flower Lady’ Raises Record for Food Pantry

DryHome Roofing and Siding in Sterling will begin accepting nominations for its annual Free Roof for the Holidays program on Nov. 1. This is the 13th year the company

Loudoun Insurance Group will hold its annual chili cook-off on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at its Leesburg office. In its eighth year, the event is a fall tradition for Loudoun Insurance Group, which began hosting the competition in 2009 to share goodwill with clients, friends of the firm and neighboring businesses. Chili entries are open to clients and members of the community, and will be judged by Loudoun Insurance Group staff and other attendees. There is a suggested $10 donation at the door. This year’s event will benefit HeroHomes, a Purcellville-based nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans the pride of home ownership by building houses, providing jobs and establishing a community for veterans. Those wanting to enter the competition, or just sample the results, can register by emailing Stephanie@LoudounInsuranceGroup.com. In addition to chili, visitors will enjoy Paradise Ice Cream and wine provided by Notaviva Vineyards. The Loudoun Insurance Group office is located at 5 Wirt St., SW.

DryHome Seeks Nominations for Free Roof

will provide a free roof for a Northern Virginia individual, family or nonprofit in need of the repair. The free roof will be awarded based on nominations DryHome receives from customers and the community through Dec. 1. Nominations may be made online at dryhome.com or email DryHome at info@dryhome.com. Nominators should include their name and phone number as well as the nominee’s name, address, phone and reason why they are being nominated. The Free Roof for the Holidays program is intended to thank DryHome customers and the community.

Chili Competition to Help HeroHomes

center for LHR. Many of my neighbors support the effort each year. I deeply appreciate the gifts of food and funds that people leave for LHR at the flower stand. It’s my mission to support those who are less fortunate, and I’m so glad to have done it so successfully this year.”

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

The Rotary Club of Leesburg-Daybreak shipped water purification supplies and emergency funds to Haiti following the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew. Partnering with a local corporation, the club shipped 3,000 water purification tablet packages via FedEx to Haiti on Oct. 18. The supplies will clean 3,000 liters of water and were sent to an area battling a cholera outbreak. Instructions translated into French and Creole were included to help Haitians best use the tablets. The club also passed a bucket during its Oct. 11 meeting, raising just over $600 to provide as emergency funds. The money was combined with funds raised by The Rotary Club of Centreville and sent to Haiti. The two clubs have been involved in a joint effort to build a school in Chantal, Haiti. “Our Rotary Club of Leesburg-Daybreak members never hesitate in times of need. This type of generosity, truly putting service above self, is what Rotary is all about,” Club President Joe Davis said. The 60-member Rotary Club of Leesburg-Daybreak meets Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Tuscarora Mill Restaurant in Leesburg and welcomes visitors.

ward’s Ferry home. Passersby may pick up an arrangement and leave a donation. In addition to running the flower stand, she volunteers at the Leesburg pantry each week. Loudoun Hunger Relief recently presented Roberts with the inaugural Shining Star Award for her innovative way of helping to feed the hungry in Loudoun County. “I want to thank the many people in our generous community who support the flower stand each year,” Roberts stated. “South Street Under participates by having my arrangements on their tables, and serving as a donation

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

Leesburg Rotarians Send Clean Water, Funds to Haiti

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Workers are putting together the final pieces of the Rt. 50 Traffic Calming Project, which includes new curbs, gutters, crosswalks and sidewalks in downtown Middleburg.

The Dust Settles in Middleburg BY MARGARET MORTON raffic is flowing through downtown Middleburg again, to the relief of town businesses and residents. Construction crews are wrapping up work on the final segment of the Rt. 50

Traffic Calming Project and a major utility line upgrade that had the town’s main street and sidewalks dug up and detoured throughout the year. Now that the dust has settled, Washington Street’s new streetlights, crosswalks and other traffic calming features are fully on display.

The project began, in concept, in the late 1990s when a citizen group pressed state and federal leaders to employ traffic calming measures on Rt. 50 between Upperville and Gilbert’s Corner, rather than build a bypass that had been advocated by some planners. That citizen campaign resulted in federal funding

to support a demonstration project that included the Gilbert’s Corner roundabouts and streetscape work in Upperville, Aldie and, finally, Middleburg. In Middleburg, the traffic-calming project was managed by VDOT. The work included replacing a 2,200-foot water line, installing curb extensions and brick crosswalks, and removing and replacing the town’s old street lights. The total project cost was just more than $4 million. The town managed and funded the eastern portion of the waterline project—about 1,100 feet—which accounted for almost $412,000 in improvements to the town’s water system. The work involved replacing a line and adding a new loop in the system, which improved water pressure in the area. Completing that project was a good example of “cobbling it together,” according to Town Manager Martha Semmes, who noted the town worked with VDOT, the county and local nonprofits to assemble the different funding components to complete the project. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, Semmes said. The town put in about $489,000, including $50,000 for the street lights contributed by Middleburg Beautification and Preservation Inc. Another $13,272 came from a Middleburg street light fund established with the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. The county government put in $1.79 million, while VDOT contributed the remaining money, including funds from a transportation alternatives grant the town secured. And, Semmes noted, despite the inconvenience to customers and business owners alike, which the town tried to minimize as much as possible, “we are now receiving compliments from local citizens, as well as visitors, on the project—which is good to hear after such a disruptive project.” The town will hold a formal celebration in early November to mark the completion of the projects. mmorton@loudounnow

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Lincoln Young Life Western Loudoun Barn Dance Young Life Western Loudoun invites the public to its second annual fundraising barn dance, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Lincoln Equestrian Center, 1817 Lincoln Road near Purcellville. Dancers should come in their country best to enjoy Virginia reels and square dancing. Tickets are $10 and available at WeLoCoYLBarnDance.Eventbrite.com.

Purcellville Colonial Music Concert St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Purcellville will feature a concert this Sunday of the music of colonial Virginia by educators and musicians David and Ginger Hildebrand. The 4 p.m. performance will feature patriotic songs, ballads, marches and theater songs of the period performed by the Hildebrands on period instruments. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 for

seniors and free for ages 17 and younger. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at http://tinyurl.com/jceqpfs. For information on future “Music with a Cause at St. Andrew” concerts, go to standrew-pres.org.

Artist’s Reception The public is invited to meet Jan Hundshamer at a “meet the artist” reception on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Her “Paintings of Loudoun” is the current exhibit on show at the Purcellville Town Hall. The Massachusetts native has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 40 years. Although interest in drawing and painting dates to her childhood, it was not until her retirement that Hundshamer found the time to pursue her avocation. The show is sponsored by the Purcellville Arts Council and will run through the end of the year. To apply for jurying to be accepted for a threemonth exhibit at the Town Hall, contact Melanie Scoggins at mscoggins@ purcellvilleva.gov.

Lovettsville Comp Plan Hearing After more than 18 months’ hard work, the Lovettsville Planning Commission’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee has finished its proposed revisions to the town plan. Mayor Bob Zoldos notes the comprehensive plan is the guiding document for future development, growth and change in the community, and invites the public to hear for themselves what is proposed. The public hearing on the draft plan will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Lovettsville Game Club on Rt. 287 south of town.

Sauerkraut Workshop Not everyone is familiar with sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) or how to make it, so the Lovettsville Co-op Market is planning a workshop to show people how to achieve the right result on Saturday, Nov. 5, beginning at 2 p.m. at Potomac Vegetable Farm at the junction of Rt. 287 and John Wolford Road. The co-op will supply materials. Participants are welcome to bring

their own crocks, or they can use a mason jar provided by the co-op. Cost of the workshop is $15 for non-members or $12.50 for members. Register at Lovettsville-grocery.com/events.

Hamilton Christmas Fruit The Ruritan Club of Hamilton is once more offering Indian River Citrus Fruit as part of its annual fundraising. Proceeds from the sale will support civic activities in Loudoun including fire-rescue, 4H, Boy Scouts, little league, Heritage Hall Lifeline, Loudoun Hunger Relief and the club’s memorial scholarship program for graduating seniors at Loudoun Valley High School. Entries must be picked up Saturday, Nov. 19 between 8 a.m. and noon at the Hamilton Safety Center. Orders must be received by Nov. 7. For details and to order, contact Bill Grupe at 540-338-6484 or wgrupe@mindspring. com; Dick Mazzucchelli at 703-7778882 or rjmazzucchelli@aol.com; or Barbara Christian at 540-338-4543 or barb-christian@comcast.net.

BY MARGARET MORTON

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consultant, contamination was caused by a crack in the concrete pad surrounding the top of the well, likely allowing surface water to enter. Repairs were completed in June, followed by numerous bacteria tests in September. All results were negative for E.coli bacteria. The well will be tested frequently and chlorine levels tightly monitored. The well will be run at about 50 gallons per minute to achieve a flow of between 36,000 and 40,000 gallons daily. The Hirst well produces about 6 percent of the town’s total water supply and also provides additional pressure and water flow for the southwestern end of town.

