Loudoun Literacy Lacking - Page 5 Beloved Banker Retires With Interest - Page 21 Volume I Issue 11
February 17, 2005 ~ March 16, 2005
Citizens Rally to Aid Tsunami Victims Community Shows Its Spirit In Face of Devastation Jennifer Heyns
S
outheast Asian countries lost more than 150,000 lives to the December 26, 2004 Tsunami, but the devastation ignited a storm of community spirit in Middleburg. Tragedy brought out
the best in this area with fundraisers to support relief efforts originating in schools, churches, businesses and community organizations before New Year celebrations were underway. Here are a few of the generous initiatives that were organized: Maxwellʼs Pub Casey Huetson of Maxwellʼs Pub proudly reported that the entire staff at Maxwellʼs voted to donate 25 percent of their tips and sales from business on New Yearʼs Eve and New Yearʼs Day to a charitable organization for Tsunami relief. “Everyone had a different idea of where the money should be sent,” said Huetson, “but most said the Red Cross, so thatʼs probably where we will donate the money.” According to Huetson, the pub raised approximately $2500 in just over 24 hours, through the generosity of the staff and customers, who not only gave healthy tips, but also contributed directly into the collection bucket. Foxcroft Foxcroft School students were also touched by the Tsunami tragedy, although in a much more direct way than
most. Their schoolmate, Noon Kampanatsanyakorn was at home in Thailand when the Tsunami struck. Luckily, Kampanatsanyakorn, a sophomore at Foxcroft, survived the catastrophe and is now safely back in Middleburg. “The community as a whole has a core value of giving back,” said Foxcroft Director of Communications Sue Philbrick, “but I think because of Noon, it was something that really hit home – knowing someone who was in it makes it so much more real.” The students set a goal of $5,000 to raise for Tsunami relief and are already 60 percent of the way there with their first endeavor – a barbecue in the parking lot of the Middleburg Bank on January 15. The girls raised another $200 with a dance class they organized in January, and, according to Philbrick, they are determined to reach their goal. “Weʼll plan another fundraiser in the near future to raise more money,” she said emphatically. Hill School According to Emily Tyler of The Hill School, students there have already raised approximately $5000 for Tsunami relief. Tyler said that the school organized a “Walk and Roll” benefit in which 70
Continued Page 8
Late Reports Delay Council Decision Council Asks for Another 30 Days
Unison Artist Creates Tiles that Tell the Stories of Our Time Page 16
Jennifer Heyns
M
ayor, C.L. “Tim” Dimos convened the Middleburg Town Council promptly at 7:30 p.m, on Thursday, February 10th. Those interested in the number one question currently on the Council agenda, the fate of the Salamander Inn and the Town Water Supply, would have to wait until the very end of the meeting, however, to hear that no decisions had been made during the past month, that none would be made until a special meeting in late February, and that the Councilʼs discussions on that date would be held in a “closed session” of the Town Council. Mayor Dimos explained once again that Council had spoken with Salamander Inn representatives in January and had asked for 30 days to gather reports from five key committees, and yet another 30 days for the Council to reach a decision. Much to the distress of the Mayor, four of the five Council committees had
failed to complete their reports on time. Mayor Dimos, himself, came prepared Betsy Davis of the Finance Com- with a completed report. Due to the lack of reports from 80% mittee claimed that she was “90 percent ready to make a report” and would have of the Committees assigned to prepare it prepared after the Finance Committeeʼs them, the Council had no choice but February 21st meeting. to agree to hold another meeting, now Helen Hyre, speaking for the Public scheduled for February 24th at 6 p.m. At that meeting the Council hopes to Works Committee, said that they were only 75 percent prepared, but would make the missing reports public and bemeet on February 17th to complete their gin considering decisions that have been report. simmering for months. Mark Snyder revealed that the Land Neither the public nor the press will Use Committee would also be meeting have access to those discussions, howevon the 17th to complete their report. er. By a unanimous decision the Council Eura Lewis of the Public Safety voted to deliberate in secret. Committee said that her group would have a completed report following their Continued Page 6 next meeting on PRST STD February 16th. Request in homes by Thursday 02/17 US POSTAGE PAID Only the BURKE VA PERMIT NO 029 Economic Development Committee, headed by
Complete guide to this issue: Page 3 • Calendar of Events: Page 22 • Editorʼs Desk: Page 10