Loudoun Now for May 5, 2022

n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

Pg. 8 | n EDUCATION

Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 18 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

Pg. 33

2022 OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS PGS. 23-26

VOL. 7, NO. 24

We’ve got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always at LoudounNow.com

Tech Wunderkind Works to Get Other Teens into Cyber Security

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Ishan Jadhwani is something of a wizard. He can hack into the networks of major tech companies, circumvent wi-fi restrictions to access his favorite Netflix shows, and write code for his very own apps. And the 16-year-old does it all while balancing two cyber security jobs and his schoolwork at Riverside High School.

“It’s a huge passion for me. To be honest the work doesn’t feel like work. If I could work on it every minute, if school wasn’t there, I would do so,” he said.

He’s so highly skilled that he’s led workshops for the IRS, the DIA, the DHS, and CIA employees, teaching about network penetration testing and other cyber security protocols.

“Ishan is a phenom,” his former teacher Jennifer Marden said, recalling him as a freshman in her cyber security class two years ago. “Here’s this 14-year-old kid bringing real-life examples into the classroom, telling us about how he does bug bounties for fun.”

Bug bounties are awards given to hackers who ethically find and report vulnerabilities in a company’s networks and programs. Jadhwani said his bounties are confidential, but he’s earned a good chunk of change infiltrating networks of popular companies, spanning from the automobile industry to fast food. There’s a decent chance that the average consumer benefits from Jadhwani’s fixes daily.

In 2020, Marden was nominated for the National Cyber Security Teacher of

MAY 5, 2022

State Senate Rejects Snap Election Push For School Board

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Hayley Milon Bour/ Loudoun Now

After wrapping up his school day at Riverside High School, 16-year-old Ishan Jadhwani heads to Intellectual Point in Sterling where he leads a team of 10 as the senior director of Technology Services.

the Year award. Representatives from the White House came to observe Marden’s class. She said they were so blown away by a presentation from Jadhwani on using software to crack passwords, that Marden and Jadhwani were invited to present at the White House. But the pandemic hit, postponing the invitation. Then, the

administration changed. But Marden hopes Jadhwani will still get to showcase his talent to the nation’s leaders.

Jadhwani holds 15 cyber security certifications, including the highly sought-af-

The Virginia Senate on April 28 blocked Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s effort to force new elections for Loudoun’s School Board.

Loudoun County Public Schools leaders hailed the vote in a statement issued afterwards.

“I am pleased that the General Assembly supports the voters of Loudoun County and rejected the Governor’s attempt to usurp their Constitutional authority,” School Board Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) stated. “We look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly and Governor Youngkin to ensure every child in Loudoun County receives the very best public education.”

The statement said the school division is working to build trust in the community.

“LCPS will continue our focus on meeting the needs of the students and families we serve. Our schools are vibrant and diverse, offer highly competitive programs and educate our future CEOs, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs and service members,” Superintendent Scott Ziegler

CYBER SECURITY continues on page 43

SNAP ELECTION continues on page 42

NOW OPEN! Give your child a competitive advantage!

Summer Camp Registrationˀ Now Open

ECRWSS Postal Customer

New Dulles Campus 22870 Pacific Blvd. Near the intersection of Route 28 & Old Ox Road 703-759-5100

www.FairfaxChristianSchool.com

Lower School

Middle School

High School

Permit #1374 Merrifield VA

PAID

PRESRT STD U.S. Postage

PAGE 2

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Don’t Put it Off.

Spring into action by making health screening appointments for you and your family members.

To learn more, visit fairfaxradiology.com 703.485.9628

MAY 5, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 3

Local Brewer Found Dead; Son Charged with Murder

Supervisors Don’t Budge on Nonprofit Grants

BY RENSS GREENE

LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

A longtime and well-known Loudoun brewer was found dead at his home Saturday morning, and his son has been charged with murder.

Dean Lake was the co-founder and head brewer of the former Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery, which operated on Catoctin Circle from 2016 to 2020. Most recently, Lake was the director of operations at Black Hoof Brewing in downtown Leesburg. But he is also known as one of Loudoun’s original craft brewers, with more than two decades of local brewing including seven years at Old Dominion Brewing.

That brewery, which was founded in 1989 in Ashburn, was one of the first breweries in the region. In 2009, AB InBev bought Old Dominion Brewing and later relocated their operation to Delaware. But some of Loudoun’s most experienced craft brewers, including Lake, cut their teeth there.

Lake, 57, was found dead at around 7:30 a.m. Saturday with apparent blunt force trauma to his upper body.

Lake’s death sent shockwaves through the brewing community, many of whom gathered at Black Hoof Brewing on Saturday afternoon during the brewery’s SpringFest to pay

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Contributed

Dean Lake, right, with Black Hoof Brewing co-founder Bill Haase.

their respects.

“It goes without saying that we are shocked and saddened by his death,” said Nikki Haase, who owns the brewery with her husband Bill Haase, on Saturday. “We are going ahead with our Springfest today and will raise a glass or two to his memory. He was a positive presence and dear friend to Bill &

me, and we will miss him terribly.”

Leesburg Police arrested have charged Lake’s son Schuyler Lake, 21, with second degree murder, credit card theft, and credit card fraud in connection with Dean Lake’s death. He was arrested in the area of Russell Branch Parkway SE and Battlefield Parkway SE after an hours-long manhunt. n

Pro-Choice Protestors Demonstrate at Courthouse A leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v.

Wade, the 1973 case that guarantees abortion rights in the U.S., brought protestors out to courthouses around the nation including a contingent of about a dozen in Loudoun on Tuesday night.

“We are flipped back in time 50 years,” said Rachel Pardo. “All the rights, from women’s rights to BLM to just basic human rights, we’ve gone back to the ’60s and ’70s but we have no leaders, we don’t have a Martin Luther King. We don’t have a Gloria Steinem.”

“If we don’t react to this then we

Hayley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now

About a dozen people turned out to the Loudoun County Courthouse on May 3 to protest an expected Supreme Court decision to overturn the decades-old Roe v. Wade precedent.

have nothing,” she added.

The Supreme Court’s vote is not yet official. The draft majority opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s

Health Organization, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, was reported in Politico and later confirmed

by Chief Justice John Roberts. n

County supervisors stood fast on the amount of funding available for charitable nonprofits through the county’s competitive grants process this year, after previously punting a vote amid concerns from nonprofit leaders about insufficient funding.

This year, there was $1,864,647 available for competitive grants, the largest pool yet.

But nonprofit leaders in April warned supervisors that the need is far outgrown the funding and called for a “right-sizing” of that funding. Supervisors decided to table a vote until their meeting May 3.

But on May 3, county supervisors proceeded with their original grants plan unanimously.

The county’s nonprofit grants program sees nonprofits submitting grants and awarded funding based on a scoring rubric that seeks to keep politics on the Board of Supervisors out of those decisions, the result of years of effort to revise the process. Organizations must first achieve a minimum score to be eligible for funding, and then are awarded funding based on their ranking among those scores. But in every year of using that model so far, despite increases in funding to that pool each year, the money has run out before reaching all qualifying nonprofits.

“This is a hard motion to make, and this is why: there’s not a nonprofit that’s not doing good work. Not one,” said Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “They’re all doing good work, but we have a process that we put in place specifically to take out board involvement.” She and others emphasized that the minimum application score is only the first step to be considered for funding.

“What we’re looking at, as a county government that is using taxpayer dollars to do this, is not necessarily that the sole determinant of whether a nonprofit is valuable or serves the community or not,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “It just has to do with the level accountability, professionalism, accounting and so on that go into that.”

Some supervisors relatively new to the grants process, though, still expressed discomfort about the nonprofits that were left out. This year five organizations met the minimum score, but will not receive fundNONPROFIT GRANTS continues on page 42

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 4

MAY 5, 2022

ON THE Agenda

Loudoun

Animal Services Hosts Free Adoption May 7

Hayley Milon Bour/ Loudoun Now

The group New Virginia Majority gathered for a candlelit vigil outside of the county government center to call on officials to create more affordable housing.

New Virginia Majority Pushes for Affordable Housing at Vigil

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The group New Virginia Majority brought attention to the lack of affordable housing in Loudoun County during a candlelit vigil for International Workers’ Day at the county Government Center in Lees-

burg on May 1.

A group of two dozen listened as community members shared their experiences with the rising cost of living in the county.

“We immigrated because we know this county has a lot of opportunities. But right now, for us, we don’t have any because we have to kill ourselves working,” said

one woman. “Not getting enough money to pay for our house. So, we have to rent, bringing in people, sometimes criminals, we don’t know, because we need to pay our rent.”

Liliana Weinberg of New Virginia MaVIGIL continues on page 6

County Gov’t to Explore Project Labor Agreements

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County staff members will study the feasibility of a program that would require contractors seeking to work on county government projects to permit collective bargaining.

Supervisors Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) brought the proposal to study project labor agreements to the board. Some supervisors argued the agreements could give the county a leg up in winning federal funding for

transportation projects.

“Other counties have already incorporated the PLA approach, they are becoming more competitive at getting federal funds than we currently are, and for those reason I think this would be a good way to go,” Umstattd said.

Some also argued it’s simply better to ensure workers are paid a living wage.

But others were concerned about the idea pushing costs on Loudoun County taxpayers up even higher, at a time when county capital projects are coming in over budget. Supervisors Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) pointed to a workforce shortage and rising construc-

tion costs. And he said most construction workers are not unionized.

“There are certain things associated with a government PLA that make it just very difficult for contractors to comply, and really limit your pool at a time when that’s the opposite of what we should be doing, because we will be having trouble even getting folks to bid on some of our projects,” he said.

“It’s one thing to be a union shop or have unions and let people come to the table and let people collectively bargain. It’s another to say, hey, we’re goPLA continues on page 7

On Saturday, May 7, Loudoun County Animal Services will host a “Homeward Bound” free pet adoption event from noon to 6 p.m.

Adoption fees will be waived on all available cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, small pets and reptiles during the event, which will take place at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter, 42225 Adoption Dr. in Leesburg.

In an effort to help as many pets as possible, Loudoun Animal Services will take in up to 20 dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the region, all of whom will all be up for adoption in addition to the animals already at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter.

All dogs and cats adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, have age-appropriate vaccinations and receive a microchip registered to their adopter. Potential adopters may view available pets online at loudoun.gov/animals. The standard adoption screening process will apply during the Homeward Bound event and most adoptions can be completed on the same day.

For more information about Loudoun County Animal Services, go to loudoun.gov/animals.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month County supervisors have recognized May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Loudoun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and as mentioned in the county board’s ceremonial resolution, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States. In 2021, 131 new cases of Lyme disease were reported in Loudoun County. The CDC estimates the total number of people with Lyme disease is roughly 10 times higher than the yearly reported number.

If left untreated, the disease can have long term effects includON THE AGENDA continues on page 7

MAY 5, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

SAVE LUCKETTS! STOP THE EASTERN BYPASS

• It Jeopardizes Child Safety by hemming in Lucketts Elementary School and Community Center with six lanes of traffic.

• Permanently Impairs Lucketts Elementary School’s learning environment by subjecting students and teachers to six lanes of cars and trucks zooming by right outside of their classroom windows.

• Endangers Public Safety by adding roundabouts and traffic signals that slow emergency vehicle response times and likely prevents future develoment of the new fire station.

• Directly Threatens Lucketts’ Antique Shops by cutting across their parking area and vendor space.

• Harms the Environment by cutting through a floodplain and four wetland and stream preservation areas.

• Uses Eminent Domain to take Falconaire Homeowners’ Common Area and Families’ backyards.

• Splits Lucketts In Half.

WE CAN DO BETTER If a bypass is necessary, build a real bypass that goes around Lucketts to the west – not through Lucketts and established residential neighborhoods.

Help us save Lucketts! Contact the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and tell them that you support child safety, Lucketts Elementary School, the iconic Lucketts antique shops, the environment, and Lucketts’ economic future. Tell them not to endanger public safety by increasing emergency vehicle response times and not to take your neighbors’ backyards.

TELL THEM TO OPPOSE THE EASTERN BYPASS! Paid advertisement by residents of Lucketts, Virginia.

PAGE 5

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 6

CABINET SHOWPLACE Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home

MAY 5, 2022

Former Loudoun Fire Engine Arrives in Holmes County, MS LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

www.cabinetshowplace.com

540.338.9661

210 N. 21st St., # E Purcellville, VA 20132

Let Kubota Do The Work!

BX2380

• 21.6 Gross HP,† 3-Cylinder Kubota Diesel Engine • Category I, 3-Point Hitch

L3901

• 37.5 Gross HP,† 3-Cyl., Kubota Diesel Engine • Performance-Matched Implements Available

$0 DOWN, 0% A.P.R. FINANCING FOR UP TO 60 MONTHS ON SELECT NEW KUBOTAS!*

A retired Loudoun County Fire-Rescue engine has arrived at its new home in Holmes County, MS, and with it the two counties have formally signed a sister county agreement.

Holmes County is among the lowest-income counties in the U.S., counterpart to Loudoun which is one of the highest.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) began talking with then-Holmes County Supervisor Eddie J. Carthan in 2018. Those discussions were part of the basis for the National Association of Counties new Economic Mobility Leadership Network, which partners high- and low-income localities.

In April 2019, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors approved a Sister County partnership agreement between the jurisdictions, which called on both counties to “work together for the mutual benefit of their citizens.”

The first material such work arose when the Loudoun Board of Supervisors agreed to sell a recently retired 2008 Loudoun Fire-Rescue engine to Holmes County. Randall, Supervisors Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) and Loudoun Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Adam Davis delivered the engine on April 30, and Loudoun fire-rescue staff trained Holmes County firefighters on using the equipment. During the trip, Randall and Holmes County Board of Supervisors President Leonard Hampton held a formal signing ceremony for the sister county agreement.

“The gratitude from the people of

Vigil continued from page 4

Z412KW-48

• 22 Gross HP,† 2-Cylinder Gasoline Engine • Steel Welded 48” Mower Deck

Z422KW-54

• 24 Gross HP,† 2-Cylinder Gasoline Engine • Steel Welded 54” Mower Deck

BROWNING EQUIPMENT, INC. 800 East Main St. • Purcellville, VA

(540) 338-7123 • www.browningequipment.com

* 0% Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of select new Kubota BX, B, LX, L, MX, M60 & M4 equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualified purchasers through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Example: 60 monthly payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. Some exceptions apply. Terms subject to change. Offers expire 6/30/22. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For more information, see Dealer or go to KubotaUSA.com. † For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices.

K1157-24-147326-2

jority said that some of the group’s members report living with six other people in two-bedroom units.

“We have money in the budget for affordable housing. We are asking for that money for our community that is making less than $50,000 a year,” Weinberg said.

She added that with inflation and the increasing demand for housing in the county, the issue is hitting people harder than ever.

“One of our members told us that they have increased her rent by $300. If you make $10, $11 dollars, that’s a lot of money,” she said. “It’s a community where it’s very difficult to understand the situation.

Loudoun County

Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run), Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Adam Davis, and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) arrive in Holmes County with a fire engine and the ceremonial scissors used for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Holmes County that we received was truly remarkable,” Randall stated. “A partnership between one of the richest counties and one of the poorest counties presents countless opportunities to learn from and help one another; we are so pleased that Loudoun’s retired fire engine will continue to benefit the public.”

“It has been a humbling experience to witness how an engine that reached the end of its service in Loudoun County will become the most valuable and capable vehicle within the Holmes County professional and volunteer fire services,” Davis stated. “It was our honor to represent Loudoun County and help train the Holmes County firefighters on the use of the engine and deliver additional supplies that will help the people of Mississippi.” n That’s why we’re here advocating for families, telling people that we are here and that they’re not invisible anymore.”

The group’s push comes as county supervisors weigh the possibility of expanding requirements for affordable dwelling units. Affordable Dwelling Units are required in most development projects with 24 units or more.