Purcellville Town Manager Robert W. Lohr Jr. announced Tuesday that the town’s well at Hirst Farm was back in operation. The well was taken offline in July 2015 after a test revealed the presence of E.coli in the untreated water. Treated water samples remained safe to drink, but the town, working with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, took the well out of service. After more than a year of repairs, testing and regulatory review, the Office of Drinking Water on Friday approved a plan of operations and continued monitoring, granting the town permission to resume well operations. According to the town and its

Only one day after the Purcellville Town Council spent an hour and a half deliberating options for the management of its utility rates structure, the town announced that Fitch Ratings had affirmed the town’s current AA general obligation credit rating. Additionally, Fitch upgraded the town’s outlook from “stable” to “positive,” because of its continued improvement in the utility funds. That had been at the heart of the previous evening’s discussion, with several on council raising concerns about the size of residents’ utility bills, the rate structure and the large amount of utility system debt. Most members also signaled their dislike at the need to raise rates annually to keep the utility fund in balance. Instead they called for more creative options to increase revenues without imposing rate increases that some in town cannot afford. Several, including Mayor Kwasi Fraser and Councilman Ryan Cool, touched on how the actions they might take, including the mayor’s suggestion to use part of the meals tax to help pay down the debt, might affect the town’s credit ratings. Fitch’s affirmed rating and upgraded outlook from one of the three major bond rating agencies was a positive sign, according to Director of Finance Elizabeth Krens. In the commentary provided by Fitch, the agency said the town had “a high level of fundamental financial flexibility,” “impressive income metrics,” and “ample general fund balance.” But Krens pointed out that the affirmation resulted from a routine review of the town’s rating, and did not include actions since the rating was awarded in 2013 or actions contemplated for the future. The town’s utility funds have been temporarily boosted by a $12 million legal settlement with developers of the Mayfair subdivision. Looming ahead are balloon payments due in July 2020. A payment of $1,440,000 for the Water Fund (plus an additional $1,645,000 for the Parks and Recreation Fund) will carry impact in fiscal 2021. Fitch sees a lot of potential for growth

if the town chooses to take that route, according to the report. However, the current council isn’t looking in that direction and will have to find a substitute for connection fees that have traditionally provided income to keep the utility systems solvent. Purcellville is mostly built out, although there are still redevelopment and infill possibilities. There have been several applications for annexations, but those appear to be in a non-active stage. “This council will have to come up with a long-term plan,” Krens said. In addition to the balloon payment, the town’s water treatment plant needs to be replaced. Krens said the town likely will need to look at a 10-year range of possibilities. As of now, Fitch is satisfied with the town’s direction and its opportunities, Krens said, noting that what this council has to grapple with is its direction and actions after fiscal 2020 when the Mayfair money runs out. Town Manager Robert W. Lohr Jr. has suggested that the town should talk with a larger utility system like Loudoun Water to explore ways to save money. “If we’re choosing to be a small system with limited expansion capabilities, we have to look at every alternative and option and not wait until problems develop,” he said. Other revenue options under consideration by the council are the sale of the Mary’s House of Hope property on 20th Street, leasing out its former maintenance plant or a portion of the town’s Aberdeen property that lies outside the water plant extension site and wellfields. Timbering the forest around the town’s Hirst Reservoir and allowing recreational opportunities at the property could also generate revenue. Krens said the town has received no new ratings from either Standard & Poor’s, which gave the town a AAA, or from Moody’s Investors Service, which gave it an Aa2 rating. The S&P rating is the highest possible long-term credit rating it provides. The AA Fitch rating and Aa2 Moody’s rating are only two notches from the highest possible long-term credit ratings given by those agencies.

Loudoun Valley Floors...

31 Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

Rating Agency Gives Vote of Confidence to Purcellville Council

[ BIZ ]

[ BIZ BRIEFS ] Fairbridge Acquires Ridgetop Offices

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Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

From left, Paul McNeal COO of Lauer Commercial and Tetra Management Services; Loren Hudziak, of Google; and Hassane Bouhia of Verizon discuss the future of the internet during an Oct. 21 Chamber of Commerce Forum at AOL.

Internet of Things: On The Rise, On The Attack BY NORMAN K. STYER embers of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce gathered in a conference room at AOL’s Dulles operations center on Friday morning to learn more about the internet’s next growth phase—networking billions of DVRs, appliances, thermostats and other “things” together on the grid. The innovation promises to usher in conveniences and automation unimagined just a few years ago. It also increases challenges. Little known to the attendees, at that same time the “Internet of Things” was being used to deploy a massive cyberattack that locked up scores of web-based services, including giants like Netflix and Twitter, including at the data centers just down the street. Tens of millions of IP addresses managed by Dyn, one of the companies that runs the in-

ternet’s domain name system, were targeted in the attack. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are investigating the distributed denial-of-service attack that involved directing hijacked devices to flood servers with junk data so that legitimate traffic couldn’t get through. By Tuesday, one Chinese company was in the spotlight for failing to implement tighter security on its customers’ webcams, allowing the hackers to use them as tools in the attack. In most cases, the internet-connected devices are small, don’t have much computer power, and they don’t include many, or any, security features. By 2020, more than 5 billion devices are expected to be connected online. That’s probably good news for Loudoun’s data center alley. “The data is going to be massive. There is no getting around that one,” said Hassane Bouhia, a corporate strategy and business development execu-

tive at Verizon. Security and privacy were concerns raised by several in the audience during Friday’s forum. Speakers on the panel cautioned that expectations of privacy should be low as long as people walk around with tracking devices such as phones and smart watches and post their every move on social media. But individuals should have little to worry about on the security front as long as they use common-sense precautions in their online activities, they said. A bigger threat, they said, are the attacks organized by foreign governments—which are frequent and large scale. As solution architect at Google Loren Hudziak put it, “We have nation-states trying to hack us every single day.” On Friday, it appears one got through. nnstyer@loudounnow.com

Middleburg Bank, Access National Plan Merger BY NORMAN K. STYER Reston-based Access National Corp. is merging with Middleburg Financial Corp., the institutions announced Monday morning. If approved by shareholders and regulators next year, the marriage will create an institution with $2.7 billion in total assets, $2.2 billion in deposits and a firm foothold across Northern Virginia. Middleburg Bank, founded in 1924, is the county’s oldest community bank and the last one based in the county. CEO Gary Shook said the Middleburg Bank brand will continue on at the bank’s existing branch offices. In Fairfax County, and other areas of Northern Virginia, the offices will be branded as Access National Bank. “Middleburg and Access are getting bigger together but the brands will not disappear from the marketplace. That’s

Middleburg Bank

Middleburg Bank is the county’s oldest community bank and the last one based in the county.

good news for everyone,” he said. “The combined holding company, called Access National Corporation, will rank fifth in deposit market share among Virginia-based banks under $10 billion in assets, with $2.7 billion in total assets, $2.2 billion in deposits, $1.8 billion in gross loans and $2.5 billion in

assets under management and administration.” the announcement stated. Under the $233.1 million transaction, Middleburg Bank shareholders will receive 1.3314 Access National shares for each share of Middleburg common stock they own. Access National shareMIDDLEBURG MERGER >> 33

Fairbridge Properties, a privately held real estate investment company, has purchased Ridgetop II and Ridgetop III in Sterling. The two buildings, totaling 151,481 square feet of Class-A office space, are 86 percent leased, occupied by Neustar, the Loudoun County government and Constellation Software Inc. There is 21,487 square feet of available space in Ridgetop II, which Fairbridge is planning to upgrade and re-tenant in the near future. “These buildings are a perfect fit for our growing portfolio,” said Dr. Dmitry Gordeev, Fairbridge Properties’ founder and managing partner. “This part of the country is an economic powerhouse. We anticipate that Ridgetop II and Ridgetop III will provide us with continued growth, stable income and asset appreciation.”

Scout & Molly’s Opens in Ashburn Scout & Molly’s Boutique celebrated the opening of its newest franchise location in One Loudon Shopping Plaza on Saturday. The 1,236-square-foot boutique offers upscale designer women’s clothing as well as original chic designs. “I am thrilled to bring Scout & Molly’s to Ashburn. Earlier this year I opened a location in Mosaic and the community has just embraced us,” franchise owner Teresa Snedeker said. “I look forward to bringing these amazing brands we carry to the women of Ashburn as well.” The store is at 20360 Exchange St. in Ashburn.

New Companies Are Cooking at Chefscape Chefscape, a shared commercial kitchen and event company, has added eight new member chefs/food entrepreneurs at its Ashburn facility. Caterer Ammamma Foods makes homemade Indian vegetarian dishes, specializing in Rotis, Parathas, Puris and curries. Blaze Premium Kitchen, a catering and private dining operation is led by Chef Eddie Thomas, classically trained in French fine dining and southern soul food. Blue Ridge Baking Company, led by Chef Aaron Coffey, is a progressive bakery that served up gluten free, vegan, paleo and grainless organic baked goods to students at the University of Virginia and James Madison University before expanding to Northern Virginia. BIZ BRIEFS >> 33

[ BIZ BRIEFS ] << FROM 32

<< FROM 32

nstyer@loudounnow.com

Tammy Ryan has been named the new branch vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s downtown Leesburg office where she will lead 46 independent sales agents. Ryan serves on the board of the Leesburg Downtown Business Association and also heads up her office’s First Friday efforts. The company also announced that Jed Ashby has become an affiliated agent with the company’s Leesburg office. “We are very happy to welcome Jed to the Coldwell Banker network. His knowledge of the area and commitment to excellent customer service leads to customers for life,” Ryan stated. The Leesburg office is at 25 S. King St.

