Down 6-0, Battlefield storms back to beat Colgan. Sports, Page 13
September 5, 2018 | Serving Haymarket, Gainesville and Western Prince William County | Vol. 17, No. 36 | www.PrinceWilliamTimes.com | 50¢
Marking the history at Vint Hill
New historic marker details former Army listening post’s role in WWII and beyond By James Ivancic
But this much is known: Pvt. Leonard A. Mudloff intercepted a message from the Japanese ambassador to Germany in 1943 that described German fortifications, troop strength and contingency plans in western France. Once decoded, that
Times Staff Writer
Jo Anne Kassner is proud of her dad’s service during World War II and the post-war years even though some of it is a mystery.
information aided the Allies in planning the successful D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. Mudloff was working at Vint Hill, a farm converted to a listening post during World War II. The U.S. Army intercepted diplomatic and military
communications of the enemy, decoded the messages and uncovered information that aided the war effort. The work of Mudloff and others assigned there is now heralded on a See VINT HILL, Page 3
Micron Technology announces $3 billion expansion in Manassas New semiconductor plant said to add 1,100 jobs by 2030
COURTESY PHOTO
Mircon Technology, on Godwin Drive in Manassas, announced a $3 billion expansion Aug. 29.
By Jill Palermo
Technology, one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, will establish a global research and development center in Manassas for “memory and storage solutions.” The company’s products are focused on the automotive, industrial and networking markets, according to a press release issued in conjunction with the Aug. 29 event. The center will include laboratories, test equipment and approximately 100 product engineers focused on applications such as unmanned and autonomous automotive systems, the “Internet of Things” and other industrial and networking
Staff Writer
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam stopped in Manassas Wednesday to announce a $3 billion expansion of Micron Technology’s Manassas semiconductor plant, a project that is expected to add 1,100 new jobs by 2030. Micron, a high-tech fixture in the City of Manassas since 2002, was said to be considering sites as far away as Singapore for its new facility, which Northam (D) said marks the largest manufacturing investment in the modern history of the commonwealth. As part of the expansion, Micron
INSIDE Calendar.............................................15 Classified............................................17 News....................................................3 Opinion...............................................11
86 WARRENTON, VA
703.754.3301 appletoncampbell.com
AC PrinceWilliamGainesvilleTimes_StripAd.indd 1
applications, the press release said. Construction will begin immediately on the new facility, which is expected to be up and running by sometime in early 2020, said Micron’s President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. In his remarks, Mehrotra called the Manassas plant “the world’s leading site for automotive and industrialized semiconductor memory products.” Mehrotra noted that when the Manassas facility first opened in 2002, most of Micron’s products were used in personal computers. Now, he said, they are employed in a variety of applications with a focus on the automo-
tive industry, which increasingly uses sensors and memory-storage products for driver-assistance technologies. Today, two of every three vehicles include such Micron-made products, Mehrotra said. “From the smartphone in your pocket, to massive data centers, to the smart speakers and connected devices in our home. In fact, every facet of our lives, including transportation, health care and entertainment are now employing advanced computer technologies because of the truly remarkable benefits they provide,” he said. See MICRON, Page 2
Obituaries...........................................10 Puzzle page..........................................8 PWC Libraries.......................................8 Real Estate..........................................16 Sports.................................................10
She’s not worried about the plumbing… Leave that to us, your local experts!
8/1/18 11:03 AM
2
FROM PAGE 1
Gainesville / Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | September 5, 2018
Micron Technology announces $3 billion expansion in Manassas MICRON, from Page 1 Micron is slated to receive a $70 million state grant for site preparation and facility costs for the new facility, which must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly during its 2019 session. Northam, who was accompanied at the announcement by City of Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish (R), state Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-29th, state Del. Tim Hugo, R-40th, and other dignitaries, said Micron will add $1 billion to the value of Virginia’s exports when the expansion is complete.
