Loudoun Now for Nov. 23, 2017 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 3, No. 2 ]

[ loudounnow.com ]

[Nov. 23 – 29, 2017 ]

Tapping for joy SEE PAGES 26 & 27

‘A Bad Soap Opera’ Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The recent shake up in Purcellville Town Hall comes seven months after 24-year town manager Rob Lohr retired, amid friction with a newly seated Town Council majority.

Purcellville Reels Amid Alleged Management Scandal

BY PATRICK SZABO AND NORMAN K. STYER

he chaos in Purcellville’s Town Hall continued Tuesday when Interim Town Manager Alex Vanegas was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an independent administrative investigation into his conduct since taking the post in May. The action follows revelations that Vanegas had an inappropriate personal relationship with the human resources consultant, Georgia Nuckolls, hired to lead the investigation that resulted in the firing of the town’s police chief three weeks ago. It also was revealed that Nuckolls had a prior criminal history that

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Interim Town Manager Alex Vanegas has been placed on leave pending an independent administrative investigation into his conduct since taking the post in May.

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was not disclosed. Now, the integrity of that investigation has been called into question—both by the Town Council and the attorney representing Cynthia McAllister as she appeals her termination. The Town Council was briefed on the allegations during a three-hour emergency closed session Saturday morning. At that time, the council took no formal action in public and did not place Vanegas on leave. “The employee involved in the relationship will be disciplined in accordance with the Town’s personnel manual and procedures. Further, the Town will implement measures that will govern all future contract awards, designed to prevent the recurrence of these issues,”

according to a town statement released following that meeting. Vanegas did not return to work on Monday. Mayor Kwasi Fraser met with department heads and other staff members Tuesday morning and expressed his confidence in their ability to continue serving with the “highest level of care and professionalism.” “As we work to rebuild a positive, collaborative and stable organization, I want you all to know that my and Town Council’s commitment with this effort will be to you, the employees,” Fraser said, according to a statement released by the town. “With your help, led by incrediPURCELLVILLE >> 47

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Candidates line up in Leesburg

Data Center along Goose Creek Draws Public Protest

BY RENSS GREENE

proposal to build a 750,000-square-foot data center and utility substation on the west bank of Goose Creek drew public outcry at a public hearing last week. The applicant, H&H Capital Acquisitions of Dallas, TX, has offered to build turn lanes and sidewalks along Sycolin Road, refrain from using the water on the site for cooling, agree to setbacks from the creek and wetland mitigation, limit the height of the buildings, and save an easement for a future Goose Creek Trail. They have also newly committed to planting at least 2 acres of pollinator plants. The

106-acre property lies between Goose Creek, the Dulles Greenway, and Sycolin Road. Cooley LLP partner Colleen Gillis, who represents the applicant, described the data center developer, Compass Data Centers, as “an industry disruptor” and said the company could develop the site in an environmentally responsible manner. The facility will not use water except for humidification. She said the data center complex would be less harmful to Goose Creek than the low-density housing that could be built there today under current zoning. “We can develop the property today for 10 homes,” Gillis said. “Those ten homes would do more to degrade the water supply and do more in terms of

sheet flow and stormwater runoff to harm Goose Creek than what it is we’re proposing.” The county’s Department of Economic Development estimates once it hits full buildout, the project would generate $22-$24 million in local tax revenue annually. Since its introduction at the Planning Commission, the project has drawn opposition from neighbors and conservation groups and has been recommended for denial by the county staff. Nonetheless, the Planning Commission recommended approval in a 6-3 vote, with commissioners Eugene Scheel (Catoctin), Ad Barnes (Leesburg), and Dan Lloyd (Sterling) op-

INDEX Loudoun Gov..................... 4 Leesburg........................... 8 Public Safety................... 12 Education........................ 14 Nonprofit......................... 18 Biz.................................. 22 Our Towns....................... 28 LoCo Living..................... 32 Obituaries....................... 40 Classifieds...................... 41 Opinion........................... 44

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lect the needed funds, we rely on volunteers to be bell ringers throughout the community this holiday season.” This year’s goal is to raise $90,000 and Ramaji said all money raised will be used to help Loudoun residents. The bell ringing season runs through Christmas Eve, Monday through Saturday each week. Volunteer bell ringers are needed to help the campaign. Ramaji said he’s looking for people who are friendly, personable and able to create emotional connections with shoppers. “We’ve had families, faithbased groups, coworkers, student groups and service clubs volunteer to ring bells,” he said. To learn more, call 703-771-3371, or go to virginiasalvationarmy.org/ loudouncountyvacorps.

Loudoun littles go big time

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Salvation Army of Loudoun County Captain Pradeep Ramaji kicks off the 2017 Red Kettle campaign during a Nov. 15 ceremony at Giant Food in Leesburg.

The Salvation Army of Loudoun County’s Red Kettle campaign formally kicked off Nov. 15 with a ceremony at the Leesburg Giant store on Catoctin Circle. Salvation Army leaders got help from Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk and the Rock Ridge High School choir in kicking off this year’s campaign. Bell ringers will appear throughout Loudoun County raising funds to support the Salvation Army’s year-round programs and services that help those in need. “For more than 100 years, The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has funded a wide variety of social service programs for individuals and families,” said Captain Pradeep Ramaji. “To col-

Hillsboro back on the map

GOOSE CREEK >> 40

Red Kettle Campaign Underway, Volunteers Needed BY NORMAN K. STYER

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is considering an application to build a data center complex on 106 rural acres on the west bank of Goose Creek. This property also contains a rare ecological community called a Northern Piedmont Mafic Barren, one of only ten such sites in the world. This is a view of the mafic barren.

A little help on the bench LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

Courts Hopeful for Funding after New Report

BY NORMAN K. STYER

fforts to reestablish a fourth Circuit Court judgeship in Loudoun County were bolstered last week by a new study that examined judicial caseloads throughout the commonwealth. The report by the National Center for State Courts concluded that Virginia needs 28 more judges in its Circuit, District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts—including one in the 20th Circuit that serves Loudoun. Loudoun’s legal community pushed for several years to create the fourth bench seat because of the circuit’s heavy and complex caseload, finally gaining approval in 2015. However, through retirements and, last year, a funding cut, the full complement of seats has never been filled. Last year’s General Assembly action—to not provide funding to replace retiring Judge Burke F. McCahill— caught Loudoun’s legal community and state delegation off guard. The Senate Appropriations Committee relied on a 2013 caseload study to conclude that Loudoun could make do without a replacement. Under metrics used for that report, the need in the 20th Circuit—which includes Loudoun—was identified as just under 4.7 judges, including a judge dedicated to cases in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties. Members of the House agreed to round the number up to five; members of the Senate did not. The Assembly had already questioned the underpinnings of that study and commissioned a new one in 2016. This time, the National Center for State Courts was charged with developing

Loudoun Now/File Photo

“a valid measure of judicial workload in all circuit and district courts, accounting for variations in complexity among different case types, as well as differences in the non-case-related responsibilities of judges in single-jurisdiction and multi-jurisdiction circuits and districts.” That’s an approach that Loudoun Circuit Court Clerk Gary Clemens, Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) and others advocated. Using a new weighted caseload formula, the 2017 report concluded that Loudoun—and Circuit Courts in eight other jurisdictions—need an additional judge. “I am very optimistic that in 2018, we will prevail in the biennial budget and have a new circuit judge sworn in

early July,” Minchew said. “This is great news for Loudoun and will also help use establish a drug court in Loudoun to help us battle the opioid crisis we are battling in our county.” He’s already contacted the Loudoun County Bar Association to urge that Alex N. Levay be re-nominated to fill the open position. Levay had been poised to take McCahill’s seat in February—gaining endorsements from the local legal community and being declared qualified by the General Assembly—just before the Senate pushed to defund it. Clemens said he was “cautiously optimistic” that funding would come through next year. “We still need to convince a few key senators that this is essential,’ he said.

Nonprofit Grants Could Get Big Changes BY RENSS GREENE The way the county makes grants to nonprofits could be headed for a major overhaul. Supervisors have been trying to update the county’s nonprofit grant-making process for years, but have had difficulty finding an answer. The county then commissioned a study of nonprofits needs in the county. Although that study also faced some criticism—particularly from disability advocates—it gave the county a starting place on overhauling how it awards grants. Currently, applications from nonprofits are divided into five areas of need and ranked within those areas. Funding is based on prior year funding: nonprofits can only budge their funding over the previous year by five percent in either direction, depending on where they rank. First-time applicants are capped at $5,000, only receiving funding if they ranked in the top third of applicants. There are also set amounts of funding available in each area of need—something the proposed new system would do away with, allowing all areas of need to share funding. “This would allow the applications

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Kids play games at Paxton Campus, which works with children and adults with disabilities, in Leesburg. Loudoun County is headed for a major overhaul of how they fund nonprofits like The ARC of Loudoun at Paxton Campus.

and the awards to more closely reflect the changing needs of the community,” said budget director Erin McLellan. But the biggest change to the system: the county would pick a few nonprofits for direct funding, taking them out of the competitive grantmaking process. County staff have proposed the county pick nonprofits that have “substantial experience in delivering critical direct care services in the areas of safety,

health and emergency shelter to vulnerable populations;” with a record of high quality performance and stability; that serves as “the primary or only source of a critical safety net service provision” that local government can’t provide; and is “currently the best point of entry” to the kind of services they provide. Based on those criteria, staff named NONPROFIT GRANTS >> 6

He said getting through the year has been a challenge. The three sitting judges have worked well together to keep cases moving and attorneys have been understanding about scheduling expectations, often advising clients to seek out-of-court mediation rather than wait for court dates on civil matters. Also, a platoon of substitute judges have rotated through, with retired Loudoun Judge Thomas D. Horne often hearing cases several times a week. However, he said that effort isn’t sustainable and doesn’t address the community’s needs. “It’s not fair to our citizens who are seeking remedies from the courts to wait more than a year,” Clemens said. nstyer@loudounnow.com

Supervisors Grant 2 More Nonprofits Tax Relief BY RENSS GREENE County supervisors have voted to add two more Loudoun nonprofits to the ranks of those the county exempts from property taxes. HeroHomes Inc. and Makersmiths Inc. will be exempted from paying county property taxes in 2018. In 2017, they collectively paid $5,574.03 in property taxes. Makersmiths co-owner Pat Scannell told supervisors his nonprofit provides something that otherwise doesn’t exist for entrepreneurs and students. “When we talk about diversifying the economy, we need a place for people to make things,” he said, adding it provides a space for entrepreneurs to prototype their inventions without TAX RELIEF >> 7

Randall Named to Northam’s Transition Committee

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County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) has been named to governor-elect Ralph Northam’s transition committee. Northam made the announcement in Richmond on Nov. 14. She joins Sen. Barbara A. Favola (D-31) as one of two Loudoun-elected officials on the transition committee. Its members make appointments and help the governor-elect make his cabinet appointments and craft the first policy positions for his time in office. “This opportunity allows for priorities and concerns of Loudoun citizens to be brought to the forefront of the new Administration,” Randall said in a statement. “In Loudoun County we strive to maintain a high quality of life and create a place where

residents are proud to live, work, learn and play. I will represent these values on the transition committee.” “This bipartisan group of community leaders reflects the diversity that makes our Commonwealth a wonderful and inclusive place to live,” Northam said. “I am honored to have the help of such a great group of Virginians as we build an administration that reflects Virginia and takes our Commonwealth to the next level. We have a tremendous opportunity over the next four years to make a positive difference in the lives of Virginians, and to create opportunity for every Virginian, no matter who you are, no matter where you live. I look forward to hitting the ground running to do just that.”

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Committee Gets Moving on Transition Area

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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BY RENSS GREENE After months of debate, the Envision Loudoun stakeholders committee has taken the first steps toward making concrete decision on the fate of the Transition Policy Area. That area, a strip of land dividing rural west and suburban east, has been the subject of intense disagreement both within the committee and between the committee and the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors told the committee it was “way off track” when they found it was considering scenarios that could add 12,000-18,000 new homes to the transition area. On Monday night, the committee voted to not increase development densities in most of that area. County staff members will analyze the committee’s vote and report back with what the projected impacts, after which the committee may modify its decisions again. Many of the changes proposed by the committee relate to how the county describes transition-area neighborhoods. The majority of transition area will be planned as maximum density of one house per acre, with those areas currently planned for house per 10 acres staying that way. But there may be some upzoning as well. In particular, the committee is proposing to move approximately 844 acres—about 1.3 square miles—from Rural Policy Area into the transition area—498 acres between the Dulles Greenway and Evergreen Mills Road

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Envision Loudoun Chairman Jeff Salmon leads a vote on the fate of the transition policy area.

south of Leesburg, and 347 acres west of Evergreen Mills near Ryan Road. The current transition area is 22,813 acres in total, or just under 36 square miles. The area near Leesburg, under the latest proposal, would be designated for light industrial development, envisioned for warehousing, data centers, office space, and other facilities up to four stories high. It is currently zoned as an agricultural rural district, with allowances for up to one dwelling unit,

or house, per 20 acres. The area further south, near Watson, would be envisioned for single-family attached and detached houses at up to one unit per acre. It is currently an agricultural and residential district, with up to one unit per three acres. The recommendations so far also would not support a proposal to put a data center complex by Goose Creek. That area would be zoned for a neighborhood or village with up to four homes per acre and “small footprint, neighborhood businesses.” The committee backed away from its earlier focus on specific housing numbers—information they won’t have until county planners have time to analyze this latest proposed map of the transition area. The committee had been hashing out the various housing needs studies the county has commissioned over the last several years. Two members of the committee, Piedmont Environmental Council representative Gem Bingol and Loudoun Preservation and Conservation Coalition and former Planning Commission Chairman Al Van Huyck, raised strong objections to removing land from the county’s rural policy area.

That idea may also face resistance from the Board of Supervisors, which did not include revisions to the rural policy area in its charter for the committee. “We don’t need to make our numbers fit these numbers—what we need to do is make our county look the way we want it to look, and then see how many houses of each type can fit there,” said Kevin Ruedisueli, the Catoctin District appointee to the committee. Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance representative Packie Crown agreed. “We’re missing a big opportunity here to focus on what the vision for the county should be,” Crown said. “…We need to stop talking about the numbers, and we need to start talking about the vision and what it needs to be.” Planning and Zoning Director Ricky Barker called that perspective “refreshing.” County planners will take the stakeholders’ work so far and analyze it for its impacts on transportation and housing, then bring that back to the committee.

Nonprofit grants

for projects that support or promote tourism and travel to the county. Small nonprofits applying for $5,000 or less, which may not have staffing or time for the complex work of grantwriting, could see a simplified application process. County staff also recommend the county pursue a partnership with the Loudoun Human Services Network to create a human services strategic plan. That would also include a $30,000 donation to the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties to provide a consultant. That work would yield a plan for nonprofit funding into the future, awareness, shared resources, co-locating services, a human services database, and a single point of entry to services, among other topics. The county would also start the grant program earlier in the year and make grant training available to nonprofits. Currently the county announces grant funding just before the beginning of the new fiscal year, when many nonprofits need to know their budget for the year. The proposal got a generally positive reception on the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee. “I think this is a very good start for us,” said finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “We spent a lot of time looking at different ways to do this. I will say nothing we do is going to be perfect, and I guarantee you after we have implemented this, there will be some organizations that perhaps may not fare as well that will not be happy with it.” “How it shakes out will be how it shakes out when it happens,” agreed county Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “We have taken the politics completely out of this, as it should be.” The finance committee unanimously recommended the new plan to the full Board of Supervisors.