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Ashburn-based Zillion Technologies and CEO M. Anthony Irudhayanathan received two awards from the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. The Regional Supplier of the Year Award recognizes minority business enterprises that have an exceptional track record in delivering quality services to their clients. Regional winners are eligible to compete for national recognition. The Top 100 MBE Award is given to minority business owners in the region whose entrepreneurial successes and innovations serve as an inspiration to MBEs nationally. The awards were presented at the council’s Annual Leaders and Legends Award Ceremony. Founded in 2002, ZTI has grown from a one-man operation to employing more than 250 people. Zillion provides both private and government organizations IT services including applications and software, enterprise mobility, staffing and consulting.

LUXURY IS IN THE DETAILS

Ryan Promoted, Ashby Hired at Coldwell Banker

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

holders will own 53.5 percent of the new company. The board of directors for the new company will include seven members of the current Access National board and six members of the current Middleburg board, including Shook, and John C. Lee IV, who recently replaced Joe Boling as Middleburg’s chairman following his retirement. Lee will serve as chairman of the board; Access National Chairman Mike Anzilotti will serve as vice chairman. Representatives of both banks said

ers are eyeing opportunities for further expansion in Virginia. Access National is headquartered in Reston and has branch offices in Leesburg, Arlington, Alexandria, Chantilly, Manassas and Tysons Corner. Middleburg Bank, based in Middleburg, operates branches in Leesburg, Ashburn, Gainesville, Marshall, Purcellville, Reston, Richmond and Warrenton. While some duplicative positions will be eliminated as the merger moves ahead, Clarke said the bank is looking for new hires, as well. “We need good bankers to help in the community,” he said.

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

EZ Meals offers home-delivered Indian Cuisine. Signature dishes include Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Butter Chicken, Punjabi Dal Tadka and Andhra Mutton Curry On the Flavour food truck, Chef Ammar Ikram merges Pakistani influences into traditional American dishes. Flavour specializes in Short Rib Sliders and Mac and Cheese At Kings Biryani, Chefs Lakshmi and Krishna specialize in authentic Biryani. Mamma Rocks offers small batch home-style catering for corporate events, holiday meals and gameday parties. Chefs Brian and Kristina Lehmbeck specialties are sausage-stuffed pork roast and meatball parmesan sliders. At Yaya Marias, Chefs Kathy and Mike specialize in Spanakopita, madefrom-scratch Greek spinach pies. In addition to rental kitchen space, Chefscape offers its members business and marketing services and a range of revenue driving opportunities including distribution assistance to catering events and pop-ups. Learn more at chefscapekitchen.com.

Middleburg merger

the merged company will have a broader business base. Access National is stronger in the mortgage and small business loan market segments, while Middleburg’s strength is on the retail side, with a reputation for serving affluent individuals. Additionally, there is little overlap in their current geographic service areas. Access National CEO Michael Clarke said another important factor is that the banks remain under the control of local decision-makers. Middleburg Bank leaders have been under pressure this year from David Sokol, the company’s largest shareholder, to increase performance through an acquisition or merger. The Access National deal is a significant step in that direction, but Clarke noted bank lead-

[ LOCO LIVING ]

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Amy Manson is a Leesburg-based ceramicist and organizer of the Catoctin Holiday Arts Tour. Her show with painter Laura Edwards kicks off Nov. 4 at the Cooley Gallery in Leesburg.

FUNCTIONAL EXPRESSIONS Manson’s Ceramic Transitions on Exhibit BY JAN MERCKER

dozen years ago, a North Carolina ice storm changed Amy Manson’s life. A weekend visiting a colleague sparked a passion for pottery that has since made her a fixture in Loudoun’s arts scene. In 2003, Manson, a former corporate recruiter turned stay-at-home mom, was living with her husband and daughters in Charlotte and looking for a creative outlet. When a winter storm left the family without power, her husband’s supervisor, an amateur potter, invited them to her home. The subject of ceramics came up, and Manson decided to jump into the city’s thriving ceramics scene. Manson, who moved with her family to Leesburg in 2009, is now one of Loudoun’s best-known potters, popular for her eye-pleasing yet functional work—and for her famous chicken roasters and coffee mugs. Manson’s work is in the spotlight, in a joint show with Loudoun-based painter Laura Edwards, at Leesburg’s Cooley Gallery next month. Manson also teaches at studios around the county and is an

FYI “Subtle Transitions” artists’ reception 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 Cooley Gallery, 9 N. King St., Leesburg The show runs through Nov. 30. More information: thecooleygallery.com, amymansonpottery.com

Catoctin Holiday Art Tour, Nov. 12-13 This year’s self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday Nov. 13 at studios in and around the town of Lovettsville. Visitors can connect with some of western Loudoun’s most talented artists while taking in some of the area’s most scenic country roads. For a complete list of stops, maps and more information, go to catoctinart.com. organizer of and featured artist at the upcoming Catoctin Holiday Art Tour (CHAT), slated for Nov. 12 and 13. In the past decade, Manson said, her work has shifted from decorative pieces to more functional work, inspired in part by her love of food and cooking, and also by the rural beauty and agricultural resurgence in Loudoun. “I want it to be accessible. … I want people be able to use it,” Manson said.

“I always tell my students, ‘Look at the piece, but let’s also think about what’s going to go on it.’” For Manson, who grew up in rural Ohio and studied business psychology at Miami University of Ohio, the North Carolina pottery scene was an energizing experience and a break from the routines of parenting young children. “Any free minute, I was at the pottery studio. I fell in love with it,” she said.

But ceramics soon grew from a passion to a business as she began to sell pieces, first to friends, then at shows and galleries and eventually online. Manson was initially disappointed when her husband Joel’s work brought them to Leesburg. But she soon found her niche in Loudoun, becoming involved with Round Hill’s Gateway Gallery. She was accepted as an exhibitor on the Western Loudoun Artists Studio Tour shortly after relocating and after that worked with painter Jill Evans-Kavaldjian to launch CHAT in 2011. Manson has also developed a strong working relationship over the years with Cooley Gallery owner Chris Cooley and his fiancée and partner Madi DeBray, both showing her work and teaching at Cooley’s new gallery on South King Street in Leesburg. Manson laughed when she remembered meeting Cooley, popular former Washington Redskins tight end, at his former gallery space a few years ago. “As a non-football fan, I walked in, not knowing who he was,” she said. Instead, she was completely star-struck by Cooley’s visitor at the time—Maryland-based ceramics guru Bill van Gilder, whose series on DIY Network Television has a cult following. But Manson and Cooley kept in touch, and when Cooley and DeBray opened their new gallery earlier this year, Manson was one of the first teachers hired. Her upcoming show at the gallery spotlights nature-inspired pieces, delicately carved with a brushstroke-like quality. For gallery manager Dana Beal, Manson’s work meshes perfectly with Edwards’ textured abstract oil paintings. “Both Edwards and Manson are presenting artwork that represents ‘subtle transitions.’ Edwards’ paintings are executed in oils and are concerned with the importance of color and its influence on the subtle transitions in a space. Manson is presenting functional and decorative stoneware pottery with rich glazes and carved surfaces. The work is made in hopes of becoming part of one’s daily life as well as family traditions and celebrations,” Beal said in a release announcing the show. In addition to local sales, Manson runs a thriving Etsy shop and has found that social media, particularly Instagram, has been a valuable marketing tool for her small business. Manson’s recent posts of ceramic flasks have garnered attention from distilleries around the country, and her beloved beer can chicken roasters and charming coffee mugs continue to be hot sellers. “I’m selling chicken roasters to get my kiddos through college,” Manson said with a laugh. jmercker@loudounnow.com

Salzman Crowned at Ashburn’s Got Talent Winner Will Salzman is the winner of the inaugural Ashburn’s Got Talent competition. Organized by the Blend Coffee Bar in Broadlands, the month-long singing competition wrapped up Saturday when the 13 finalists performed for a panel of judges. Salzman, a 15-year-old Potomac Falls High School student, came out on top. He took home a $500 prize

and will be invited to perform during the Broadlands Live summer concert series next summer. Salzman caught the music bug from an elementary school music teacher. Around age 7, he performed for his school in a talent show, then started taking guitar lessons and

Salzman

continued to sing. In third grade, he moved to Virginia from Kingston, NY, and joined School of Rock in Ashburn, where he played in the house band. Currently, he is the lead singer for Suburbia and performs as a solo artist around the area. He is a co-founder of Feed the Street, an orga-

nization that encourages youth and their families help the homeless in Washington, DC. The runner up was Jeyhan Turker. Nicoletta Karamanis won the Songwriting Award. It wasn’t just the artists who benefited from the competition. Donations also were made to Friends of Loudoun Mental Health and Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers.

[ THINGS TO DO ] OATLANDS PARANORMAL MANSION TOURS Thursday, Oct. 27, Friday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Details: oatlands.org

SHOCKTOBER Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, 7-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m. Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. Details: shocktober.org Don’t miss your last chance to catch one of Loudoun’s favorite haunted houses, featuring zombies and other new terrors. Proceeds benefit programming at the non-profit Paxton Campus. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the ticket office. Advance purchase is recommended.

‘THE FULL MOON’ INTERACTIVE HORROR PLAY Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m.; Riverside High School, 19019 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg. Details: loudoun.k12.va.us/riverside Get ready for Halloween with this original interactive horror play set at a summer camp where something went terribly— and frighteningly—wrong. This production is not recommended for young children. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students at the door.