In Fiscal Year 2023, funding equivalent to a half cent of the real estate tax rate will go towards affordable housing, which will yield about $6 million. The county also received $10 million in grants for affordable housing.

Affordable housing units aim to serve families making 30% to 70% of the area’s median income. For a single person, the Area Median income is $90,300, and for a family of four is $129,000. n

MAY 5, 2022

ON THE Agenda continued from page 4

ing fevers, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, fatigue, facial palsy, cardiovascular issues, and neurological effects.

Learn more at cdc.gov/lyme.

Seminars for Parents for Mental Health Awareness Month During May, Mental Health Awareness Month, the Prevention Alliance of Loudoun will feature a series of free virtual seminars for parents to learn more about mental health wellness for youth and teens The alliance is a coalition of youth, Loudoun County agencies, faith-based organizations, other community stakeholders and parents dedicated to mental health awareness and substance misuse prevention efforts.

They include workshops on current drug trends on May 10, internet safety on May 17, Adverse Childhood Experiences on May 24, and talking to teens about vaping on May 31. Visit loudoun.gov/mhsadsprevention for detailed information

PLA continued from page 4 ing to limit the projects we put together as a county,” agreed Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin).

County staff members are expected back by January 2023 with a report including the types of projects best suited for a county project labor agreement; information for the timeline and process to implement a project labor agreement; options for tailoring a Loudoun County agreement such as hiring locally, contracting with minority-owned businesses, or guaranteeing timely project completion; and any federal grants including through the Infrastructure Investment where Loudoun might be at an advantage with project labor agreements.

Some supervisors also already have some upcoming projects in mind for project labor agreements, such as the upcoming Farmwell Road intersection work between Smith Switch Road and Ashburn Road. Construction on that is expected to begin in 2023.

Supervisors voted 6-3 on April 19 to direct county staff to prepare that report, with Letourneau, Kershner and Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) opposed. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

about each event and to register.

Loan Apps Open for Affordable Rentals Developers Loudoun County’s application process for the Affordable Multi-Family Housing Loan Program has opened with the release of the 2022 Notice of Funding Availability.

For-profit and nonprofit affordable housing developers are eligible to apply for loans for the development of longterm, affordable multi-family housing rental units. The loans are to be used in

conjunction with the Virginia Housing Development Authority Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and/or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 221(D)(4) Program financing.

The application process is competitive.

Project applications will be scored based on consistency with countywide housing needs, project design, project readiness, experience, budget and leverage. Scoring will be higher for projects serving a mix of incomes below 60% of Area Median Income, providing longer affordability

PAGE 7

periods than required and in proximity to transportation and jobs.

To register or for more information contact Housing Finance Project Manager Rebekah King at Rebekah.king@ loudoun.gov or 703-771-5718. Complete applications must be submitted by 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 3.

For more information about the program and application process, go to loudoun.gov/multifamilyfinancing. More information about Loudoun County’s housing programs is online at loudoun.gov/housing. n

McEnearney Associates: Setting New Sales Records C E L E B R AT I N G A R E C O R D B R E A K I N G 2 0 2 1 I N H O M E S A L E S

ACTIVE Washington, DC | $1,735,000 1636 6th Street NW Rachael Remuzzi 703.609.8462 RachaelRemuzzi.com

CONTRACT Chantilly | $844,900 24991 White Fir Court Elizabeth Coppersmith 703.328.5430 ColleenCoopersmith.com

SOLD Aldie | $1,050,000 23528 Whiteheart Hickory Lane NW Geri Deane 703.615.4126 GeriDeane.com

CONTRACT Waterford | $1,049,000 16272 Hamilton Station Road Kristy Crombie 706.575.7926 Erika Olsen 202.262.1293

CONTRACT Washington, DC | $675,000 1233 Delafield Place NE Elizabeth Coppersmith 703.328.5430 ColleenCoopersmith.com

Mary Dionisio Brixius ACTIVE McLean | $555,000 1650 Silver Hill Drive #1110 Geri Deane 703.615.4126 GeriDeane.com

CONTRACT Leesburg | $538,000 19171 Kepharts Mill Terrace Mary Dionisio Brixius 703.999.6270 marydionisiobrixius.com

TO P 5 F I N A L I S T B E S T R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T Vote now through Friday, May 6 www.bit.ly/VoteLoudounNow

McEnearney Associates, REALTORS® – Residential/Commercial/Land, Farm, and Estates 107 N King Street, Leesburg | 11 W Washington Street, Middleburg | www.McEnearney.com | Equal Housing Opportunity

PAGE 8

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Leesburg

Burk Celebrates Continued Recovery in State of the Town Address

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk used her annual State of the Town address to celebrate the strides made in the county seat over the past year, and in particular point to the continued recovery of the town government and Leesburg’s residents and businesses.

She began her speech pointing to how it’s been mostly business as usual at Town Hall, even during a global pandemic.

“The town never closed, never shut our doors, and this council did not skip any meetings. With the help of our highly qualified and dedicated public servants, residents could stay engaged and informed,” she said.

Burk also took time to celebrate some significant milestones for town departments. As one example, she pointed to Leesburg Executive Airport’s continued standing as the commonwealth’s second busiest general aviation airport, its firstin-the-country remote tower facility, and its new customs operation. She also applauded the Parks & Recreation Department for bringing back the town’s popular events, many of which were COVID canceled over the past two years. The Flower & Garden Festival, back downtown last weekend for the first time in three years, drew record attendance.

Haley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now

Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk delivers her State of the Town address.

“I asked each department to send me two things they are proud to have completed this year, and if I read them all, it would be tomorrow before I finished. I may give you the highlights of this past year, but our town staff has worked diligently under difficult circumstances so that our residents never saw any change in our high level of service,” she said.

That same town staff has also proved invaluable to town business owners. Burk pointed to one instance where a business owner shared with her that the town government designating two parking spaces in front of her restaurant for pick-up only saved her business.

“To hear directly from a sandwich RECOVERY continues on page 9

Tree Commission Celebrates Arbor Day, Plants Tree at Leesburg Elementary In celebration of Arbor Day, the Town of Leesburg’s Tree Commission, along with Mayor Kelly Burk and Councilman Zack Cummings, joined about 75 fourth graders on Friday to plant a black gum tree in front of Leesburg Elementary School.

During the process, Commissioners Pat Hatfield and Phil Marshall explained how to plant a tree properly. The town’s urban forester and landscape specialist, Tyler Wright, also explained the importance of trees and their benefits to the community.

“Trees provide many benefits to our residents from shade in the summer, edible fruit, and spectacular fall color. All these items together make Leesburg a greener, cleaner, and cooler community,” Wright said.

Each student received a free Chickasaw Plum tree seedling to take home on behalf of the Tree Commission.

The Town of Leesburg has been recTown of Leesburg ognized as Tree City USA since 1989 Town of Leesburg’s Tree Commission plants a Black for its commitment to effective urban Gum tree in front of Leesburg Elementary School forest management. n on April 29 in celebration of Arbor Day.

Supervisors, Town Council Seek Better Ties

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County supervisors and members of the Leesburg Town Council tried to forge a path toward a renewed relationship at a joint meeting of the two bodies Thursday.

The meeting was often a mutual airing of grievances, with town council members complaining about the board’s surprise vote in 2019 to change longstanding policy and cut the town out of providing water service in the Joint Land Management Area around its borders, and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) complaining about the council’s vote opposing the idea of a new Washington Commanders stadium in Loudoun.

But both sides also expressed interest in rebuilding their relationship, and in beginning regular, at least annual, meetings.

The two bodies also abandoned an idea for a joint committee to hash out questions around sharing tax revenue from Microsoft’s data centers at Compass Creek after it was pointed out those would legally have to be public meetings.

Some members had pushed to work it out the outlines of a deal publicly then and there.

Councilman Zach Cummings said, “to go into a closed session when we’re all sitting here right now, to talk about the taxpayer dollars, to me, doesn’t make any sense.”

“Nothing changes when we walk out of this room except if we can get a revenue sharing plan done, and I think we owe it to the taxpayers to try to do that,” he said. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox agreed.

“It seems to me, conceptually, we ought to be able to come to some sort of theoretical closure on the big items,” Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said.

BETTER TIES continues on page 9

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 9

an honest and open way,” said Town Attorney Christopher Spera. Neither supervisors nor council members pushed back.

The two bodies ended the meeting planning to have more in the future, and Randall said the meeting may have happened sooner but for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think this was very useful for us. I think it opened everybody’s eyes a little bit, and so I think it was very worthwhile,” said Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk. n

Better ties continued from page 8

BriteWash Auto Wash Celebrates Grand Opening Locally owned and operated BriteWash Auto Wash celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting celebration Saturday. The $5 million facility near the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Rt 7 offers both interior and exterior auto detailing services. Founded by hotelier and Leesburg resident Greg Miller, BriteWash offers a local alternative to auto wash chains. Miller has committed to raising funds for local and national nonprofits, schools, associations and organizations.

Recovery continued from page 8 company that they could not have made it without our help means we should maintain the spirit of innovation and willingness to experiment to accommodate local economic shifts,” she said.

In closing her speech, Burk expressed her excitement for the next year.

“With a strong financial outlook, strong staff support, and an increasingly involved citizenry, I am excited about 2022 and beyond. We met the challenge of the past few years, and the Town Council will continue to do its best to represent the residents with civility and respect,” she said.

Burk’s State of the Town address can be viewed at leesburgva.gov/government/ webcasts. n

Richland Hunt

10511 Hunting Crest Ln, Vienna

However, attorneys for both pushed to keep negotiations secret.

“It seems like an easy thing to do to negotiate a contract out in the open, but you will hear from the public, likely if there’s disagreements, so I do not recommend,” said County Attorney Leo Rogers.

“The reason you have negotiations like this in closed session is to allow people to be sort of frank and give their opinions in

Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients!

What we offer • • • • • •

LOUDOUN’S

LoudounNow

2021

W I N N E R

FAVORITE

LoudounNow

2020

W I N N E R LoudounNow

LOUDOUN’S

FAVORITE

2 0 1 9

LOUDOUN’S

FAVORITE

LoudounNow

W I N N E R

LOUDOUN’S

FAVORITE 2018

Cheerful, serene, state of the art office Digital x-rays (reduces radiation by 90%) We file all dental benefit claims Cosmetic Dentistry (veneers, white fillings, and Zoom Whitening) Crowns and Bridges, all phases of Implants, Root Canals and Dentures We offer periodontal therapy to restore your oral health as well as oral cancer screening.

Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 • Leesburg, VA 20175 • 703-771-9034 Mon. & Wed.: 8am - 6pm • Tues. - Thurs.: 7am - 4pm • Fri.: CLOSED • 24hr Emergency Service

Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com

Prospect Hills

117 Prospect Dr SW, Leesburg

If you are considering selling your home, the market is strong and inventory is historically low. We would love to talk to you about how we can help!

Over $63 Million in Sales in 2021!

Eve Weber - REALTOR® 571-218-2503 Eve@SellingLoudoun.com

Ashburn Farm

43426 Edgecliff Ter, Ashburn

Cascdes

20336 Ashcroft Ter, Sterling

Potomac Green

20428 Casablanca Dr, Ashburn

Your Loudoun County Experts Jessica Saleck REALTOR®

(703) 431-6138 Jessica@SellingLoudoun.com

Courtland Village

21046 Courtland Village Dr, Leesburg

Lansdowne - Commerical Office 19415 Deerfield Ave #212

Downtown Leesburg 11 Wirt St SW

Long & Foster Real Estate 508 E. Market Street Leesburg, VA 20176 www.SellingLoudoun.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 10

MAY 5, 2022

SCHOOL notebook

Education

Dominion Students Win National Honor

Contributed

Members of the School Business Partnership Council.

School-Business Partnership Executive Council Holds Award Ceremony LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Loudoun County Public Schools School-Business Partnership Executive Council held an awards reception April 28 at the Academies of Loudoun, honoring businesses and community partners for their contributions to the division.

Dawn Meyer, former executive director of the Loudoun Education Foundation, was presented the J. Hamilton Lambert Exemplary leadership in Education

and Community Service Award.

“The collaboration between businesses, LCPS and LEF has enabled the school system to pilot successful education programs that benefit the teachers and students in Loudoun County Public Schools,” Meyer said. “Many of these innovative programs are a model for Virginia.”

Former Superintendent Edgar Hattrick was on hand to present the award.

“What a delight it is to see how powerful the School Business Partnership Executive Council and the Loudoun Education Foundation have been in the lives of our students,” Hattrick said. “From the beginning we said this was going to be about providing something for students that we couldn’t provide just through normal means, and clearly all of you who are in business out there have made PARTNERSHIP continues on page 12

Elementary Distance Learning to Continue into 2023-2024 School Year

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Elementary school distance learning will continue for another year, Superintendent Scott Ziegler announced during the April 26 School Board meeting,

appeasing dozens of parents who’ve spoken out for the continuation of the program.

The program will be funded by allocating $2.8 million from the $4.8 million Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The remainder

of the funds are planned to be used for bus driver recruitment and retention bonusses, instructional support to address learning loss, and school facility repairs DISTANCE LEARNING continues on page 13

Several Dominion High School student journalists have been named to the National Scholastic Press Association Honor Roll.

Nicole Calderon Cadima, Caelan Jones, Ryan Myers, Neena Peterson and Anastasia Simonenko are among 1,300 high school students across the nation who earned the honor.

To be inducted, a student must have served in a school media organization for at least two years and have maintained a 3.5 or higher grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Dominion High School journalism teacher Mitch Schwartz said the inductees are outstanding role models for future students wishing to pursue journalism.

“I am very lucky to have so many outstanding student journalists leading my classes and publications,” Schwartz said.

The students will receive a certificate of recognition, and seniors will have the chance to compete for a $1,000 scholarship.

No Kid Hungry Donates to Fight Child Hunger The nonprofit No Kid Hungry donated $839,552 in grants to 33 Virginia school divisions, including an $8,312 grant to LCPS. The money is to be used to enhance child nutrition and emergency food programs, both during the school year and the summer. Since March 2020, the nonprofit reports investing more than $5 million to feed children in Virginia.

For more about No Kid Hungry, visitstate.nokidhungry.org/ virginia.

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 13

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 11

W.O. Robey May Move to Dominion High School HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Public Schools administrators are recommending that the W.O. Robey High School program be relocated from Park View High School to Dominion High School next school year, because of space concerns and projected enrollment.

W.O. Robey is an alternative high school that enables students to complete their high school education amid unconventional life circumstances, such as work obligations or raising children or siblings.

During the April 26 School Board meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Ashley Ellis reported that the staff of Robey could facilitate an increased enrollment up to 63 students.

Currently, there are 29 students enrolled. At its current site, Ellis said the school is pressed for office and storage space.

The enrollment at Park View is

bound to increase, Ellis said, as new residential applications have been approved for the school zone.

“The small high school building footprint is an added challenge. Classroom sizes are different there as opposed to some other high schools,” Ellis said of Park View, which opened in 1976.

The Park View community has been pushing for improvements to its building and adding space, a need that the PTSA President Amy Gazes said is dire.

Dominion High School is the home school of nine current Robey students, the second-most behind only Park View, which is the home school to 17 of the students.

Ellis said that Dominion enrollment is projected to remain steady. Additionally, space had been allocated there for a JROTC program, but Ellis said that it appears approval of the program won’t happen in the near future.

The administration reported that the move wouldn’t have a budgetary impact. n

Happy Mother’s Day! Mom, You’re the best!

Believers Bible Church Invites You to Celebrate Your Special Day with us! Sunday, May 8, 2022 The Message: “Let’s Talk: Keeping the Lines Open!”

Sundays, 11 am, Hampton Inn & Suites in Leesburg, VA 117 Fort Evans Road NE, (703) 999-3373 (cell) www.believersbiblechurch.com, bbc.praying4u@gmail.com

One Smile At A

One Smile At A Time

Offering the latest technologies & newest treatment optionsOffering the latest technologies & newest treatment options Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging Russell Mullena free Dodona consultation Terrace SE Ste 201, Russell 703-771-98 Mullen Call orCall text us us for a for 1509 DDS, MS complimentary consultation!