<< FROM 4 six charities that could be exempted from grantwriting: HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, Loudoun Free Clinic, Northern VA Dental Clinic, Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing, Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, and Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter. These organizations would receive direct funding totaling $502,519, the same as their collective funding in last year’s grants. Those six nonprofits routinely account for about half of all nonprofit grant funding from the county. McLellan stressed those nonprofits may not be the same supervisors eventually decide to fund directly if the new system is adopted. Granting money to those organizations separately is proposed as an increase to overall nonprofit funding. The million-dollar grant funding pool would still be up for grabs. The changes would also slim down the five areas of need the county funds to four. Currently those areas of need are more concrete: health and related services; hunger and homelessness mitigation; emergency services; administrative services; and recreation and culture. Those would be replaced by prevention and self-sufficiency, crisis intervention and diversion, long-term support, and improved quality of human services. “You’ll notice that most currently funded nonprofits would likely fit into these new categories,” McLellan said. “However there may be some organizations—particularly in the current recreation and culture category—which may no longer fit the program.” She said those nonprofits—organizations like the Loudoun Symphony— could look for funding from the county’s Transient Occupancy Tax funding collected from hotel and bed-andbreakfast stays, part of which is set aside

rgreene@loudounnow.com

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spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Makersmiths provides community workshops on technical projects, such as welding, building a drone, woodworking, car repair, 3-D printing, laser cutting, and a variety of other works. It has quickly become a fixture in the maker movement in Loudoun. But Scannell said that same equipment can become a big burden for his nonprofit’s limited funding. “We get equipment donated to us. We’re a nonprofit, all volunteer,” he said. “When equipment gets donated to us, we can allow other community resources like HeroHomes and others to use it—but if that equipment is worth tens of thousands of dollars, it becomes kind of a white elephant.” Entrepreneur Sam Newberger, CEO and co-founder of Arc34, said Makersmiths helped him start his small business. “I joined about two years ago, and during that time I was able to stand up an engineering design and manufacturing company,” Newberger said. “We now have three employees and are moving into our own space in December. Without Makersmiths that would not be possible.” The other nonprofit to win a tax exemption was Purcellville-based HeroHomes, which builds homes for disabled veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in Loudoun County. Since its founding in 2015, it has built one home in Purcellville, and is working on two more, in

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Round Hill and Hillsboro. Two other nonprofits had applied for Welcoming Welcomingallallnew newpatients! patients! tax exemptions but were screened out in Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at the board’s finance committee. Conveniently located Cochran Family Dental are in Stones of Herndon Inc. was deemed The Village of Leesburg committed to providing a comprehensive dental office ineligible by county staff members. Ac1503 Dodona Terrace #210 cording to nonprofit tracker GuideStar, with a caring and gentle style that will serve most all of Leesburg, VA 20175 Dr. Brian Cochran and his staff at its federal tax-exempt status was autooffice teeth whitening your In family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance 703-771-9034 matically revoked by the IRS for failing (originally $300 Cochran Family Dental are $600)budget wise payment options. Dr. friendly office offering to file certain paperwork for three conCochran has provided trusted dental care to the office citizens committed to providing a comprehensive dental secutive years. Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg of Loudoun for 13 years. HOURS: WHITENING SPECIAL Another, known variously as the Auwith a caring 1503 and gentle style that will•WHITENING serve mostVA all of Dodona Terrace #210 Leesburg, 20175 Conveniently located FREE Teeth Whitening Kit Mon. & Wed.: 8amin- 6pm tomotive Coalition for Traffic Safety SPECIAL with every scheduled The Village at Leesburg facing your family’s dental needs under one roof. Insurance Tues. Thurs.: 7am 4pm 703-771-9034 Use your benefits or before the end and the American Coalition for Trafcleaning procedure. Wegmans and 1503 Dodona Terrace Route 7 between of the year and receive8/31/16. a FREE Fri.:Fitness 8am - 1pm Offer Expires HOURS: LA friendly office offering budget wise payment options. fic Safety, was considered eligible, but Teeth Whitening Kit with everyDr. Suite 210 present Sat.:Mon. 8am 1pm (once/month) Mon & & -Wed: 8-6pm Wed.: 8am - 6pm • scheduled Tues.Please - Thurs.: 7am -coupon 4pm to cleaning or procedure. the board’s finance committee narrowLeesburg, VA 20175 receive the offer. Not Cochran has provided trusted dental Emergency care toService the 1,citizens TuesEmergency & Thurs: 7-4pm Service Offer Expires January 2016. to be 24hr Fri.: 8am(Once/month) - 1pm • 24hr ly voted against referring it to the full Please present coupon to w/any receive the offer. combined other Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm present couponNot at to time service.with any other offer. be of combined 703-771-9034 24hryears. EmergencyPlease Service of Loudoun for 13 Board of Supervisors. The organization is headquartered in Sterling. WHITENING Visit ourwebsite: website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Visit our TheLeesburgVADentist.com Conveniently located in The county exempts nonprofits from SPECIAL The Village at Leesburg facing taxes on a case-by-case basis. In 2017, Use your benefits before the end Route 7 between Wegmans and DodonainTerrace the county gave up 1503 $5.1 million of the year and receive a FREE LA Fitness foregone property tax revenueSuite from210 37 Teeth Whitening Kit with every Mon & Wed: 8-6pm scheduled cleaning or procedure. nonprofits. Those are inLeesburg, addition toVA or- 20175 Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1, 2016. ganizations that are tax-exempt under Please present coupon to receive the offer. Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Virginia law, such as governments and Not to be combined with any other offer. 24hr Emergency Service property owned by religious organizations. Use your benefits before the end Supervisors voted 6-0-1-2 to grant of the year and receive a FREE those exemptions, with supervisors Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) and Ron Teeth Whitening Kit with every A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run) Mon absent.& Wed: 8-6pm scheduled cleaning or procedure. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1, 2016. (R-Dulles) abstained from voting, as he Please present coupon to receive the offer. has done before. Fri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) “I don’t agree with lifting24hr the moraNot to be combined with any other offer. Emergency Service torium on nonprofit tax exemptions,” Letourneau said. “However, these are clearly outstanding organizations and my abstention is not a reflection of my thoughts towards them.”

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[ BRIEFS ] Council Maintains Push for City Status Option

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Village at Leesburg Kicks Off Christmas Festivities People crowded into Smokehouse Live in Village at Leesburg for a festive evening Saturday for the eighth annual tree lighting. Santa arrived and departed by a horse-drawn carriage, and the evening included carriage rides for attendees and live music and dance performances. Village at Leesburg’s five-story tree is decorated with more than 15,000 lights and performs music and light shows on the hour every day.

Special Election Set, 3 Candidates Announce Runs

pected resignation announcement last week, the council moved quickly to set the process for filling his seat. It petitioned the Circuit Court and was granted the requested special election date of Tuesday, Feb. 6. Candidates

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

hree former candidates have thrown their hats back in the ring for a seat on the Leesburg Town Council in a special election to fill the remainder of Ken Reid’s council term. Following Reid’s unex-

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SPECIAL ELECTION >> 38

Leesburg PD Mourns Passing of First Black Officer BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ In 1972, Reginald Evans made history when he was hired as the Leesburg Police Department’s first black police officer. He had attained the rank of sergeant before leaving the department in 1980. Evans died Nov. 14 at the age of 68. He had pancreatic cancer. Evans was hired by former chief James Kidwell, shortly after Kidwell was promoted to the lead the department. He was with the department for eight years before leaving to pursue other endeavors after his father’s passing, including working at car dealership and an almost 20-year career with the postal service.

Reached this week, Adrienne Evans, one of Evans’ five children, shared some memories of her late father. Evans was born Feb. 23, 1949. He grew up in Middleburg but Evans spent most of his life in Leesburg, where he lived until his death. He had a reputation for being fair and was well-respected by the community. Prior to joining the LPD, he was a local celebrity owing to his basketball prowess. He played ball for Douglass High

School before schools were integrated and moved to Loudoun County High School for his senior year. He was inducted into LCHS’ athletic hall of fame last year. Chief Gregory Brown and Deputy Chief Vanessa Grigsby were able to visit with Evans last week shortly before his passing. “We lost a historical figure from our Leesburg Police family. A man who for many years served a community he loved. Our heartfelt condolences are with the Evans family,” Brown said in a statement. Services were held Tuesday at First Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Leesburg. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Town Council last week adopted its legislative priorities for the 2018 General Assembly session, and a familiar item is back on its wish list. The adopted legislative agenda includes a request that the state leaders lift the moratorium on large municipalities seeking city status. When the council first discussed its legislative priorities in October, a majority favored removing the item for the first time since 2015, noting there did not appear to be much traction on the part of state legislators to seek an end to the moratorium. But, last week, the item found support. At the council’s Nov. 14 meeting, Councilman Tom Dunn suggested adding the item back onto the agenda. “We are getting a number of new legislators,” he said, in a nod to recent Election Day results. “If it stays in front of them they may take it up one day and change the state’s opinion of city status.” The vote to approve the legislative agenda passed by a 3-2-11 vote, with Mayor Kelly Burk, Councilman Marty Martinez, and Dunn in favor; Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox and Councilman Ron Campbell opposed; Councilwoman Vanessa Maddox abstaining; and Councilman Ken Reid absent. In explaining their dissent, Campbell and Fox voiced objections to the inclusion of the city status item. “It’s an exercise in futility to think this is a real reality,” Campbell said. The council’s “time and energy” would be better spent on matters that bring an immediate benefit to town residents, he added. The adopted legislative agenda contains 12 town priorities. Among them are a request for a state code change to allow the county to take over some town billing functions; a state code amendment to clarify the town’s ability to regulate its public lands for the launching and retrieval of drones; and the repeal of the controversial proffer legislation from 2016, or the appointment by the General Assembly of a committee to study its impacts. Council members will share these priorities with their state representatives at their annual legislative dinner Dec. 6.

Vehicle Decal Eliminated Starting next year, town residents will no longer have to worry about placing a Town of Leesburg decal on their car windshields. The Town Council last week voted to eliminate the requireBRIEFS >> 10

Campbell Announces Mayoral Bid

Loudoun Now/File Photo

Ron Campbell, who has served on the Leesburg Town Council for 11 months, announced plans to run for mayor.

CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES >> 39

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ing new to him, he says. “I have a resume that justifies my capability far beyond this town. My whole life has prepared me for now,” Campbell said. It’ll be a different campaign for Campbell in his run for the mayor’s seat. He acknowledged that he accepted the Loudoun County Democratic Committee’s endorsement for his council run last year, but will not seek or accept any political party endorsements this go-around. “One of my goals is to bring the nonpartisan nature back to our civic conversation, our social conversation

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Leesburg Town Councilman Ron Campbell is hoping to change the way campaigns are run in the county seat, and is using his own mayoral bid to push the transformation. Campbell announced his mayoral intentions during Holy & Whole Life Changing Ministries’ annual prayer breakfast Saturday morning. The firstterm council member won his first bid for elected office last November and, with his term not even halfway completed, has his eyes set on the town’s highest leadership post. In deciding to throw his hat in the ring, Campbell said, “the question was not why now, but why not.” He points to his upbringing in the Bronx, NY, the son of two socially active parents. His father worked for Democratic and social justice causes; his mother was a labor union shop steward. Both were involved in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and involved their young son Ron. “There were things they saw in me that I couldn’t see in myself,” he said. And he’s quick to note that his experience is not relegated to his 11 months on the Town Council. He’s been a senior level manager in higher education, overseeing a $100 million budget and 35 people. He’s built facilities and services in his professional life. He is a former CEO of a national business association with worldwide experience building partnerships and allies. Campbell is also a two-time cancer survivor, so fighting adversity is noth-

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

[ TOWN BRIEFS ] << FROM 8 ment for the vehicle decal. The action followed another recent vote agreeing to a Memorandum of Agreement allowing the county government to take over some town billing and collection duties, including for personal property taxes. As part of that agreement, the vehicle decals will be eliminated, although the annual fee still applies. The Nov. 14 vote to amend the Town Code and eliminate the vehicle decal requirement passed 6-0-1, with Councilman Ken Reid absent. The change is effective Jan. 1, 2018, meaning decals may be removed from cars on that date. Clark Case, director of Finance and Administrative Services for the town, estimates cost savings of around $2,500 annually to the town by no longer having to purchase the decals and the staff time associated for processing.

Forsythe Appointed to Airport Commission Hugh Forsythe has stepped down from his Town Council seat, but his service to the town will continue. Forsythe was appointed to the Town Council in January to fill the vacancy until the winner of a November special election was sworn in. He served his last set of Town Council meetings in late October, and newly elected council member Vanessa Maddox was sworn in Nov. 13 to finish the remainder of Kelly Burk’s council term. Last week, Forsythe was appointed

to a seat on the Airport Commission. As a retired U.S. Air Force major general with experience in both the commercial/civilian and military sectors of the industry, he brings a wealth of experience to the post. Forsythe has also helped to plan the airport’s annual Airshow. He takes over for Jed Babbin, who was appointed to the commission earlier this year. Forsythe’s Airport Commission term expires Dec. 31, 2018. He was nominated for the appointment by Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox.

Free Holiday Parking Begins Beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, through 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, visitors to downtown Leesburg may park for free in the Town Hall parking garage as part of the annual free holiday parking promotion. Downtown patrons may also park for free, for up to two hours, at onstreet meters in the downtown area or the Church Street parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays during the parking promotion. There will be no time limit on parking on weekends, evenings, and holidays in the Church Street lot or on-street meters. There is no time limit for free parking in the Town Hall garage. Free parking is available at the town’s Liberty Street lot, as well as the Pennington lot off Church Street, year-round. The annual free holiday parking program is in support of the Historic Downtown Leesburg Association’s hol-

iday shopping promotions. For more information about downtown activities during the holiday season, go to downtownleesburgva.com.

Sweats, Toy Drives Begin The Town of Leesburg will be a collection site for two annual holiday donation drives. The town is partnering with the Knights of Columbus for the “Sweats for Vets” campaign. Donations of new sweatshirts and sweatpants, with matching sets preferred, will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 22. All sizes will be accepted, but there is a greater needed for sizes L, XL, and XXL. Sweats should not be gift wrapped, but may be labeled with the name of the donor (individual or organization). Collection boxes will be located at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Ida Lee Tennis Center, Town Hall, the Leesburg Police Department, Thomas Balch Library, and the Leesburg Executive Airport. Donations will be given to patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV, in late January. According to David Tilton, chair of the Sweats for Vets campaign, this year’s goal is to collect 800 sets of sweats. For more information, contact Tilton at diverdave36@gmail.com. The town will also be collecting donations for the Toys for Tots campaign, as it is once again partnering with the Loudoun County Marine Corps League - Detachment 1205. Through Wednesday, Dec. 13, donations will be accepted

at Town Hall, the Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg Police Department, Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, and Leesburg Executive Airport. Donated toys should be new, unwrapped, and appropriate for children ages newborn to 16. Monetary donations may be given directly to the local branch of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation by visiting loudoun-va. toysfortots.org. All toys collected will be distributed solely within Loudoun County.

Town Seeks Input on Site Plan Experiences In preparation for an intensive review of its land development process, the town is seeking public feedback about its site plan review process. Property owners, business owners, developers, and other interested parties are invited to weigh in on their experiences via an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/ tolplanreviewsurvey. According to a press release, the survey is solely for the feedback on the processing of site plan and construction drawing applications from initial submission through final approval. The results gleaned from the survey will aid the town staff during a week-long workshop at the beginning of December known as the Lean Six Sigma “Kaizen.” The survey is anonymous and will be open until midnight, Monday, Nov. 27. For questions about the survey or the planned Kaizen, contact Eric Meske, plan review section chief, at emeske@ leesburgva.gov.

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The neighborhoods surrounding the Westpark Golf Course in Leesburg refuse to sit idly by as the development of the golf course is being considered. The 140-acre property was placed up for sale in the late summer and recently went under contract with CalAtlantic, a home builder. The majority of the property is zoned for by-right residential development that would allow up to 27 homes. Eight acres are

zoned for commercial use. Nearby residents in the past few weeks have launched an effort to preserve the opens space. A Facebook group, Keep Westpark Golf Course Green, was created, and quickly garnered 500 members. Over the weekend, residents held their first formal meeting at Rust Library, which attracted more than 60 attendees, including

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Nov. 16 23 – 22, 29, 2017

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[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

Driver Denied Bond in Fatal Food Truck Crash, Trial Set BY DANIELLE NADLER Tony Steven Dane, the man who faces five criminal charges for his involvement in a fatal crash Sept. 8, may be held behind bars until his trial next March. In a Nov. 15 hearing in Loudoun County Circuit Court, Judge Thomas D. Horne ruled against Dane’s request for bond, citing a list of pending criminal charges he faces including felony charges in Nevada. Dane was the driver of the food truck that struck and killed 39-yearold Erin Kaplan, of Ashburn, and seriously injured her three children. He was indicted last week on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, driving without an operator’s license (repeat offense), driving without insurance, and failure to get the vehicle inspected. The involuntary manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A three-day trial is scheduled to begin March 19, 2018. In separate incidences in Nevada, Dane also faces charges of extortion, knowingly offering a false or forged

Dane

instrument to be filed with a public office, uttering a false document, perjury, and eight counts of wiretapping. That indictment alleged that Dane, a political consultant, was behind an effort in December 2014 and January 2015 to pressure a Nevada assemblyman to change his vote for speaker of the Republican-controlled Assembly. Dane allegedly used his robocalling business

to wiretap phone conversations involving five Republican assemblymen and their constituents. He is scheduled for a jury trial in Las Vegas on Jan. 29. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Shamis brought up some of those charges in court while making the case for denying Dane bond. He noted that, at the time of the fatal crash, Dane was out on a $42,000 secured bond in Nevada. “That’s a hefty secured bond,” Shamis said. “That gives you an idea of the gravity of what he faces out there.” He called the crash an accident, but one that was avoidable. “It is an accident caused by Mr. Dane’s criminal activity. He knowingly operated an incredibly unsafe vehicle,” Shamis said. The vehicle was a 2000 Thomas bus, which had been converted into the Dane’s Great American Hamburger food truck. Dane had told detectives that he had noticed the brakes were “soft” earlier in the day but continued driving. He said they completely failed when he tried to stop at the intersection of Evergreen Mills Road and Watson Road, smashing broadside into Kaplan’s 2014 Audi station wagon.