PURCELLVILLE HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY Saturday, Oct. 29, 5-9 p.m.; N. 21st St., Purcellville. Details: purcellvillehalloween.com Presented by Discover Loudoun, this family-oriented event features Halloween-themed games, Magic by Ryan, balloon artists, face painting and a costume contest, with the top prize of $500. Improv troupe Last Ham Standing will take the stage shortly after 5

p.m. Admission is free.

CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN BICYCLE FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-3 p.m.; Bicycle Outfitters, 32-C Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Details: bikeoutfitters.com Children can bring their own bikes, with or without training wheels, for activities including bike decoration, a pumpkin bicycle rodeo course, bike mechanical check and refreshments. Admission is free.

GHOSTS, GOBLINS AND GHOULS 5K Saturday, Oct. 29, 3-6 p.m.; The Barn

at One Loudoun, 20405 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn. Details: ghost5k.com Runners are encouraged to come in costume for this popular annual 5K and fun run. Event also includes trickor-treating and other Halloween-related activities. Registration for adults is $35 through Oct. 27, $40 on race day. Registration is $20 for youth 18 and younger.

DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL HAUNTED CARNIVAL Saturday, Oct. 29, 6-10 p.m.; Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Drive,

JUMP TO >> 36

Tour guides will share ghost legends and personal accounts of unexplained happenings, along with findings of the ongoing paranormal investigations at Oatlands. Cost is $20 for adults, $12 for children 12 and younger. Non-refundable advance reservations are required.

starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Loudoun Museum.

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

FALL FUN

Courtesy of Leesburg Hauntings

LEESBURG HAUNTINGS

Discover Leesburg’s spooky past with these popular 90-minute walking tours of downtown Leesburg. Tours leave Leesburg’s town hall every 15 minutes,

MORE TO DO >> 36

loudounnow.com

Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m.; Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: leesburghauntings.org

[ MORE TO DO ]

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<< FROM 35 Sterling. Details: loudoun.k12.va.us/dhs The school hosts a haunted carnival for youth 10 and older. Cost is $8 per person. There will also be a pumpkin patch in the cafeteria from 6-8:30pm with games and fun for the younger set. Cost is $6. Children younger than 10 should be accompanied by an adult.

CAMPFIRE STORIES AT FRANKLIN PARK Sunday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.com Take your coffee or hot chocolate outside around the campfire for some pre-Halloween storytelling from Laura Bobrow. Tickets are $8 at the door.

PETS ON TOUR AT NORTH GATE Sunday, Oct. 30, 1-4 p.m.; North Gate Vineyard, 16031 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville. Details: northgatevineyard.com Shelter pets from Loudoun County Animal Services are coming to North Gate via the shelter’s tour bus. LCAS will also be collecting donations of towels, blankets, rawhide bones and rawhide treats, cat toys, Dawn dishwashing liquid, Clorox Bleach, canned dog and cat food, and dry dog and cat food.

MORE TO DO >> 37

Credit: Michael Oaks

Purcellville Goes Ghoulish on Saturday The Purcellville Halloween Block Party will be even bigger and better this year, according to organizers Michael Oaks and Kim Patterson. Presented by Discover Loudoun, the family oriented, all-ages event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday when North 21st Street will be converted to one large street party. To get the crowd in the right carefree spirit, the popular jokesters of Last Ham Standing will take the stage shortly after 5 p.m., asking for suggestions from the audience to create wacky and fun improv games. Kids will have plenty of Halloween-themed games to enjoy, including The rubber rat toss, pumpkin

bowling, pin the nose on the witch, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and, new this year, a rubber ducky race. Each kid is promised a prize. To provide the necessary ghoulishness and scary components, there will be “howl at the moon” and “most horrific scream” contests. Other activities include Magic by Ryan, balloon artists, face painting and several surprises. The big event of the night, however, is the costume judging. Contestants are encouraged to come wearing their most creative outfits, for judging in one of seven categories, including the new group/family category. The 2016 judges are: County Chair-

woman Phyllis Randall, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard, Purcellville Vice Mayor Karen Jimmerson, Councilman Ryan Cool, and Magnolias at the Mill Restaurant co-owner Shawn Malone. There are first, second and third prizes in each category. The top prize for best overall costume is $500. Admission is free and there will be free parking throughout town. For contest rules or more information, go to purcellvillehalloween.com, Facebook – Purcellville Halloween Block Party or contact Oaks or Kim Patterson at ReLove It, 540-751-0707.

[ MORE TO DO ] are $25 for the concert and $55 for the concert and a VIP reception after the performance. Reception is free for Friends of Franklin Park members.

LEESBURG KIWANIS HALLOWEEN PARADE

‘TRICK OR TREAT’ MURDER MYSTERY Sunday, Oct. 30, noon; Salamander Resort, 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg and 6:30 p.m.; Savoir Fare, 1 W. Loudoun St., Round Hill. Details: stagecoachtc.com

Monday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m., downtown Leesburg. Details: leesburgva.gov

StageCoach Theatre Company presents two performances of its latest murder mystery. Cost is $79.83 for the Middleburg show, lunch included, and $65 for the Round Hill dinner performance. Advance payment is required.

ON STAGE LAST HAM STANDING COMEDY IMPROV Friday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.com Family-oriented comedy improv from a local favorite. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children.

LOUDOUN BALLET COMPANY PRESENTS “DRACULA” Saturday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn. Details: loudounballet.org Based on Bram Stoker’s Gothic tale, the ballet tells the story of the famous nocturnal count and his victims. Appro-

Courtesy of Loudoun Ballet Company

priate for ages 10 and older. Patrons are invited to come in costume. Tickets are $12-17 online.

THOMAS PANDOLFI: INTO THE NIGHT WITH GERSHWIN Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter. com American piano virtuoso Thomas Pandolfi performs the classic American music of George Gershwin. Tickets

FRANKLIN PARK BIG BAND WITH MADDY CURTIS Sunday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.com The Franklin Park Big Band will perform swinging tunes from the big screen and the little screen, including themes from “West Side Story,” “James Bond,” “Superman,” and other favorites. Tickets are $10 for adults or $30 per family at the door.

ORCHESTRA 2100 INAUGURAL CONCERT Thursday, Nov. 3, 7-9 p.m.; Stone Tower Winery, 19925 Hogback Mountain Road, Leesburg. Details: orchestra2100.com Loudoun’s newest orchestra launches its inaugural season with a duo concert from Natasha Korsakova on violin and David Michael Wolff on piano. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit Encore!Kids.

MUSIC OF COLONIAL VIRGINIA Sunday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m., St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 711 W. Main St., Purcellville. Details: standrew-pres.org

MORE TO DO >> 39

to the many donors, volunteers, shoppers and the Loudoun community for supporting the 78th Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale held October 15 & 16, 2016. The Sale grossed more than $282,000 because of your generosity. Proceeds benefit patient services at Inova Loudoun Hospital and the Ladies Board Nursing Scholarship Fund. We also want to thank:

Ace Party Rentals

Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management Loudoun Golf and Country Club Lovettsville Waterford Ruritans M&M Print Middleburg Film Festival Meadows Farm Melt Monroe Tech students Morven Park Equestrian Center New Generation Mom Not Your Average Joe's Pack Rat Hauling Pev's Paintball River Creek Country Club Shies Restaurant Shoe's Cup & Cork Sign Design Silver Eagle Group

Summit Bank Staged-by-Design Tell Me Town Foundation The Exchange Hotel Museum The Fun Shop The Gift Shop at Inova Loudoun Town & Country Movers Turner’s Body Shop Twice Is Nice Twigs Valley Energy Virginia Transit Washington Capitals Washington Nationals Washington Wizards Waste Management Waterford/Lovettsville Ruritans Women Giving Back Woodgrove HS Football Team

The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital • 44045 Riverside Pkwy, Leesburg, VA 20176 • facebook.com/LadiesBoard

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore Hamilton Ruritans Happy Nails Heritage High School Interact Club Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation Jasmine Restaurant Jolie Nails K2m Kennels at Stoneleigh King Pinz La Villa Roma Lansdowne Woods Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Leesburg Evening Rotary Leesburg Sterling Family Practice Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Loudoun County Fire Marshall Loudoun County HS Interact Club

Loudoun Transportation

Andy's Mediterranean Atomic Trampoline Fun Center Barre Buddhi Be Beauty Belmont Country Club Best Western - Leesburg Black Shutter Antique Center Blossom and Bloom Blue Ridge Hospice Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Browning Equipment Caulkins Jewelers Chick-Fil-a - Leesburg Everyday Elegance Eyetopia Inc Fabbioli Cellars Fire Works Pizza Giovanni's NY Pizza

Dulles Greenway

The 60th annual Leesburg Halloween Parade, hosted and organized by the Leesburg Kiwanis Club, is a local favorite. Spectators are encouraged to bring food donations for Loudoun Hunger Relief.

Educators and period musicians David and Ginger Hildebrand present a concert of colonial era marches, ballads and theater songs, complete with colonial attire and period instruments. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 for seniors, free for ages 17 and under. Available at Eventbrite: http://tinyurl. com/jceqpfs.

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

<< FROM 36

[ A LOUDOUN MOMENT ]

loudounnow.com

Thomas, age 4, leads his mother in a dance at Monster Mash.