Leesburg, VA 20175

Call us for a free consultation 703-771-9887

1509 Dodona Terrace SE Ste 201, (703) Next to the Russell Mullen Call or text us for a 771-9887 Leesburg Wegmans! complimentary consultation!

Leesburg, VA 20175 DDS, MS

(703) 771-9887

Find us!

COMPLETE

One Smile Time At A Time

Next to the Leesburg Wegmans!

Find us!

www.mullenortho.com

www.mullenortho.com

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

DESIGN & REMODELING BASEMENT REMODELING CABINET WHOLESALER

QUARTZ & GRANITE COUNTERTOPS FABRICATION & INSTALLATION 4.9

74 GOOGLE REVIEWS

22446 DAVIS DRIVE #109 STERLING, VA 20164

QUICK TURNAROUND TIME

FREE ESTIMATE

703.956.9470 WWW.GRANITECENTERVA.COM

DDS, MS

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 12

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth.

We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www. fairhousing.vipnet.org

MAY 5, 2022

Partnership continued from page 10 this happen.”

Potomac Falls High School senior Alana Andrews and Stone Bridge High School and Academies of Loudoun senior Sanjitha Prabakaran were given the Student Innovator Award.

Andrews is the founder and CEO of The SWEY Corporation, which makes natural sports drinks.

Prabakaran is the founder and CEO of STEM 4 Scouts, which guides Girl Scouts into computer science fields by helping them earn their “Coding for Good” badges.

The Loudoun Literacy Council earned the Make a Difference Award, while nonprofit Mobile Hope won the Legacy Award. Lansdowne Resort and Heritage Hall Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center shared the Partners for Progress Award. Maverick Bikes & Café, which has sponsored several community outreach initiatives involving the division, won the Bringing Community

Local Leadership.

Local Assets.

Local Needs.

Won’t You Join Us? CommunityFoundationLF.org | (703) 779-3505

Contributed

Retired Loudoun Education Foundation Executive Director Dawn Meyer, who won the J. Hamilton Lambert Award, with current LEF Executive Director Danielle Nadler.

Together Award.

“Each story that we heard demonstrated the impact of community partners and schools working in tandem to provide students with deeper learning experiences,” said Superintendent Scott Ziegler.

“The five C’s embedded in the LCPS

profile of a graduate capture the ‘why’ behind our partnerships and set standard for these awards.”

The “five C’s” Ziegler referenced are critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Distance learning continued from page 10 and improvements. The funds must be spent by Sept. 30, 2023.

Ziegler said that he surveyed School Board members during the budget reconciliation process, and of the seven who responded, six said that they wanted to reopen the discussion about continuing the program.

But the parents who pushed for continued distance learning cited reasons other than the pandemic. Many said their students performed better at home and expe-

SCHOOL notebook continued from page 10

New Teachers of the Year Announced Loudoun County Public Schools has announced two new Teacher of the Year honors.

Caroline Brunetti, a Cedar Lane Elementary School fourth grade teacher, won Elementary New Teacher of the Year honors. Elizabeth Coyle, Special

rienced better mental health. Though supporters pushed for the program to continue in perpetuity, the extension is for only one more year.

“What we’re doing do there is really kicking a permanent decision around with distance learning for elementary schools.

We’re delaying that decision by a year,” Ziegler said. “But we think that this really serves a purpose and provides the feedback that our stakeholders are asking for even though we will be dealing with this same question during the 2024 budget cycle.”

This year, there are 270 students enrolled in the distance learning elementary school program. n Education Teacher at River Bend Middle School, was named the New Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Jordan Markwood, Music Teacher at Rock Ridge High School, won Loudoun County Teacher of the year. He also won the Washington Post Teacher of the Year award.

Cedar Lane Elementary School Principal Robert Marple was named the division’s Principal of the Year. He was also nominated for the Washington Post Principal of the Year award. n

If you value quality local journalism ...

Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now.

PAGE 13

Looking for a Few Good Loudoun Fellows Are you spiritually hungry? Do you want to LIVE your Christian faith in a more challenging and effective way? Are you ready for more study, so that you can deepen your relationship with Christ and further the work of God’s kingdom on earth? Then you are invited to join the Fellows Program, a year-long discipleship program from the C.S. Lewis Institute – Loudoun County, designed for those men and women who are ready to be intentional about spiritual growth and God’s work.

The Fellows Program’s lifeThe Fellows Program works! changing opportunity is A survey of our Fellows found designed to be dramatically that 76% would be willing to spiritually transformative. lead a discipleship group in It runs for one academic their home; 100% experienced year (September – June), an increase in their involvement with summer readings in ministry to their family and beforehand, and a retreat community; 88% increased in September to formally their involvement in workplace initiate the year. Each month examines a different biblical ministry; and 84% said the theme, with an overall program had “transformed or focus on spiritual formation, significantly impacted their life.” apologetics, evangelism and our call to serve others.

A combination of dynamic teachers and writers, experienced mentors, effective small groups and active engagement with Scripture produces mature believers who can articulate, defend and joyfully live out their Christian faith in every aspect of their life. It is a true feast for hungry souls seeking “more.”

Please prayerfully consider joining us for this exciting next step in your journey with Christ. We will be accepting Loudoun County applications through May 15, 2022 (C.S. Lewis Institute Loudoun County | C.S. Lewis Institute).

Cost of the Program -- due to generous support of the program, there is no tuition cost to the Program. Each Fellow is only responsible for their books, materials and the cost of the retreat. For more information about the C.S. Lewis Institute and the Fellows Program, please go to www.cslewisinstitute.org or contact Tim Bradley at t.bradley@cslewisinstitute.org.

PAGE 14

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Public Safety

Smith’s Attorney Del. Stanley Seeks Special Prosecutor

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Attorneys for Loudoun County Public Schools parent Scott Smith are seeking to have the Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney disqualified for the case as they appeal his conviction for disorderly conduct.

Smith was convicted of disorderly conduct and obstructing justice after wrestling with Sheriff’s Office deputies during a School Board meeting. The Smith family’s story was quickly elevated to national headlines—he had gone to the meeting to confront the School Board about his daughter’s rape in a high school, and the perpetrator who was transferred to a different school where he assaulted another girl.

It has also been used by Republican organizations to campaign and fundraise, and was one of the reasons the School Board found itself a target of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s gubernatorial campaign.

In a May 2 hearing in Loudoun County Circuit Court, Smith’s attorney, Franklin County Del. William M. Stanley Jr. (R-20), argued that politically charged

“This case remains politically charged in a way I’ve never seen.”

— William M. Stanley Jr. (R-20)

atmosphere means Loudoun prosecutors, headed by a Democrat, should be disqualified and a special prosecutor appointed.

Stanley said that Smith has become “a political poster child… for the parental rights movement.”

“This case remains politically charged in a way I’ve never seen,” Stanley said, arguing Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj and her office should be disqualified to avoid an appearance of impartiality. He said he also plans to file a Title IX federal lawsuit against the county in which Biberaj could be called as a witness.

Circuit Court Judge Jim Plowman fur-

ther argued the point, questioning Biberaj on her decisions to personally handle both the Smith case and a previous case against Del. Dave LaRock, stemming from a neighbor dispute. Biberaj said those decisions came down to the limited resources in her office.

Biberaj said disqualifying her office from the case could set a precedent that any defendant could seek to have their local prosecutors disqualified.

“Everyone could come in and say, ‘they have animus toward us or a bias toward us because they’re prosecuting,’” Biberaj said. And she said regardless of the court’s ultimate decision, there will be

people who are happy and people who are unhappy with it.

Plowman said he would take the motion under advisement and issue a written opinion.

Stanley withdrew an earlier motion seeking a change of venue.

One of the charges Smith appealed has already been dropped over unclear writing in the District Court’s decision. Plowman dismissed with prejudice—meaning the charge cannot be tried again—the conviction for obstruction of justice. Biberaj had asked the judge to send the matter back to the District Court for clarification; Plowman said he lacked the power to do so, and that he had no choice but to dismiss that charge becaue of to the unclear writing in the decision and sentencing of District Court Judge Thomas J. Kelley, Jr., a retired judge who ruled on the case.

Smith said that his team sees the hearing as a “win.”

“We believe the judge will rule in our favor in respect to [Biberaj] being recused. We plan on beating the last charge of disorderly conduct either way,” he said. n

Chantilly House Fire Ruled Accidental Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office investigators have concluded the May 2 house fire on Paramount Place in Chantilly was caused by an electrical anomaly in the home’s wiring.

The fire, which caused an estimated $1.67 million dollars in damage, has been ruled accidental.

At approximately 4:20 p.m. May 2, county dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a fire in a large single-family home. Crews from Dulles South, Kirkpatrick Farms, Aldie, Moorefield, Fairfax County, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority were dispatched on the incident.

They arrived to find a three-story home with significant fire showing from

the garage and first floor of the structure.

All residents were located safely outside. Fire crews attacked the bulk of the fire from the outside so that additional crews could make their way inside to extinguish the bulk of the fire while looking for fire in the walls and attic spaces.

No injuries were reported.

May is National Electrical Safety Month, which raises awareness around potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical fire safety.

Residents are reminded to keep their home’s electrical system in good repair and to contact a licensed electrician if they have flickering lights, sparks, non-functioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades. n

Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

Crews on the scene of the May 2 house fire on Paramount Place.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 15

2 from Loudoun Honored as AG’s Unsung Heroes LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Two people serving Loudoun were honored during the 5th annual Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony on April 26, hosted by Attorney General Jason Miyares.

The Attorney General’s Office established the awards to acknowledge Virginians working to aid victims in their recovery and healing, to promote trauma-informed responses, and to affect change in their communities.

One was Loudoun County’s Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer Chris Brosan, who has served with the Department of Animal Services for more than nine years. He formerly served as a Virginia State Police officer and spent more than two years with the Humane Society of the United States as manager of Strategic Campaigns and Special Projects.

As the lead law enforcement instructor for the Humane Society’s Humane State Program, he trained thousands of law en-

SAFETY briefs Sheriff’s Office to Hold Fentanyl Forum

forcement officers in 10 states and across the islands of Puerto Rico.

Also honored was Alison Barnett Moye, a volunteer at Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter. As domestic violence survivor, she received services for herself and her children from LAWS, and went on to volunteer at the nonprofit, take part in panel reviews of LAWS services and larger discussions around Loudoun’s overall response to domestic violence, and speak at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice

®

Academy.

“While the circumstances that brought the unsung heroes together were tragic, I am inspired by their resilience and determination to make a difference in the face of daunting adversity,” Miyares stated.

“These heroes are men and women who have witnessed unspeakable horrors, yet they wake up every day and go back to work because they know there are victims who need their help. They are the faces of heroism and hope in Virginia.” n

Our whole home generators will keep your power on and your family safe.

703.880.9850

THE STANDBY POWER PEOPLE ®

The Sheriff’s Office is planning a May 17 program to highlight ways to prevent opioid-related deaths.

The community forum will be held starting at 7 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office’s Ashburn Station, 20272 Savin Hill Drive.

Featured speakers will include retired DEA counter narcotics expert Derik Maltz and Breaux Vineyards President and General Manager Jennifer Breaux, whose 25-year-old son died last year from opiates unknowingly laced with fentanyl. There also will be a panel discussion featuring federal and local authorities in the field.

We Have Generators In Stock!

1 Arrested April 26 in Lansdowne Shooting A Leesburg man was arrested April 26 after shooting a firearm during an altercation in Lansdowne.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Harlow Square shortly after 10:30 p.m. last Tuesday for a report of an assault involving two acquaintances. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly brandished and shot a firearm into the air and near the complainant.

Deputies arrested Kenneth M. Manion, 40, who was found with a firearm. He was charged with assault, brandishing a firearm, and discharging of a firearm and held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. n

Generac Home Standby Generators automatically provide ®

you backup power during a utility power outage – whether you’re home or away. Whether it’s for a few hours or several days, your family and home are protected. Generator Supercenter is the #1 Generac dealer in North America. We have the experience and expertise you need. From design, local permitting, installation and long-term maintenance support, we are there for you. That’s why they call us the Standby Power People. © CHS NOVA 2022

FREE Whole Home

Surge Protector* with a generator purchase from Generator Supercenter of Virginia. *Terms and conditions apply, call for details.

Schedule Your Free Estimate Today!

Generator Supercenter of Virginia www.GeneratorSupercenterNOVA.com Visit our showroom at 21005 Ashburn Crossing, Suites 125-130, Ashburn, VA

PAGE 16

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Nonprofit

100WomenStrong Awards $475K in Nonprofit Grants “The founding members of 100WomenStrong understood the crucial role that safe and stable housing has in our ability to live healthy and productive lives, so it is built into our core mission,” said Kirsten Langhorne, chairwoman of the organization’s affordable housing committee. “It has been proven that even short-term housing challenges can create poor health outcomes and stress and that those who face chronic homelessness have higher rates of physical and mental health issues than the general public.

“Before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to fund several shelter-oriented programs, but the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many more of our neighbors out of stable housing,” Langhorne said.

“It is incumbent upon our community to do all we can to stabilize housing because we also know that unstable housing can

LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

On Tuesday, 100WomenStrong announced the award of $475,000 to 42 nonprofits headquartered or providing services in Loudoun County, bringing its total contributions to $3.6 million since 2009.

The group reverted to its normal grant-giving cycle of once per year after pivoting in 2020 to COVID-19 emergency grants. COVID emergency grants were designed to meet the immediate essential and emergency needs of Loudoun County residents. During the pandemic, the organization gave more than $760,000 in 10 monthly rounds of funding and, in addition, created the “Pay it Forward” direct assistance loan program, which continues to offer help to area residents to cover basic expenses.

Many of the nonprofit organization’s 2022 grants are in support of affordable-housing initiatives.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Members of 100WomenStrong pose together during the May 3 awards program that distributed grants to 42 nonprofits providing services in Loudoun County.

100WOMENSTRONG continues on page 18

FO R! EN WAI TI NG T YO U’ VE BE CI NG EV EN RA E ON E TH

5K,10K RACE & 1K FREEDOM FUN RUN

D AY M E M O R IA L VA N ASHBUR ,

NEARLY $5,000 IN PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS!

10K Race...................8:00 am 5K Race.....................8:10 am 1K Fun Run/Walk.....9:30 am

BENEFITIN

G

Race Shirts for Timed Events Vendor Showcase Family Fun for Everyone!

Music & Entertainment

REGISTER TODAY AT RINGINGINHOPE.COM

SPONSORED BY

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 17

Registration Open for Fairways for Hope Golf Tournament LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Ryan Bartel Foundation, a Loudoun nonprofit working to prevent youth suicide, has opened registration for its second annual Fairways for Hope Golf Tournament, planned for Thursday, June 9 at Loudoun Golf & Country Club.

Tickets also are available to the Fairways for Hope Cookout following the tournament, for non-golfers who would like to participate and support foundation anyway.

The foundation’s goal is to raise at least $30,000 to support its suicide prevention programs, which include education programs and activities to support and empower youth, families and the community at large.

“Our country is experiencing a mental health state of emergency, and teen suicide attempts and suicides are at an alltime high,” foundation founder Suzie Bartel said. “Our region is no different, so in response, we’re ramping up our efforts to

reach more teens with our programs. This golf tournament will raise much-needed funds to support those efforts.”

The full-day tournament includes 18 holes of golf, contests and games, raffle items like getaways, lunch and drinks, and a cookout and awards presentation.

Family memorials to those lost to suicide will be displayed throughout the course to ensure these young people are not forgotten and to emphasize to patrons the significance of their support.

“The memorial signs placed at each hole reminded me how critical suicide prevention awareness is to show people that there is always hope,” said Ronnie Price, who participated in the inaugural event.

The Ryan Bartel Foundation is seeking businesses and community partners to sponsor the tournament.