Bowles Murder Case Sent to Grand Jury BY NORMAN K. STYER During a three-hour hearing Nov. 15, evidence presented by Loudoun County prosecutors showed that a diagnosed schizophrenic purchased a shotgun in a Walmart parking lot and later used that weapon to fatally shoot his father before burning the family’s house to cover the crime. Michael F. Bowles, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in the July 25 death of his father, Mario M. Bowles, 52. Bowles has been in custody since he was found walking on a road near his parent’s burned-down Steed Hill Lane home at 2:30 a.m. July 26. During the hearing in Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Judge Avelina S. Jacobs heard testimony from nine prosecution witnesses before ruling that there was probable cause to send the case to a grand jury for review. Testifying were a psychiatrist who was treating Bowles, fire and Sheriff ’s Office investigators who responded to the scene, and two of Bowles’ high school friends. Psychiatrist Sabah Hadi said he had diagnosed Bowles as a high-functioning schizophrenic in late 2014. The condition could largely be controlled by medication, but Bowles resisted taking it, he said. Without the medication, Bowles could be delusional, paranoid and have hallucinations—and frequently be combative with his parents. Bowles’ last meeting with Hadi was July 6 when he reported that he was doing everything his parents asked, the doctor said. But early on July 25, Bowles’ mother came to the office seek-

ing to get medication for her son. “She, in fact, was crying out for help, essentially,” Hadi said. It was that afternoon when the first call came in from a Lucketts-area neigh- Bowles bor reporting a plume of smoke nearby. Crews from Lucketts and Lovettsville responded first, just after 5 p.m., finding heavy fire in the two-story home. One of the firefighters found something else as he prepared to carry a firehose through the front door. A shotgun was lying on a piece of porch furniture outside. While the Sheriff ’s Office secured that evidence, crews worked through the night to extinguish the fire. A search began for Bowles and his father, both of whom were unaccounted for. Deputies from throughout the county and the Fairfax County Police helicopter were called to assist in the search. The next day, fire investigators found Mario Bowles’ burned remains under collapsed wreckage in the home. Evidence showed that he can been on his back on the second floor when he and the carpet were doused with gasoline. A large gunshot wound was visible on the back of his torso. Michael Bowles, who was seen earlier in the day at the Lucketts Gasmart, was spotted by fire crews walking on Rosefinch Circle. He was taken into custody without incident. At the Sher-

iff ’s Office headquarters, investigators tested his hands for gun primer residue. In the lab, the samples turned up positive—with two particles on found each hand. The lab expert said it was unusual—but not impossible—for residue to remain on a living human for more than 6 hours. Bowles was tested 12 to 13 hours after the shooting is believed to have occurred. How does a schizophrenic mental patient acquire a weapon? According to last week’s testimony: Facebook. James Nowland, a high school friend who played football with Bowles at Tuscarora High School, said he posted a photo of his Stevens 12-gauge on his Facebook page saying he wanted to sell it. Bowles contacted him through Facebook messenger offering to buy it for $200, $50 over the asking price. Two days later, on July 26, 2016, they met in the Leesburg Walmart parking lot and completed the transaction, Nowland said. He also noted that the weapon was in almost new condition when he sold it. When found at the scene the barrel had been shortened and the stock removed or shortened. Another childhood friend testified that Bowles had reached out to him two days before the fire saying he wanted to talk about “something very sacred.” When he found out that Bowles wanted to “sacrifice” him, he cut off contact. Bowles’ case was sent to the Dec. 11 grand jury session. He is expected to appear in Loudoun County Circuit Court the following morning for arraignment on charges resulting from any indictment. nstyer@loudounnow.com

Dane’s defense attorney, Adam Pouilliard, argued that his client was not a flight risk or a danger to the public. He noted that Dane had flown to Nevada to attend every court appointment in that pending case. “Putting Mr. Dane on house arrest or under a curfew would be appropriate terms in this case,” he said. But Horne denied the bond motion. Dane has also been served with a civil lawsuit seeking $10 million in compensatory damages. The lawsuit, filed Oct. 3 by Faran Kaplan on behalf of his wife’s estate, cites Dane’s lack of a driver’s license, lack of insurance and alleged knowledge of malfunctioning brakes in support of negligence allegations. In addition to $10 million in compensatory damages, the suit seeks $350,000 in punitive damages. Faran Kaplan sat in the front row during the bond hearing. He occasionally shook his head and sighed as Shamis told the judge about the details of the car crash that took his wife and seriously injured his son and two daughters. dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ] Pedestrian Struck, Killed on Sycolin Road A Prince William County man was hit by a car and killed early Saturday morning on Sycolin Road south of Leesburg. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the incident happened at around 1:40 a.m. Nov. 18, near Gourley Transit Drive. According to the preliminary investigation, the man was walking in the southbound lane of the roadway when he was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser. The driver, an Ashburn man, remained on scene. The victim, a 27-year-old man from Bristow, died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact Investigator D. Lake at 703-737-8307. It was the 20th death on Loudoun roadways this year.

Pharmacy Robbery Suspect Arrested The man suspected of holding up two eastern Loudoun pharmacies in hopes of stealing drugs on Monday is behind bars. Shawn C. McMahon, 34, of Great Falls, was arrested Monday night following a traffic stop by Fairfax County police. He was charged in Fairfax with possession of a Schedule I Narcotic and possession of drug paraphernalia. Loudoun detectives obtained warrants SAFETY BRIEFS >> 13

<< FROM 12

Suspect Charged in 11 Burglaries

Data Center Under Construction Catches Fire

A man has been charged in connection to a series of burglaries in Loudoun County where the suspect entered homes using garage door openers taken from the victims unlocked vehicles. Robert M. Williams-Dixon, 33, of no fixed address was arrested Monday on 26 charges connecting him to 11 eastern Loudoun burglaries. He faces 11 counts of burglary, 11 counts of grand larceny, two counts of credit card larceny and two counts of credit card fraud. Williams-Dixon was charged in connection with three burglaries on Oct. 13, a burglary on Oct. 15, two burglaries on Oct. 17, three burglaries on Oct. 18, one burglary on Oct. 21 and a bur-

The roof of a Digital Realty data center under construction caught fire Saturday, causing an estimated $150,000 of damage. The Loudoun County Fire Marshall’s Office has determined that roofing materials in the data center, located on the 21000 block of Sir Timothy Drive, were set ablaze by a space heater. The heater was used to keep the items warm overnight, but was placed too close to flammable materials. Crews arrived to find fire and heavy smoke coming from a portion of the roof. Firefighters knocked down the fire and secured the remaining roofing materials. No injuries were reported.

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against him for robbery and attempted robbery. The first attempted robbery happened at 11 a.m. at the Rite Aid store in Cedar Lake Plaza. The man handed the pharmacist a note that implied he had a gun. The note demanded prescription medication. The suspect, who left empty handed, was described as wearing sunglasses and a “Make America Great Again” hat. An hour later, at the CVS store on Enterprise Street, the same suspect handed the pharmacist a note implying he had a gun and demanded prescription narcotic medications. The suspect was given prescription medication before fleeing.

glary on Nov. 2. Additional charges are likely, according to the Sheriff ’s Office. The targeted homes were located in the Sterling area north of Rt. 7. In most of the cases, the suspect entered the homes while the residents were asleep inside. It is believed he gained entry through an exterior garage door by using a garage door opener from unlocked cars parked in a driveway and then entered the home through an unlocked interior garage door. Sheriff ’s Office investigators are working with detectives in neighboring jurisdictions to determine if there are related cases. Williams-Dixon was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

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[ SCHOOL NOTES ] School Board Finalizes Legislative Priorities

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Photos by Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Everyone is Welcome at Guilford’s Table Guilford Elementary School opened its doors Monday evening for its annual Thanksgiving Feast. Everyone is invited—students, their families and anyone else who’s hungry. In its ninth year, the feast takes an army of volunteers and donors to put on. Guilford’s staff served as helpers and greeters, and arranged the cleaning, parking and took care of the shopping for the event. They also volunteered to cook turkeys at their homes ahead of the event. Even the students helped out, supplying decorations for the cafeteria. Each year, more people belly up to the cafeteria tables for the feast. This year, a record 952 enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings.

Students Try on a ‘Job for a Day’

BY DANIELLE NADLER

nstead of another day in the classroom, about 300 Loudoun teenagers were invited last week to report to job sites throughout the county to get a glimpse of various careers. Through the annual Job for a Day program, sponsored by the Loudoun School-Business Partnership, the high school students shadowed people in various professions that they are considering pursuing. Several companies and organizations opened their doors to students for a day, including Northern Virginia Community College, Children’s Science Center, NOVEC, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, and Inova Loudoun Hospital. This is Inova Loudoun’s 15th year as a Job for a Day host, and it is typically the largest host site. On Nov. 15 and Monday, Nov. 20, the hospital welcomed 55 students, giving them JOB FOR A DAY >> 16

The Loudoun County School Board has adopted its list of legislative changes it wants to see made in the General Assembly early next year. The board’s 2018 Legislative Program has very few changes from previous years. It asks state lawmakers to provide funding to cover the cost of following all state mandates and for more flexibility to develop new, more student-centered assessment and accountability systems. Board members disagreed on two points in the program: one that deals with eminent domain and another that asks for a new law that would allow local school boards to retain any unspent money. Right now, the law requires that any surplus funds are returned to the county. School Board member Debbie Rose (Algonkian) wanted a request deleted from the program that asks lawmakers to permit local school boards to buy real estate without the property being subject to “unrecorded equitable servitudes, easements, negative easements or any other undocumented encumbrances.” “I value that property right,” Rose said. “I don’t want us to be advocating to diminish property rights.” She was joined by Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles), Eric DeKenipp (Catoctin) and Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge), but not enough votes to take the request off the Legislative Program. Rose, Morse and Beth Huck (At Large) also wanted to delete an item that asks legislators to allow school boards to keep any unspent funds. “I’ve stated before this is taxpayers’ money and this is a valuable check on spending that I think we need to continue to do,” Rose said. But the majority of the board disagreed, and voted to keep that request in the program. The School Board’s Legislative Program serves as a formal request to the delegates and state senators who represent Loudoun County in the General Assembly. School Board members will present the program to lawmakers at an annual Legislative Breakfast on Dec. 1, and follow up with a dinner in Richmond Jan. 22.

Student Wins Poetry Contest

Contributed

Freedom High School student Jamie Lee shadows Bailey Bentz in the medical and surgical unit at Inova Loudoun Hospital.

Senior Deirdre Price won Rock Ridge High School’s Poetry Out Loud competition on Nov. 9. Her winning poem was “Backdrop Addresses Cowboy” by Margaret Atwood. Junior Sharan Patnaik placed second with her recitation of “Daughters” by Marilyn Nelson. Senior Harish Karumuri was SCHOOL NOTES >> 15

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] third with a performance of “Beautiful Wreckage” by W.D. Ehrhart. Poetry Out Loud is a national competition that encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has grown to reach more than 3 million students and 50,000 teachers from 10,000 schools in every state and U.S. territory.

2 Receive Heart Saver Hero Award Quick action turned what could have been a tragedy into an awards presentation. On Nov. 14, Steuart Weller Elementary kindergarten teacher Joanna Beane presented Jeremy Beck and Megan Poole with the American Heart Association’s Heart Saver Hero Award. During Back to School Night at Steuart Weller on Aug. 31, Beane, a firstyear kindergarten teacher, was meeting with parents and discussing the year ahead when she experienced cardiac arrest and collapsed. Parents raced from the room seeking help from nearby classrooms and called 911. Beck, a Steuart Weller physical education teacher, was attending the Back to School Night for his first-grade son and Poole, a Steuart Weller parent and nurse, responded to the emergency. Beck and Poole ran to the kindergarten classroom and quickly assessed the situation. They began CPR while another staff member retrieved a defibrillator. The defibrillator

was used to re-start Beane’s heart. First responders arrived, took over and stabilized her before transporting her by ambulance to the hospital. Because of the quick thinking and action of parents and teachers, Beane has made a full recovery and has returned to teach her kindergarten class. Beane told the School Board last week that Beck and Poole definitely saved her life. The American Heart Association estimates that only 4 percent of cardiac arrest patients survive. Beane said that number triples if CPR is started during the first few minutes after a heart attack. Principal Julia Burton thanked the School Board for making sure there are working defibrillators in all Loudoun County Public Schools facilities.

Loudoun County Public Schools

Kindergarten teacher Joanna Beane, center, presented Jeremy Beck and Megan Poole with the American Heart Association’s Heart Saver Hero Award for acting quickly to save her life.

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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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Schools’ Fiscal Outlook Improves BY DANIELLE NADLER The school system’s fiscal outlook for next year is looking slightly better than initially thought, though not exactly rosy. At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Loudoun County School Board got an update on the financial picture for fiscal year 2019, which begins in July. In August, the school system had estimated there would be a $100.5 million gap between the schools’ expenses and revenue next year. But E. Leigh Burden, assistant superintendent of Support Services, told the board this week that she’s expecting more money from the state and from the county than previously thought. Loudoun County Public Schools could get $14 million more in state revenue over the current fiscal year. That’s $8.3 million more than initially thought, in large part because the Local Composite Index is expected to decrease—that means school systems in higher income areas, like Loudoun, get a larger share of state funds. The index is the formula that the Virginia Department of Education uses to determine how much funding to give to each of the state’s 134 school divisions. It’s an ability-to-pay system, based on each locality’s daily average attendance and

We are cautiously optimistic.” – E. Leigh Burden LCPS Assistant Superintendent of Support Services

overall student enrollment, real estate values and retail sales tax. Loudoun’s public schools may also get a hefty increase in county dollars. Based on the preliminary fiscal guidance of the Board of Supervisors—which holds the county’s purse strings—the county administrator has been asked to prepare his budget based on the equalized tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value and a second option at 1 cent above the equalized rate or $1.12 per $100 of assessed value. The equalized rate could boost schools’ funding by $20.6 million, and the 1 cent above that rate could mean $26 million more for schools. “The current tax rate is essentially off the table at this point, and that is a departure from what we normal-

ly see,” Burden said, adding, “We’re cautiously optimistic.” The school system is projecting it will need $106.2 million more next fiscal year to keep pace with enrollment growth, staff new school buildings and expand full-day kindergarten. Its operating budget for the current fiscal year is $1.24 billion. Even with the new revenue information the gap between revenue and those expected expenses is still sizeable—between $66.2 million and $71.6 million. As administrators for the various school departments fine-tune their budgets for next year, the expenditure side of the equation will likely go down, Burden said. Meanwhile, the county’s revenue outlook typically gets better from December to February. “And we meet somewhere in the middle,” she said. Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said the numbers seem to be moving in the right direction but added, “I guess we’re still holding our breath.” Superintendent Eric Williams is scheduled to present his proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 in early January. dnadler@loudounnow.com

Job for a Day << FROM 14 a taste of the various roles that make the hospital operate. Woodgrove High School junior Sophie Hudak shadowed Reneé Brohard, who oversees public relations for Inova Loudoun Hospital. Hudak said she’s always been curious about public relations and her experience through the Job for a Day program confirmed it is the career she wants to pursue. “I really like the idea of promoting a brand and making an image and maintaining that image,” she said. “I went into this not knowing much about it, but I really liked it.” Stacey Metcalfe, the hospital’s director of government and community relations and a member of the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council, said high school students are often told to keep their head down, focus on academics and get into college, but are rarely given an opportunity to spend a day in the job they’re ultimately pursuing. “This gives them a day to evaluate a career path and experience the job to see what it’s really all about,” she said. Metcalfe said the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council is always looking for more Job for a Day host sites. Learn more about Job for a Day at webinter.lcps.org/jobforaday/intro.aspx. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Loudoun Hunger Relief this year distributed 1,800 donated Thanksgiving dinner bags for families in need.

LHR Gives Out 1,800 Thanksgiving Dinner Bags

BY RENSS GREENE oudoun Hunger Relief this year distributed 1,800 Thanksgiving dinner bags for families in need. Each bag included a full Thanksgiving dinner—including stuffing mix, at least two cans of vegetables, boxed potatoes, gravy, cornbread or biscuit mix, cranberry sauce and a dessert mix or item. The bags also came with grocery store gift cards that can go toward a turkey. Loudoun Hunger Relief gave the

bags out to needy families on Saturday. Executive Director Jennifer Montgomery said she is grateful to the community for stepping up with donations. “For families that struggle all year round to put enough food on the table, the holidays can be especially tough,” Montgomery said. “Giving a family joy and a filling meal is something we can all be thankful for. That’s what Thanksgiving is about—sharing the bounty and harvest of the year.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Hunger Relief volunteer Phoebe Draper sorts through donated Thanksgiving dinner bags.

New Ability Fitness Center Serves Loudoun’s Physically Challenged BY DANIELLE NADLER When Freddie Hetzel was paralyzed in a golf cart accident in 2011, he received intensive therapy in Atlanta and Louisville. Any of the improvements he’d made were reversed when he returned home to Loudoun because of the lack of accessible exercise. But that’s about to change for him and others in and near Loudoun who are physically challenged. The Arc of Loudoun at Paxton Campus has officially opened Ability Fitness Center, a nonprofit therapeutic fitness and wellness center for people with neurological and developmental disabilities. The center is open on the Paxton Campus at 601 Catoctin Circle NE in Leesburg, and in a ceremony Monday, the center’s board members officially

broke ground to kick off the renovation of its permanent facility. The program is focused on activity-based interventions for individuals with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, balance disorders, developmental disabilities and other neurological conditions. Clients of Ability Fitness Center pay a monthly membership fee and receive access to the center’s specialized equipment, as well as one-on-one sessions with the center’s neurological physical therapist. Need-based scholarships are also available. “This has been a long time coming,” said Billy Grey, who was paralyzed in 1989 and is a board member of the Ability Fitness Center. He, Hetzel and others have worked NEW ABILITY >> 20

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Billy Grey, board member of the new Ability Fitness Center, speaks at the center’s groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

19 Nov. 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29, 2017

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Team Depot Gives VFW Post Overhaul

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BY PATRICK SZABO Leesburg’s 67-year-old VFW Post 1177 got a much-needed facelift last week. More than 20 volunteers from Team Depot, Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, worked from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. last Thursday on the project, which was made possible through a $20,000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation. Volunteers updated the outside drainage system, planted shrubs and installed new ceiling fans, lighting, floors and drywall. “It was in sad need of updating,” said Stephen Hood, a seven-year member of the post and an Air Force intelligence specialist in the Vietnam War. “Just looking at the post inside, it cried out for help.” Hood said the final work on the interior will be done in two weeks. The renovations come as the Home Depot Foundation continues its mission to donate $250 million to veter-

[ NONPROFIT NOTES ] Black Hoof Hosts St. Nick Brunch

Patrick Szabo/LoudounNow

Home Depot volunteers chip in to improve VFW Post 1177.

an-related causes by 2020. It has already invested about $213 million in similar projects and helped renovate more than 35,000 veteran homes. While the post’s building was con-

structed in 1950, the Leesburg post has been around since 1937. It celebrated its 80th anniversary last month. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Black Hoof Brewing Company in downtown Leesburg is hosting a Sankt Nikolaus Brunch on Saturday, Dec. 9, to benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. The family-friendly German continental brunch will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and feature live music from Nathaniel Davis. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for kids, and $10 for two or more additional kids. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at stnikolausbrunch. eventbrite.com. Black Hoof, at 11 S. King St. in Leesburg, is also serving as a Toys for Tots drop-off location. People are asked to deliver new, unwrapped toys for children now until Christmas Eve. Black Hoof will provide 20 percent off a pretzel or a T-shirt or sweatshirt with each donation. Learn more at blackhoofbrewing.com.

Carz Cruizin Fights Cancer Participants and organizers of the Carz Cruizin to Cure Cancer that was held Sept. 17 in Sterling raised $38,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In its sixth year, the Cascades car show is organized by Mclean Insurance.