Festival Fun PHOTO ESSAY BY ALI KHALIGH/LOUDOUN NOW

Zombies, superheroes, ninjas and Disney characters made their way to the Village at Leesburg last weekend to take in the community’s seventh annual Monster Mash. The all-day event delivered plenty of opportunity to celebrate all-things autumn, with pumpkin painting, music from Liquid A, street performers, a costume contest and a Halloween parade.

From left, Analia, Rochi and Andrea brought their own flavor of spook.

A student from ATA Elite Martial Arts shows off his moves.

[ THINGS TO DO ] COMING UP

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

<< FROM 37

LOCO CULTURE THOMAS BALCH TALK: CLAUDE BERUBE Sunday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m.; Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 703-737-7195

NIGHTLIFE LIVE MUSIC: SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 59 Friday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

Courtesy of Loudoun Road Runners

LOUDOUN 10K TRAIL RUN FOR BOULDER CREST Sunday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m.; Camp Highroad, 21164 Steptoe Hill Road, Middleburg. Details: trailrun.loudounroadrunners.org.

HALLOWEEN 90s PARTY WITH AS IF

This annual trail run benefitting the Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness features a race course with hilly terrain and gorgeous scenery. Race registration fee is $40. Packet pick-up is race morning.

Friday, Oct. 28, 8:30 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com

DAVID NORTON POTTERY ANNUAL FALL SHOW

Kick off your pre-Halloween weekend with rock, pop, hip-hop and dance tunes from the ’90s. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door.

Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Potterosa Gallery, 18005 Kullgren Road, Round Hill. Details: davidnortonpottery.com

Energized, hard-charging country from this Smokehouse regular. No cover.

Each year, noted potter David Norton opens his Round Hill studio, Potterosa, to the public for pre-holiday shopping.

2 D A Y S !

Loudoun Ballet Company Presents

Dracula

This Saturday Only

Author Claude Berube discusses his novel “Syren’s Song,” the second in the Connor Stark political thriller series. Books will be available for purchase. The event is free, but advance registration is recommended.

Come in costume, if you dare!

October 29, 4:00 & 7:00 pm

Tickets thru October 27 at loudounballet.org All Tickets $20 at the Door

Stone Bridge High School, Ashburn

loudounnow.com

Premium: $17, Standard $12

[OBITUARIES] Virginia, where her sparkle touched everyone. She also worked at various equestrian barns in Northern Virginia and spent a winter in Florida as a groom. Being an equestrian was Joellen’s passion and where she found true peace and joy. A Celebration of Her Life will be held Thursday, 27 October 2016, at

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

loudounnow.com

Judy L. Bentley, 61,

of Winchester, died Tuesday, October 18, 2016. Ms. Bentley was born May 23, 1955 in Leesburg, VA; the daughter of the late Floyd Eugene Thompson and Elsie Fogle Thompson. She had been an administrative assistant with Shenandoah Sash and Door. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, George Junior Bentley. She is survived by her children, Randall Shane Bentley and his wife Angelica of Martinsburg, WV and Shannon Denise Whitcomb and her husband Sean of Ranson, WV; a brother, Gene Thompson and his wife Jane of Jessup, MD; a sister, Sue Reynolds and her husband Henry of Cross Junction; two step grandsons, Dustin and Chase Beamer. Funeral service will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601. Online condolences may be left at jonesfuneralhome.com

Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia, from 2 to 6 pm. In celebration of her life and the memories we hold dear, please share any pictures you have of her or your fondest memories. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center by visiting http://www.givingto.vt.edu. For online gifts, please select the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center-General in memory of Joellen Mauch. Or, checks may be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. and mailed to: Office of Gift Accounting (0336) University Gateway Center, Virginia Tech 902 Prices Fork Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every person who touched Joellen’s soul.

Steve Hauptman

Joellen Mauch, 23,

passed away unexpectedly in Geneva, New York while attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges on October 18, 2016 from a prescription drug overdose. Her spunky spirit and loving heart are already missed and will be forever cherished. She is survived by her mother Pam Doughty Mauch, brother Justin Mauch, father Larry Mauch, paternal grandmother Mary Ann Mauch Blackburn, and maternal grandfather J. Edward Doughty, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joellen was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Paula Stremlau Doughty, and by her paternal grandfather John (Jack) Mauch. Joellen was a graduate of Dominion High School in Sterling, Virginia, where she was captain of the track and field team, member of the marching band, and participated in a number of volunteer activities. She traveled the back country of Alaska with National Geographic and volunteered on a local farm. At William Smith, Joellen double majored in architecture and philosophy. For two years, she was a member of the William Smith rowing team. She was also active in the equestrian club and on the Dean’s List. Joellen was a valued friend and employee at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg,

died peacefully on October 22nd surrounded by close family and friends at the age of 56. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Kim, two sons, Ryan and James, mother, Eva, and brother, Bruce. He was a lover of the outdoors, sports, and live music. Steve had a successful career and was an active member in the Leesburg community. His lasting impact will be felt for years to come. The family is holding a celebration of his life on October 29 at 2:00 PM at Evergreen Church in Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in memory of Steve to an organization that he held close, Loudoun Hunger Relief - LoudounHunger.org. Please share condolences with the family at loudounfuneralchapel.com

Nicolas “Nick” Lee Blaylock,

of Winchester, VA, formerly of Leesburg, VA, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016. The family will receive friends for a time of sharing to celebrate Nick’s life on Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 1 to 3pm at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. Please share condolences with the family at LoudounFuneralChapel.com. To Place an Obituary, Memoriam or Death Notice Contact: Lindsay Morgan (703) 770-9723 lmorgan@loudounnow.com

Su Webb << FROM 3 difference,” he said. That challenge was instrumental in the task force’s time spent on policy implementation, not just policy development, according to Minchew. “The results of her work and stewardship will be felt by generations of Loudoun citizens to come,” Minchew said. Webb also used her wide knowledge of Loudoun County’s zoning policies to good effect to preserve parts of the village of Aldie. Tucker Withers, owner of the Little River Inn in Aldie and a keen protector of its rural charm, called Webb “my ‘go to’ person for anything concerning the preservation of Aldie— she always knew what was protected and what was not—she was right up on that.” As an ardent parks advocate, and a resident of the Lovettsville area, Webb was a strong supporter of the county’s

acquisition of a 91-acre parcel on the eastern edge of Lovettsville in 2004, with a small portion lying within the town. “She was very supportive of the town and what we were doing,” former Mayor Elaine Walker said, recalling Webb’s keen interest in the planning and development of the park. In addition to parks and open space, Webb had a strong interest in the county’s history. Loudoun historian, former educator and current executive director of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, Rich Gillespie advised MHAA board members of Webb’s death in an email. Gillespie said, most recently, Webb had shown her usual strong support for preservation at a county public hearing on the controversial Catesby Farm banquet and event center application shortly before her death. “On behalf of all of us in the preservation world of the [Mosby] heritage area, we will miss this local dynamo,” he wrote. “Hats sadly off to Su Webb.”

Crossword

mmorton@loudounnow.com

• Hiring PT Barista •

Driver bonus given at the end of snow season.

• Coffee shop experience is a necessity. • Beer knowledge a plus. • Located in Leesburg.

For the upcoming winter.

540-668-9005

Supervisor wanted for busy Lawn Service. Must have valid drivers license. Must be able to lead crews on various jobs, as well as work along side them. Salary commensurate with experience. Possible insurance allowance after 6 months.

Send resume to BrewLoCo@gmail.com

Bus Driver Wanted Bus Driver position at Loudoun Country Day School, approximately 20-25 hours perweek plus field trips.

looking for

Experienced Collision Technicians and Helpers Great Pay & Benefits Gold Class I-Car Certified 101 N. Bailey Lane Purcellville (540) 338-5500 terry@terrysbodyshop.com

Position includes benefits. Must have a Class B CDL License and interstate classification. Please call Joe Kaylor at (703)777-3841 or email inquiries to Joe.Kaylor@lcds.org.

540-668-9005

Terry’s Body Shop

Email: classifieds@loudounnow.com to place your employment ad

Yard Sale MOVING / ESTATE SALE Saturday 10/29 8AM—1PM No early birds, please! 729 Catoctin Circle NE Leesburg

Exeter neighborhood off Battlefield Parkway

Oak dining room furniture, couch, chairs, and lots of household items!

GARAGE SALE 214 Andover Ct. NE (off Harrison)

Saturday, October 29, 9am-1pm

Antiques, home decor, vintage, garden, craft items, clothes. No Early Birds

Email: classifieds@loudounnow.com or Call: (703) 770-9723 to place your yard sale ad

House of Worship

INSIDE OUTSIDE TAG SALE PURCELLVILLE MARKETPLACE Tag Sale Thursday • Friday • Saturday October 28 • 29 • 30 10am - 5pm

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Great Finds Arriving Weekly • Fabulous Prices!

130 E. Main Street Purcellville 20132 540.338.5333 Open Every Thursday • Friday • Saturday 10am-5pm till Christmas

** BIG ESTATE SALE ** 413 Crosman Ct. Purcellville

Fri 10/28 9AM-3PM Sat 10/29 9AM-3PM Sun 10/30 9AM-1PM Discount Day!

Experienced Snow Plow Drivers Wanted

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

Employment

no early birds please

Entire contents of home must go! China, silver, tools, furniture, electronics, Christmas decor and much more! All in excellent condition!