ISSN 1050-7655, USPS 188280 Published every Wednesday by Piedmont Media LLC How to reach us ADDRESS: 41 Culpeper Street Warrenton, Virginia 20186 PHONE: 540-347-4222 FAX: 540-349-8676 HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 24-hour answering service Publisher Catherine M. Nelson, 540-300-4780 cnelson@fauquier.com NEWSROOM Editor in Chief Chris Six, 540-212-6331 csix@fauquier.com Managing Editor Jill Palermo, 540-351-0431 jpalermo@fauquier.com
The governor also noted the impact of Micron on Virginia’s existing technology sector. “Talent attracts talent. The best research talent in the world wants to be near other talent, and we want that to be right here in Virginia. We’re proud that Micron will continue to benefit from the commonwealth’s unparalleled technology workforce, esteemed universities and world-class research and development by growing its presence here,” Northam said. “This project will significantly contribute to Virginia’s booming technology center with high-paying, quality jobs and ro-
Associate Editor John Toler, 540-351-0487 jtoler@fauquier.com Community Editor Anita Sherman, 540-351-1635 asherman@fauquier.com Staff Writers Amanda Heincer, 540-878-2418 aheincer@fauquier.com James Ivancic, 540-878-2414 jivancic@fauquier.com Jonathan Hunley, 540-351-0431 jhunley@fauquier.com Karen Chaffraix, kchaffraix@fauquier.com Sports Editor Peter Brewington, 540-351-1169 pbrewington@fauquier.com Sports Staff Writer Jeff Malmgren, 540-874-2250 jmalmgren@fauquier.com ADVERTISING Ad Manager Kathy Mills Godfrey 540-351-1162 kgodfrey@fauquier.com Classified Sales Consultant Jeanne Cobert, 540-878-2491 jcobert@fauquier.com
Chairman Emeritus George R. Thompson To place Classified and Employment ads: Call 540351-1664 or fax 540-3498676, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday — Friday or email fauquierclassifieds@fauquier. com SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 540-347-4222 Help with your subscription? Call 540-878-2413 or email CirculationFT@fauquier.com Missed your paper? Call 540-347-4222, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays Subscription: $39.95 per year within the United States. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fauquier Times, 41 Culpeper St., Warrenton, VA 20186. Periodicals postage paid at Warrenton, Va. and at additional mailing offices
bust anticipated growth.” Micron Technologies already contributes about $4.7 million in tax revenue annually to the City of Manassas. That amount is expected to grow as the expansion moves forward, Parrish said in an interview after the announcement. Parrish said Micron’s expansion is similar in scale to the city landing a major IBM facility in the 1960s, which was followed by other big names, including Lockheed Martin. Parrish said the same elements that attracted those earlier players to the City of Manassas also played a role in Micron’s decision, including the city’s proximity to Washington, D.C., the Manassas Regional Airport and the city’s ample water supply via Lake Manassas. Parrish also credited the city’s competitive tax rate on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, which at about 66 cents per $100 in assessed value is a fraction of the city’s rate for regular manufacturing property, taxed at $2.10 per $100 in assessed value. General business personal property, such as furniture and fixtures, is taxed at a rate of $3.60 per $100 in assessed value. Like Prince William County, the City of Manassas also charges commercial entities just $1.25 per $100 in assessed value on computer equipment, a reduced rate that is thought to make the area attractive to data centers and other technology-focused entities.
COURTESY PHOTO
Members of the Manassas City Council and City Manager Patrick Pate attended Micron Technology Inc.’s groundbreaking ceremony, Aug. 29. “They literally could have made the decision to go anywhere, and they were talking to Singapore,” Parrish said of Micron. “So the significance of making this $3 billion announcement today, is that … their presence in Manassas and Northern Virginia, and indeed, the United States, will remain – because it could have gone away.” Micron, based in Boise, Idaho, also committed to contribute $1 million “over and above our typical giving” to accelerate the company’s investment in STEM education, Mehrotra said. Mehrotra said the money would be focused on attracting more women and members of minority communities to the engineering and technical fields. The company, he said, already employs team members of more than 55 nationalities at its Manassas site. “We have found that a diversity of voices is key to creating breakthrough innovation,” Mehrotra said. Reach Jill Palermo at jpalermo@ fauquier.com
Thank you for voting us #1 MapleShade Animal Hospital has served the Woodbridge, Dale City, and Manassas area for over 20 plus years. We are committed to enhancing the special bond between you and your pet by providing outstanding, affordable veterinary services in a friendly, comfortable environment.