Contributed

New ability << FROM 18 toward opening a fitness center for people with physical and neurological disabilities for five years, holding frequent fundraisers to drum up support. Grey said the idea became a reality when The Arc of Loudoun agreed to partner with them and house the facility on their campus. Melissa Heifetz, executive director of The Arc of Loudoun, described the new relationship as a win-win. “We, The Arc of Loudoun, are thrilled to partner with AFC, to fill a need in the community with fitness and wellness to

a new population that The Arc has not worked with in the past. … We are also excited that the students with autism and other developmental disabilities from The Aurora School are receiving one-on-one fitness instruction in daily sessions in the new center.” The center already has 10 clients from the community and another 16 children who attend The Aurora School on campus. Helen Parker, Ability Fitness Center ‘s clinical director and neurological physical therapist, said the center will be a life-changer for many people. In her 18 years working as a physical therapist, she saw countless patients have to stop exercise when their insurance

ran out. “It is just not right and it has always killed me to the core,” she said during Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony. “They need a center like this that they can use as long as they want to maintain their health.” Ability Fitness Center is open and is operating in a nearby building while the center’s permanent home is being renovated. Construction is scheduled to wrap up by February. For more information on Ability Fitness Center or to donate to the project, go to abilityfitnesscenter.org.

Ashburn Rotary Toy Drive Underway The Rotary Club of Ashburn has donation boxes set up in more than 30 locations in its effort to support the It Takes a Village Baby nonprofit. The toy drive continues through Dec. 7, when the collections will be delivered to the 1757 Golf Club. Club members will be pitching in at the Cascades Library on Dec. 9 when the donations will be distributed. For more details, go to ashburnrotary.org.

dnadler@loudounnow.com Family owned and operated since 1984 See what others are saying… “As first-time home buyers, Dana made the experience smooth and simple.” - Evan & Sara “She was very helpful in explaining the process of buying a home and making sure we understood.” - Ben & Kimberly

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[ BIZ BRIEFS ] Chamber Lands Four-Star Accredited Status

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Barnes & Noble, on Exchange Street in One Loudoun, officially welcomed its first customers this week. It includes a café serving wine and beer, making it the first of its kind in the DC region.

Barnes & Noble Opens One Loudoun Store

arnes & Noble opened the doors to its One Loudoun location this week, giving holiday shoppers another stop to knock out their shopping lists. The new concept store, measuring in at 17,000 square feet, combines a bookstore with an expanded 74-seat cafe serving wine and beer, including some local brews. The Barnes & Noble Kitchen offers a fast casual dining experience, where customers can order food at the counter and have it delivered to their table. It will offer an all-day menu and grab-and-go options, made fresh in house daily. The allday menu features everything from shared plates of deviled eggs and artisan cheeses to soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. The expanded made-to-order menu begins at 4 p.m. daily. It is the first store of its kind to open in the Washington,

DC, metropolitan area, and only the fifth nationwide. It is hiring for several positions, including servers, cooks, and book salespeople. “One Loudoun is an ideal location for one of our new concept stores,” Barnes & Noble CEO Demos Parneros said in a statement. “The store is part of our ongoing effort to test new concept stores. We are still learning from all of the new stores that we have opened across the country, and we are excited about the knowledge we have gained in these markets. We look forward to serving Ashburn residents with this exciting new offering of great literature and delicious food, as well as beer and wine.” The new Barnes & Noble is at 20427 Exchange Street in Ashburn and can be reached at 571-298-8729 or bn.com. —Kara C. Rodriguez

Leesburg Council Expands Food Truck Access, But Not in Downtown BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Workers in Leesburg’s industrial and employment districts will soon have more culinary options, thanks to the extension of food truck allowances signed off on by the Town Council Tuesday night. However, the council stopped short of allowing food trucks in the town’s commercial districts, including the historic district. The new ordinance allows “mobile food units”—which include food trucks, food trailers and food pushcarts—as temporary uses in the town’s I-1 (Industrial) and PEC (Planned Employment Center) districts. Under the new rules, operators are required to obtain annual temporary use permits from the town and can set up between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. only on specific lo-

cations on specific streets listed in the ordinance. They may not operate drive-through windows serving passing motorists, may not play music and may not have display signs or balloons promoting their locations. They are not allowed to operate longer than four hours in a single location. The provisions allow food trucks in these districts to be operated on both private property and within designated areas on specific streets. Zoning Administrator Chris Murphy said he reviewed the regulations adopted by other area jurisdictions and settled on policies that most closely resemble those in Alexandria. The initial outcry for food trucks started in those areas. Murphy noted that employers in the Oaklawn neighborhood off Battlefield Parkway and Miller Drive said their employees were

frustrated by the lack of nearby dining options. As the staff was reviewing options to allow food trucks in the industrial and employment areas, another vocal group—downtown microbreweries—also expressed frustrations that they could not host food trucks on their private property to serve patrons. The measure to allow food trucks in the I-1 and PEC districts passed on a 4-1-1-1 vote, with Mayor Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox, and council members Tom Dunn and Marty Martinez in favor; Councilman Ron Campbell opposed; Councilwoman Vanessa Maddox abstaining; and Councilman Ken Reid absent. The council did not vote to bring food trucks into the town’s business districts—B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4—which includes the downtown. FOOD TRUCKS >> 24

The United States Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Loudoun Chamber the four-star accredited status to recognize chapters characterized by sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete. “This recognition by the U.S. Chamber is a testament to the outstanding leadership provided by our board of directors and the outstanding professionalism of our Chamber staff. We are proud to accept this honor on behalf of our 1,250 members and their employees,” said Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun Chamber. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Learn more about the chamber’s organization at loudounchamber.org.

Leadership Loudoun Names New Officers Scott German, vice president of financial sales for First Citizens Bank, has been selected as the interim board president for Leadership Loudoun. He will serve in the position until annual elections are held in July. He replaces Danny Davis, who stepped German down after taking a new job as president of the Thrive Senior Living center in One Loudoun. “I am honored to be part of this amazing organization that works with community and business leaders to make Loudoun County the best place to live, work and play,” German stated. Carolyn Dobson, chief marketing officer for Evergreen Sportsplex and Play To Win, was selected to serve as interim vice president. German and Dobson are recent graduates of the Leadership Loudoun program. BIZ BRIEFS >> 23

[ BIZ BRIEFS ]

Contributed

The six townhouse designs are offered at the Garden District.

space, with terraces and balconies, as well as front courtyards or spacious backyards. Garden District townhomes will be priced from $529,990 to $649,990. Five decorated models are open. The sales office is located at 23110 Lavallette Square. For more information, go to brambletongardendistrict.com.

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The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and 1776 are advancing their technology-development partnership with the launch of a competition for startup firms to create and deploy new products and services to enhance the airport passenger experience. Firms participating in the Airport Innovation Challenge will pitch their ideas in December. Winners will receive $15,000 in prizes and travel to Northern Virginia, where they will spend three months, from January to March 2018, at the Airports Authority’s Innovation Lab at 1776’s Crystal City campus near Reagan National Airport. At the lab, startup firms will test their business models and products, working with Airports Authority experts as well as mentors from 1776 and Union, a global innovation network. “Technology and innovation are reshaping the expectations and experiences of the millions of travelers who pass through airports every year,” MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter stated. “We expect the startup businesses taking part in the Airport Innovation Challenge to help create the next generation of products and services that will characterize the airports of tomorrow.” MWAA Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Jerome L. Davis, who is leading the effort, said airports around the world are becoming more competitive with new terminal facilities, passenger amenities and technology-based services to make the travel experience more pleasant, convenient and efficient. “Our partnership with 1776, which discovers and develops up-and-coming technology-based companies, is the perfect forum for introducing game-changing innovations to help take our airports—and the entire air travel industry—into the future,” Davis stated.

Miller & Smith has begun construction on two new neighborhoods in Brambleton. The West Park Collection at Brambleton, a new 49home residential neighborhood just west of the Brambleton Town Center and adjacent to the county’s Hanson Regional Park, will feature the newly designed Aria single-family home. The Aria model offers up to 4,200 square feet of open living space and includes four bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The West Park homes are priced from the low $600,000s and are now available for pre-sale. The sales office is at 42313 Fern Croft Terrace in Ashburn. For more information, go to brambletonwestpark.com On the southern edge of the Brambleton Town Center, Miller & Smith is building a townhome neighborhood, the Garden District. Six new designs are offered with modern brick facades, black windows and distinctive architectural details, featuring up to three bedrooms, two full and two half baths, two-car garages and up to 3,200 square feet of living space. Every townhome will include a private outdoor

Airports Authority Launches Innovation Challenge

Miller & Smith Expands in Brambleton

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“We look forward to growing the program over the course of the next year and incorporating new opportunities for both current program participants as well as our alumni,” Dobson stated. The members of the board of directors are: Kindra Harvey, owner of Purpose WorX; Don Chudzik, vice president of Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas; Annette Morgan, vice president assurance and quality manager at Middleburg Bank; Shawn Flaherty, owner of SpeedPro Imaging Northern Virginia; Jefferson Beavers, training coordinator at Loudoun County Public Library; Winfred Clarke, project accountant at LMI; and Andrea Lucas, senior community manager at the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. Rusty Foster, owner of Bow Tie Strategies and Events by Bow Tie, is the program coordinator. Find out more at leadershiploudoun. org.

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

<< FROM 22

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Food trucks << FROM 22

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) was among the dignitaries attending the Nov. 16 grand opening celebration for Waltonwood Ashburn.

Waltonwood Ready to Welcome Residents With the first residents expected to move in within weeks, the staff at Waltonwood Ashburn celebrated the senior living center’s grand opening with a party last Thursday night. Located along Russell Branch Parkway, the Singh Development facility will provide full continuum of care to allow seniors to age in place. The complex has 114 independent living apartments, 72 assisted living apartments and 27 memory care apartments.

The grand opening event featured samples provided by Waltonwood Ashburn’s culinary team and showed off other amenities of the center, including a theater room, fitness rooms, a salon and an assortment of activity rooms. It is the 11th senior living center, and first in Virginia, developed by Singh, a family-owned construction company that also operates in Michigan and North Carolina.

How such a change would impact existing downtown businesses was clearly at the forefront of council members’ minds. “At what point is it my job as a government to step in,” Dunn asked. “We have others who are going to roll into town and take advantage of businesses who have paid good money to be here.” Michael O’Connor, who operates The Tasting Room at Palio and the Leesburg Diner and owns other downtown buildings, urged the council to limit food trucks in the town. He said allowing them downtown would be an affront to those who had invested so much in their brick and mortar businesses. “To intentionally impact businesses that wash the windows, pay the rent, wash the dishes and cups and glasses, and pay their employees and provide seating and jobs for dozens and dozens of people to me is a huge problem for this town. I don’t think it’s right, I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think we need it,” he said. While the council last week was reluctant to pass any changes that would allow food trucks in or near the downtown, the members didn’t appear to be quite ready to shut the door on the idea, either. Council members, on a 6-0-1 vote with Reid absent, agreed to bring the matter back up at their Dec. 11 work session. They will then discuss

I don’t think it’s right, I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think we need it.” – Michael O'Connor Owner, The Tasting Room at Palio and Leesburg Diner

whether to support other options, including a suggestion by Dunn to increase the number of days each year businesses are permitted to hold special events. Food trucks are currently allowed throughout the town when a special event permit has been filed. The town’s Economic Development Commission is also expected to weigh in on the food truck regulations ahead of the council’s Dec. 11 work session. Should the council agree to allow food trucks downtown, the issue would first be sent to the Planning Commission for public hearing and review before coming back to the council for a final vote. The town staff has agreed to hold in abeyance any outstanding violations of the food truck regulations in town until the council has decided how it wants to proceed. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

EVERYBODY BENEFITS

Residents Urged To ‘Shop Local’ This Holiday Shopping Season BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ While online retailers have made the convenience of shopping from one’s couch all too easy, area business leaders are urging residents to take to the streets as the holiday shopping season kicks off. The shopping season madness begins with some larger retailers opening Thursday evening, or on Black Friday, but for local retailers Small Business Saturday is their big push to fetch local shoppers. The unofficial holiday was created by American Express and had its start in 2010, always to fall on the Saturday immediately following Thanksgiving. Last year, 112 million people went out to “shop small” on Small Business Saturday, a 13 percent increase from 2015.

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languages, competitive athletics, multidisciplinary arts, STEM education, and enriching field trips that take full advantage of the rich history and culture of our metropolitan area. Our emphasis on character education also cultivates in each child self-esteem, a sense of moral responsibility, and a genuine love of learning. By the time our students graduate in eighth grade, they have become confident scholars, artists, athletes, and citizens, ready to lead in high school and beyond. We invite you to visit our campus to see for yourself how Loudoun Country Day School inspires children to begin their journeys, belong to a caring community, and become tomorrow’s leaders.

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As the promotion has grown, and with many continuing to patronize local shops throughout the holiday shopping season, local leaders are urging the public to leave the comfort of the couch and patronize their neighbors’ shops. Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Howard said shopping small creates an opportunity to gift unique, authentic gifts to loved ones. On a personal note, he said his relatives in New York enjoy the bottles of Virginia wine he brings north for holiday gifts. “There’s a number of different ways in which folks can get Loudoun-specific and Loudoun-authentic gifts and get them all here locally,” he said. Those who are receiving the gift, “see SHOP LOCAL >> 27

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(Pranayama) into her treatments for long-term spine health and flexibility. She appreciates the relaxing, meditative qualities that yoga can bring to the treatment of pain and rebalancing the body and the mind. No matter the technique, Dr. Miok’s goal is always the same for her patients: a healthy spine, a balanced body, and optimal overall health and wellness through which patients can fulfill the goals in their lives.

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Miok Hyoun, DC, is a holistic chiropractor and health care practitioner serving patients at Loudoun Ideal Chiropractic in Lansdowne, Virginia. Her specialties include treating whiplash, scoliosis, herniated discs, and prenatal chiropractic care. Dr. Miok has made caring for people through comprehensive chiropractic care a life-long study. She graduated magna cum laude from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and has since attended numerous trainings and seminars to build out her practice and create a holistic wellness clinic for her patients. Dr. Miok also specializes in advanced chiropractic techniques such as the Gonstead principle and Chiropractic BioPhysics. She focuses on finding and treating the root cause of pain and discomfort, rather than just the symptoms. Her ability to analyze the body and provide relief from pain extends to other soft tissue treatment modalities such as Graston, massage therapy, and Functional Movement Pattern, which she uses in tandem with chiropractic care to offer the best possible treatment plan for individuals, couples and the entire family. Dr. Miok is also a certified yoga instructor and frequently incorporates yoga poses and breathing methods

something authentic to the community you come from that has a lot more meaning than anything you can buy from online anywhere in the world.” Howard noted that it’s these small businesses that contribute to the quality of life Loudoun residents enjoy, whether it be taxes that fund schools or public safety, or in the business’ direct contributions to area nonprofits, community associations and sports teams. “When you support those [businesses] you really are supporting your community, and you’re also supporting that quality of life that is so essential and binds us together,” he said. “Sometimes it is about more than dollars and cents.” Russell Seymour, the newly installed director of Leesburg’s Economic Development Department, said he has enjoyed visiting with—and patronizing—the town’s shops as he acclimates to his new home.

“From personal experience, I would much rather go out, meet the business owner,” he said. When you shop small, “you’re buying much more than a product or service, you’re paying back, working with the local community. That’s critical for us. One of my goals here is to continue to highlight and look for new opportunities to really push highlighting our local businesses that are here in Leesburg.” Local shops give customers the opportunity to develop a more familiar relationship with the shops from which they buy products and services. It’s those relationships that can give these small businesses an advantage, Seymour said. “Coming in from the outside I really and truly don’t feel like a number when I go to these local businesses and to me that speaks volumes,” he said. “You can’t put a price on that they actually seem to care about the customers they serve.”

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[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ] HAMILTON

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Park Renovations to Begin in January

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

The Hamilton Community Park will soon be getting a facelift. Town Council on Monday approved a $75,000 project that will replace the park’s current, 10-year-old wooden centerpiece with one made of plastic-coated metal. According to Mayor David Simpson, parts for the project will arrive near the end of December. The park will then close for a couple weeks in early January for the town to make the improvements.

LOVETTSVILLE Historical Society Plans Annual Meeting

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Mayor of Hillsboro Roger L. Vance stands along Main Street in Hillsboro as the town tries to get back its own ZIP code and post office.

Hillsboro Formally Requests ZIP Code Return

BY PATRICK SZABO

illsboro may get its own ZIP code back in less than a year, thanks in part to help from several Virginia politicians. The town on Nov. 15 sent a formal request to USPS to regain its ZIP code, which it lost in 2004. It lobbied for the currently unused 20133 ZIP code to be instated for delivery points north of Alder School Road, within a 73-square-mile area of northwestern Loudoun. Along with the request, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) wrote the Postmaster General Megan Brennan. U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) wrote the USPS District Manager Jeffrey Becker. “They’ve been extremely helpful to us,” Mayor Roger Vance said. “It was the issue that they felt they could help the most on.” Kaine wrote that a unique ZIP code would not place additional operational burdens on the postal service and that the proposed boundaries align with election precincts. He also wrote that it might improve north-south delivery operations.

Comstock’s letter emphasized the need for a Hillsboro ZIP code because of the town’s recent expansion from about 55 acres to nearly 172. Sen. Dick Black (R-13), Del. David LaRock (R-10), County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Supervisors Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge) and Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin) all also voiced their support. The request was sent last week in accordance with USPS guidelines that require a Nov. 15 submission. USPS has 60 days to respond. If approved, the new ZIP code would come into effect July 1 next year. Vance said the biggest benefit of having a ZIP code is it would eliminate the confusion that comes with having a shared ZIP code with Purcellville, since Hillsboro businesses have to use a Purcellville mailing address and emergency first responders sometimes make wrong turns on the way to scenes in town. Most recently, the day before the request was submitted, Vance said an emergency vehicle mistakenly turned toward Purcellville on its way to a fatal wreck on Rt. 9 just west of town.