Email: classifieds@loudounnow.com Call: (703) 770-9723

Don’t worry Loudoun We provide

loudounnow.com

To Include Your House Of Worship

loudounnow.com

Resource Directory BARBER SHOP Ashburn Barber Shop 44031 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, #139 Ashburn, VA 20147 Ashburn Village Center Same Shopping Center as Old Giant, Popeye Chicken, Burger King, Kinder Care & Ashburn Service Center

$1 OFF

BATHROOMS

BATHROOM REMODELING Start to finish / To 11/2 Weeks

Any Haircut

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Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 9am-6pm

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703-726-9828

CHIROPRACTOR

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R&D CLEANING SERVICE, LLC

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CONSTRUCTION ConCrete & Masonry Driveways Patios Walkways Stoops/Porches Steps

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hall Trucking

540-822-9011

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Let us heLp you carry your Load!

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

PROS TM

Class “A” General Contractor

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Ph: 703-437-3822 • Cell: 703-795-5621

DECKS Baker’s

Painting & Remodeling

Serving Northern Virginia area for over 10 years. Taking orders for spring deck projects BUILD DECKS & FENCES POWERWASHING & STAINING FREE ESTIMATES & DECK INSPECTIONS

Licensed & Insured Contractor who performs “Handyman Services, Rental & Re-sale Turnovers“ *We Accept ALL Major Cards* 571-439-5576 jbremodeling22@gmail.com

GARAGE DOORS

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HANDYMAN Loudoun, Virginia • 540-514-4715 Lic/Bonded & Ins.

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(703) 777-3296 (540) 347-1674

virginiahandyman1775@yahoo.com

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YVAN DIAZ (571) 505-5565

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WINDOW CLEANING Chesapeake Potomac Window Cleaning Co.

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*SDVOSB* c2operations.com

Owner: Edwin Ramirez (703) 944 - 5181 ramirezedwin80@yahoo.com

HANDYMAN Baker’s

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

HANDYMAN

[ OPINION ]

loudounnow.com

Getting the Line Right Before the emergence of the internet, before rocket engineers and genetic scientists set up shop in Loudoun, before federal contractors moved beyond the Beltway and Tyson’s high rises, Dulles Airport fueled the county’s economy. And it still does. Since it opened as the nation’s most advance jetport five decades ago, Loudoun’s business and government leaders have worked hand in hand to promote its growth. They knew that jobs and economic opportunities would follow the increase in flights. A fundamental element in that partnership has been county government’s support for regulations that buffered airport operations from encroachment of new homes. Overall, the pace of the industry’s growth may be dictated by factors such as competition and fuel prices, but those aren’t controlled by local governments. Zoning regulations are. Loudoun’s policy to prohibit residential construction within the airport’s high noise zone is intended to protect the airport from complaints that have forced many other facilities across the nation to limit their operations. The rules were established when Dulles was a remote destination surrounded by, well, not much. Even as development pressures increased on land around the airport, the county’s business and government leaders remained committed to that strategy. With the coming of rail, that has changed. For the first time, the citizen advisors on the county’s economic development panel and the Chamber of Commerce have joined with Realtors and developers in calling for the restrictions to be lifted. So far, supervisors say they’re not interested in making a change. The county is embarking on a rewrite of its comprehensive plan and getting the airport noise policies right will be an important part of guiding development over the coming decades. The airport’s high-noise contours—the lines that determine where residential development is prohibited or is subject to higher construction standards—were last updated in the early 1990s. Those changes reflected the industry’s shift to quieter aircraft engines, but also examined the noise that would be generated by an airport running at full capacity. Given the technological advances and the changes in travel demand over the past 30 years there’s reason to believe the noise level projections may be different today. A new study could find that the boundaries of the high-noise zone may be smaller, or it might affirm the outlook already on the books. Knowing the answer would be a part of any longterm planning exercise. Supervisors are correct in defending the probation on new residences within the airport’s high-noise area. Unquestionably, that is an important land use and economic development policy. However, ensuring that they’ve drawn the line in the right location also is important. Now is a good time to take a new look.

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

Contributors Leah Fallon Jan Mercker

Danielle Nadler Managing Editor dnadler@loudounnow.com

Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com

Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriquez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com

Display Advertising Tonya Harding Katie Lewis Classified Manager Lindsay Morgan lmorgan@loudounnow.com Production Electronic Ink Leesburg, VA 20175

[ LETTERS ] Civil Civics Editors: As an educator in Loudoun County and a representative of the Loudoun Education Association, I wanted to share with your readers the challenging nature of teaching civics during the 2016 election. I am dedicated to the proposition that students deserve an impartial and unbiased presentation when learning about the democratic process. They should be able to make their own decisions regarding which political party to support and where on the political spectrum they should land. The challenge of teaching during this heightened political cycle is that when a teacher stands up for fighting prejudice, misogyny, and racism, one is easily seen as siding with one candidate over the other. It is all too easy for fair-minded educators to come under criticism for standing up for values we all agree with as Americans. Across the nation, educators and parents have been asking themselves what type of role model we want our presidential candidates to be. Teachers have had to operate with a heightened awareness of bullying and belittling those belonging to minority groups in respect to race, religion, and national origin. I am proud to say that Loudoun County Public Schools has an active anti-bullying policy and that educators in our system have been proactive in preventing what has been called “The Trump Effect” (out of fairness, there is also a “Clinton Effect,” which we can discuss at another time). Teachers in my area of civics have no interest in pushing a political agenda or trying to persuade students to adopt their positions on the issues. Rather, we hope to instill in our students a sense of mutual respect and acceptance that must become an integral part of our increasingly diverse community. As we attempt to convey a sense of fairness and justice to our students, we must pose the question, “what type of role model do we want our political candidates to be for young and impressionable minds learning about the democratic system of government during this election cycle?”

We civics teachers must walk a fine line, helping our students to recognize the shortcomings of both candidates, while encouraging students to participate in our democracy through political activism and voting. All we ask is that we be given the freedom to share with students our desire to demonstrate acceptance and positive human relations among all Americans. Maybe our political leaders will do the same. – George Cassutto, Knoxville, MD

More Fun Than Disney Editor: Thank you, Loudoun County and beyond, for making the 78th Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale another record-setting success. With over $282,000 in gross sales, we are so grateful for the generosity of spirit and gifts from Loudoun County and throughout the region. A volunteer described this event at Morven Park Equestrian Center as the “ultimate team effort.” A happy shopper wrote that this was “more fun than a day at Disney.” A single mother who spoke of living on a tight budget said, “I was in heaven in the children’s area. Not only does this help your charity, but it helps folks like me.” So how did we manage to raise this amount to support patient services at Inova Loudoun Hospital and our Nursing Scholarship fund? Gently used (and often new) items were given in record quantity this year, from art and antiques to clothing and sports equipment. Four “Donation Days” at the Cornwall and Lansdowne trailers brought so many donors that volunteers were happily challenged to keep up with the steady flow. Additional opportunities to give ultimately filled the equivalent of 15 tractor trailers. More than 600 volunteers worked throughout the week at Morven Park, transforming the arena and adjacent buildings into the various Rummage Sale departments. They worked tirelessly to sort, price, and organize the donations, then warmly welcomed the thousands of shoppers to the sale. We LETTERS >> 45

[ LETTERS ] were touched that so many students used their Columbus Day holiday from school to come and help with the setup. Special thanks to the Boy Scouts, Woodgrove High School football team, the Interact Clubs from Loudoun County and Heritage High Schools, and the Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club for their assistance. We were also delighted to welcome new Loudoun residents who came to volunteer and shop for the first time. Local businesses and individuals contributed many gifts to the silent auction, another feature of the sale. With Redskins tickets, a grandfather clock, golf certificates, and over 100 other items, shoppers eagerly bid on these treasures. Of course, even after all the sales, there are items remaining late on Sunday afternoon as the event closes. Various nonprofit groups, such as Women Giving Back, Blue Ridge Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, and Blossom and Bloom, continue serving the community by accepting the unsold merchandise for their shops. Loudoun County is blessed with so many worthy causes serving others. Please mark your calendars for the 79th Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15, 2017. We’re already planning. Again, our thanks. – Alexia Orr, President The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital

Editor: Loudoun County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall, apparently suffering from a severe case of politician’s foot-in-mouth disease, issued an apology to eastern Loudoun County taxpayers for their approaching her with “idiotic” things while calling western Loudoun County the driver of our county’s economy. Now this writer may be just an 86-year-old, naïve, small-town boy from New Hampshire, but I am not so old not to understand bilge water when I see it. I believe her about as much as we did in my growing years when we used cow pies we found in our pastures and used them for bases for our all day baseball games thinking they were just like real bases. In her remarks Chairwoman Randall joined the current environment of name calling, discrimination, and bullying inflicted upon our living environment by the worst assembly of nationwide politicians in the history of our great nation and it is evident at all levels of government from top to bottom. Chairwoman Randall can issue all the apologies she wishes, but she still said what she said about the good people of eastern Loudoun County. In our new living environment of “fact checking” her views, and description of taxpayers living in eastern Loudoun County was so inaccurate it brings into doubt her ability to represent the good people of eastern Loudoun County. Most of the “idiotic” incidents and remarks this writer has witnessed came from the dais of our Board of Su-

pervisors. We little people taxpayers did not put us in debt for life supporting the corrupt D.C. Metro system. We did not approve helping to pay for metro to extend out to Dulles Airport so convention attendees and tourists can get out of Loudoun County faster and get to downtown DC. We were not the folks who approved the thousands of houses, condos, and apartments in eastern Loudoun County. We are not the folks who routinely get snookered by developers who get one plan approved and then submit their real plan exchanging promised living environment improvements for more houses, condos, and apartment—soon we will be able to walk all around eastern Loudoun County from one rooftop to another. We eastern taxpayers did not approve all those humongous, windowless, data processing buildings springing up all of eastern Loudoun County like dandelions in the spring. And the good people of eastern Loudoun County aren’t the ones who, like the members of our Board of Supervisors, act like 5-year-old kids bickering on a school playground at times. In Loudoun County, we have an entire army of retired, professional executives who could step up and occupy the positions on both our Board of Supervisors and School Board without big egos, political ambitions, and self-interests. I’ll bet my last bippy they would do it out of pride in our county and not for the money. Assuming that Chairwoman Randall included board members elected from eastern Loudoun County in her remarks, her continuing to preach unity is a little hollow. It is time for Chair-