To sponsor or register got to ryanbartelfoundation.org/fairways-for-hope or call Executive Director Val Walters at 571-207-8764. n

SATURDAY, MAY 14

COOLING • HEATING • PLUMBING

SEGRA FIELD PARKING LOTS

“WORRY-FREE” NO BREAKDOWN GUARANTEE*

$

79

SAME DAY

11A-4P

A/C TUNE-UP

60 PLUS, 1 LB. OF REFRIGERANT FREE VA1LU E $

LIMITED TIME!

CALL FOR DETAILS!

WHEN YOU BUY A NEW COOLING & HEATING SYSTEM

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & GAMES! SCAN HERE

WE GIVE YOU UP TO

PLUS, WE GIVE YOU

LIMITED TIME!

CALL FOR DETAILS!

UP TO

WWW.LOUDOUN.GOV/PRCSEVENTS

WHEN YOU BUY A NEW COOLING & HEATING SYSTEM TM

(571) 207-9571 SnellHeatingandAir.com © By SNELL Heating & Air Conditioning. All Rights Reserved. VA: #2705171530 ELE GFC HVA PLB #2705135480

Reserve Your Visit in Just 30 SECONDS

®

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 18

Obituaries and Catherine Nelson. She is also survived by her three great-grandchildren, Emerson Cain, Beckham Cain and Logan Zuehlsdorf, and by many loved and loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Edwin Gallun, and her brothers Norman Wigdale and James Wigdale.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Barbie’s life on May 6, 2022, at The Woodlands at Algonkian, Sterling, VA at 1pm. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the charity of your choice in Barbie’s name.

Carla Tanner Cogar On Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, Carla Tanner Cogar (68) of Leesburg, VA went home to be with the Lord. Carla was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Eugene Cogar; her father, Walter Arthur Tanner; and oldest brother, Bruce Tanner. She is survived by three daughters; Jami Cogar, Crystal Cogar, Tiffany Cogar Sturgeon (Roger) and son Joshua Cogar (Ashley); five grandchildren (Annika, Curtis, Roger, Russell and Royce); her mother, Greta Tanner (Alva Greta Anderson); three sisters, Cathleen Miller, Cindy Anctil, Christine Cervelli, and brother, Brett Tanner.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at Cornerstone Chapel, 650 Battlefield Parkway SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following. Please come celebrate her life and share your memories with us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carla’s memory to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration - https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/ or to Cornerstone Chapel - https://cornerstonechapel.net/give/

Death Notices Barbara Wigdale Nelson died on April, 2, 2022, after a short illness while on vacation in Honolulu, HI. She was 82 years old.

Barbie is survived by her life-long partner, husband, and best friend, Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF, Retired. Barbie was the proud mother of four children, who also survive her: Wendy (Jim) Miller, Holly (Mike) Blais, Tracy (Chris) Herwig and Col. Michael A. Nelson, Jr., USAF, Retired (Becky). She also was the beloved Gama of eleven grandchildren: Blake (Sarah) Cain, Chandler (Sam) Zuehlsdorf, Brett (Sasha) Cain, Jackson (Sarah) Blais, Caleb Blais, 1 LT Brad Butcher, McKenna Butcher, Jake Butcher, Lindy Nelson, Michael Nelson

William Lee Harper, (aka) Billy. Past away peacefully on April 26th, 2022 at his home in Ashburn, Va. He was born on July 19th, 1970 in Fairfax, Va to Walter Lee Harper, and Carolyn Ruth German Harper.

He was preceded in death by his mother Carolyn Ruth Harper. His loving girlfriend of 25 years Tahani Ezzat, his maternal grandparents William Clayton German, and Mary Catherine Downy German. His Paternal grandmother Mary Jane Harper. His Step Mother Kaitlyn Sue Corbin Harper. And 3 uncles, and 1 aunt. Also a great niece Malaya Rae Antiquiera.

He’s survived by his father Walter Lee Harper, sister Christina Lee Harper Powers, two brothers Brian Keith Harper, Timothy Carlton German and step brother Shawn Corbin. His daughter Keyanna Cristina Meehan-Deck, 1 granddaughter, and 4 nieces, and 4 nephews, and 5 great nieces, and 3 great nephews.

A memorial service will be held May 7, 2022 at 11:00am. Loudoun Funeral Chapel.

Gregory Scott Williams (48) of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away on April 24, 2022.

Greg was born on July 14, 1973 at Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax County, Virginia.

Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Susan Barrett Williams and brother, Sean Bradley Williams.

Greg is survived by his father of Salem, Oregon; brother, Geoffrey Thomas Williams, Jr. of Castle Rock, Colorado; half-sister, Casey Leigh Williams of Ormond Beach, Florida, and half-brother Scott MacKenzie Williams of Dallas, Texas; nieces, Barrett Marie Williams, Katherine Kittleson Williams and Jordan Lee Williams; aunts Margaret Jean Richards (Bill) and Constance Williams Rogers of Wilmington, North Carolina; uncles Edgar Lee (Frances) Barrett, Jr. of Manning, South Carolina, James Robert (Page) Barrett of Leesburg, Virginia and John Kelly (Eileen) Barrett of Purcellville, Virginia; numerous cousins; and his many friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on May 9, 2022 at Hall Funeral Home, 140 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia.

To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer: 703-770-9723 sstyer@loudounnow.com

100WomenStrong continued from page 16 affect the health of a neighborhood and community. With our focus this year on mental health and housing, we hope to alleviate some of the pressing issues that many in Loudoun County face right now.

We also are so thankful we can support the wonderful organizations working hard

MAY 5, 2022 to help our neighbors stay in their homes or find other safe housing solutions.”

Formed in 2008, 100WomenStrong is a group of concerned philanthropists seeking to strategically invest in organizations and programs that enrich the lives of Loudoun County residents through strategic grants to nonprofits working in the areas of shelter, health, hunger and education. Learn more at OneHundredWomenStrong.org. n

2022 100WomenStrong Grants n

A FARM LESS ORDINARY - $10,000

n

A PLACE TO BE - $15,000

n

BRINGING RESOURCES TO AID WOMEN’S SHELTERS (BRAWS) -

$15,000 n

CAPITAL CARING HEALTH - $7,500

n

CENTER FOR ADOPTION SUPPORT AND EDUCATION - $10,000

n

CROSSROADS JOBS - $10,000

n

DULLES SOUTH SOUP KITCHEN -

n n n n

n

LOUDOUN HUNGER RELIEF -

$15,000 n

LOUDOUN LITERACY COUNCIL -

$13,000 n

LOUDOUN SERENITY HOUSE -

$20,000 n

LOVE, KK - $2,500

n

MOBILE HOPE - $13,000

n

NORTHERN VIRGINIA FAMILY SERVICE -

$10,000

$20,000

n

PATHWAY HOMES - $10,000

EVERY CITIZEN HAS OPPORTUNITIES (ECHO) - $15,000

n

RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION -

FAMIL - $10,000

n

FRIENDS OF LOUDOUN MENTAL HEALTH - $10,500

n

$10,000 SCAN OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA -

$13,000 SEVEN LOAVES SERVICES, INC. –

$15,000

GOOD SHEPHERD ALLIANCE -

$5,000

n

SHELTER HOUSE INC. - $15,000

n

HEALTHWORKS - $25,000

n

THE ARC OF LOUDOUN - $16,000

n

HEELING HOUSE - $4,000

n

THE CHRIS ATWOOD FOUNDATION -

n

INMED PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN - $12,000

n

THE NEW AG SCHOOL - $6,000

n

INSIGHT MEMORY CARE - $10,000

n

THE FENWICK FOUNDATION -

n

JK COMMUNITY FARM - $6,500

n

JUST NEIGHBORS - $10,000

n

LOUDOUN ABUSED WOMEN’S SHELTER (LAWS) - $20,000

n

LEONARD W. KIDD AMERICAN LEGION POST 2001 - $10,000

$6,500

$10,000 n n

THE STEP SISTERS - $4,000 VETERANS MOVING FORWARD -

$5,000 n

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, CHESAPEAKE & CAROLINAS -

$12,000

n

LOUDOUN CARES - $10,000

n

WINDY HILL FOUNDATION - $7,500

n

LOUDOUN COALITION ON WOMEN AND GIRLS - $1,000

n

WOMEN GIVING BACK - $15,000

n

YOUTH FOR TOMORROW - $20,000

MAY 5, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 19

Rallye for Vets Rolls Again Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

BY RENSS GREENE

Cars both new and classic lined up at Breaux Vineyards after the Rallye for Vets.

rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Rallye for Vets rolled through the roads of Loudoun once again Sunday, raising money for veterans in need.

The organization raises funds to provide direct medical and mortgage or rent payments for veterans in need, through car shows, silent auctions, and rallyes, pairing veterans as navigators with donors as drivers. This year’s first rallye ran from DC Prime Steakhouse in Ashburn to Breaux Vineyards north of Hillsboro.

Drivers in the May 1 event sought to arrive at the finish line closest to a target time based on speed limits, road conditions and weather. Jeff Barrows in his 2014 Ferrari 458 and Patrick Moore in his 2021 Ford Raptor came closest to the target time 1:05:41, with Barrows less than a minute under at 1:04:46 and Barrows less than a minute over at 1:05:34.

The day also featured a number of rare and classic cars, such as Garrett Pressick’s 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero, Chris Fennell’s 1966 Chevrolet Corvette and Rex Brouilard’s 1965 Shelby Cobra.

And the event raised more than $9,000 including registrations, raffles, and donations, according to co-founder and Navy veteran Desiree Peyman. The rallye was followed by live music, raffles, and a winner’s ceremony at the vineyard.

It was only the first of several rallyes planned this year. The next will be June 26 from Morven Park to Flying Ace Farm distillery.

Last year’s Rallye for Vets ran from Ida Lee Park in Leesburg to Breaux Vineyards northwest of Hillsboro, raising nearly $5,500 on the day—and through donations, campaigns, events, and local support raised more than $60,000 in its first full year, according to Peyman. They also assisted veterans in four states and paid five mortgages and rents.

To become a driver, sign up at rallyeforvets.org/become-a-driver. To donate to Rallye for Vets, visit rallyeforvets.org/donate. And if you are a veteran who needs help with a mortgage, rent or medical payment, fill out a relief form at rallyeforvets.org/relief-forms.

More information and photos of the day are also at facebook.com/rallyeforvets. n

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Custom Pet Protection With Our Boundary Plus® Family of Products At Invisible Fence® Brand, we’ve pioneered and modernized the pet containment industry by providing you with a customized outdoor solution and training designed specifically for your home and your pet’s needs. The result? Complete confidence in your pet’s safety both indoors and outdoors.

SAVE $150 Outdoor Solution 703-968-6500 InvisibleFence.com ©2022 Radio Systems Corp. All Rights Reserved. *Limited time offer valid on new professionally installed Boundary Plus pet fence. Offer may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, coupons or previous purchases. Valid only at participating Authorized Dealers.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

MAY 5, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Business

Breseman Named Rising Star Nurse Practitioner

Loudoun Now file photo

The Salamander Resort & Spa has been awarded two Five-Star ratings by Forbes Travel Guide.

Salamander Doubles Up on Five-Star Rating Salamander Resort & Spa was awarded two prestigious Five-Star Ratings by Forbes Travel Guide. The resort’s Salamander Spa received the coveted honor for the first time, making it the only fivestar spa in Virginia, while the 168-room property received the lodging distinction for the fourth consecutive year.

The top honor in the hospitality industry since 1958, the Forbes Five-Star

ratings are based on professional, anonymous inspections. There are only 63 properties worldwide with five-star ratings for both lodging and spa, and just 30 in the United States.

“I am so incredibly proud and humbled to receive 10 stars from Forbes Travel Guide,” said Sheila C. Johnson, the resort owner and founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts. “Maintaining

our unique style of thoughtful, warm and caring service, and a creative approach to the guest experience is something we pride ourselves on, particularly through the unprecedented times we’ve all recently faced and especially in a spa environment. I am so grateful to our entire team of service professionals who strive to exceed our guests’ expectations on a daily basis.

They have truly earned these ratings.” n

Jennifer Breseman, a nurse practitioner who practices family medicine with Leesburg Sterling Family Practice, was awarded the Rising Star award Breseman by the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.

The award is given to an individual who has been a nurse practitioner for less than five years but exhibits the qualities of leadership expected of a more seasoned individual.

She was recognized for her rise from a student and volunteer with VCNP to becoming an active member of the organization’s Northern Virginia board. She helped create the Preceptor award to honor VCNP members who serve as preceptors in the region. Her doctoral work focused on educating providers about transgender health.

Groupe Passes Leadership of The Engineering Groupe After 32 years at the helm of The Engineering Groupe, Inc., John S. “Skip” Groupe IV announced he is stepping back as the firm’s president and chairman and will assume the role of chairman emeritus. John S. “Johnny” Groupe V has been named ANNOUNCEMENTS continues on page 21

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

If you value quality local journalism ...

Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now.

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.”

In your home weekly, online always.

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.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 21

BUSINESS announcements continued from page 20 president and market president for Loudoun County, responsible for building relationships with commercial businesses, professional services firms, and nonprofits/ associations in the Dockendorff market and leading the banking team in delivering relevant advice, products, and services to the bank›s clients.

Dockendorff has lived and worked in Loudoun County his entire life, most recently working as team leader and senior vice president at M&T Bank. He was with M&T for over 17 years where he served in several positions within the retail and business banking divisions. He serves on the board of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA Loudoun County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Dockendorff to Lead Freedom international business and management Bank’s Loudoun Market from Dickenson College. He resides in 9.75X5.325.pdf m. with his wife, Lauren, and three The Freedom Bank 1of 11/04/22 Virginia 5:45 has p.Sterling hired Dave Dockendorff as senior vice children. n president and chairman.

Skip Groupe founded The Engineering Groupe in 1990 with five employees. Today, the firm has more than 50 employees with headquarters in Woodbridge and offices in Fredericksburg and Ashburn.

Johnny Groupe has more than 20 years of leadership positions within the company, including serving as the firm’s COO overseeing all activities of the business’s various departments as well as leading the effort to implement the firm’s goals and strategies.

Some of The Engineering Groupe’s most notable projects in the region include Belmont Bay in Prince William County, Stone Ridge in Loudoun County, Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Fairfax County, Celebrate in Stafford County and the Fredericksburg MiLB Stadium in the City of Fredericksburg.

Learn more at enggroupe.com.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

BENEFITING RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION

June 9th at 10:30 AM

Register to Play! ryanbartelfoundation.org/fairways-for-hope Loudoun Golf & Country Club 36967 W Main Street • Purcellville, VA 20132

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

MAY 5, 2022

Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online.

Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Biosolids Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior

Utilities

$50,000-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Deputy Procurement Officer

Finance

$67,175-$115,044 DOQ

Open until filled

Office 365 Systems Administrator

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$62,000-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Project Manager

Utilities

$76,426-$130,688 DOQ

Open until filled

Public Information Officer

Public Information Office

$72,952-$124,893 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Systems Analyst

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

5/5/2022

Stormwater & Environmental Manager

Public Works & Capital Projects

$82,999-$141,929 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Inspector II

Utilities

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior

Utilities

$50,000-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician

Utilities

$50,000-$89,790 DOQ Open until1filled NHLEmployerCard2.pdf 9/3/19

Zoning Analyst

Planning & Zoning

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011

10:58 AM

Open until filled

Summer Positions Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Maintenance Worker

Utilities

$15.00

Closing Date Open until filled

Flexible Part-Time Position Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

Library Assistant

Thomas Balch Library

$20.51-$33.42 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Engineer

Plan Review

$55.00-$70.00 DOQ

Open until filled

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs.

Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.

All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

NHLEmployerCard2.pdf 1 9/3/19 10:58 AM C

Let us help find your next employee.