“The first thing they see is an address in Purcellville,” he said. “We’ve seen that many times.” Before the town lost its 20134 ZIP code in 2004, the postal service was already moving out of town. When the Hillsboro post office closed in 1984, residents switched to post office boxes in the town’s Hill Tom Market for the next two decades until they were all moved to Purcellville 13 years ago. The town has used a shared 20132 ZIP code ever since. “It seemed like it was a gradual loss of the ZIP code,” Vance said. “It’s been a very annoying situation for people for years.” Once USPS reviews the request, it will send a survey to residents within the proposed ZIP code area asking if they are in favor of the change. Vance said he expects to get a response from the postal service by February, when the Purcellville post office is already scheduled to review its current courier routes. “We’re hopeful that this will happen relatively quickly,” Vance said. “I think it’s logical.” pszabo@loudounnow.com

The Lovettsville Historical Society will hold its annual membership meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Lovettsville Museum. The meeting is open to all members and prospective members, and will feature an exhibition of the remodeled museum’s new design and displays. The museum, which first opened in 1976, has new lighting and three new exhibits. The meeting will also include a report on the past year’s activities and acquisitions, as well as upcoming events for 2018. Elections for the board of directors will be held. The museum is located at 4 E. Pennsylvania Ave.

MIDDLEBURG

Christmas in Middleburg Set for Dec. 2 Organizers are making final preparations for Middleburg’s biggest day of the year. On Saturday, Dec. 2, thousands of visitors will pack town streets and businesses as part of the annual Christmas celebration. Events get started at 8:30 a.m., when Santa stops in for breakfast at the Middleburg Community Charter School. At 11 a.m., TOWN NOTES >> 29

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Sounds of Christmas Concert The Middleburg Concert Series presents “The Sounds of Christmas” on Dec. 10 at the Middleburg United Methodist Church. Featured performers include baritone Benjamin Curtis, The Saturday Morning Brass Project, and organists Steven Cooksey and Dan Miller will be joined by Musicians in Residence Alan

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PURCELLVILLE Purcellville Eliminates Town Vehicle Decals Purcellville residents won’t have to worry about their permanent town vehicle decals after Jan. 1. Town Council last Tuesday unanimously voted to do away with the window stickers, but also increased vehicle license fees from $25 to $27 per year to make up for an estimated $11,000 annual revenue loss. License fees will still be due June 5 each year, along with personal property taxes. The move to eliminate county decals follows the Board of Supervisors’ decision to do the same on the county level.

Town Again Named Tree City USA Purcellville has been named a Tree City USA for the 10th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. Originally notified of the honor in March, Kyle Dingus of the Virginia

Department of Forestry made the formal presentation at the town’s Hail to the Trail event Oct. 22. “It’s an amazing milestone,” said Director of Administration Hooper McCann. “It acknowledges the town’s commitment to the environment and the health of the community.” The town is now starting its 2017 application, which McCann said would be complete by the end of the year.

Comprehensive Plan Gets ‘Open Mic’ Review The Purcellville Planning Commission will hold an “open mic” public engagement session at Town Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 6, to review and discuss the Purcellville Comprehensive Plan update. Entering the final stages of adoption, the Planning Commission is seeking feedback on the latest version. The Comprehensive Plan sets the policies and goals that guide the development of the town. Purcellville’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2006 and looks forward to the year 2025. The Plan Update incorporates changes the town has already seen over the past decade and reflect Purcellville’s vision for the future. For more information, go to planpurcellville.com.

No Refunds for Incomplete Annexation Bids Purcellville will not refund fees for property owners who seek annexation but don’t complete the process.

Town Council last Tuesday voted 5-1-1 to approve the rule. Mayor Kwasi Fraser had asked the council to review the issue after an applicant who was processed under the town’s former annexation policy requested a refund. James Roncaglione submitted an annexation application and paid a $13,106.50 review fee in 2007. The town processed the application through 2008. Communication between Roncaglione and the town was intermittent until 2015. In 2016, he sold the property and, in May this year, requested a refund. The town staff then recommended $11,716.50 be refunded, with $1,390 retained to cover the staff time that had been dedicated to the application. Councilwoman Karen Jimmerson said refunds don’t make sense because staff time is wasted if the process comes to a halt. “As long as we’re processing [applications] and doing the due diligence on behalf of the applicant, and then it doesn’t get voted for, that doesn’t mean that they should be able to get a refund,” she said. “Our staff put the work in it to get them up to the vote.” Councilman Doug McCollum voted against the decision. He suggested the application fees be broken into smaller, incremental amounts to avoid applicants losing large, up-front fees if the process fails toward the end. Councilman Ted Greenly abstained from the vote.

the Middleburg Hunt Review with some 150 horses and riders and dozens of hounds parade through the center of town on Washington Street. Throughout the day there will be choir performances, the Christmas in Middleburg Craft Show at the Middleburg Community Center, as well as shopping and dining in the town’s shops and restaurants. The Middleburg Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., adults can relax and enjoy the Spirit of Middleburg, a progressive hospitality of food and wine tasting around town. Go to christmasinmiddleburg. org for a full list of Spirit of Middleburg stops and other details of the event. Event parking will be available for $20 per vehicle, one mile east of Middleburg on Rt. 50. Free shuttle service will be provided. Also, the Middleburg Business and Professional Association will host a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, behind the Pink Box Visitor Center at 12 N. Madison St.

Saucedo (cello), Cynthia Saucedo (violin), and Karen Chase (soprano). The concert, sponsored by the Bank of Charlestown, will be followed by a reception provided by the Goodstone Inn and Restaurant. The performances are made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Town of Middleburg. Admission to the concert and reception are free. Donations are welcome. For more information go to middleburgconcertseries.com.

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Purcellville Plans to Cut Off Cut-Through Traffic in Country Club

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BY PATRICK SZABO Residents of Purcellville’s Country Club Estates will soon not have to deal with speeding traffic cutting through their neighborhood. The Town Council last week voted unanimously to approve a pilot program that includes the installation of six removable barriers at the intersection of 33rd Street and Country Club Drive. The barrier will eliminate a shortcut connecting West Main Street and North 21st Street. The work, estimated to cost $2,000, is expected to be done during the schools’ winter break next month. Once installed, the barriers will be in place around the clock and removed only by fire and rescue crews. “It will be emergency access only,” Interim Town Manager Alex Vanegas said. For the pilot project, the barriers will be left up through March. Staff members will then meet with residents to determine whether the program worked and if it should continue until June before another discussion. “This gives us an opportunity to change behaviors and see how that works,” Vanegas said. The town’s decision to pursue the

program comes after months of residents voicing concern about the current cut-through traffic. Vanegas said residents really started speaking up when they heard that Virginia Regional Transit wanted to build a commuter lot off Hirst Road. “I think that scared them,” Vanegas said. “They saw it as an issue where they believed it would increase even more traffic.” Although the lot was also approved Nov. 14, commuters won’t have the option to take a shortcut through the neighborhood by the time the lot is finished. Jeff Scott, homeowner on Country Club Drive and father of two young children, was one of a few residents who urged council Nov. 14 to take action. He said the high volume and speed of the cut-through traffic was unsafe because there aren’t sidewalks on Country Club Drive. He said there had been an increase of 900 cars per week during the past five years, and claimed that 40 to 60 percent of vehicles aren’t stopping at stop signs and cars are passing buses while children board. “All I ask as a father, and as a Country Club resident, is if you have any doubt, come sit in my driveway in the

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

The Town of Purcellville will install removable barriers at the 33rd Street/Country Club Drive intersection in December, eliminating cut-through traffic.

morning or afternoon with me… and witness what I witness,” he said. “We’re looking for semi-permanent barriers.” Vice Mayor Nedim Ogelman said he was impressed by the residents’ efforts to get help from the town. “This is a deliberative community

Fireman’s Field Management Announced BY PATRICK SZABO The Purcellville Town Council voted unanimously last week to award a five-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the Fireman’s Field complex to a partnership of Shaun Alexander Enterprises and Play to Win. The firms will jointly manage Fireman’s Field, Haske Field, Dillon’s Woods and the Bush Tabernacle. Nonprofit organization ECHO (Every Citizen Has Opportunities) will be in charge of grounds and facility maintenance. Shaun Alexander Enterprises is led by the former Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins running back. Play to Win is a regional sports management company that operates the Evergreen Sportsplex youth training center south of Leesburg. In addition to authorizing Interim Town Manager Alex Vanegas to execute the new contract, the Town Council directed him to terminate the existing contract with the Purcellville Teen Cen-

Shaun Alexander Enterprises

Shaun Alexander Enterprises, led by the former Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins player, is partnering with Play to Win to manage the Fireman’s Field complex.

ter effective Dec. 29. The Teen Center is under contract to manage the Bush Tabernacle until October 2020, but did not submit a response to the town’s request for proposals to manage the entire complex. According to town projections, the

first year of the contract should generate at least $89,000 more in annual revenue for the town than the current agreement with the teen center and more than $129,000 in the fifth year. The teen center currently pays the town $31,200 annually. Beginning in the third year of the contract, the town will also receive a portion of advertising revenue—10 percent if it’s less than $250,000 and 15 percent if it’s more than $250,000. The two management firms will be responsible for up to $25,000 in maintenance and security costs. According to Play to Win Founder Chris Bourassa, his company will manage the day-to-day operations of the complex while Alexander and his team will handle the finances and develop new programming. Bourassa said the first goal is to make the town-owned complex more attractive. “We’re going to do some initial kind of cleanup activities,” he said. “It won’t be overnight.”

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effort to try to hash out a response,” he said. “As a councilmember here I couldn’t wish for anything more than that.” pszabo@loudounnow.com

Alexander said he would try to keep the old feel of the complex while adding in new programs. “I’m going to love coming up with great ideas that kind of give these kids something,” he said. “It’s going to be beautiful to pull it all together and have all this great community and great energy to come and make something sweet.” Councilman Ryan Cool, who took the lead in managing the Request for Proposal process, said the Upper Loudoun Little League and Upper Loudoun Youth Football League would continue their activities in the complex as usual. The announcement of the new management ends an eight-month process in which the town initially received responses from four firms interested in managing all or part of the complex. Most recently, meetings were held on Oct. 24 and Nov. 8 to negotiate the contract with the final two bidders. “We’re going to be here for a long time,” Alexander said. “It’s going to be sweet.” pszabo@loudounnow.com

Nov. 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29, 2017

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Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Gary Erskine

This year’s production of “A Christmas Carol” features young actors—from left Reid Murphy, Serena Parrish, Kashvi Ramani, Nathan Pham, Ainsley Deegan and Jeremiah Hasty.

Young Loudoun Actors Hit the Big Time at Ford’s Theatre

BY JAN MERCKER or a young actor, moving from school plays and community theater to the professional stage is a big deal. This month, three Loudoun kids hit the big time in historic Ford’s Theatre’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” in Washington, DC. The musical play based on the Charles Dickens classic features Loudoun middle schoolers Serena Parrish and Kashvi Ramani and fourth-grader Malcolm Fuller. The three young actors have jumped into a grueling rehearsal and performance schedule that has meant missed school and a packed calendar through the end of December. But all three say the experience has been absolutely worth it. Serena, an eighth grader at Harmony Middle School, plays Ebenezer Scrooge’s sister, Fan, in a flashback to Scrooge’s youth guided by the Ghost of Christmas Past. Fan’s role is relatively small but important, Serena said, offering the audience insight into the roots of Scrooge’s scroogy-ness. It’s been an exciting challenge for the young actress. “I get to take that one moment and make it something super special,” 13-year-old Serena said. “I have to make that character be someone you just absolutely fall in love with to give the reason why Scrooge would miss her so much.” Serena is a familiar face to Loudoun

Gary Erskine

Reid Murphy, Nathan Pham and Kashvi Ramani star as Cratchit children in “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theatre.

theater-goers through her involvement with Main Street Theater Productions, most recently starring as Jojo in Main Street’s production of “Seussical” last May. Main Street’s founder and artistic director Karlah Louis, a longtime DC actor who played the good-natured Mrs. Fezziwig in a past production of “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s, was deeply familiar with the show and encouraged Serena and fellow Main Street regular Ainsley Deegan, of Winchester, to audition. Ainsley, who charmed audiences with her appearance as Young Kangaroo in Seussical, also earned a role in

the DC production. Louis felt the two girls had the talent, confidence and discipline to make a move into professional theater, and “A Christmas Carol,” which runs every year at Ford’s, was the perfect first step. “It’s a very good stepping stone for children who are ready to go into professional theater. … It’s a consistent show that’s always there, and you step in and you get to make your debut in something that’s already known to the community. … It’s a testing ground. Do you have it? Can you handle this kind FORD’S THEATRE >> 36

Centre Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Returns to Franklin Park Not up for making the trip into DC for your Dickens fix? Loudoun Centre Theatre returns to the local Loudoun Centre Theatre stage with Bob Chaves stars as its third pro- Scrooge in Loudoun duction of Centre Theatre’s “A Christ- production of “A mas Carol” Christmas Carol.” right here in Loudoun. This year’s production stars Loudoun’s own Bob Chaves as Ebenezer Scrooge and includes beefed up special effects and a talented cast, says director Michelle Chiles. The cast ranges in age from 6 to 60 and features young actors from four local elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. Adult actors include an attorney, a hospice CEO, a dance instructor and an author. “Bringing this show together has truly been a community event,” Chiles said. “A Christmas Carol” runs Nov. 24 and 25, and Dec. 1 and 2, with show times at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Park Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at thelct.org.

[ THINGS TO DO ] PURCELLVILLE GATEWAY TREE LIGHTING Saturday, Nov. 25, 5-6:30 p.m.; Purcellville Gateway, Berlin Turnpike and Main Street, Purcellville. Contact: 412-968-1660 Enjoy a fun evening with live music, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and a tree lighting at 6 p.m.

sandwiches, scones and tasty treats in a gorgeous setting. Teas are $29.95 plus tax per person ages 3 and up. Advance payment is required. Reservations can be made online or by calling 703-777-3174.

POST-TURKEY FUN BLACK FRIDAY AT THE BARNS Friday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; The Barns at Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

Courtesy of Village at Leesburg

HOLIDAY HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25, 5-9 p.m.; Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: villageatleesburg.com Cozy up to a loved one and take a horsedrawn carriage ride through the festively decorated Village at Leesburg, taking in the center’s 52-foot tree and music and light shows. Carriage rides continue Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23.

OATLANDS CANDLELIGHT TEA Saturday, Nov. 25, 4:30-6 p.m.; Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Details: oatlands.org Unwind after the holiday with

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This annual Black Friday tradition invites visitors to take a short hike to the top of the estate’s hill, which is 868 feet high. Pick up a ticket and head back down to the tasting room for a complimentary box of house-made chocolate truffles.

BIRDING THE BLUE RIDGE CENTER Saturday, Nov. 25, 8-11 a.m.; Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. Details: loudounwildlife.org Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for its monthly bird-watching hike on this

ON STAGE ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Friday, Nov. 24, Saturday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Dec. 2, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. Details: thelct.org Loudoun Centre Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale of redemption—a perfect post-Thanksgiving family outing. Tickets are $12 in advance, $16 at the door.

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 34

Call Brian Damewood 540.454.2326

Friday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. Details: 868estatevineyards.com

gorgeous 900-acre preserve in northwest Loudoun.

Forget the madness at the mall and head over to the Barns for some relaxed fun. Steve George and Friends start at 1 p.m., followed by Jim Steele at 5 p.m. Non-turkey barbecue from Hog It Up will be available for sale.

WALK OFF YOUR WOBBLE AT 868

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Craig Damewood 703.303.4760 damewoodauctioneers.com vaar680

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[ THINGS TO DO ]

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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‘ALL SHOOK UP’ Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.; Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Road SW, Leesburg. Details: raiderdrama.com This fun musical comedy is built around favorite songs by Elvis Presley, but it’s not a biographical review. The story, set in 1955, revolves around one girl’s dream and a mysterious leather-jacketed stranger who helps a small town discover the magic of romance and the power of rock ‘n’ roll. Tickets are $10.

NIGHTLIFE

Courtesy of Julia Kasdorf

LIVE MUSIC: JULIA KASDORF Friday, Nov. 24, 7-10 p.m.; Lost Rhino Retreat, 22885 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn. Details: lostrhinoretreat.com Kasdorf’s exceptional voice and top-notch guitar skills, along with her huge catalog of standards, pop hits, folk and rock ‘n’ roll, set her apart on the local music scene. No cover. Courtesy of Timothy James

MUSIC ON THE HEIGHTS: TIMOTHY JAMES Friday, Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m., doors open, 8 p.m., music begins; Broadlands. Contact: musicontheheights@gmail.com The regular house concert series features Loudoun’s own Timothy James. James is well known on the winery circuit for his country, Americana, rock

‘n’ roll, folk and reggae. He’ll share some new originals along with favorite covers. Requested donation is $15-$20 in cash, with all donations going directly to the artist. Email the organizer for the address.

Live, Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Unwind with great covers from Motown to Top-40 with some fun country and rock in the mix. No cover.

LIVE MUSIC: RYAN FORRESTER BAND Friday, Nov. 24, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 35

(703) 777-9554

[ THINGS TO DO ] LIVE MUSIC: DELTA SPUR

LIVE MUSIC: JASON FRYE

Saturday, Nov. 25, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

Saturday, November 25, 7-9 p.m.; Trinity House Cafe, 101 E. Market St., Leesburg. Details: trinityhousecafe.com Known for his fun yet soulful performances, Frye is a working musician and songwriter based in the DMV who performs in venues throughout the MidAtlantic region while pursuing his career as a songwriter in Nashville. No cover.

LIVE MUSIC: ELI LEV

It’s a rocking post-Thanksgiving party with one of the region’s favorite contemporary country tribute bands. No cover.

COMING UP VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Courtesy of Lovettsville Christkindlmarkt

Insightful Americana/folk from an up and coming DC-based artist. No cover.

This one-day event offers women a chance to learn tools for success, make strategic business connections

LIVE MUSIC: NATE GOOD Saturday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyhotheater. com This Purcellville-based singer/ songwriter has been recording dozens of songs right here in Loudoun. His most recent project, “Goals,” is making a splash on the iTunes hip-hop chart. Catch him while the tickets are cheap. Tickets are $10 in advance.

Courtesy of Nate Good

Discover the Charm of an Oatlands Christmas! Tour Oatlands Mansion Decorated for the Holidays November 17 – December 30

LOVETTSVILLE CHRISTKINDLMARKT Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Lovettsville Game Club, 16 S. Berlin Pike, Lovettsville. Details: lovettsvillegameclub.com

Loudoun Now is adding to its small, dedicated newspaper team. We’re looking for advertising sales executives who value the mission of community journalism and the marketing power the newspaper’s print and online products offer to area businesses.