Sharing the Way BY ROGER L. VANCE

A VIEW FROM THE GAP which has been in the design phase for a decade and is nearing its construction phase. Where feasible, dedicated bike lanes and shared lanes (“sharrows”) will be added on Charles Town Pike—Hillsboro’s historic Main Street—accompanying pedestrian sidewalks, raised crosswalks and other traffic calming features throughout the town. In addition to these long-planned improvements, the town is now proposing the beginning of a multi-phase bike/ pedestrian shared-use path project we are calling The GapWay. Initially, this promenade-like pathway, buffered from the roadway, will connect the town’s new sidewalk system to the Town Hall, Hillsboro Charter Academy, Hillsboro Cemetery and eastward to the Charles Town Pike intersection at Mountain Road (Rt. 690) and the Hillsboro United Methodist Church. This leg of The GapWay will provide safe pedestrian and bike access to and between these civic institutions for Hillsboro residents and visitors alike. But this project will not only facilitate pedestrians and cyclists in Hillsboro, as it will also serve as a safe link for cyclists who now ride from the Lovettsville area to Purcellville and Round Hill via Mountain Road.

Editor: Many voters with conservative principles are thinking to cast their vote for Mr. Trump so that a Republican president can nominate the next Supreme Court justice. While this could be, on its face, a reasonable and honorable concern, upon further scrutiny it appears to be selling one’s political soul for a mess of pottage. That is, beloved American governing principles of goodness, constitutionalism, decency, intelligence, equality, wisdom, honesty, beauty, humility, morality, equanimity, peaceful transfer of power, due process, and the freedoms of religion and the press, among other things, would be sold for the tempting mirage of a political Supreme Court as the final defender of a nation’s morals. Such a sale impoverishes the “city on a hill,” and such pottage undermines the rule of law, one of America’s greatest and most enduring achievements. In this and all things, Mr. Trump represents a new and terrible and calamitous thread, imperiously demanding to be woven into the divinely beautiful American fabric. But judge not that ye be not judged. Nonetheless, history and wisdom seek a familiar and durable thread this November, to heal and perpetuate the delicate and fracturing American experiment in self-government. – Chris Stevenson, Purcellville With a dozen vineyards and wineries and several bed and breakfasts within five miles of Hillsboro, we envision The GapWay as a linked series of safe shared-use paths that offers pedestrians, hikers and cyclists safe access to these businesses and attractions. Much like the spokes on a wheel radiating from its hub, we envision safe bike and hiking trails that connect our western towns and villages, opening a new avenue for increasing active recreational tourism in the region. With the Appalachian Trail just a few miles west of Hillsboro, and a new state park slated for just four miles north on Harpers Ferry Road, a well-conceived network of shared-use paths will not only create connectivity within northwest Loudoun, but will lay the groundwork for establishing direct links to the existing regional network that includes the W&OD Trail, the C&O Canal Towpath and the Appalachian Trail. Following this path, of sharing the road and sharing the history and beauty of rural Loudoun, will directly advance and further build upon the efforts and investments so many have already made to preserve and conserve this critical environmental, cultural and economic asset we call home. Roger Vance is the mayor of Hillsboro. His column appears monthly in Loudoun Now.

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highways, often to the consternation of motorists, some of whom believe the roads only belong to them. Angry and aggressive motorists are a common threat to cyclists, as are drivers simply unaccustomed to sharing the roadway. The fact is, however, the highways belong to all of us, even though some may not be optimum for cyclists or pedestrians. There is little reason to believe, or desire, that the number of cyclists on our roads will decline. Instead, western Loudouners should take the lead to welcome and encourage cyclists to visit our towns, see our sights and take part in our events and activities. We can do that, first and foremost, by having a greater awareness of, and a sharing attitude toward, cyclists when we encounter them on our roads. But much more than that, we should be actively working to create a safer and more welcoming environment for cyclists and hikers throughout western Loudoun. A new initiative on the part of the Town of Hillsboro is designed to take those steps forward by integrating a variety of cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly elements into the Hillsboro Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project,

A Mess of Pottage

Despite the growth in residential development across much of western Loudoun in the past two decades, vast swaths of the landscape retain their bucolic beauty of rolling farmland and verdant wooded mountainsides, laced with hundreds of miles of country roads. Through the efforts of staunch advocates for conservation and innovative thinking among old-line farm families and young rural entrepreneurs, the banal tide of sprawl has, at least momentarily, receded, replaced by a refreshing revival of a sharing communitarian spirit. Key ingredients to that spirit include a fundamental Golden Rule outlook on life, along with a healthy dose of self-interest. In that environment, we generally find that sharing and doing good for others generally benefits the doer as well as the other. As a consequence of our scenic beauty and agricultural bounty, combined with the talented farmers, artisans and industrious entrepreneurs who gravitate to and embrace the rural routine, more visitors from near and far look to western Loudoun as the place to get away. Growing among them are those who want to experience our open spaces and enjoy our unique sites while cycling and hiking. On any given weekend, thousands of cyclists and hikers make western Loudoun their destination, typically leaving the established trails to explore and take to the

woman Randall to step aside and turn the gavel over to another board member. – Lou Gros Louis, Lansdowne

Idiotic?

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

<< FROM 44

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B Chord << FROM 1 and residents of the community where the applicant is located,” wrote the board at that time in a decision signed by Chairman Jeffrey L. Painter, adding the testimony of nearby residents led the ABC to believe a brewery would disrupt the residents’ tranquility and quietude. Now, the same opponents have followed B Chord three miles away, across the Snickersville Turnpike and Rt. 7, to a 64-acre property near Rt. 7 on Williams Gap Road. The objections were raised under a law that permits the ABC to turn down a license if “the number of licenses existent in the locality is such that the granting of a license is detrimental to the interest, morals, safety or welfare of the public.” According to the ABC website, B Chord would be the only brewery in the two Round Hill ZIP codes, 20141 and 20142. The other active ABC licenses in Round Hill are Savoir Fare and Stoneleigh Tavern restaurants, Bogati Bodega & Winery, four stores, and a beer wholesaler. The nearest brewery is Dirt Farm Brewery on Foggy Bottom Road. Dougherty has argued that in this case, the objectors from Bluemont do not have standing to challenge his plans for Williams Gap Road. At the hearing, the objectors said they do not oppose the license, but that it should not be granted until after construction of a Rt. 7 deceleration lane at the intersection with Williams Gap Road is completed. That work is planned for summer of 2018. Critics said they were worried an increase in traffic coming in and out of Williams Gap Road would be dangerous for westbound traffic going uphill on Rt. 7. One Williams Gap Road resident also testified against B Chord. Shauna Ploeger said though she lives three miles away on the gravel road, she worries that traffic will turn away from the intersection with Rt. 7, putting her, her children, and her neighbors in danger. “The road is very narrow,” Ploeger said. “It’s very winding, it’s narrow, and personally, myself, my children, my dogs, my neighbors—we’re all using that road daily. Not just for cars, but we all like exercise, too.” Ploeger also said the Woodgrove High School cross-country team trains on that road. She pointed out that even if the road is paved through the rural rustic roads program the road will not be widened, but traffic may move faster on pavement than gravel. “We’re here today because the objectors from Bluemont have followed me here, basically,” Dougherty said. “They’ve made it clear that they will object to any and all ABC licenses … They have an agenda that has nothing to do with public safety, because if it was, they would have objected to all these other licenses.” Dougherty rejected suggestions that his brewery will create dangerous traffic conditions along Williams Gap Road or at the intersection with Rt. 7. He said the opponents are “known in the community for objecting to pretty much anything that goes into the countryside” and presented more than 100 letters of support for his brewery—some, he said, from Williams Gap Road residents. The hearing examiner, Clara Williamson, said she would attempt to reach a decision as soon as possible. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Chef Joe Ganzer and Mayor Dave Butler lead the Oct. 24 ribbon-cutting at Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery on Catoctin Circle.

For Dog Money, Community Support is Strong Currency BY NORMAN K. STYER While some brewers are finding hurdles in their efforts to open Loudoun operations, Tim Regan and Dean Lake at Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery in Leesburg said they’ve found broad support. The business partners, surrounded by family members and Town Council members, celebrated the formal ribbon-cutting Monday afternoon. The restaurant opened somewhat quietly in June at 50 Catoctin Circle, but Regan and Lake wanted time to ramp up the business. That happens this week when a new menu is rolled out. The pair thanked their families and staff members for their support. Regan noted that Chef Joe Ganzer took a leap of faith. “He picked up his life and moved here because he trusted me so much.”