M

Y

• Candidate Search • Resume Postings

CM

• Employer Dashboard and much more MY

CY

Search, find and contact applicants directly on your mobile device or desktop. Manage prospective employees and resumes from a convenient secure dashboard CMY

K

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

NowHiringLoudoun.com

Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

A Nudge to Thank a Teacher

BY DANIELLE NADLER Executive Director, Loudoun Education Foundation

I don’t know if there’s ever been a time when the sentiment “thank a teacher” has been more relevant. It’s been two years of teaching over computer screens, through masks, and amid political culture wars. Not sure which is toughest to navigate.

Nadler

Now, during Teacher Appreciation Week, we have a chance to thank our educators. This special section highlights the 35 educators who were nominated for Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, New Secondary Teacher of the Year, and New Elementary Teacher of the Year. The Loudoun Education Foundation, together with generous sponsors, are excited to celebrate their hard work and dedication to students at our Outstanding Educators Banquet this Friday.

After having to take a two-year hiatus, we are thrilled that this special celebration is back.

Each of us can name at least one teacher who helped direct the trajectory of our life. I can name about a dozen, including my mom.

And today, I personally know of educators who regularly go above and beyond their job description, simply to show love and support to their students. I know teachers who frequently buy students school supplies, snacks, and birthday gifts; who hand-deliver homework well past their working hours; or who take it upon themselves to scour rental property listings in search of a safe home for their students.

These are the stories they may not share with their supervisors or the families they serve. But, LCPS educators, please know that LEF notices your incredible dedication. We see you, and we’re here to support you.

Our support comes through several different avenues. LEF raises about $3 million a year to launch and fund programs that help LCPS students and educators reach their full potential.

Specifically, our mission is to further student equity and access, to invest in workforce development programs, and to support educators through mentorship programming and Innovation in Education grants.

PAGE 23

Outstanding Educators 2022 Marple, Mr. ‘Positive,’ Named Principal of the Year He’s camped overnight in the school front lawn— alongside his canine companion and dyed his hair wild colors to reward students for reaching educational goals.

He greets students with high-fives and boisterous “good morning, guys!”

Robert Marple is that kind of principal.

Marple, principal of Cedar Lane Elementary, has been selected as Loudoun County’s nominee for the 2022 Washington Post Principal of the Year Award. The nominee for this award serves as Loudoun County’s Principal of the Year.

In his nomination packet, students, parents, teachers, and colleagues described Marple as infectiously positive, energetic, and caring. His school family shared stories of Marple not only going above and beyond to create a fun, welcoming school culture, but also describe his efforts to meet students’ needs. During the height of the pandemic, he worked with the school librarian to deliver books to children through a mobile book bus.

The Innovation in Education grants, ranging from $500-$1,500, are awarded to educators to fund creative learning opportunities for their students – opportunities that they too often personally finance.

Cedar Lane first grade teacher Muffy Robey first met Marple in 2008, when she was a parent at Hamilton Elementary, where he then served as principal. She said that Marple’s best quality is that he emphasizes relationships first.

During this Teacher Appreciation Week, consider sending your favorite educator a “thank you” note, and donate to the Innovation in Education grants fund in their honor. Give at LoudounEducationFoundation.org/Donate, include your favorite educator’s name in the memo line, and we at LEF will keep you posted on just how your donation was used in the classroom.

“Following a year of uncertainty for all, he continues to emphasize the value of the child, teacher, and parent connection,” Robey said. “As a parent at Hamilton with a student population of 170, you would expect for it to feel like a small community. To create that same atmosphere at a school of 800 takes something special. It takes dedication, enthusiasm, and a tireless commitment each and every day.”

Marple has served in principal positions since 2009, first at

Photo Credit: ©LCPS 2021

Robert Marple, principal at Cedar Lane Elementary, says a few words moments after he learned that he won Principal of the Year.

Hamilton and now at Cedar Lane Elementary. He started his career in education as a physical education teacher, before taking roles as assistant principal and dean.

His work will be celebrated, along with the 35 other teacher and principal nominees, at the Loudoun Education Foundation’s Outstanding Educators Banquet on Friday.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 24

MAY 5, 2022

Teacher of the Year:

Music Educator Markwood Named Teacher of the Year Kind, generous, and passionate about music education are just a few words that were written to describe music education teacher Jordan Markwood in his hefty nomination packet for Teacher of the Year.

An impressive 115 people wrote in support of Markwood’s nomination, including 44 Loudoun County Public Schools educators. Their message was heard loud and clear— Markwood has not only been named 2022 Washington Post Teacher of the Year and Loudoun County Teacher of the Year, but also named top teacher among 18 school systems in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The winners each receive a $7,500 prize.

Markwood founded Rock Ridge High School’s choral program in 2014. He sponsors the A Cappella Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society, plus serves as the vocal director for Rock Ridge Performing Arts, supporting the production of school musicals.

“In 33 years as a choral director and music administrator, I can honestly say that Mr. Markwood is in the top 1 percent of music educators and leaders whom I have observed and with whom I’ve worked,” LCPS Music Specialist Elaine Stanford wrote of Markwood. “He expects the highest

Loudoun County Public Schools

Jordan Markwood, Fine Arts Department chair and choral director at Rock Ridge High School, has been named the 2022 Washington Post Teacher of the Year, in addition to Loudoun County Teacher of the Year.

performance, both musically and behaviorally, from his students. But he also makes the experience fun!”

Stephanie Knott, whose son is a former student of Markwood, wrote that Markwood’s influence goes far beyond the classroom. “His kind and generous spirit helps him build lasting relationships with his students.”

Members of Galilee United Methodist Church, where Markwood serves as music director, wrote about the compassion Markwood demonstrates beyond school. He

reached out to one young man who struggled with bipolar and mental issues before taking his own life in 2019. One of the things that gave this young man happiness was to sing and perform in Galilee’s Praise Project with Jordan.

He would come home filled with happiness saying that ‘Mr. Markwood was wonderful!’”

Markwood’s work will be celebrated, along with the 35 other teacher and principal nominees, at the Loudoun Education Foundation’s Outstanding Educators Banquet on Friday.

Teacher and Principals Nominees – 2022

SCOTT PHILLIPS

PORTIA BAGLEY

Principal, Eagle Ridge Middle Years in education: 33

Math, Tuscarora High School Years in education: 25

“The one word that most accurately describes Scott is mentor. No matter what your position is here at Eagle Ridge, Scott is ready to coach you up.”

“Ms. Bagley taught me how to be a leader on and off the court… she taught me to always hold your head up high because body language speaks volumes.”

– Teacher

– Former student

LORI MERCER

CHRISTY BANKS

Principal, Hovatter Elementary Years in education: 28

Reading specialist, Liberty Elementary Years in education: 22

“I know and feel that she believes in each and every one of us. Lori is exactly the kind of principal that I wish every child and teacher could experience.”

“Powerful, passionate, real...these are words that come to mind when thinking about Christy Banks.”

– Administrator

– Teacher MEGHAN ARTHUR Reading specialist, Cedar Lane Elementary Years in education: 25 “The passion for reading that Mrs. Arthur possesses is contagious.

Her students cannot help but to get excited with her…”

– Librarian

FRANK BOGDEN Fourth grade, Buffalo Trail Elementary Years in education: 26 “Mr. Bogden feeds the curious minds by providing nuggetsized baits of knowledge and leading the kids to find their own knowledge treasures rather than spoon-feeding them the facts.”

– Parent

CAROLINE BRUNETTI Fourth grade, Cedar Lane Elementary

New Elementary Teacher of the Year

“Mrs. Brunetti is committed to the idea that ALL students flourish in an environment where high expectations are in place, trust is established and each student feels valued for the contributions they bring to the classroom.”

– Colleague CHRISTOPHER BUTTRICK Economics, Belmont Ridge Middle Years in education: 12 “Mr. Buttrick focuses on building authentic relationships between his students and the content. He does so by being authentic himself and purposefully designing authentic experiences that build his students’ capacity to become knowledgeable and contributing citizens.”

– Administrator

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

What You Likely Don’t Know About the Loudoun Education Foundation

The Loudoun Education Foundation may be one of the county’s best-kept secrets. It started in 1991 as a passion project of four School Board members, who wanted to help community members support innovative educational projects that went above and beyond the school system’s operating budget.

Projects like classroom grants for teachers, scholarships for graduates, and awards ceremonies to honor high-achieving students.

Since then, LEF has raised more than $8.5 million and is now on track to bring in more than $3 million a year to support the public school system.

The foundation’s team—including four staff members, 21 foundation trustees, and 14 honorary trustees—is committed to connecting donors’ passions to areas of need within the public schools.

For some, it’s a chance to provide weekend meals for food-insecure students that prompts them to give. For others, it’s about sending a student to STEM camp who wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity. Others want to invest in diversifying and preparing the future workforce. They all turn to LEF to make the most of their investment.

Here’s just one example of how the foundation puts community resources to work: In 2017, LEF pursued and won a Good Neighbor grant from Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to create afterschool STEM programs that would proactively close the achievement gap among Loudoun County students. Coupled with donations from Howard Hughes Medical Institute and several other community partners, LEF has since expanded PROPEL and Level Up to 10 elementary and four middle schools, respectively.

The programs invite economically disadvantaged students to take part in long-term STEM projects that build their confidence and problem-solving skills. Just four years in, teachers are already seeing that students who take part in PROPEL or Level Up do better in math, reading, and science, making them more likely to enroll in Honors, Advanced Placement, and other higher-level coursework.

That is real progress that will lead to more students from historically marginalized communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists.

Another example of LEF’s work is the special section you’re reading now. For 29 years, the foundation has helped honor the educators nominated for Teacher and Principal of the Year by hosting a banquet. But this year, the celebration is taking the form of this special section.

Teachers have had an exceptionally difficult two years. As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, take a minute to thank a teacher. If you want to put a little oomph behind that thank you, donate $10, $25, or $50 at LoudounEducationFoundation.org to the Innovation in Education Grants program.

Thank you for helping us honor Loudoun County’s outstanding educators.

— Danielle Nadler, Executive Director, Loudoun Education Foundation

PAGE 25

Teacher and Principals Nominees – 2022 DANA CEPPI

LYNNE GIANELOS

Librarian, Frances Hazel Reid Elementary Years in education: 26

Science, Harmony Middle Years in education: 12

“Dana [Ceppi] is more than a media specialist and librarian, she is the heart of FHR. She loves each child and staff member and takes care of us through her love of literature and nurturing personality.”

– Colleague ELIZABETH COYLE Special education, River Bend Middle Years in education: 1

New Secondary Teacher of the Year

“Ms. Gianelos truly has a gift for encouraging and motivating her students.”

– Parent SARAH GRAVEL Science, Stone Hill Middle Years in education: 11 “She [Ms. Gravil] brings kindness and empathy every day and empowers her students to love the subject of science and stay on top of their work.”

– Student

“What stands out the most to me is her calm demeanor and professionalism as she daily goes above and beyond to meet student needs.”

– Colleague STEPHANIE CULVER Fourth grade, Liberty Elementary Years in education: 19 “Mrs. Stephanie Culver gives all of herself to each child at Liberty every day. In that, one of the greatest gifts Stephanie provides is truly ‘leading by example.’ Stephanie is indeed a model educator to us all.”

– Administrator BRIAN FONTAINE Science, Mercer Middle Years in education: 19 “Mr. Fontaine knows that critical thinking and student inquiry are keys to learning. He encourages his students to ask questions and think for themselves as they discover new science processes.”

– Administrator HELLEN GERLING English Language Learners, Seneca Ridge Middle Years in education: 21 “She is a wonderful woman, with a big heart. When I was in Seneca, she helped me a lot. I cannot find anything to compare for everything she did for me.”

– Former student

TYLAND HAYWOOD Third grade, Madison Trust Elementary Years in education: 5 “He treats each student as though they were his own and encourages them to believe everything is obtainable.”

– Administrator NIKKI HILL Second grade, Sanders Corner Elementary Years in education: 20 “Mrs. Hill is teaching her students the importance of community, giving back, helping others, and thinking beyond yourself.”

– Colleague DAVID HOFFMAN Fourth grade, Frances Hazel Reid Elementary Years in education: 14 “Mr. Hoffman is a remarkable educator who has a tremendous gift for inspiring his students and instilling a deep love of learning.”

– Parent KELLY JAMES English, Smart’s Mill Middle Years in education: 12 “There is a light that comes from Mrs. James. Students experience this light when they work with her.

Parents experience this light when they speak to her about their child’s learning.”

– Administrator

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

MAY 5, 2022

CRISTINA KEETON

JULIE MYERS

MUFFY ROBEY

Spanish, River Bend Middle Years in education: 13

Fourth grade, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary Years in education: 20

First grade, Cedar Lane Elementary Years in education: 12

“Julie [Myers] has a calling in life, and that calling is getting the most out of each and every one of her students.”

“To see a classroom community where each student is engaged, supportive, and inclusive is to see what Ms. Robey has designed.”

“Sra. Keeton stands out as one of the best instructors that our kids have had in their middle school years. Her passion for teaching has translated to both my kids learning Spanish in more applicable ways than I would have ever expected.”

– Parent STEFANIE KNIEZEWSKI Learning specialist, Eagle Ridge Middle Years in education: 17 “There is absolutely no stronger voice for clarity and accessibility with content…other teachers look to her expertise with the subject matter and instructional strategies she provides to enhance their work.”

– Administrator REBECCA LOWE Fifth grade, Cedar Lane Elementary Years in education: 17 “I want you to know that she [Mrs. Lowe] is an inspiring teacher because she encourages students to do their best. She uses humor to make lessons funny and interesting facts to make them fascinating.”

– Student MICHAEL LUCIDO Latin, Smart’s Mill and Willard Middle Years in education: 11 “In the classroom, Dr Lucido provides a safe, respectful environment where students can be right or wrong and still feel supported by him and, more importantly, the other students.

He sets high expectations for his students because he knows they can achieve those expectations.”

– Parent ANGELA MANNING First grade, Dominion Trail Elementary Years in education: 15 “The culture Mrs. Manning has created in her classroom and with her colleagues, allows for students and staff to ask questions. This creates a learning environment that cultures collaboration, the ability to take risks, and helps others strive for continuous growth.”

– Administrator

– Teacher

– Administrator

JULIA O’LAUGHLEN

KELSEY STILES

Fifth grade, Arcola Elementary Years in education: 30

Third grade, Rolling Ridge Elementary Years in education: 6

“Julia O’Laughlen’s commitment to her students far surpasses her job description. She is constantly seeking ways to support and enrich the lives of every student.”

– Administrator GIGI OZGUR Special education, J. Michael Lunsford Middle Years in education: 9 “There is no one in our building who individualizes instruction and responses like Gigi [Ozgur]. Gigi meets with each family, alone with parents first, then bringing the student into the conversation, to map out how everyone wants the year to look.”

– Administrator JANA OZMENT Science, North Star School Years in education: 36 “Fostering cooperative relationships with colleagues seems to come naturally for Jana [Ozment]. Her character traits of communication, collaboration, adaptability, empathy and patience make her a natural for collaboration.”

– Teacher KRISTIE PEPIN Fourth grade, Newton-Lee Elementary Years in education: 12

“She [Ms. Stiles] treats each and every child in this building with respect and generosity. She treats each and every child in this building with respect and generosity. She always takes pride in whatever she does...”

– Student LARRY WHARTON Science, Riverside High School Years in education: 13 “Mr. Wharton truly takes a sincere, heartfelt interest in every member of the RAM FAM…’The door to my classroom will always be kept open for you to stop by and come in’ is not just a saying but truly how he operates.”

– Administrator KIM WORTH Theater, Dominion High School Years in education: 26 “There is nothing that Doc [Dr. Worth] won’t do to help a student be more successful. Whether it’s coaching them through crippling anxiety, just so that they can walk across the stage in a play or driving all over town to make sure that students have costumes...Doc is willing to sacrifice.”

– Colleague

“She [Ms. Pepin’s] maintains a very positive relationship with parents and fosters a strong school-to-home connection...her rapport with children is natural and instinctive.”

– Parent

Learn more about how to support our public schools at LoudounEducationFoundation.org.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 27

Visit Loudoun celebrates...