The Loudoun Valley German Society presents its 10th annual Christmas market featuring hand-crafted items, artisan foods including sausages, gingerbread, stollen and chestnuts and drinks including mulled wine. Holiday greenery, decorations and Christmas trees will also be available for sale. Admission is $3 for visitors 13 and over.

SANKT NIKOLAUS BRUNCH FOR TOYS FOR TOTS Saturday, Dec. 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Black Hoof Brewing, 11 S. King St., Leesburg. Details: blackhoofbrewing.com Enjoy a German continental brunch, pictures with Santa and live music from Nathaniel Davis at this family-oriented celebration benefitting Toys for Tots. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children and $10 per child for families with three or more kiddos. Advance purchase is recommended. Black Hoof is a toy dropoff location through Christmas Eve.

There’s a veteran support team in place to help, but we’re looking for self-starters and go-getters.

If that’s you, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sstyer@loudounnow.com

MORE THAN $5 000 IN PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS ,

Jingle Bell ROCK&RUN

Candlelight Mansion Tours & Candlelight Hayrides Friday, Nov. 24 – Sunday Nov. 26; and Saturday, Dec. 2 Special Candlelight Teas Saturday, Nov. 25; Sunday, Nov. 26; & Saturday, Dec. 2 Traditional Afternoon Holiday Teas For Full Tea Schedule, visit www.oatlands.org/afternoontea Family Holiday Photos Sunday, Nov. 19; Sunday, Dec. 3; Sunday Dec. 10; and Sunday, Dec. 17

For more information and reservations, please visit www.oatlands.org or call 703-777-3174.

DECEMBER 16 ONE LOUDOUN DECEMBER 16

ONE LOUDOUN

5K RACE - 9 AM // 10K RACE - 9:10 AM 1K JAMMIE JINGLE - 10:30 AM B EN EF IT IN

loudounnow.com

Wreath Making Workshop Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6

Jingle Bell ta Mee t SanROCK&RUN

Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Lansdowne Resort and Spa, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Details: virginiawomensbusinessconference.com

Saturday, Nov. 25, 9-11 p.m.; French Hound Brasserie, 19286 Promenade Drive, Leesburg. Details: frenchhoundbrasserie.com

and get inspiration from successful entrepreneurs. General admission is $349.

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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Ford’s Theatre << FROM 32 of schedule? Are you going to have a work ethic? A whole lot of it is that.” Kashvi, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Ashburn’s Farmwell Station Middle School, got her start with another community troupe—Leesburg-based Theaterpalooza, where she appeared in productions of “Aladdin,” “School of Rock” and “Little House on the Prairie” before making her professional debut in last summer’s DC Capital Fringe Festival. Kashvi plays Belinda Cratchit, the bubbly, Christmas-crazy daughter of Scrooge’s clerk Bob Cratchit in scenes from Christmas present and future, a role that means lots of time on stage with the Cratchit family. The rehearsal schedule was initially a little overwhelming for the honors student, whose deal with her mom is that she can pursue acting as long as she maintains her longstanding straight-A record. Rehearsals started Oct. 30 and have moved forward on a tight professional theater schedule with only Mondays off, and the young actors leave school early each day to make their calls. But Kashvi’s passion for her art makes it doable. “You get used to it. I’ve been busy my entire life,” Kashvi said. “You’ve got to do the stuff you love the most.” Kashvi, who says she initially got into acting because she noticed a shortage of Indian-American faces

Carol Rosegg

Waterford’s Malcolm Fuller stars as Tiny Tim in Ford’s Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.”

on stage and screen, said the diverse cast of “A Christmas Carol” is a pleasure to work with, and she’s been forging new friendships over the past few weeks of rehearsals. The show is double-cast for the children’s roles, with the two casts alternating performances. Malcolm appears in one cast while Serena and Kashvi are in the other. But since both casts attend rehearsals and watch while their counterparts are on stage, the three Loudouners and Ainsley have spent quality time in carpools and have gotten to know other cast members from

around the region. The talented Malcolm, a fourth-grader at Hillsboro Charter Academy, earned the plum role of Tiny Tim, Cratchit’s sickly and endearing son, on his very first theatrical audition. Malcolm skipped community theater altogether, going straight for the big leagues—although he does recall a one-line role as a carrot in a school play in second grade. In Malcolm’s case, it was his voice that got things rolling. Malcolm, a longtime singer and violinist, was spotted by noted DC-based agent Gabrielle

Gardner when he sang the national anthem at a Washington Nationals’ baseball game last summer. Gardner took him on as a client and recommended that he audition for the role. And while Tiny Tim doesn’t have a ton of lines, his well-known “God bless us, every one” is the most familiar and resonant line in the play. Malcolm’s character also has a moving solo rendition of “What Child is This.” All three actors agree that the experience has been invaluable and well worth all of the late nights and sleepy mornings to do what they love. “Ford’s Theatre isn’t only amazing to perform in, it’s the greatest learning experience you’ll ever have: vocal lessons, dialect lessons, dancing lessons,” Kashvi said. “You’ll learning everything all in one, and it’s great on your résumé.” “I didn’t know it would take all this time, but I didn’t know it would be this fun,” Malcolm said. Getting paid to perform has also been a thrill—and even wowed Malcolm’s hard-to-impress best friend. And do the young actors think it’s unusual that so many cast members came from Loudoun this year? “It was completely coincidental,” Kashvi said. “They just got the best kids.” “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” runs through Dec. 30 at Ford’s Theatre with matinee and evening performances. There are no shows on Mondays or on Dec. 24 or 25. Tickets range from $32 to $105. For tickets and information, go to fords.org.

Don’t miss the show.

Christmas Trees Locally Grown Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Fir varieties up to 12-14’ Any cut tree up to 10’ - $75.00

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

Taller than 10’ $100.00

Loudoun Nursery, Inc. 16457 Short Hill Road, Purcellville, VA 20132

Evergreen, Shade & Flowering Trees. Container Grown in Loudoun County. From Rt. 7 W, take Rt. 287 towards Purcellville, go a short distance to right onto Hirst Rd., follow to right onto Rt. 690 (Hillsboro Rd.); left onto Rt. 711 (Allder School Rd.); then right onto Rt. 716 (Short Hill Rd.); 3rd driveway on the left.

Photos of this year’s crop, visit

www.LoudounNursery.com

Open Weekends After Thanksgiving Questions? Call (540) 338-4635

getoutloudoun.com

[ A LOUDOUN MOMENT ]

37 Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

Hundreds Race for Hunger Relief at Ida Lee BY RENSS GREENE Hundreds of runners gathered Saturday for the 15th annual Freeze Your Gizzard 5K cross-country race and 1-mile fun run. The Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief and sponsor Harris Teeter, hosted the event at Ida Lee Park. According to results recorded and provided by Potomac River Running, 404 people participated. Part of the entry fee was two cans of food to donate to Loudoun Hunger Relief. First-place finishers won a turkey to take home for din-

ner. Prizes were also awarded for best individual costume and best group costume, and door prizes were distributed. Other sponsors included Backflow Technology LLC, Sandy Spring Bank, Deidra Bird Kokel DDS, solutionworx, SpeedPro Imaging, Toth Financial and Loudoun Now. Avery Bryant of Leesburg was the first-place finisher, crossing the line more than a minute ahead of the next finisher. Emma Wolcott was the first-place female finisher overall. Find full race results at potomac.enmotive.com/results. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Hunger Relief volunteers sort donated canned food.

Photos by Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Runners check their times, scored by Potomac River Running, after the Freeze Your Gizzard 5K.

Avery Bryant of Leesburg was the first-place overall finisher, running the cross-country course in only 16 minutes 45 seconds, more than a minute ahead of the next finisher.

Regina Noble of Leesburg collects her prize after the 15th Annual Freeze Your Gizzard 5K at Ida Lee Park.

loudounnow.com

Eliza Jane of Leesburg, a member of the Leesburg Elementary School Running Club, sprints to the finish line, cheered on by her father, Adam Benn.

Special election loudounnow.com

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Nate Good

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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an evening with

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Give Back with Hungry on Monday & Teddy Chipouras 12/22/17 Doors: 7PM

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interested in filling the remaining almost three years of his term until Dec. 6 need to file all the necessary election paperwork. Reid’s council term expires Dec. 31, 2020. Just as swiftly, three contenders for the seat emerged last week, and they all have run for the council before. Josh Thiel, Gwen Pangle and Neil Steinberg have all confirmed their intentions to run. Thiel was the runner-up in the most recent Town Council special election Nov. 7, to fill the remaining 12-anda-half months of Kelly Burk’s council term, following her election to the mayor’s seat last November. When he heard of Reid’s resignation this week, he said jumped at the opportunity to run again, although he said he will do things a bit differently this time. “After the past election, I kept telling myself, ‘God has a plan for me.’ I didn’t anticipate it to happen this fast, but here we go,” he said. “I plan on running a different campaign this time around that is focused more on the people, not the politics. I had an overwhelming amount of people encouraging me to run again and thanking me for how hard I worked for them.” Thiel said it is due to these supporters and his wife Abigail that he is ready for another run. “I would like to give back to the

“I plan on running a different campaign this time around that is focused more on the people, not the politics. — Josh Theil

“Life events have a funny way of changing your best laid plans, and this unexpected vacancy accelerated that plan.” — Gwen Pangle

community that has given to me my whole life,” he said. Pangle narrowly missed out on a council seat a year ago, coming in fourth place, and 42 votes shy, of securing a four-year council term. She initially thought she would run for this November’s special election but decided to hold off. Now, she said she’s ready to dust off her campaign signs for another shot at the council. “I never gave up on my desire to serve the residents of Leesburg; losing the 2017 race by less than 50 votes was disappointing, but I felt it was a decent showing for a first-time candidate,” she said. “I chose not to run for the interim seat, as frankly it is expensive and very time intensive. My decision was to wait and run in 2018 for a full term. Life events have a funny way of changing your best laid plans, and this unexpected vacancy accelerated that plan.” Pangle said she has “resisted long enough” the service leadership and core values that go along with it that run through her DNA, pointing to her early life as the daughter of an Army colonel, a Girl Scout, a Keyette, and the

“I was planning to run in November [2018]. No one knew this opportunity was going to present itself. — Neil Steinberg

mayor of a mock city at Girls State. Steinberg was planning to run in this November’s special election, but decided to postpone his council campaign shortly before the August filing deadline, noting that the victor Nov. 7 would have to run for a new term in November 2018. He said he was already planning to run for one of the three four-year council terms up for grabs next November when Reid’s announcement caused him to change gears. “I was planning to run in November [2018]. No one knew this opportunity was going to present itself. With the opportunity having presented and since this [term] is for three years and we need to fill the seat, this was an opportunity to run now,” he said. Since the Feb. 6 special election occurs within 90 days of Reid’s resignation the council will not be required to appoint an interim council member. General Registrar Judy Brown estimated the cost of the special election to be between $20,000 to $30,000. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Design and Sales 540.338.9661

210 N. 21st St., #E, Purcellville, Virginia 20132 Valley Business Park behind the Purcellville Train Station

loudounnow.com

Mayor Kelly Burk. They have petitioned the Town Council and also attended Monday’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. A GoFundMe page to aid in their efforts has also been established. In addition to wanting to preserve the green space, residents have pointed to the heavy flooding the property experiences during rain storms and questioned how that would be a suitable location for residential development. A large portion of the property is located in the town’s Floodplain Overlay District, and a smaller portion in the Creek Valley Buffer. According to Burk, who met with CalAtlantic Vice President David Rettew last week, the homebuilder has its eyes set on building the by-right residential development and then donating the remaining 115 acres to the town for use as a park. There has been no mention of commercial development on the site; the existing proffers restrict any commercial development to only a hotel with accessory uses,

such as a dining room and golf course. Town planning staff issued a memo this week responding to some common questions being posed about the Westpark property. There is not much that can be done legislatively should the developer proceed with its by-right development options. However, Burk said the developer was looking at the possibility of clustering the 27 homes around the existing Hole 15 on the property, parallel to Chancellor Street so the development could be served by one road. The RE zoning designation does not provide for a cluster option, so in this instance the developer would need to pursue an either a Zoning Ordinance text amendment, or a rezoning to R-2, either of which would require both Planning Commission and Town Council review. Burk said she urged Rettew to meet with the neighbors to address their concerns. A meeting Saturday, Dec. 2, is tentatively scheduled, with further details yet to be provided, according to a post on the Keep Westpark Golf Course Green Facebook page. Rettew did not respond to a call for comment this week.

www.cabinetshowplace.com

Westpark

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

about what’s important for Leesburg residents. It has nothing to do with party,” Campbell said. “The reality is people will vote against you because of what party you are for, and will vote for you because of what party you are for. But that has nothing to do with advocacy for the citizens of Leesburg, the budget, response to roads and transportation, safety and security, human services, education.” He’s been advised that not aligning with a political party is risky. “The party will tell you I’m not a party guy, I’m a people guy,” he said. “I’m not to be controlled or influenced because of political threats, and I’ve received a few. I’m not here for my political future, I’m here for service. I’m truly committed to service.” One action Campbell took this year that turned heads was his nomination of council colleague Suzanne Fox as vice mayor. The two received opposing party endorsements in their respective council campaigns. “I’ve tried to put my actions where my values were. … People told us they wanted us to be different. Nominating Suzanne was the right thing to do, rather than to continue to have party lines. It was certainly one of those moves to show people a willingness to work beyond party and work differently,” he said. Other accomplishments for Campbell during his first 11 months has been a focus on boards and commissions, and how they can serve the council better, and vice versa; and the formation of the Economic Development Steering Committee, which just presented its recommendations on

CABINET SHOWPLACE

39 Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

Campbell announces

comprehensive changes to the town’s economic development strategy last week. Campbell said he feels the current leadership with Mayor Kelly Burk has been ineffective, and pointed to the lack of communication on the council dais in terms of how the budget is discussed as one example. He said there is a lack of leadership on the council, which is at times too reactionary and not strategic enough. Burk confirmed with Loudoun Now this week that she plans to run for re-election. Campbell is planning a formal campaign kick-off celebration for January, noting it’s a milestone month for him in turning 65. Campbell said he plans to form a coalition for next November’s elections, where three other council seats in addition to the mayor’s post will be up for grabs. Some state representative seats will also be up for election. That coalition will include other candidates who seek to put down their political affiliations and focus on town residents and their priorities. “I’ll be asking candidates who are going to consider elected office to run unendorsed, and ask them to consider bringing our community back to a nonpartisan, state-mandated nature and put the people first,” he said. He’s all in for November 2018, Campbell added, and he’s convinced that there are those who wish for a town mayor who puts people above politics. “If I’m not successful it’s because I’ve failed to convince people, not parties,” he said. “I know there’s a voice out there and there’s voices out there calling for us to put people first. It’s not a new party, it’s a direction— put down your partisanship, put Leesburg first.”

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

loudounnow.com

Goose Creek << FROM 3 posed. It has drawn opposition for bringing an industrial use into a relatively undeveloped and residential area, for bucking county policy that discourages industrial-scale projects in the Transition Policy Area that divides the county’s rural west and suburban east. “Do you really want to be the Board of Supervisors that violated the county’s own policies by allowing a data center in the transition policy area?” asked Dennis Kruse, president of Bike Loudoun. The project would also encroach on a rare ecological community called a Northern Piedmont Mafic Barren, one of only 10 such formations in the world, according to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “I’m a geotechnical engineer, and I don’t even know what it is,” said Ted

Citizens are asking you not to allow the destruction of what is valued in Loudoun,” Denise Goff said. “And it just might be that what is valued is not another data center.” – Denise Goff

hundreds of Loudouners turned out, almost unanimously asking that the transition area be protected from development. “We held public hearings for Envision Loudoun, and I thought the number one thing would be something

about traffic and homes, and it wasn’t,” said County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “The number one thing that people said in public hearings was we want more green space, pedestrian trails, and bicycle trails.” The Envision Loudoun committee caused shockwaves by considering changes to the transition area that would allow 12,000 to 18,000 more homes in that area. “Citizens are asking you not to allow the destruction of what is valued in Loudoun,” Denise Goff said. “And it just might be that what is valued is not another data center.” The fate of the application remains uncertain. Randall and supervisors Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin), Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), and Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) have expressed concern about the application, with Randall, Higgins, and Buffington all coming out against it. Either side will need at least five votes to prevail. rgreene@loudounnow.com

[OBITUARIES] Henry Garnett Reid, Sr. (Age 82) Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Friend, 82, of Upperville, VA transitioned from this life on Friday, November 17, 2017. Henry was born on June 9, 1935 in Airmont, VA to the late Theodore and Goldie Reid. He was married to the late Doris Marie Richardson-Reid. Henry leaves to cherish his sweet memories two daughters; Carol Ann Ambers (Vincent), and Janet Reid both of Ashburn, VA. One son Calvin Reid (Sandra) of Warrenton, VA. Two Granddaughters; Ashlee & Makayla and Two Grandsons Myles (Ashley) & McKenzie. Three brothers; Freddie, Clarence , and James Reid. Two sisters; Roberta Murphy and Mary Reid (Sis). Seven sisters-In-Law; Ernestine, Imgard, Shelby Jean, Betty, Joe Ann, Gloria, Alma and Regina and a host of other friends and relatives. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Middleburg United Methodist Church, 15 West Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20118. The viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. till time of service 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at the Westview Cemetery, Upperville,VA In Lieu of Flowers, the family request a tribute/memorial gift to the Evergreen Hammers Junior Pee Wee Football Team of Leesburg, VA gofundme.com Leonard W. McDonald Sr.