Dr. Christine Learman, Dr. Andrea Ballou, and Dr. Kent Smith 703-670-7668 5597 Mapledale Plaza Dale City, VA 22193 Mapleshadevets.com Please join us for PetOberfest! Free Pet & Family friendly Activities! Saturday, October 13th 11am-4pm Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
FROM PAGE 1 / NEWS
Gainesville / Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | September 5, 2018
3
New historic marker details former Army listening post’s role in WWII and beyond VINT HILL, from Page 1 roadside historical marker in Vint Hill, which was closed as a military installation in 1997. Some of the Vint Hill veterans were present Saturday for the formal unveiling of the marker, which stands on Lineweaver Road near the Vint Hill Craft Winery. Kassner, formerly of Warrenton and now a resident of Laurel, Maryland, represented her father, who died in 1973. His post-war and pre-retirement years were spent working for the National Security Agency at Fort Meade in Maryland. “I’m proud of him and pleased Vint Hill is getting recognition. Some don’t really know what went on here,” Kassner said. Al Lindley was among the veterans present for the unveiling. He said
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/JAMES IVANCIC
Jo Anne Kassner looks at the new Vint Hill historical marker, which describes the work her father, Pvt. Leonard Mudloff, during world War II when he was assigned to the former U.S. Army listening station. he was assigned to Vint Hill four separate times, once while in the military and three times as a civilian. He worked in a special project unit but couldn’t divulge what he did. He was
a project manager at the time the government closed the facility in 1997. Vint Hill is now home to businesses that occupy buildings the Army once used for its secret work. The Vint Hill Craft Winery winery is in a former barn, which along with outbuildings served as the hub of the Army’s operations. What’s now the Covert Café was a reception room and shop. The Cold War Museum occupies a former supply building. The new Farm Station Café, Covenant Christian Academy and Hope Church use space that was part of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility – or SCIF – an enclosed area used to process classified information. What’s now the Old Bust Head Brewing Company was a military warehouse. Old Bust Head Brewery co-own-
er Julie Broaddus took the lead in the drive to have the state formally recognize Vint Hill’s historical significance by authorizing the roadside marker to inform the traveling public. Broaddus organized the day’s program, which included remarks by historian John Salmon, who did the research needed to get the marker approved by the state. Scott District Supervisor Holder Trumbo spoke, as did Francis Gary Powers Jr., who founded the Cold War Museum, which has exhibits related to the post-WWII struggle with communism. Powers’ father, Francis Gary Powers Sr., was shot down and held prisoner in the Soviet Union in 1960 while piloting a U-2 spy plane. The elder Powers was released as part of a prisoner swap. Reach James Ivancic at jivancic@fauquier.com
Can we talk? Student road trip aimed at bridging political divide stops in Manassas By James Ivancic Times Staff Writer
The pro- and anti-Donald Trump factions could have more in common than they realize. Perhaps they can even find common ground to work together on mutual concerns. That’s the theory that Matthew Wigler hoped to demonstrate during a road trip took him across the country from California this summer. The Stanford University senior visited eight of 17 congressional districts in the nation that split their vote along party lines in 2016 when a president and members of Congress were elected. His tour brought him to the Manassas Mall food court on Aug. 18, where he aimed to interview voters in the 10th District, which includes part of Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Voters in the 10th supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for president and Republican Barbara Comstock for the House of Representatives. There, Wigler, 21 and his brother, Josh, 17, who helped him with his interviews this summer, talked to Kevin Ellis of Manassas, Joseph Herman of Stafford County, and Sam Ashwell of Bristow, who were sitting together at a table and readily talked to the Wigler brothers. Herman said he’s to the right politically but enjoys “having a nice cup of coffee and having someone to debate.” Ashwell said he feels some people “latch on to certain catch phrases” that divide them but could probably find areas where they agree. A man and a woman sitting together, who didn’t want their names or photographs in the newspaper, said they viewed entrenched incumbency as a problem.
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/JAMES IVANCIC
Matthew Wigler, right, visited the Manassas Mall recently with his brother, Josh, to interview people about their political views. “People are staying in office too long,” they said. The couple typically votes for the challenger. In the 2016 presidential election, when there wasn’t an incumbent running, they both voted for Clinton though without much enthusiasm. They described themselves as political moderates who don’t vote in local elections. The Wiglers conducted interviews in the food court for about two hours then went into Old Town Manassas to do more. In all, they did about 25 interviews. At the mall food court, some people declined to answer any questions but the Wigler brothers struck gold with others. “Four of five turn us away. Some won’t have too much to say, but we end up talking to a lot of people and every third conversation can reveal a whole new perspective,” said Wigler. “I’m surprised by how some warm for the conversation and how long-winded people can be.” Wigler received a grant to cover the expenses of his independent studies project he’s dubbed the
“Purple America Project.” It began in California on July 4 and ended on Long Island in New York State where his family lives. Along the way he talked to voters in purple districts in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia. “We’ve been staying at a lot of Super 8s and Motel 6s,” said Wigler. His brother helped by taking notes during interviews. They also took turns driving. The elder Wigler said his brother’s driving has been fine and that they’ve been getting along fine despite the long hours spent together. For fun, they’ve been taking in local attractions. They planned to visit Manassas National Battlefield Park while in the area. Their road trip took them to Pennsylvania after they left Virginia. In Pennsylvania, they questioned voters in the 8th District, which includes Scranton, the hometown of former Vice President Joe Biden. From there, they left for New York and arrived home on Aug. 23. Reach James Ivancic at jivancic@fauquier.com
WHY ARE OTHERS SO MUCH MORE? •
Less
•
Local
•
H on e s t
•
540-687-3608 huntcountrypropane.com