National Travel and Tourism Week

May 1st-7th, 2022

Visit Loudoun thanks the thousands of hospitality professionals who make Loudoun a must-visit destination! In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the #FutureOfTravel and the industry’s role in fostering our vibrant community. A future where friends, family and colleagues are reconnecting. The #FutureOfTravel is driven by all of us and a brighter future starts today, in our own back yard.

#LoveLoudoun

VisitLoudoun.org

#DCsWineCountry

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 28

MAY 5, 2022

Towns

AROUND towns

Council Members Seek Negotiations over Vineyard Square Development

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

With the developers of the Vineyard Square development in downtown Purcellville apparently moving toward the demolition phase of their project, there may be a renewed effort to negotiate its design and scale.

It was an alert posted by the owners of the Re-Love It consignment store that renewed a Town Council conversation about the 171,000-square-foot mixed use project that originally was approved in 2013.

Store owner Michael Oakes said he received notice that his lease would not be renewed beyond July 15. The 21st Street building he leases is set to be demolished to make way for the construction of 40 condominiums and 30,000 square feet of new retail space.

The action triggered concerns about the loss of a popular store—and possibly Oakes, who has been a leading organizer for a host of major community events— as well as impacts the construction could have on the business district.

During last week’s Town Council meeting, council members read into the record a series of emails sent by residents and visitors lamenting the loss of Re-Love It and expressing worry that Vineyard Square will erase much of Purcellville’s

Segall Group

A rendering shown on the new website promoting the Vineyard Square development proposed along 21st Street in Purcellville.

small-town charm.

Oakes, who has leased the storefront since 2010, said he was working with the county’s Department of Economic Development to find suitable space to keep the business going. Along with worrying about the future of his store, he also questioned whether the move to demolition was premature and could leave the street with empty buildings or vacant lots long before construction actually begins.

Since the first approvals for Vineyard Square a decade ago, subsequent town

councils have worked to block the project, but found the developers had adequately vested their permits so they could not be canceled and had not expired.

During the April 26 meeting, council members acknowledged strong community opposition to the development and stressed their commitment to revitalizing the 21st Street business district. And with legal avenues to stop the project VINEYARD SQUARE continues on page 29

Frustrations Surface as Purcellville Budget Work Wraps Up

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

As the Purcellville Town Council worked to push its Fiscal Year 2023 budget work over the finish line, town administrators pushed for greater protection for the town employees serving the town.

Town Manager David A. Mekarski opened the April 26 discussion by pointing out that the current version of the budget is only a half percent larger than the pre-pandemic spending plan.

He praised the staff for helping the town

navigate a period of great austerity.

Councilmembers have held a series of budget discussions in the weeks since Mekarski presented his proposal in midMarch and the debate now centers on whether their job is done, or whether there is more spending to wring out.

Those pushing for more cuts have focused on utility rates and staffing costs.

Councilman Stanley J. Milan Sr. is searching for some way to reduce utility bills that are scheduled to increase gradually with bumps of 3% to 5% annually to prepare for a large jump in debt payments that will hit in 2026—a condi-

tion created by a previous refinancing that delayed previously anticipated rate hikes. He said the revenue generated by the town’s newly established nutrient bank partnership should have a greater impact on rates, perhaps being used to pay down debt on the sewer system.

But staff members raised concerns about transferring money from the Water Fund, where the nutrient credits are recorded, to the Sewer Fund, a position that prompted a discussion of whether PURCELLVILLE BUDGET continues on page 43

HILLSBORO Foundation to Recognize Old Family Farms The Hillsboro Preservation Foundation has launched a Legacy Farm Marker program to give special recognition the old farms in the area, and to honor the families who have owned and maintained them. The program also will recognize area landowners who have conserved farmland.

The nonprofit’s initiative is supported by the Loudoun County Rural Economic Development Council.

“This program is critical because it is recognizing the ongoing efforts to keep the valuable Loudoun County economic asset—productive agriculture—alive and thriving in the 21st century,” Council Chairwoman Kelly Foltman said.

The foundation plans to reach out to program candidates in the coming months, with the intent to announce the first recipients this fall.

More at hillsboropreservation.org.

LOVETTSVILLE Oktoberfest Spin-off Considered; Mayfest Canceled The Town Council will consider spinning of the ownership of the annual Oktoberfest event. It’s an idea the council-appointed planning committee has been mulling.

Under the concept, the event would move from direct control of the town government to an independent nonprofit or limited liability company. During its April 28 meeting, the council directed the staff to study the benefits and risks of spinning off the event and to report back.

At the same meeting, the council agreed to cancel this year’s Mayfest program after calls for volunteers to help plan the event were unsuccessful.

What would have been the ninth Mayfet had been scheduled for May 23.

Council members said some community activity, such as an outdoor movie, will be planned for that weekend.

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 29

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

AROUND towns continued from page 28

MIDDLEBURG Annexation Input Continues The Middleburg Town Council is continuing to collect input on two potential requests for annexations.

Mayor Bridge Littleton last month unveiled proposals to expand the town’s boundaries to include a 22-acre portion of the Homewood property on the north side of town and a 33-acre tract bequeathed to the Windy Hill Foundation on the south, and potentially to add 126 homes between the two.

He promised there would be several weeks to provide public comment on the plans. During last week’s council meeting, two residents made comments to add to seven comments the town had previously received.

The town staff has established a special webpage to present information on the proposals and to post all comments received. To learn more or to make comments, go to middleburgva.gov/386/Proposed-AnnexationsBLAs.

Council Supports Stronger Short Term Rental Rules The Town Council last week approved Town Plan amendment intended to set the foundation to establish tighter rules for short-term residential rentals in town.

The Planning Commission has been working on the regulations since late last year as plans to begin construction of new

Vineyard Square continued from page 28 apparently exhausted, some expressed hope of having the opportunity to modify the design and scale of the plans to better meet the town’s goals.

“To be clear, I do not like the current site plan that was approved. It does not fit the character of the Town of Purcellville,” Councilwoman Erin Rayner said. However, she said the town should seek a productive dialogue to improve the project, working for a spirit of unity, rather than an us-versus-them mentality.

Councilman Tip Stinnette said that the project’s critics have long hoped the development could be blocked, but that strategy didn’t pan out. He said it was

homes on the Salamander Resort property—and the growth of services such as Airbnb—sparked concerns that many could be used as rental properties.

The has had short-term rental policies on the books since 2016, but no property owner has filed an application to provide that service. The commission is continuing to develop specific Zoning Ordinance regulations, with an eye to tailoring them to address the impacts in various neighborhoods, rather than adopt a town-wide approach.

PURCELLVILLE

PAGE 29

One-Day Flash Sale May 6, 2022 – 8AM to 8PM

Limited Time Only – Tickets Starting at $97

SAVE THE DATE

Council Eyes EV Stations The Town Council last week received an overview on the potential benefits of installing electric vehicle superchargers in town.

A representative of town consultant Stantec noted Purcellville has one Level 2 charging station in town, but said there are no DC Fast, quick re-charge stations between Leesburg and Winchester in the Route 7 corridor. That means establishing charging stations in town could not only help expand the EV infrastructure and reduce the town’s carbon footprint, but also may boost tourism, with motorists stopping in town to refill their batteries.

Level 2 chargers require 6 to 8 hours for a recharge, while the Level 3 stations can do the work in about 30 minutes.

They come with a $30,000 price tag.

Council members seemed receptive to the suggestion, with the next step to explore options to finance the installations, pursue grants, or lease out space to commercial providers. n difficult to understand what the previous council was thinking when the project was approved and pointed to that action as a motivation to replace those members in subsequent elections. But he also urged a more proactive effort to mold the project rather than fight it.

“We should sit down and talk, rather than sit back and hope,” Stinnette said.

Councilman Stanley J. Milan Sr. said he was concerned that the developers may not have financing in place to move forward to construction and was worried that the two-acre area of the downtown district could sit empty for a long period.

Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut vowed not to support the development with town resources, such as funding an extension of O Street through the property as sought by the developers. n

Friday, October 7, 2022 8:00AM – 5:00PM | REGISTRATION OPENS 7:30AM Washington Dulles Airport Marriott | Dulles, VA

This one-day event will bring together women business owners for a unique roundtable experience, educational workshops, and strategic business connections.

“This Women's CEO Summit was one of the best investments of my time for my business and personal development.”” — Jen G.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT WomensCEOSummit.com To learn more about how you can sponsor this event, call or email us today!

(703) 779-2694 | hello@theceowoman.com

Produced by CEO Consulting Group, LLC WomensCEOSummit.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 30

MAY 5, 2022

Loco Living

THINGS to do

Ukraine War Hits Home for Lovettsville Family

BY JAN MERCKER

Live Music: Bumpin Uglies

Thursday, May 5, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The punk reggae band from Annapolis is known for a free-spirited blend of ska, reggae and punk. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $35 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Chris Bowen

jmercker@loudounnow.com

When Nicholas Bennett graduated from Woodgrove High School in 2017, he wanted an international college experience.

When he enrolled at a historic university in Krakow, Poland, to study international relations, Bennett didn’t know he’d have a front-row seat to the transformative geopolitical events of 2022. As Bennett prepares to graduate from Jagiellonian University this summer, he’s witnessed the Ukrainian refugee crisis firsthand, both in Poland and on a reporting trip to Western Ukraine in March. ”I don’t think anyone studying international relations could resist the opportunity to see history being created,” Bennett said.

The Russia’s war on Ukraine is hitting home in more ways than one for the Bennett family of Lovettsville. Nicholas Bennett’s mother Vika is an ethnic Ukrainian who grew up in the former Soviet Union before emigrating to the U.S. in the early ’90s. She still has friends in the region, and the past few months have been filled with tension and worry leading up to the usually joyful Orthodox Easter season in April.

When Nicholas Bennett left Loudoun to study in Krakow, his goal was to travel. And despite COVID disruptions, he’s been able to make his way around much of Europe over the past four years.

“For me, it was mostly about the ability to travel and interact with people around Europe,” he said. “I’ve seen Krakow undergo two major transformations since I first arrived. At first, it was a party city for students–then COVID came and everything locked became kind of bleak.

Then everything started to come back, and the war began. … There’s an uneasiness in the air.”

Krakow, formerly known for its nightlife and international student scene, is now full of Ukrainian refugees. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that 3 million Ukrainian refugees are now in Poland. Bennett’s college roommate is from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv,

LOCO LIVE

Friday, May 6, 4 p.m.

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com TGIF with great tunes from Western Loudoun singer/songwriter and one-man band Chris Bowen.

Live Music: The Pool Boys

Friday, May 6, 6-10 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Mac’s Beach is back for the season and kicks off first Friday with the Pool Boys’ blend of alternative rock from the ’90s and early 2000s.

Live Music: Noah Fowler

Friday, May 6, 6-9 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Fowler is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and bassist whose songwriting draws from Appalachian and Celtic storytelling traditions, the 60s folk revival and storytelling songwriters like Willie Nelson and Steve Earle.

VAL Plaza Party: Lenny Burridge Trio Photo courtesy of Nicholas Bennett

Nicholas Bennett, left, assisted freelance photojournalist David Saveliev on a reporting trip to Lviv in Western Ukraine in March.

which experienced heavy fighting in the early days of the war, and Bennett said that although his friend puts up a brave front, it’s a challenge trying to finish college with a war at home.

Bennett has also traveled to global hot spots as an assistant to the freelance photojournalist David Saveliev. Bennett traveled to Białystok, Poland, with Saveliev in late 2021 to cover the immigration crisis at the Poland/Belarus border. In March, he joined Saveliev and reporting partner Jesse Kiryev in covering the influx of refugees into the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. The team’s article about Ukrainian Jews sheltering in a historic Lviv synagogue was published last month in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

For Bennett, a week in Lviv in midMarch as the city experienced its first Russian missile strikes was intense and unforgettable, with the sound of air raid sirens filling the air. But one thing that struck Bennett was the way life went on.

“Everyone’s walking their dogs and mothers with their strollers. They’re not hiding. They just continue on with life,” Bennett said.

“Obviously, there’s an element of fear,” he added, but he had to follow up on the opportunity to witness history. “I never expected to be interviewing refugees in a synagogue in Western Ukraine. … It’s irreplaceable to see these things on the ground in a real way.”

For Bennett, who grew up in Loudoun with his Russian-speaking grandparents, the ties to his mother’s cultural heritage also hit home. The young journalists rode the bus back to Krakow with a group of Ukrainian refugees traveling to Poland.

“The woman next to us looked like an identical copy of my grandmother. … At that moment, all the emotional connection surfaced,” Bennett said.

At home near Lovettsville, Bennett’s BENNETTS continues on page 33

Friday, May 6, 6-9 p.m.

Village At Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com VAL’s summer plaza parties kick off with acoustic blues and Americana, classic rock and new rock from Lenny Burridge.

Live Music: Something’s Brewing Lite

Friday, May 6, 6 p.m.

Delirium Cafe, 101 S. King St., Leesburg Details: deliriumcafe.us The Something’s Brewing duo brings out old school acoustic tunes for First Friday.

Live Music: The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Friday, May 6, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The world-class soulful, swinging countryblues trio returns to the Tally Ho. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $40 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Hard Swimmin’ Fish

Friday, May 6, 8 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Hard Swimmin’ Fish returns to Monk’s with a versatile blues sound covering everything from Mississippi country blues to the urban Chicago sound and beyond.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 31

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 31

BEST BETS

THE POOL BOYS Friday, May 6, 7 p.m.

MacDowell’s macsbeach.com

THINGS to do continued from page 30

Live Music: The Crown Jewels

Friday, May 6, 8 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg Details: spankyspub.com Seasoned performers from some of the region’s favorite bands join forces for a dynamic sound.

Live Music: Brady O’ Conor

Saturday, May 7, noon-3 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing O’Conor serves up cover songs and unique catchy originals from a range of genres.

Live Music: Morris-Morris Saturday, May 7, 1-5 p.m.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com Morris~Morris is a father/son duo performing standards, jazz, classic rock and blues.

Live Music: Hugh Ghiringhelli

Saturday, May 7, 1 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville Details: creeksedgewinery.com Check out alt-country favorites and much more from Hugh Ghringhelli of the Lost Corner Vagabonds.

Live Music: Shag Duo

Saturday, May 7, 4 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com The Shag Duo is back with their blend of British and European rock staples.

Live Music: Town Mountain

Saturday, May 6, 5:30 p.m.

B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Tickets are $25 in advance.

North Carolina-based Town Mountain has earned raves for their hard-driving sound, smart songwriting and the honky-tonk edge that permeates their exhilarating live performances.

Live Music: Todd Brooks and Pour Decisions

Saturday, May 7, 6 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road,

THE REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND Friday, May 6, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Brooks and company serve up a heavy helping of classic rock along with favorites from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

VAL Plaza Party: Groovalicious

Saturday, May 7, 6-9 p.m.

Village At Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com It’s the ultimate ’70s dance party on the plaza with Groovalicious.

Live Music: I&I Riddim

Saturday, May 7, 7-10 p.m.

Chefscape, 1602 Village Market Blvd. # 115, Leesburg Details: chefscapekitchen.com It’s reggae night at Chefscape with the award-winning DC-based I&I Riddim serving up reggae standards, the best modern reggae and a few reggae-style pop-rock and calypso/soca tunes.

Live Music: Rowdy Acres

Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com This raucous bluegrass, country rock band plays traditional bluegrass, newgrass, country, classic rock and southern rock–both covers and originals.

Live Music: Acoustic Moose

Sunday, May 8, 2 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com This south-central PA duo with acoustic guitar and dynamic vocal harmonies plays a range of folk rock, blues and classic rock favorites.

LOCO CULTURE Arts and Music Extravaganza at Crooked Run

Friday, May 6, 5-9 p.m.

Crooked Run Brewing, 205 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg Details: crookedrunbrewing.com Check out work from Artist David Oberrieth while listening to gypsy jazz from The Derailleurs.