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

Lewis, of Leesburg. “But if there’s ten of them in the world, I can’t even imagine that we would destroy it.” Those who supported the application pointed to the revenues it could generate. “My suggestion would be that any board member who would vote against this project, at the same time they vote against it, tell us where you would replace those $22 million dollars,” said Jeff Kayden, of Lovettsville. “When I hear people say ‘this isn’t the right location, it belongs somewhere else,’ what they mean is, ‘closer to densely populated areas in the county,’ because that‘s where it is now,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). The project comes as the Envision Loudoun stakeholders committee is revising the county’s comprehensive plan, including making changes to the transition policy area. The application’s opponents see in it a continuation of a trend from the Envision Loudoun process. During public input sessions across the county,

Leonard W. McDonald Sr. passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on November 19, 2017 at the age of 88. He was born in Warren County, Virginia on April 16, 1929. He was the son of Howard Leonard McDonald

and Emma McDonald Hough. He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, to whom he was married for 54 years, his son, John W. McDonald, and his daughter, Gayle McDonald. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth McDonald, and Alec McDonald. He was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather who loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his son, Leonard McDonald Jr. (Connie) of Leesburg, and his daughter, Nancy Maddox (Alfred) also of Leesburg. Survivors also include his sisters, Mary Seale (Haywood) of Berryville, and Alice Baker (Bobby) of Winchester. Also surviving are his seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for 35 years, and received several awards for his service and dedication. During his time at VDOT, he was an extremely hard worker. After retirement, he started a small lawn and landscaping business. His love and passion for gardening was apparent at his home, as well as in the lawns and gardens of the many people who hired him. After relocating to Alfred and Nancy’s home, he acquired a faithful companion in the family dog, Holly. He loved talking to her, giving her treats, and napping together. He loved vacationing with his family at the beach, where he collected seashells for his grandchildren. He loved to take walks in his neighborhood, talking to his many neighbors and friends. He was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was very patriotic, devoted to his faith and family, and was very proud to be a “man of his word.” He is loved and will be forever missed by his family. Visitation will be at Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg on Monday, November 27th from 6:008:00 pm. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 28th at 1:00 pm also at Colonial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his church, Loudoun Baptist Temple,

or donating to Loudoun Hunger Relief. www.colonialfuneralhome.com

Shirley Gros Louis November 25, 1932 – November 11, 2017

Shirley Gros Louis, a resident of Blue Ridge with her husband Lou since 2001 passed away peacefully at the Sunrise of Falls Church, Virginia Nursing Home on November 11, 2017. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Marvin and Cecelia Olson. Survivors include her devoted husband of 64 years, Lou Gros Louis, two daughters, Cheryl Galvez and husband Veny of Great Falls, Virginia, Melissa Staley and husband Doug of Martinsburg, West Virginia, son Brian and wife Diane of San Antonio, Texas, two brothers, Marvin Olson and Robert Olson of Omaha, Nebraska, and a sister Pat Arndt of Omaha, Nebraska. She is also survived by seven grandchildren including Victoria Galvez of Great Falls, Virginia, Victor Galvez of San Francisco, California, Benjamin Wimberly and Michelle Hickerson of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and John, Keri, and Kelianne Grao Louis of San Antonio, Texas and one great-grandchild, Wyatt, son of Benjamin Wimberly. She was a graduate of South High School in Omaha, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska School of Nursing in Lincoln, Nebraska. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Douglas Community Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska and later worked as the Statewide Coordinator of Accounts for the Mobil Oil Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska. After relocating to Wilton, New Hampshire she served her community as a Ballot Clerk, was elected to the Office of Supervisor of the Checklist, was an active member of the Wilton Youth Center Committee, TeenHaven Committee, Wilton Fire Department Wives Organization, High School Sports Night Committee, and taught sewing classes for teenage girls at the New Hampshire Extension Office. As the Mother of New Hampshire’s All-American Family rep-

resenting the state of New Hampshire at the National All-American Family Pageant in Florida she also served the U.S. Department of the Treasury as New Hampshire’s Mrs. United States Savings Bonds traveling throughout the state speaking on the value of U.S. Savings Bonds. She also was a very active member of the New Hampshire State Republican Women’s Organization and the United States Senate Re-Election Committee. During the period 1979-1986 her family relocated to Denver, Colorado where her husband served the Department of HUD on numerous Indian Reservations. She became very active in assisting the poor people of the Oglala Sioux Reservation and provided all the clothing needs of three children, ages 5, 8, and 12 until they graduated from High School. During this same period, she and her husband started a nationwide program entitled “Operation Clothesline” asking people from all over the nation to send clothing to the Oglala Sioux Nation. In 5years over 6 tons of clothing were received. After moving to Leisure World in 2001 she became active with her husband Lou hosting Sunday Pot Luck dinners, distributing Easter eggs and Christmas stockings to all residents of their Blue Ridge home, assisted in the publication and distribution of her husband’s Little News Rag, and volunteered to work on Clubhouse dinners and activities. For over 20 years in New Hampshire and Virginia she worked closely with her husband to collect needed items for veterans in VA hospitals and made numerous trips to the VA Hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia to spend time with long term veterans who had no family visits. A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association Located at: P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. To donate online access ALZ.ORG. To donate by Phone Call: 1-800-272-3900.

Legals VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

11/16/17 & 11/23/17

11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7 & 12/14/17

SHOW CAUSE ORDER IT APPEARING THAT a report of the account of Robert E. Sevila, Executor of the Estate of Lola DeMayo Conway (the “Estate”) and of the debts and demands against the Estate has been filed in the Clerk’s office and that six months have elapsed since the qualification, on motion of such Executor. IT IS ORDERED that the creditors of and all others interested in the Estate do show cause, if any they can, on December 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. before this Court at its Courtroom against the payment and delivery of the Estate of Lola DeMayo Conway to the to distributee(s) in the amounts stated in the accounting filed with the Clerk of the Loudoun County Circuit Court, with refunding bonds as the Court may prescribe. IT IS ORDERED that this Order be published once a week for two successive weeks in Loudoun Now.

Large family practice in Loudoun County seeking FT LPN’s or MA’s for our new site located in the professional building at Stone Springs Hospital in Aldie, VA. We also have openings in our Ashburn, Lansdowne, Cornwall and Purcellville offices. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred but willing to train the right candidate. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits. Please send your resume to lgray@ lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-7260804, attention Lisa.

NEW Full Time Position Hydraulic Hoses Tech Candidate will grow and be trained for hydraulic hoses and other aspects of our retail business. Job requires to have good mechanical skills, good hands on for installation of all sorts, assembly of hoses, strong computer skills, inventory management and physical labor. Must be able to lift 50+ lbs. Position will grow into managerial from a hydraulic tech once the training, position and requirements have been established. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required to make deliveries if needed.

Please apply in person at Battery Warehouse 224 S. King Street Leesburg, VA 20175.

Candidate must have 3+ years of bookkeeping experience. The successful candidate will have a strong knowledgeof Quickbooks, Accrual Methods and payroll. The ability to learn multiple software systems is required. Superior communication, organization and multitasking skills with close attention to details is a must. The qualified candidate will be able to provide above average customer service both written and verbal. This is a full time position offering full company benefits. Send resume to: julie@eplinglandscaping.com

General Excavation, Inc. has an immediate opening for an

EXPERIENCED HEAVY EQUIPMENT/DIESEL SHOP MECHANIC. Applicant must have ample tools, be familiar with all makes and models of engines, transmissions, power train, hydraulics, and be able to pass a drug test. CDL helpful but not required. Great benefits package including 401K and paid holidays. Wages commensurate with experience. Only experienced applicants will be considered.

VIRGINIA:

ABC LICENSE Minamoto Sushi LLC, trading as Tokyo Sushi, 44031 Ashburn Shopping Plz Ste 123 Ashburn VA 20147-7918 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 11/23/17 & 11/30/17

G.E.I. is an EOE and supports a drugfree workplace.

The reason for this cause is for adoption. An affidavit having been made and filed alleging that the party to be served Lin Wang cannot be found, and that diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of the party to be served; Upon consideration, this Order of Publication is granted and it is ORDERED that publication shall be made in Loudoun Now for four consecutive weeks; It is ORDERED that the contact information for the parties to be billed is: Robert Rankin and Wenli Dong 50 Stone Oak Place Round Hill, VA 20144 Telephone Number 571-442-2101 It is ORDERED that the above-names party Lin Wang shall appear here on or before January 5, 2018, at 10AM after proper publication of this Order, to protect his interest in this cause. 11/23/17, 11/30/17, 12/07/17, 12/14/17

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Robert J. Rankin and Wenli Dong Case No. CA17-55 In re: Yinghan Wang

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GARAGE SALE November 24th & 25th, 8am-1pm 37929 Northfolk Road (East end), Purcellville, VA

Benefits Available. Inquire in person. DO NOT CALL.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

BOOKKEEPER (Bluemont, VA)

ENTER this 13th day of November, 2017.

The Loudoun County Department of Family Services is accepting proposals from the owners of rental property to contract with the County for ProjectBased Vouchers (PBV). Successful proposals must provide fully accessible and 504 compliant housing units; and/ or studio units; and/or 1 bedroom units. Proposals will be evaluated based on owner experience and capability to manage or build rental housing as identified in the proposal on a first-come, first-served basis. DFS reserves the right to not award PBV. For more information about the application procedures and proposal review process are online at www.loudoun.gov/pbv or by contacting Antwaun Jackson at 703-737-8213 or Antwaun.Jackson@loudoun.gov.

RE: ESTATE OF LOLA DEMAYO CONWAY, deceased PROBATE FILE NO. 16695

FT LPN or MA

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[ OPINION ]

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Unsteady Footing Since its veteran town manager was pushed out the door in May, the Purcellville town government has struggled to find its footing. The dysfunction rooted, in large part, in council members’ distrust of the town’s professional staff and the staff ’s concerns over council members’ micro-management has only been exacerbated since the leadership change. More disturbing in recent weeks has been the allegations of mismanagement— possibly worse—involving two of the town’s top ranking administrators. This Town Council has had a quick hook for staffers suspected of offenses—real and imagined. But at what point does the council consider a vote of no confidence in its own management? Now is a good time for that type of reflection. The council is likely to hear from critics old and new as these bizarre events evolve in the weeks ahead. Although there will be an inclination among some members to lash out or tune them out, a better response is to enlist their help in moving the town forward. While there may be political or philosophical differences, there is a shared goal to make the community a better place to live and work. In small towns, good government is the best tool to accomplish those goals. The first step in rebuilding Purcellville’s fractured government is to finally move past the us-versus-them mentality that has permeated Town Hall and undermined its operations. A little more listening and a bit more compromise on all sides will be critical to rebuilding public trust that has whittled away to the detriment of all. What step will the council take next?

Correction In last week’s issue on the Thomas Balch Library Commission’s History Awards, historian James A. Morgan III was incorrectly named a member of the Loudoun County Heritage Commission. Morgan served as an advisor to the commission on its work to extend the boundaries of the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield.

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

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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

Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com Contributors Samantha Bartram John McNeilly Jan Mercker Patrick Szabo

Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com Display Advertising Tonya Harding tharding@loudounnow.com Allison Jenkins ajenkins@loudounnow.com Production Electronic Ink Leesburg, VA 20175

[ LETTERS ] Spread the Burden Editor: So, Waterford (and a neighborhood in Purcellville) are now amongst those having their ox gored. They have joined a chorus of complaints about the direct impact of the vigorous development in once bucolic western Loudoun. The impact is the intolerable traffic through their neighborhoods. We in the historic neighborhood of Wheatland could commiserate based on our traffic nightmare. There is no question that the roads of western Loudoun were conceived in a different century and were not designed for the vehicle sizes, speeds and traffic volumes to which they are now subjected. Waterford residents complain about “3,000 vehicles [cutting] through the village each day, mainly during rush hour.” They cite traffic wakeup calls “every morning around 5 a.m.” They note two car accidents in their village. They complain that they have “become the arterial … the substitute” for a way around Rt. 287, Rt. 9, and Rt. 15 congestion. An anticipated solution to their traffic woes is the proposed roundabout at Rt. 287/Rt. 9 (which is seven years away according to the county’s own construction schedule). The residents of Wheatland can empathize … to a point. We have an almost continuous backup of traffic through our neighborhood so that we cannot get into or out of our driveways (inconsiderate drivers stop right across the entrances). We risk our lives trying to get to our mailboxes across the road. We have no stop signs or calming devices, no speed signboards, no shoulders, no pullovers and no enforcement by the sheriff ’s office. We have children who wait for buses and blind curves, serious drop-offs, huge trucks using loud engine braking at all hours, motorcycles and sports cars that race from the intersection through our neighborhood, and numerous multicar accidents in our neighborhood. Waterford has 3,000 vehicles a day through their village? We have on average 9,200 per weekday and 8,900 when weekends are taken into consideration—more than any other section of Rt. 287. The posted speed limit through our neighborhood is 55 mph (one of only two sections in the entire

length of Rt. 287 where the speed limit is posted at more than 45 mph); yet VDOT’s latest speed study, based on their HI-STAR collection stations, determined that the 85th percentile speed northbound through our neighborhood is 64.5 mph while the same reading southbound is an unbelievable 67.9 mph! We in Wheatland will not stand idly by and have Waterford’s traffic woes exacerbate ours. We will not let our traffic burden be increased by sending some of the 3,000 vehicles from Waterford onto Rt. 287 thereby increasing our daily volume to over 10,000 vehicles. The bottom line is that as long as we have an antiquated road system in western Loudoun, the burden of increasing development—and the traffic it inevitably brings with it—needs to be spread around the available roads so the burden is shared. Welcome to our world Waterford! — John D. Tew, Wheatland

No Time to Gloat Editor: Yes, after Trump was elected I became motivated to action like so many others across this nation. Yes, I have fought against his Muslim bans, transgender military ban and the destruction of the ACA. But I also had an eye-opening experience when I realized what it takes to support Democratic values. Before Trump was elected, I was a consistent voter. I thought doing my civic duty was enough. I didn’t know how often people run unopposed. In 2015, Jill Vogel ran unopposed for the State Senate District 27. Each Senate District represents about 200,026 residents. She was elected by 841 people. This year average citizens across Virginia stood up and ran for seats where there was no Democratic candidate waiting in the wings. This election was won on the doorsteps of citizens through efforts to inform people and remind them to vote. Democrats did turn out the vote and we did it with the help of Independents, outside groups and resources not offered by the Democratic Party of Virginia. We turned out the vote using Plus3, Voter Circle and LETTERS >> 45

[ LETTERS ]

BY MARGARET MORTON As we prepare to enjoy that most family-centric of all American holidays, it really is a time to count our blessings. What I love about Thanksgiving is that it is blissfully free of the angst that often pervades what we euphemistically call the “holiday season.” What better way to ready for the traditional feast than to look back at its antecedents—all the way back to pagan days—to examine the rich strands that have gone into what we know as just “Thanksgiving.” While the rites and practices have changed over the years, the central theme of celebrating the “fruits of the earth” has not. It was the early Christian church fathers in Rome that did such a skillful job of purloining the pagan practices of the past, unblushingly renaming them and adapting to their own use. The idea of breaking bread together today is ancient, dating back to “loaf mass,” an annual ritual to bless bread made from fresh wheat. The pagans had an animistic belief that there was a spirit in grain that had to be beaten out of the last sheaf of grain. The festivals usually occurred around the autumn equinox in September, when fruits and vegetables had been gathered to provide food for the winter. By the 16th century, a number of customs had sprung up—some brought to America by English settlers, first to Virginia, then to Massachusetts. To the annoyance of the northern

MARGRET’S

MUSINGS

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Postcards4Virginia. We had the help of Sister District, Flippable, Network NoVA and Together We Will. People across the country held fundraisers for Democrats running in the House of Delegates. We used technology to enable people to phone bank from any place in America. It might be upsetting to hear that people living outside Virginia had an impact on this year’s election. You can look at VPAP.org and see how much money Ed Gillespie received outside of Virginia. Money coming into Virginia elections from other states is not a new phenomenon and happens on both sides of the aisle. While handing out sample ballots on election day, I had many conversations. People called me a brave soul and thanked me for standing out in the cold and rain to inform people. I heard many people thank us for knocking on their door, staying positive and listening to their concerns. A voter at Rolling Ridge who attends ADAMS thanked us for listening to the needs of his community, for showing up when asked and for standing up for all. I had people tell me they would have come out to vote in the snow or by any means necessary. We need more people to feel this way. If you think your vote doesn’t matter, look at HD 94 where the winner was elected by 10 votes. Not everyone was nice when I asked if they would like a Democratic sample ballot. To them I said, “thank you for being an informed voter.” LETTERS >> 46

Giving Thanks

events is not very popular up north.” And, for most Americans, it is the more familiar Plymouth, MA, version, involving turkey and friendly Indians, that usually springs to mind—citing the first giving of thanks by the remaining 53 pilgrims left alive on the Mayflower after her long voyage from England in 1621. Feasting, rather than prayers, was the order of the day, according to the customs brought from England, where celebration of the autumn harvest was an annual ritual. The menu would have borne little resemblance to today’s feast, more likely fowl or deer, possibly wild turkeys, mussels, grapes, herbs and corn. And the bird itself—the centerpiece of today’s celebration—wasn’t formally associated with the holiday until the 1840s. In wasn’t until 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln supported legislation to make the day an annual national holiday in hopes of helping to unify the bitterly divided country. As a child growing up in rural England, where medieval churches still abounded, I remember the excitement of the annual “Harvest Festival,” when everyone turned out to decorate the church—filling every nook and cranny with flowers, fruits, vegetables, grasses and tree branches. The real “gift” of the November holiday lies in the act itself—the coming together in the old-age custom of preparing and cooking food, catching up on friends and family news, and, more recently, watching football. Thanksgiving is the day where we realize, and refresh ourselves, in the importance of family relationships.