Giffords << FROM 3 assassination attempt in January 2011 that left her with a severe brain injury. Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty to shooting Giffords and 18 other people a year later. The former congresswoman has since started a political action committee, Americans for Responsible Solutions, with the goal of nudging elected officials to curb gun violence. She was in Loudoun last Thursday as part of a 42-day national bus tour, called the 2016 Vocal Majority, and to campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Pia Carusone, cofounder of Americans for Responsible Solutions and former chief of staff to the congresswoman, said Giffords’ commitment to finding a balanced approach to gun

On Lake’s thank-you list were a few surprises, including the state ABC officers and the town’s Utility Department. “We’ve gotten support and advice from other restaurants in Leesburg. That may be counter intuitive but it happens all the time,” Lake said. “The brewing industry is a tremendously supportive network.” He described the ABC agents they worked with as “instrumental and tremendously helpful.” “There are a lot of things I could talk about that are not positive about government, but I am not going to do that,” Lake said. Like many new businesses, Dog Money was faced with a series of last-minute hoops and hurdles at the time they planned to open. And the delays were costly—for the owners and for their 25 employees, Lake said.

“It was hurting our business plan, but it was hurting their ability to pay their rent,” he said, noting that large corporations may be able to absorb those impacts but small businesses cannot. “Doing it on a small scale is very difficult.” One surprise, Lake said, has been from the town’s Utility Department. “I was getting calls when I would brew and use a large amount of water: ‘Did you mean to use 1,500 gallons of water last night?’” he said. Data provided by the town has helped him become more efficient in his use of water—a service he touted during a recent convention of brewers from around the state. “I didn’t even ask for that. That was just offered to me in Leesburg.”

control is demonstrated in the fact that she is traveling the country, even as she is still undergoing therapy. “It is an understatement to say how hard she has worked to be with you here today,” she said. Giffords was joined by Democrat LuAnn Bennett, who is challenging Rep. Barbara Comstock in the 10th Congressional District race; Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and founder of Deeds Not Words; Jessica O’Connell, executive director of Emily’s List; Lori Haas, state director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; and Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34). Murphy highlighted what she called small victories at the state level, like a new law that prohibits a person subject to a permanent protection order from owning firearms. She said gun control has been a focus of hers since her brother was murdered by two gunmen. “You don’t put that away some place. You don’t get

over it,” she said. “I’m not ever going to give up on this issue.” Julie Keller, who traveled from Burke to hear Giffords speak, described herself as a one-issue voter, pointing to a sticker on her shirt that read “Background Checks Save Lives.” She noted that polls show that the majority of Americans favor background checks for all gun purchases, so it shouldn’t be so difficult to get a federal law passed. “There is such an easy solution to lower the number of gun violence cases without impacting anybody’s Second Amendment rights,” she said. “If you are a law-abiding citizen, there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to buy a gun.” She said she plans to vote for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, saying, “the only way we’ll make progress on this is if we have a Democratic majority.”

nstyer@loudounnow.com

dnadler@loudounnow.com

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• Leesburg District Supervisor, 2012-2015 • Leesburg Town Council, 2006-2011 • Member, Town and County Commissions, 2004-2006 • Member, Loudoun Transit Advisory Board, 2016 • Small business owner since 1991 • Member, CHABAD Synagogue, Northern Virginia

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

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16182 HILLSBORO RD, PURCELLVILLE

40850 ROBIN CIR, LEESBURG

14774 MILLTOWN RD, WATERFORD

PRICED TO SELL! Custom-built stone, brick, & cedar estate on 3.54 acres with features & amenities for lifestyle full of entertaining, leisure, & enjoyment. Features include heated indoor pool, sports pub, reg. racquetball court with hoop, audio/ video system with 2 home theaters, rooftop deck, pic. pavilion with gas barbecue, potting shed, 2+ 2-car garages, & caretaker apartment. No HOA. $1,499,000 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399 Peter Pejacsevich • (540) 270-3835

Fall in love with this private 14 acre historic country home in Waterford VA. This 1813 farm house boasts vintage charm with modern additions. The new gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets, great room and morning room is perfect for today’s living. The large 2nd floor game room allows a getaway for separate play. Pool, deck and patio gets you outdoors to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. $1,495,000 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849 Megan Clegg • (703) 209-9429

JU ST LIS TE D

Country Estate with every luxurious amenity! Outdoor living spaces w/inground pool & children’s delight poolhouse w/bath & kitchen. Light filled, high ceilings, top of line materials. Exquisite master suite w/balcony overlooking pool. Spacious lower level suite w/kitchen, 2 beds, 2 BAs, outside entrance. Gated entryway. 22 beautiful acres; fenced. Whole house generator w/its own propane tank. $1,900,000 Carole Taylor • (703) 577-4680 George Roll • (703) 606-6358

RUNNYMEDE FARM - YATTON RD, ROUND HILL Historic Runnymede Farm, c. 1777 is totally updated for today’s lifestyle. Spacious stone manor house sits on 20 beautiful acres. 4 BR, 2 FB, 3 HB. Interior stone walls, terrace. Gourmet kitchen, separate dining room with FP, tavern room with built-in wetbar, walk out to huge terrace with spa overlooking fields. Old springhouse, small barn. Entire property fenced. Very commutable, yet feels a world away. $1,170,000 Carole Taylor • (703) 577-4680 George Roll • (703) 606-6358

15826 OLD WATERFORD RD, PAEONIAN SPRINGS Two historic homes moved & rebuilt in 2005! Unique blend of old with all new systems and conveniences! 12 ft ceilings, 10 ft ceilings, 7 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen with granite, SS, & grand piano base made into the island, gorgeous dining room with built in corner cabinets, grand living room, music room, chandeliers, lovely wood floors, fully fin. LL. Also reassembled 2,200 sq ft post & beam event barn/garage! $899,000 Joy Thompson • (540) 729-3428 • JoyThompsonHomes.com

JU ST LIS TE D

38619 STEVENS RD, LOVETTSVILLE Originally built in 1829, Oakland was disassembled and completely rebuilt in 2008. The Federal Colonial architecture boasts large living and dining rooms. Set peacefully at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and backing Harpers Ferry National Park, Oakland pairs historic charm with the durability of a new home. Minutes from MARC train. Adjacent 5.9 acres for sale (combined 12.8 acres). $1,325,000 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849 Megan Clegg • (703) 209-9429

Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2016

13722 HIDDENHOLLOW LN, LEESBURG Welcome to Walnut Hill! Bucolic retreat less than an hour from DC in the countryside. Private, 11 wooded and open acres with pond. Almost 3000 sq. ft. of finished space. New kitchen with eat-in room overlooking pond. Stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, quartz counters, cherry cabinetry. Custom walnut built-in bookcases (harvested from property) in LR. Total restoration/renovation. $629,000 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849 Megan Clegg • (703) 209-9429

W AT ER LO FRO T!! N T

17054 HIGHLAND CIR, PAEONIAN SPRINGS This property features the best of both worlds. Enjoy the charm and details of this historic property just outside of leesburg, with the convenience of modern amenities and updates. Separate apartment attached to house for rental income or in law/au pair suite. Final renovations in progress. $725,000 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849 Megan Clegg • (703) 209-9429

GR EA TP RI CE !

42602 STRATFORD LANDING DR, ASHBURN BETTER THAN NEW, 2 yr young Van Metre Plan 1 home in sold out section of Brambleton! This gorgeous 6BR, 4BA home has over $150k in upgrades! Highlights include gourmet kitchen, upgraded hardwood floors and trim, main floor BR, fully finished walkout basement with BR & BA - all on premium wooded, water view lot with composite 21’x14’ deck, aluminum fenced yard with acess to walking paths. $765,000 Laura Vukson • (703) 955-2798 • LoudounHomeTeam.com

41B MAIN ST, ROUND HILL

314 LOUNSBURY CT NE, LEESBURG

11395 GEORGES MILL RD E, LOVETTSVILLE

Classic Main Street Home! If you’re a Chip & Joanna fan, you’ll adore this house. It’s packed with charm and custom details. Wide-plank floors, beadboard paneling, custom trim, beamed ceilings, custom cabinetry, granite/marble counters, solid oak doors, & stone FP. Landscaped, private yard with mature trees, stone spring house, and firepit. Much larger than it appears from street-over 3800 SF! $619,900 Kim Fortunato • (703) 786-5757 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849

Incredible location, walking distance to old town and on .60 acres! Main level living with 3 bedrooms, 2 bath on huge .60 acre lot! Gorgeous kitchen with granite, beautiful wood floors, lovely deck overlooking very private large yard, partially finished basement with walk-out, 2 car garage, at the end of a cull de sac! The perfect location! $449,000 Joy Thompson • (540) 729-3428 • JoyThompsonHomes.com

Build your waterfront dream home with undeveloped open conservation lands with mountain & national park views. Improved lot has an approved well and 4 bedroom perc site. The 7 acre, spring fed, lake is stocked with a variety of fish. Walk to the Potomac River, enjoy a mountain sunset or a starry country sky. Conveniently located near the MARC train. Welcome home. $299,000 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849 Megan Clegg • (703) 209-9429