‘Painting Churches’

Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 8, 2 p.m.

StageCoach Theatre Company, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn

MASTERS SINGERS OF VIRGINIA PRESENTS HEAVEN AND EARTH Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m.

St. James’ Episcopal Church msva.org

Details: stagecoachtc.com StageCoach Theatre presents the award-winning play “Painting Churches” by New York playwright Tina Howe. It’s an exploration of the parent/adult child relationship, the story of an aging couple moving from Boston to Cape Cod and their painter daughter.

The Good Cause Pop Up Market

Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Blikken Hut, 27 S. Loudoun St., Lovettsville Details: facebook.com/thegoodcauseva Local artisans and small businesses showcase their

wares at this monthly pop up in a cool new venue.

MSVA: ‘Of Heaven and Earth’

Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m.

St. James’ Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall Street, NW, Leesburg Details: msva.org Master Singers of Virginia’s spring concert features Herbert Howells’ “Requiem,” “Arise My Love” by Stephen Paulus and Poulenc’s “Chansons Francaises.”

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students.

PAGE 32

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The Reflex will kick off the Tarara Summer Concert Series on May 28.

May Day Memories

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

Spring has sprung, summer is around the corner and Memorial Day ushers it all in on May 30. Instead of packing the car for a long weekend away, why not staycation in Loudoun? In fact, there are events galore to keep you entertained locally throughout the month and all summer long.

“Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer, so kicking it off with live music, food trucks and dancing just seems right,” said Rusty Foster, promoter of the annual Tarara Summer Concert Series, which kicks off at Tarara Winery on May 28 with ’80s cover band The Reflex.

Through Saturdays in September, enjoy Tarara wine and local beer at this handsome Lucketts property offering a stunning setting—a concert in the woods with a stage suspended over a lake.

Other Loudoun wineries build up to Memorial Day with their own events.

May 21 is 80s DJ Dance Party at 868 Estate Vineyards, with hits from Madonna to Men at Work. Enjoy a glass of the 2019 Vidal Blanc Passito (a gold winner at the recent Governor’s Cup) in between showing off your moves. Two Twisted Posts Winery hosts Kindness Day on May 21: wear a Mr. Rodgers red sweater and get a complimentary tasting. In western Loudoun, Maggie Malick Wine Caves hosts the wildly popular annual Puppypalooza May 21-22 – amazing leaping, swimming and catching tricks from skilled canine competitors. Cheer them on while sipping Maggie’s own recent gold winner: the 2020 Albariño.

Nothing says summer like being active outdoors. Get your heart rate up and wind in your hair on May 7 at the USE Gravel Grinder National Championship, a 100-mile cycle race on dirt roads through Loudoun, starting and finishing at Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery. Separate to the pros in the main race is a 30mile “Mini G” ride open to all ages. Hop on your bike—or grab a beer and watch the action.

Staying sporty, Fireman’s Field, Purcellville hosts the 16th Annual Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference Diamond Classic Memorial Day weekend, the nation’s longest running women’s baseball tournament. Order hot dogs and cheer on regional stars DC Thunder and Baltimore Pirates from the bleachers.

The big weekend also sees the grand public opening of the much-anticipated National Botanic Garden in Chantilly– 250 gorgeous acres of landscaped gardens that merge horticulture, architecture, topography and art. The garden celebrates the occasion with the Art, Flowers, and Flavors Festival: three days of painting exhibitions, outdoor sculptures, music, food, beer and chocolate as well as wine tastings from some leading Virginia wineries.

Of course, if the urge to go away Memorial Day weekend is simply too strong, we have you covered there too. Treat the family to a weekend in one of Loudoun’s gorgeous B&Bs, hotels, luxe resorts or park cabins. For a range of options visit visitloudoun.org/stay.

Book early - everyone wants to spend Memorial Day weekend in Loudoun! n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Nicholas Bennett, center, was part of a reporting trip to the western Ukraine city of Lviv in March with journalists David Saveliev, left, and Jesse Kiryev. Their article on refugees in a historic Lviv synagogue was recently published in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Bennett

Bennetts continued from page 30 parents David and Vika Bennett have placed sunflowers and Ukrainian flags at the gate to their bucolic western Loudoun home.

Vika Bennett grew up in the Soviet Union in what is now Kazakhstan, the daughter of ethic Ukrainian parents. She studied engineering in Moscow for eight years before moving to the U.S. in the early ’90s. Vika met David, a Maryland native, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in DC. The couple were living on Capitol Hill when Nicholas and his younger brother Andrew, now an engineering student at Virginia Tech, were born, and the family moved to Loudoun in 2001.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

David and Vika Bennett wear the traditional Ukrainian vyshyvanka, a shirt, and krayka, a belt, outside their home near Taylorstown.

David Bennett grew up in Bethesda and Potomac, MD, but his father’s family has roots in Lovettsville. Bennett’s German American ancestors came through Lovettsville in the 1740s before settling in

the midwest. “It’s sort of like we returned ‘home’ after 250 years,” David Bennett said. Vika and David are well-known in the community as the organizers of Lovettsville’s beloved annual German Christmas market before the pandemic.

Vika keeps in touch with several college friends from Ukraine. She said one close friend left the country after fighting began in Eastern Ukraine in 2014. But her friend’s daughter recently relocated to Germany while her husband continues working at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in southern Ukraine seized

by Russian forces in March.

As Vika Bennett messages friends every morning, the war hits home on a daily basis.

“If any nationality had been bombed and treated the way [Ukraine] has been, my heart would break. But when it’s so close to home and you have friends whose kids were living underground in a garage for two weeks in a car, that’s very personal. My heart is definitely going to Ukraine.”

Nicholas Bennett applied to several prestigious graduate programs in the U.S. and Europe for the next academic year, but said part of him feels a pull to stay in Krakow. While he finishes his dissertation, Bennett is working to improve his Russian language skills and is planning another reporting trip with Saveliev to Ukraine this summer. The journalists are also considering a trip to the former Soviet republic of Moldova south of Ukraine where attacks last week raised alarms about the conflict spreading across the border.

“Most people, when a war comes, they don’t want to stay around,” Bennett said.

“But for me, it’s making me want to stay and go towards it in a way.” n

PAGE 33

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER SUBDIVISION VARIATION REQUEST TLSV-2022-0001 DODONA MANOR WELCOME CENTER Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider a Planning Commission Subdivision Variation request, TLSV-2022-2001. This variation request is made on behalf of the applicant George C. Marshall International Center. The variation request is associated with the Site Plan application TLPF 2021-0012 Dodona Manor Welcome Center.

The applicant is requesting the Planning Commission’s approval of a Subdivision Variation to the Town of Leesburg’s Subdivision and Land Development Regulations (the “SLDR”) Section 4.02(g) related to required road frontage improvements along Edwards Ferry Road NE in conjunction with the re-development of a parcel of land identified in the Loudoun County Land Records as PIN#s 23139-7319.

The Subdivision Variation requests that the required frontage improvements be waived with the re-development of this property in order to preserve the historic setting and mature trees along the northern edge of the property.

Copies and additional information regarding the Variation Request are available at the Department of Plan Review located on the second floor of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or by contacting William R. Ackman, Jr., P.E., Director of Plan Review at 703-669-3161.

At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations at this Planning Commission meeting should contact the Clerk of Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

5/5 & 5/12/22

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 7 OVERLAY AND SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS AND ARTICLE 14 CREEK VALLEY BUFFER RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPOVEMENT PROJECTS

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0001 revising the following Section of the Zoning Ordinance: 1. Sec. 7.11.2 Definitions establishing a definition of Capital Improvement Project 2. Sec.7.11.7 Prohibited Activities to make the Section more legible and understandable for use 3. Sec. 7.11.8.B Permitted Uses in Major Floodplain establishing Capital Improvement Project as a permitted use by right in major floodplains within the Floodplain Overlay District 4. Sec. 7.11.8.C Permitted Uses in Minor Floodplain establishing Capital Improvement Project as a permitted use by right in minor floodplains within the Floodplain Overlay District 5. Sec. 14.2.2.C Capital Improvement Setback Reduction establishing the ability to reduce the minimum setback for Capital Improvement Projects within the Creek Valley Buffer Overlay District 6. Sec. 14.6 Permitted Uses clarifying the correct ordinance being referred to in the text of the section Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA2022-0003.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 7712434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

5/5 & 5/12/22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 34

MAY 5, 2022

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following: SPEX-2021-0039 ASHBURN CORPORATE CENTER HOTELS (Special Exception)

EH19, LLC of Arlington, Virginia has submitted an application for a Special Exception to modify the Conditions of Approval and Special Exception Plat associated with SPEX-1998-0016 (Ashburn Corporate Center L 4 and 5), in order to increase the maximum number of hotel rooms from 240 to 244 within the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the 1972 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Sections 722.3.2.1 and 607.2.4. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, Corridor Business (CB) Optional Overlay, and located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 7.16 acres in size and is located on the north side of Waxpool Road (Route 625), west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) and East of Smith Switch Road (Route 1950), at 44610 Waxpool Drive, Ashburn, Virginia, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 061-37-8938. The area is governed by the polices of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which supports a broad array of Employment uses up to a 1.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

ZRTD-2021-0008 & SPEX-2021-0040 1501 MORAN ROAD

(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District & Special Exception) 1501 Moran Road Development LLC of Washington, District of Columbia has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone 7.65 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception); and 2) a Special Exception to permit an increase in the maximum FAR from 0.60 to 1.0 for data center and associated uses. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, and the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 7.65 acres in size and is located on the south side of the intersection of Moran Road (Route 634) and Broderick Drive (Route 1070) and on the east side of the intersection of Moran Road (Route 634) and Acacia Lane (Route 865) in the Broad Run Election District.

The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN: 045-46-5016. The area is governed by the policies of the 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type) which designate this area for Office, Production, Flex Space, and Warehousing uses at up to 1.0 Floor Area Ratio.

SPEX-2021-0052 & CMPT-2021-0013 MDS EQUINE CENTER (Special Exception & Commission Permit)

Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. of Blacksburg, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) a Special Exception for termination of non-conforming status of the public utilities provided by the Town of Leesburg serving the animal hospital use in the AR-1 (Agriculture Rural–1) zoning district; and 2) Commission approval to permit the extension of Town of Leesburg municipal sewer and water lines to serve an expansion of the animal hospital. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and a non-conforming use or structure may be deemed to be in conformity with the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and allowed to continue and to expand as a lawfully existing use or structure through the issuance of Special Exception approval in accordance with Section 1-405. The subject property is located within the LOD (Limestone Overlay District) and is also located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 197.99 acres in size and is located on the east side of the intersection of Old Waterford Road, NW and Fairview Street, NW, at 17690 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, Virginia, in the Catoctin Election District. The property is more particularly described as PIN: 229-27-9023. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Rural Policy Area (Rural North Place Type)), which designate this area for Agricultural and Agricultural Supportive uses with limited Residential, Rural Business, and Tourism uses at a recommended density up to one dwelling units per 20 acres.

ZMAP-2021-0005, ZCPA-2021-0004, SPEX-2022-0022 ZMOD-2021-0015 & ZMOD-2021-0046 BELMONT PARK (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment) (Special Exception & Zoning Modifications)

Belmont Gym Building, LLC, of McLean, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 12.16 acres from the PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential-16, ADU Development Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 163 residential units, consisting of a maximum 106 multifamily units and a maximum of 57 single family attached units, at a density of approximately 13.4 dwelling units per acre; and 2) to amend the proffers approved with ZMAP-1996-0003, and ZCPA-1996-0002, Belmont, in order to revise the Deed

of Viewshed Easement for Belmont Manor. The applicant is also requesting a Special Exception to permit the modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU (Affordable Dwelling Units) developments in the R-16 ADU zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-16 ADU zoning district is listed as Special Exception under Section 7-903(C)(1)(a). The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§3-607(B) (2) R-16 Townhouse/Multifamily Residential, Building Requirements, Building Height, Multifamily.

Increase maximum permitted building height for multifamily buildings from 45 feet to 55 feet without additional setbacks.

§5-1403(B) Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks Matrix, Table Section 5-1403 (B).

Reduce the required building setback from 200 feet to 80 feet and the parking setback from 125 feet to 50 feet along Harry Byrd Highway and Reduce the required building setback from 75 feet to 33 feet and the parking setback from 35 feet to 13 along Russell Branch Parkway.

The subject property is approximately 12.16 acres in size and is located on the east side of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061), west of Claiborne Parkway (Route 901) and south of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) in the Ashburn Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 083-469403. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)) which designate this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural and Recreational uses at recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

ZMAP-2021-0006, SPEX-2021-0022, ZMOD-2021-0020 ZMOD-2021-0023 & ZMOD-2021-0024 HYDE PARK (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception & Zoning Modifications)

38 BL 154 Owner, LLC of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has submitted applications for the following: 1) To rezone approximately 57.61 acres from the PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) zoning district and PD-H3 (Planned Development – Housing 3) administered as the PD-OP zoning district to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multi-family, ADU Development Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop up to 795 residential units, consisting of a maximum of 438 single-family attached residential units and a maximum of 357 multifamily residential units, at a density approximately 13.8 dwelling units per acre; and 2) A Special Exception to permit the modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-16 ADU zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-16 ADU zoning district is listed as a Special Exception under Section 7-903(C)(3). The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance Modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§3-602, R-16 Townhouse/Multifamily Residential, Size and Location.

Increase the maximum district size from 25 acres to 58 acres.

§3-607(B)(2), R-16 Townhouse/Multifamily Residential, Building Requirements, Multifamily, Building Height.

Increase the permitted maximum building height from 45 feet to 60 feet without providing an additional setback from streets or from lot lines in addition to each of the required minimum yard dimensions.

§5-1403(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Road Corridor Buffer Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B).

Reduce the required building setback from 100 feet to 75 feet along Belmont Ridge Road. and Reduce the required building setback from 75 feet to 52 feet along Broadlands Boulevard, and from 75 feet to 45 feet along a proposed Broadlands Boulevard right turn lane for a proposed site entrance north of Glebe View Drive (Route 2348)

The subject property is approximately 57.61 acres in size and is located south of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) in the northeast corner of the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and Broadlands Boulevard (Route 640) in the Ashburn Election District. The subject property is more particularly

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 35

Legal Notices described as PIN: 154-19-9491. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type), which designate this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses as a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) up to 1.0.

ZCPA-2021-0002 & ZMOD-2021-0032 ONE LOUDOUN (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment & Zoning Ordinance Modification) 3503 RP Ashburn Loudoun Uptown, LLC of Indianapolis, IN, has submitted an application to amend the concept development plan and amend the proffers approved with ZMAP 2005-0008, One Loudoun; ZMAP 2012-0016, One Loudoun; ZMAP 2013-0009, One Loudoun; ZCPA 2008-0003, One Loudoun; ZCPA 2012-0012, One Loudoun; ZCPA 2013-0006, One Loudoun, ZMAP 2015-0007, One Loudoun; ZCPA-2015-0013, One Loudoun; ZMAP-2018-0005, ZMAP-2018-0006, and ZCPA-2018-0005, One Loudoun in order to: a) to increase the residential density by 1,745 multifamily units for a total residential density in the PD-TC (Planned Development – Town Center) zoning district of a 0.68 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and to decrease the amount of nonresidential density from 3,598,400 to 2,813,850 square feet for a total non-residential density in the PD-TC zoning district of a 0.52 FAR. The application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§4-808(A)(4), PD-TC Planned Development

Eliminate the civic space requirement.

– Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Generally. §4-806(B)(2)(a), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Building Requirements,

Increase the maximum building height to 150 feet

Building Height, Town Center Fringe, Maximum Height. §4-808(A)(3), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Generally.

Increase the maximum allowable percentage of gross floor area for residential use from 50 percent to 60 percent.