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

<< FROM 44

state—that for years had prided itself on being the site of the first Thanksgiving on American soil—and to the not-soquiet satisfaction of its southern neig hb or—a group of English settlers led by Capt. John Woodlief had landed more than a year earlier at today’s Berkeley Plantation southwest of Richmond. Without fanfare, the sea-weary settlers gave thanks and prayers for their safe passage. They vowed to keep the day of their arrival perpetually as a holy day of thanksgiving, which they did for two years. Unfortunately, they were attacked by the Powhatan tribe in 1622, killing almost 350. Although Woodlief survived, the plantation was abandoned, and the history of that first “day of thanksgiving” was lost for more than 300 years. The first Virginia Thanksgiving Festival was instituted in 1958, and has been celebrated ever since. President John F. Kennedy acknowledged Virginia’s rightful claim through his speechwriter Arthur Scheslinger Jr.—who “pleaded an unconquerable New England bias on the part of the White House staff … I can assure you the error will not be repeated in the future.” In 2007, President George W. Bush, also noted that history. On a visit to Berkley Plantation, he wryly noted “… this version of

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Rowdy Quakers Once Roiled Unison

• IN

h, the peaceful, quiet Quakers of Unison. What a genteel, highbrow legacy for our lovely village. Well…not so much. The founding Quakers of Unison were basically a rowdy bunch of troublemakers. “The South Fork Quakers were difficult,” confirmed Carolyn Unger in an email. Mrs. Unger is a historian for the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Lincoln. You can almost hear her sighing. Their “crimes?” Horse racing through the streets. Gambling. Drinking. Marrying outside the faith. DANCING. But to many Quakers of the 1700s, this was bad stuff. To understand why, there is context: Beyond the fact this was the 18th century, Quakers argued among themselves about the tenets of their faith (Drinking? No drinking?) and Unison was pretty much the edge of nowhere.

Where They Came from and Why Quakers in the early 1700s were on the move. There were settlements throughout Pennsylvania (thank you, William Penn), New Jersey and northeastern Maryland. But the population was growing and more land was needed. Families were moving downriver from the Bucks County area of Pennsylvania and settling in western Maryland and, finally, Northern Virginia. “The early settlements were all west of what is now Rt. 15, the Carolina Road, because the soil to the east was much poorer,” said Paul Hodge, one of Unison’s present day Quakers. These families all tended to stay together. And then friends tended to stay close together, married within their

O UR

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Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

BY TARA CONNELL

and Goose Greek (now Lincoln). South Fork, or Unison, began as the responsibility of Baltimore and the Goose Creek Meeting and stayed that way through most of its history. It’s a bit unclear, but both “Ye Meetg Hous Smal” and a report by Rivanna Archeological Services done for a history of the Unison Battlefield, say the first Loudoun County Meeting to mention the South Fork Quakers was in 1745. The South Fork Quakers were granted a Meeting of their own in 1768. That is pretty clear.

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tight-knit community and had large families. Pretty soon, to shorten a couple of generations of Unison history, clumps of friends, all with wives and children related to each other, had founded the village and were living close together. Surrounding them was very little but trees, rocks, wildlife, bad roads, Native Americans, disease, death and very hard work. Which meant to get to Meetings, weddings and other functions, families traveled up to 40 miles through rather rough territory, according to “Ye Meetg Hous Smal, A Short Account of Friends in Loudoun County, Virginia 1732-1980” by Werner and Asa Moore Janney. The arduous travel prompted Quakers settling in Fairfax and Loudoun counties to get permission from their home Meetings in Pennsylvania and Baltimore to hold Meetings nearer their homes. Baltimore, by the way, was the yearly (or supervising) Meeting for all Quakers in our area, and it was of the strict no drinking/no gambling strain of the faith at the time. Waterford became the first designated Meeting in Loudoun, then Hamilton

Trouble What also is pretty clear is that South Fork was a pain in the neck for its supervising Meetings—especially the Goose Creek Friends—almost from the beginning. According to Rivanna Archeological Services, “Individual South Fork Meeting members were regularly charged with violations of rules of discipline including drinking, quarreling, fighting, and marrying outside of the Quaker faith. In 1787, Thomas Scattergood (a traveling Quaker minister) commented ‘there appears to be much rawness’.” In “Ye Meetg Hous Smal,” another traveling minister is quoted saying “all they thought at South Fork was cock fighting and horse racing. The Meeting’s worldliness caused concern, for it seemed its members drank to excess, fought, gambled, and in general were lax morally. Indeed, they were exceedingly lax; one member was disciplined because he ‘steals watermelons.’” Things hadn’t quieted down by 1820. At a Meeting of the Goose Creek Friends that year, five South Fork Quakers were named and shamed for their “improper use of Spiritus Liquors.” They were: William Smith, David Smith, William Piggot, Benjamin Bradfield and Stephen

McPherson, said Ye Meeting Hous Smal. By 1829, South Fork was feeling the effects of all this infamy. Membership was dropping precipitously. Visiting minister John Comley noted there were “but few friends there, the Meeting was chiefly composed of Methodists and other denominations,” according to Rivanna Archeological Services. Oh dear.

Consequences The salad days of rowdy Quakerism in Unison were fairly short-lived. Most of the 10 acres bought by the Quakers in 1771 for a Meeting house and graveyard were sold in 1868. The 25-foot by 25foot Meeting House that opened in 1785 was sold in 1916 after spending long years as a papered-over, tumbledown building. It was eventually demolished. The only remaining trace today of the boisterous South Fork Quakers is their burial ground. Many of the names called out as rowdy or as good, upstanding and peace-loving citizens are there, on the west side of Unison Road as you go south toward, appropriately, Quaker Lane. It is still the responsibility of the thriving Goose Creek Meeting in Lincoln, and remains to some of the Friends what “Ye Meetg Hous Smal” describes: “a headache for Goose Creek four score and ten years later.” Seems fitting. Tara Connell is a member of the Board of the Unison Preservation Society (UPS). This article is a slightly modified version of one she originally published in the UPS newsletter, and it appears here with the Society’s permission. In Our Backyard is compiled by the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. To learn more about the organization go to loudouncoalition.org.

[ LETTERS ] << FROM 45 Being a Republican does not make you the enemy of Democrats. Democrats won big in this recent election, but we cannot gloat over this victory. We can celebrate with humility. We need to be able to work together to make progress in Virginia. One-sided progress is too delicate to last. We are seeing how President Obama’s executive orders are becoming null and void at the flick of pen. — Charlotte McConnell, Sterling

Thank the Activists Editor: We came upon your publication while waiting in line with my husband at the bank. It was the day before Veteran’s Day so I was not surprised to see news stories about veterans in this issue. However, we were taken aback by your cartoon with this text, “Next time you exert your right to protest the President or the government, thank a veteran.” Yes, we do have the “right” to protest the president or the government, yet we have no logical obligation to thank a veteran for that right. The right to protest our government we inherited from our forefathers who crafted the

Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” History has shown that when rights are not exercised by citizens those rights can be lost. So, if anyone is to be “thanked” for the right to protest, it should be those who have risked liberty, life and limb to exercise that right. That would include those in movements such as suffragettes, labor rights, civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ, farm workers, immigrant rights, environmental and animal rights, as well as those who have protested unjust wars. Protestors who non-violently confront injustice have had to face heavily armed police or SWAT officers who sprayed them with tear gas, pepper spray, water guns, attacked them with horses, dogs, military vehicles, who stalked them, infiltrated them, surveilled them, listened to their phone conversations, threatened them and yes, even assassinated them. It is these activists, who risk all, to stand up for the oppressed, who should be thanked for keeping the “right to protest” alive in our time. While veterans may rightfully be honored for sacrifices they make to defend this country when necessary, it is historically inaccurate to state they are due recognition for our “right to protest.”

— Désirée and Lenny Bianchi, Bluemont

Caregivers Act Editor: During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize the impact of caregiving and honor the more than 15 million Americans caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. In 2016, these caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care valued at over $230 billion. My mother was a caregiver for my father, who passed away at the age of 78 from Alzheimer’s. Caring for my father took a huge toll on my mom physically, emotionally and financially. Towards the end of his battle with Alzheimer’s, my mom had to help my dad with all his personal care needs, including bathing, dressing and grooming. This was no easy task considering he was much stronger than my mom and often refused to cooperate. More importantly, my mother experienced a sense of isolation as the demands for caring for my father increased. She was unable to participate in activities outside the home such as going to church, lunch with friends, or simply running errands. Unfortunately, my mother was not aware of resources or support

programs in her community that may have eased her burden. Importantly, Congress is considering legislation that would provide much needed support to our nation’s family caregivers—the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (S. 1028/ H.R. 3759). Endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act would facilitate the creation of a national strategy to address the many issues facing caregivers, including education and training, long-term services and supports, and financial stability and security. In September, the Senate unanimously passed the act, sending a clear message of support to our nation’s family caregivers. I am thankful to Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine for supporting the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. It is now time for the House of Representatives to take the same action and pass the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. Please join me in asking Representative Barbara Comstock for her support. To learn more about the resources for Alzheimer’s Family caregivers, visit alz.org/nca. — Krista Klemens, Leesburg

Purcellville

‘Very Troubling’

Moving Forward Councilwoman Karen Jimmerson said that she was “disappointed” by the series of events. “That’s about it, really—like a bad soap opera,” she said. One option under consideration to ensure the town government keeps moving efficiently is to seek assistance from the county government. Fraser on Sunday emailed Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and County Administrator Tim Hemstreet to request help in the form of “two strong managers with Human Resources and Project Management background … over the next 2 months.” Fraser also later requested additional support for the town’s police department. Buffington, a Purcellville resident, said he’d like to provide any support needed. Hemstreet said he would take the request to the full board. Jimmerson said she was confident the existing town staff could carry on without the outside help sought by Fraser. “Our staff is extremely competent,” she said. “They’re doing a great job.” Councilman Doug McCollum, however, said he hopes the county does lend some support. “Any help that we can get would be appreciated,” he said. nstyer@loudounnow.com and pszabo@loudounnow.com

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Vanegas’ relationship with the HR consultant, Georgia Nuckolls, was initially discovered by the town staff late last week in “emails from persons outside the Town which contained allegations of employee wrongdoing and statements of potentially criminal threats,” according to a town statement. After the emails were disclosed, Town Attorney Sally Hankins opened an investigation and informed Town Council—prompting Saturday’s emergency meeting. Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman also attended that closed-door session. During the session, the town confirmed that Nuckolls had “multiple old, but serious, criminal convictions.” Loudoun Now has confirmed three felony

investigation did not follow standard law enforcement procedures and that the claims made against McAlister will be shown to be without merit. If the appeal is moved to a grievance hearing, Berry said it is likely McAlister would request it be open to the public.

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ble department heads and management team, we will rebuild and move forward in a positive direction.” Fraser said the town would hire another interim town manager “as soon as possible.” Until then, Hooper McCann, the town’s long-serving director of administration will have the full authority to conduct town business in the capacity of an interim town manager, he said. All this comes seven months after 24year town manager Rob Lohr retired, amid friction with a newly seated Town Council majority whose members were highly critical of past town policies and actions.

When asked specifically whether he shared a personal relationship with Nuckolls, Vanegas said, “We are not close friends.” The new allegation that Nuckolls had an intimate relationship with Vanegas further clouded the probe of the police chief. “With this knowledge, the Town recognizes that the integrity of this investigation may be called into question, and will promptly hire an outside independent firm to audit and review the investigation,” the statement said. McAlister was fired Nov. 3, after the investigation was said to have “substantiated” allegations against her. Those included that she acted outside of the scope of her job as chief of police; engaged in selective enforcement; violated General Orders concerning internal affairs investigations; practiced employee intimidation; had been untruthful; and violated town and police procedural policies, according to a statement from the town. McAlister has formally appealed her termination. Under the town’s grievance procedures, her first appeal would be heard by the town manager, although it was unclear how the town will proceed under the circumstances. McAlister has hired attorney John V. Berry of Berry & Berry to represent her in the appeal. “The unfolding events in this case are very troubling and cause great concern regarding the validity of the investigative process as well as the potential motives of Mr. Alexander Vanegas and Ms. Georgia Nuckolls,” Berry said in a statement Tuesday. Berry alleged that McAlister was terminated without due process, that the

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

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convictions from 1997 against Nuckolls in Onslow County, NC—financial credit card fraud and two counts of forgery of instrument. She was given a suspended sentence of 60 days of supervised probation. Plowman briefed the council on more than a dozen prior charges against her. Concerns about Nuckolls’ prior criminal history surfaced about two weeks ago. In an interview Nov. 10, Vanegas told Loudoun Now that he was aware of information that Nuckolls may have had prior felony convictions, but he was nevertheless confident in the finding of the investigation of McAlister’s conduct. Vanegas said he knew little about Nuckolls’ criminal history, specifically the felony convictions. “I don’t know that there is any verity to that,” Vanegas said when asked about Nuckolls’ criminal history on Nov. 10. “It is up to you guys to do your due diligence.” “I know that in looking at the information that was provided that she did have security clearance recently,” he added. “Someone said that was 20-something or 22 years ago. I’m sure that if I dug in to everyone’s past I would find something,” Vanegas said during the Nov. 10 interview. “We don’t go do a thorough vetting of every individual. We didn’t do it with our police chief. Maybe that brings up opportunities moving forward to do those kind of things.” In that interview, Vanegas also denied having a friendship with Nuckolls. He acknowledged they were friends on Facebook, but then said he has 5,000 people on that list. “I’ve known of her,” he said.

16980 HILLSBORO RD, PURCELLVILLE Offered at $10,000,000

466 MONTANA HALL LN S, WHITE POST Offered at $2,850,000

38699 OLD WHEATLAND RD, WATERFORD Offered at $1,200,000

40124 NEW RD, ALDIE Offered at $1,195,000

17971 YATTON RD, ROUND HILL Offered at $1,099,000

17563 LAKEFIELD RD, ROUND HILL Offered at $899,000

19425 LANCER CIR, PURCELLVILLE Offered at $850,000

30 AC | 5 BR | 3.5 BA Just east of Middleburg, ALDIE GOLD is ideally located & perfectly remodeled! Sparkling, light filled, open concept layout with wood floors throughout. Gourmet kitchen opens to family breakfast room with fireplace. Beautiful land gently slopes from well-sited home to country lane. Room for horses. Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680 George Roll (703) 606-6358

38138 FOREST MILLS RD, LEESBURG Offered at $1,575,000

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69 AC | 4 BR | 3/2 BA Historic estate on 47 acres. Large rooms open to a grand terrace and picturesque backyard. Two story guest home with wood burning stove and log cabin overlooking creek. 3 barns, 20 stalls, 5 paddocks and 2 run-in sheds complete this equine sanctuary. Scott Buzzelli (540) 454-1399 Peter Pejacsevich (540) 270-3835

20 AC | 4 BR | 2 BA Beautiful Runnymede Farm, c. 1777 Upgraded for today’s lifestyle, its rich historic character preserved. Stone manor home sited on rolling fenced acres. Gourmet kitchen, dining room & cozy library with FP, stone tavern room with built-in wetbar & brick floors. Covered porch & terrace. Springhouse, small barn. Very commutable. Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680 George Roll (703) 606-6358

CO IN NT 2 D RA AY CT S

25 AC | 3 BR | 2/1 BA Private Waterford estate with two ponds, a stream, beautiful gardens and patios. Spacious open floor plan, ideal for entertaining! Hardwood floors, granite countertops in the kitchen, game and theater room over the 3 car garage. High speed internet. Scott Buzzelli (540) 454-1399 Peter Pejacsevich (540) 270-3835

15933 CHARTER HOUSE LN, PURCELLVILLE Sold at $1,073,000

11 AC | 4 BR | 2.5 BA Lovely Colonial with 2 car garage and 4 car detached garage. Beautiful in-ground pool with patio and screened in porch. Recent updates to the home include: fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, appliances, siding, and fireplace cap. Creek runs through back of property. County easement on far side of property. Mary Kakouras (540) 454-1604

PR IC E

16 AC | 4 BR | 3/1 BA Magnificent 16+ acre turn-key horse property and entertainers dream! Gourmet kitchen, family room, full basement with gym, wine cellar and wetbar. Extensive landscaping, orchard, re-built deck and patio! Property includes fenced-in riding ring, 5-stall barn with tack room and wash stall, multiple fenced in pastures with run-in sheds. Paul Kakol (703) 303-2733

3 AC | 5 BR | 4.5 BA Former model home complete with free all points broadband internet, 3 finished levels, gourmet kitchen with granite, sunroom, conservatory, hardwood floors, elegant foyer and staircase, stone fireplace, finished lower level with bar, media room, and rec room; patio, pool with stone walls, landscaping and views, fenced yard, 3 car garage. Joy Thompson (540) 729-3428

LOTS FOR SALE LOT 5 HILLSBORO RD., PURCELLVILLE LO10037465 9 ACRES • $225,000

7084 BUNKER HILL RD S, THE PLAINS Offered at $595,000

Nov. 23 – 29, 2017

200+ AC | 4 BR | 8.5 BA Many historic features to this property - 2 buildings on VA historic registry, property in VOF easement. Currently being farmed. Superior quality land and location. 1-3 possible rental properties. Low taxes. Recently replaced efficient HVAC, 90 gal/min well. Amazing views in a valuable location surrounded by protected land. Anne McIntosh (703) 509-4499 Maria Eldredge (540) 454-3829

2 P 30+ AR AC CE LS

30 AC | 2 Parcels Prime land for mixed use development in strategic location. New county road to be constructed on southern property boundary; New interchange at Rt 7 bypass and Hillsboro Rd in study by VDOT. Two houses, fenced. Currently in Loudoun County JLMA designation. Includes PIN 522399005000. Can be purchased with less than 30 acres. Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680 George Roll (703) 606-6358

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SA EQ NC UIN TU E AR Y

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13 AC | 4 BR | 3 BA Lovely Cape Cod on 13+ acres outside the village of The Plains. Ample living space, family room with fireplace opens to kitchen. In-law suite, spacious basement, garage with storage above attached to house. East facing deck off kitchen and family room. Land for horses, immediate yard fenced for dogs. Fantastic views. Anne McIntosh (703) 509-4499 Maria Eldredge (540) 454-3829

159 LITTLE RIVER DR, WINCHESTER Offered at $155,600

2 BR | 1.5 BA Beautiful townhouse with fenced backyard. Many new updates to include refinished hardwood floors, updated bathrooms, HVAC, deck, roof, hot water heater, and fresh paint, washer/dryer. Townhome also available for rent for $1200 month. Mary Kakouras (540) 454-1604

LOT 6 HILLSBORO RD., PURCELLVILLE LO10037458 11 ACRES • $200,000 Mary Kakouras (540) 454-1604