BUCKWALTER HIRED AS FHS COACH: Karl Buckwalter is Fauquier High’s new football coach.
January 9, 2019
Sports, Page 15
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Warrenton-area farm eyed for Muslim retreat site By James Ivancic Times Staff Writer
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is seeking a special permit from Fauquier County officials to hold four events a year on a 515-acre site the group is hoping to purchase near Catlett. The site is spread across seven parcels near Meetze and Turkey Run roads. The AMC, based in Silver
Spring, Maryland, has a contract to purchase the land to host a single annual gathering – a Jalsa Salana – for up to 5,000 Muslim faith believers, which is held in the summer. The group is also seeking to host three smaller events at the site a year, drawing a maximum of 1,000 people, according to paperwork filed with the county. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has held its Jalsa Salana
gathering at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg for the past 15 years. For 10 years before that, the event was held at the Dulles Expo Center in Virginia. “Jalsa Salana is an annual threeday, family-oriented event which includes prayer, speakers, food and fellowship,” explains supporting material filed with the application. The events are typically held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “Alcohol
is prohibited and there is no music associated with the event,” the application states. The AMC plans to erect temporary structures for the events. Parking and areas of activity will be setback from adjoining properties. Carpooling and shuttles from local lodging will reduce vehicular traffic, according to the application. See MUSLIM RETREAT, Page 4
PHOTO BY DELIA ENGSTROM
The road to the Manassas National Battlefield Park is closed due to the partial federal government shutdown.
Worries mount as partial shutdown drags on By Karen Chaffraix, James Ivancic and Jill Palermo Times Staff Writers
Virginia has the second-most federal employees of any state: 144,295. Source: Office of Personnel Management
The partial government shutdown was set to hit Day 19 Wednesday, making it the second-longest on record. But to the thousands of federal employees in Northern Virginia either furloughed at home or working
without pay, Friday will mark the real milestone: the first payday lost to the political impasse. As David Larrimore put it, that’s when “things are going to get ugly.” Larrimore, a nine-year veteran of
INSIDE Business.............................................13 Classified............................................35 Communities......................................28 Faith...................................................26
Looking Back......................................21 Libraries.............................................30 Lifestyle..............................................23 Opinion...............................................10
the federal workforce, has weathered government shutdowns before. This is actually the third of his career. But if the government doesn’t reopen by Jan. 11, it will mark the first time the IT manager and father of three will be forced to go without a paycheck because of political dysfunction. “That’s when the stress is really
going to kick in,” he said, noting he and his wife will likely have to figure out which bills must be paid and which can wait until the government reopens – whenever that might be. “Saturday is D-day for a lot of us,” he added. “This Saturday, everything changes.” See SHUTDOWN, Page 6
Obituaries...........................................32 Puzzles...............................................12 Real Estate..........................................27 Sports.................................................15
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NEWS
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Supervisors mull drought ordinance, wellness retreat By James Ivancic
Fauquier County Board of Supervisors public hearings
Times Staff Writer
Rainfall has been in plentiful in recent months, but Fauquier County wants to prepare for the day when it might have to prod those served by public water systems to limit their water use. A proposed “Fauquier County Drought Ordinance” would empower the county to urge people to voluntarily limit water use or mandate restrictions of water supplied by the Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority. Those on private wells would not be affected. Anyone not complying with a mandatory water restriction could be fined $250 for each day of noncompliance. There wouldn’t be a penalty if somebody doesn’t abide by a voluntary compliance request to conserve water, explained Tracy Gallehr, deputy county attorney. This ordinance is a first for the county and something the state is requiring, Gallehr explained. The board of county supervisors will hold a public hearing on the drought ordinance when the group of five convenes for a regular session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Warren Green Building, 10 Hotel St., Warrenton. State code requires that counties have a water-supply plan that is approved by the state water control board, plus a way to deal with
Thursday, Jan. 10 | 6:30 p.m.
the customer requests it. Ice-making machines in hotels couldn’t be used and swimming pools couldn’t be filled or topped off. Nurseries would have to rely on hand-held water cans or hoses. The county administrator would have the power to grant a waiver of restrictions, after consultation with the “drought team,” whose members would include the town manager or designee from Warrenton, Remington and The Plains, the WSA’s executive director, the county fire/rescue chief and district director of the state health department. FILE PHOTO
Twin Oakes, a home near Airlie, is being considered as the site of a wellness treatment center for people recovering from addiction. drought conditions. The proposed ordinance defines drought warning, drought watch and drought emergency. The county administrator – consulting with the WSA – will establish a schedule of designated outdoor water use days to wash cars, water lawns and wash driveways, streets, parking lots and building exteriors during conservation periods. The county administrator would be the one to declare a drought watch or warning. The supervisors can approve a declaration
that a “drought situation” exists if conditions are more severe. A declaration of a drought emergency by county supervisors would result in mandatory water restrictions, including prohibiting sprinkler or irrigation system use, washing of vehicles except for facilities using recycled water and washing of streets, lots, building exteriors. Also, ornamental fountains, waterfalls and reflecting ponds couldn’t be operated. Drinking water in restaurants would be allowed only if
Wellness retreat for addiction
The supervisors on Thursday will also hold a public hearing on a request for a special exception allowing a residential “wellness retreat” for up to 24 persons recovering from addiction. The Herren Wellness Retreat at Twin Oaks would occupy an existing single-family dwelling and guest house at 6791 James Madison Highway near Warrenton. The county planning commission last month approved a recommendation that the supervisors approve the special exception. Reach James Ivancic at jivancic@ fauquier.com.
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