The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours, and located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is located in the southwest quadrant of the Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) interchange, and north of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061), in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

057-38-6693

N/A

057-29-5356

N/A

057-29-2150

N/A

057-29-6579

N/A

057-19-4669

N/A

057-20-1127

N/A

057-19-7846

N/A

057-19-7846-001

44669 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-19-7846-002

44661 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-19-7846-003

44675 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-19-7846-004

44675 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-3053

N/A

057-10-3053-001

20320 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN VA

057-10-3053-002

44819 ATWATER DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-3053-003

44719 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-3053-004

44719 ENDICOTT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-19-7783

N/A

057-19-8211

20522 EASTHAMPTON PLZ, ASHBURN, VA

057-19-8588

N/A

057-19-6686

20575 EASTHAMPTON PLZ, ASHBURN, VA

058-49-7270

20613 EASTHAMPTON PLZ, ASHBURN, VA

PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

058-49-8866

20405 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

058-49-9345

20427 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

058-49-8130

44679 PROVINCETOWN DR, ASHBURN, VA

058-49-9721

20473 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

058-40-3555

44742 BRIMFIELD DR, ASHBURN, VA

058-40-2526

44755 BRIMFIELD DR, ASHBURN, VA

058-40-1649

44726 BRIMFIELD DR, ASHBURN, VA

058-40-0867

20416 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-0483

44703 THORNDIKE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-1684

44715 THORNDIKE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-3486

44735 THORNDIKE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-4978

44786 BRIMFIELD DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-4315

N/A

057-10-2808

20350 MINOT DR, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-1401

44720 THORNDIKE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-0299

20376 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-0115

20370 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

057-10-2420

N/A

057-10-5711 (portion of)

N/A

057-19-8938

20338 EXCHANGE ST, ASHBURN, VA

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)) which designate this area for Residential, Nonresidential, and Public/ Civic uses at an FAR of up to 1.0 FAR.

SPEX-2021-0041 POLAND ROAD DATA CENTER YARD EXPANSION (Special Exception)

Amazon Data Services, Inc, of Seattle, Washington, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit a Data Center use in the CLI (Commercial Light Industry) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 3-904(CC). The subject properties are located within the Quarry Notification (QN) Overlay District – Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area, partially within the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District between the Ldn 60-65 and partially within the Ldn 65 or higher of the aircraft noise contours. The subject properties are approximately 39.11 and 9.36 acres in size and are located on the south side of John Mosby Highway (Route 50), east of Poland Road (Route 742) and north and west of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200), at 25316 Prediction Lane, Chantilly, VA and 43743 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly, VA in the Dulles Election District. The subject properties are more particularly described as PINS: 097-35-4183 and 097-36-1753. The area is governed by the policies of the Revised General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Commercial Place Type)), which designate this area for a broad array of Employment uses within an environment that provides gathering spaces and opportunities for synergies among businesses.

Unless otherwise noted above, full and complete copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances and/or plans, and related documents may be examined in the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-7770220, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246.

Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-7770246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing.

Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and the Clerk’s records. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

A

A

N, VA

A

A

A

A

A

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 36

MAY 5, 2022

Legal Notices contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audio-visual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the

Chairman.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. Please provide three days’ notice.

BY ORDER OF:

ERIC COMBS, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 5/5 & 5/12/22

A

RN, VA

A

A

A

A

A

A

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR: ACTUARIAL AND PLAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE/RESCUE LENGTH OF SERVICE RETIREMENT PLAN, RFP No. 501783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, June 1, 2022.

COMPANION SERVICES, RFP No. 502785 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 27, 2022.

JOB ORDER CONTRACT (JOC) FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, PAVING AND OTHER SITE WORK, IFB No. 509782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, June 7, 2022.

JOB ORDER CONTRACT (JOC) FOR PAVING, SURFACING & SITEWORK, IFB No. 503782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, June 10, 2022.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES, RFP No. 482784 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 26, 2022.

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISISON PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 15 SIGN REGULATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING AWNING, CURBSIDE AND SECONDARY WALL SIGNS

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0011 to revise the following article of the Zoning Ordinance: Article 15 Sign Regulations various sections as necessary to permit signs on the slopes of awnings subject to limitations, to define and exempt curbside signs subject to limitations, and to permit secondary wall signs subject to limitations.

Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Brian Boucher, Deputy Director. Mr. Boucher can also be reached by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0011.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www. loudoun.gov/procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 7770403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 5/5/22

NOTICE OF HEARING Seizure of 1 gray duckling and 1 yellow/white chicken In accordance with the authority set forth in §3.2-6569 of the Code of Virginia, Friday, 4/22/22, the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services seized 1 gray duckling and 1 yellow/white chicken that was found abandoned at 165 Fort Evans Road Northeast, Leesburg VA 20176. A hearing to determine whether duck and chicken have been abandoned, cruelly treated or have not been provided with adequate care will be held on Wednesday, 5/4/22 at 10:00AM in the General District Court of Loudoun County, located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.

ABC LICENSE

Evolution Food Group LLC, trading as Cocina On Market, 7 W Market St, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer Off Premise + Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Jason Lage 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.

4/28 & 5/5/22

5/5 & 5/12/22

PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE Notice is hereby given that the Town of Purcellville is designing improvements to the existing trail through the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve. Proposed improvements include paving the 2,100-footlong path to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, adding two ADA accessible parking spots and three regular parking spots, new wayfinding signage, and two rest areas along the path with benches and informational signage.

Please send comments regarding the project to Amie Ware (571-308-5480, aware@purcellvilleva.gov)

by May 31, 2022. An online survey is also available at https://purcellvilleva.gov/962/Suzanne-R-KaneNature-Preserve.

5/5 & 5/12/22

LoudounNow.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 37

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 3 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE CONTENTS OF PUBLIC HEARING PLACARD NOTICES Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0001 revising the following Section of the Zoning Ordinance: 1. Sec. 3.1.9.B.2 Contents of Placards revising information to be included on a placard notice of public hearing.

Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA2022-0001.

VIRGINIA: ABC LICENSE

Submak LLC, trading as Cassia Asian Bistro, 20 Town Sq Unit 160, Lovettsville, Virginia 20180 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premise + Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Hyung Wook Jang, Owner 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.

5/5 & 5/12/22

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

ABC LICENSE

Notice is hereby given that the United States Department of the Interior is hereby commencing a forfeiture proceeding against the following items of wildlife or wildlife products, which were seized in the Eastern District area of Virginia on the dates indicated because they were involved in one or more violations of any of the following laws: Endangered Species Act, Title 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1538, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 11 U.S.C. Sec. 1371-1372, the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 3372, Wild Bird Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 4901-4916, or the African Elephant Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 4221-4245. These items are subject to forfeiture to the United States under Title 16, U.S.C. Sec. 1540(e), 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1377, or 16 U.S.C. Sec. 3374 and Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 12.23. Any person with an ownership or financial interest in said items who desires to claim them must file a claim with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 23703C Air Freight Lane, Suite 200, Dulles, VA 20166; telephone (703) 661-8560. Such claim must be received by the above office by 06/07/2022. The claim will be transmitted to the U.S. Attorney for institution of a forfeiture action in U.S. District Court. If a proper claim is not received by the above office by such date, the items will be declared forfeited to the United States and disposed of according to law. Any person who has an interest in the items may also file with the above office a petition for remission of forfeiture in accordance with Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 12.24, which petition must be received in such office before disposition of the items. Storage costs may also be assessed.

INV # SEIZURE DATE VALUE ITEMS SEIZED 2022501391

03/31/2022

5/5, 5/12 & 5/19/22

$16,417

Two (2) Little owl (Athene noctua) dead animals; One (1) Salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) dead animal; One (1) White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) dead animal; One (1) American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) skin piece; One (1) Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) foot; Two (2) gavial (Gavialis gangeticus) skulls; One (1) tiger (Panthera tigris) skull; One (1) Helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) skull; One (1) Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) horn; One (1) Mexican pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) dead animal; Two (2) common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) ivory carvings; One (1) Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) dead animal; Two (2) hawks, harriers (Accipitridae) claws; One (1) Markhor (Capra falconeri) trophy; Two (2) gavial (Gavialis gangeticus) trophies; One (1) urial (Ovis aries) trophy

THOMAS EDWARD REID, et al.

Plaintiffs, V. SHERREL S. HARMON, et al.

Defendants.

CASE NO. CL2200155200 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to effect partition amongst the owners by sale of a 1.1216-acre parcel of land located in Loudoun County, Virginia at 20965 Greengarden Road, Bluemont, Virginia 20165, with a PIN of 655-388138, of which Victoria S. Davis died in 1958 seised and possessed.

An affidavit having been made and filed stating that: 1. Defendant SHERREL S. HARMON is a nonresident individual.

4/28 & 5/5/22

NOTICE OF SEIZURE AND INTENT TO FORFEIT

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

Cross Ties Farm LLC, trading as Cross Ties Farm, 39573 John Mosby Hwy, Aldie, Virginia 20105 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Class A Farm Winery license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

David and Laura Senty 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.

5/5 & 5/12/22

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

Case No. CL21-3853 LOUDOUN COUNTY Circuit Court 18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176 Kristen Werner-Cabello v.

More Than Cheer-Loudoun, LLC, et al The object of this suit is to: personal injury lawsuit against More Than Cheer-Loudoun, LCC It is ORDERED that More Than CheerLoudoun, LLC appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

5/5, 5/12, 5/19 & 5/26/22

2. The Complaint states that there are or may be persons, whose names are unknown. interested in the subject to be divided or disposed of, such unknown parties being the heirs, devisees and successors in title to the following who are deceased: CINDERELLA PRINCE ALBERT (a/k/a LUCINDA) SUMMERS BASIL, LAYTON SUMMERS, JUSTICE (a/k/a JESTER) SUMMERS, ADA SUMMERS, ETHEL SUMMERS, MARY SUMMERS O'NEIL, FLORENCE SUMMERS COBB, LOUISE SUMMERS,WALTER SUMMERS, JAMES SUMMERS, PHILIP SUMMERS, ELLIOT SUMMERS, MARIAH SUMMERS, WARREN SUMMERS, JR., DELPHIA SUMMERS, FRANKLYN SUMMERS, DAISY SUMMERS, HOWARD SUMMERS, CLARENCE SUMMERS and BESSIE SUMMERS, who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. 3. That diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Defendant NOKINS SUMMERS, if living, or if dead, then the surviving consort, heirs, devisees, and successors in title to NOKINS SUMMERS, who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. 4. That diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Defendants EDWARD BASIL, JR., JEANETTE BASIL McNAIR and LEAH BASIL JOHNSON who are believed to be alive and living in Virginia. It is hereby ORDERED that the said nonresident defendant SHERREL S. HARMON, NOKINS SUMMERS, if living, and the said persons made defendants by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN do appear and protect their interests on or before the 10th day of June, 2022, and do what is necessary to protect their interests.

4/14, 4/21, 4/28 & 5/7

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 38

Legal Notices NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

YR.

MAKE

MODEL

VIN

STORAGE

PHONE#

2011

NISSAN

SENTRA

3N1AB6APXBL706494

DOUBLE D TOWING

703-777-7300

MAY 5, 2022

Loco Service Providers Cleaning R&D Cleaning Service, LLC Residential - Commercial Move In/Out - Carpet Cleaning

Excellent References - Reasonable Rates Licensed & Insured - FREE ESTIMATE

CALL MARLENE

(703) 303-1364 Email: rdcleaningserv@gmail.com R&D Cleaning Service LLC RDCleaningservice.com

WE ACCEPT:

4/28 & 5/5/22

CONSTRUCTION Construction PUBLIC NOTICE OF SELECTION OF PROJECT BASED VOUCHERS (PBV) PROPOSALS In accordance with 24 CFR 983.51(d), the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, a Public Housing Agency (PHA) for the purpose of administering the Federal Housing Choice Voucher program of which the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program is a part, hereby provides public notice of the selection of PBV proposals to provide housing under the PBV program.

All submitted PBV proposals were evaluated in accordance with the Loudoun County Project-Based Voucher Administrative Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 3, 2016, as may have been subsequently revised. The selected PBV proposals are as follows: Project

Owner

Number of PBV Units

Sommerset Retirement Community

Loudoun Senior LLC

10

Waxpool Apartments

Good Works, LP and Green Street Housing, LLC

8

CONSTRUCTION Construction

Kenny Williams Construction, Inc. * Decks & Screen Porches * Additions * Fences * Garages * Finished Basements * Deck Repairs Free Estimates

703-771-8727

C ustom C onstruCtion A dditions • r epAirs

www.kennywilliamsconstruction.com

Blue Ridge Remodeling, Inc.

Licensed • Insured • bonded

540-668-6522

www.brrinc.net Purcellville, VA

Serving Loudoun County for 35 years.

Since 1976 • Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

Class A Contractor

Construction CONSTRUCTION

Construction HOME IMPROVEMENTS BY CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS 31 Years of Construction Experience Christopher Trent, Contractor

Selection records and documentation for the basis of selection of the above-referenced PBV proposal are available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, 106 Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Inquiries by email can be directed to hcv@loudoun.gov or by telephone to 703-737-8213.

Free Estimates, Basements, Small Jobs, Decks, Drywall, Trim Specialist, Painting, Fences Now Featuring Bed Bug Removal!

Licensed & Insured

571.577.7300

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE • DRIVEWAYS • EXPOSED AGGREGATE • PATIOS • FOOTINGS • SLABS • STAMPED CONCRETE • SIDEWALKS

Free Estimates

Ph: 703-437-3822 • Cell: 703-795-5621

4/28 & 5/5/22

Decks TOWN OF LEESBURG DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES NOTICE OF WATER MAIN FLUSHING The Town of Leesburg will conduct controlled flushing of water mains throughout the Town beginning April through June 30th, 2022. This preventative maintenance program is essential for maintaining the Town’s high standards of water quality.

Water mains are flushed by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. The flushing cleans out sediment, removes air which may accumulate in the water mains and restores chlorine levels in areas of limited use, thereby, reducing the potential for bacteriological contamination.

Decks Decks C & BROTHERS Cristian Arias

contractor VA, DC HIC LISENCE

Serving Northern VA for over 15 years

DECKS, PATIOS, AND STONE WORKS LICENSED BONDED & INSURED | LEESBURG, VA

240-413-5827 Free Estimate 240-413-5873 candbrothers@gmail.com www.candbrothers.com

Now taking orders for all type deck projects

Doors Roofing

Water is safe to drink and safe to use during flushing. However, flushing may result in temporary discoloration and sediment in the water. If discoloration or sediment is evident, the Town recommends residents avoid doing laundry until the discoloration subsides. Flushing may also introduce air into the water, which may temporarily cause erratic flow. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed.

Some residents and businesses may experience lower pressure during the flushing in their neighborhood.

The Town regrets any inconvenience the flushing operation may cause.

Please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075 for further information. For after-hour emergencies, call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500.

4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19 & 5/26/22

LoudounNow.com

Upgrade your Resource Directory advertisement with an “Enhanced Listing” online!

Call Susan today for details and incentives!

703-770-9723

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

PAGE 39

Loco Service Providers Driveway Repair

EXCAVATING Excavating

Gutters

Fencing

GARAGE DOORS Garage Doors

The Good Guys Referrals Available!

Asphalt Driveway Restoration Hot Tar Crack-Filling • Patchwork • 2” Overlays/Resurfacing • Best Waterproof Oil Based Heated Sealcoating • The Real Asphalt Preservation is Oil-based Sealer • Offering Brand New Asphalt Drieways • (Smaller driveways only) • Not Just A Water-Based Paint Like Others • We Use Hot Tar Crack Filling

Great Quality Work is Not Cheap. Cheap Prices are Not Quality. We We Want to Keep You Happy.

Paul Jones and Son 703.582.9712

GoodGuysPaving@gmail.com Warranty FREE Estimates

Leesburg, VA Satisfaction Guaranteed

Landscaping HARDSCAPING • LANDSCAPE WALLS PATIO AND WALKWAY INSTALLATION RETAINING WALLS • STONE WORK

571-490-1879 luckettslandscaping.com a1chilly@aol.com

Roofing

Handyman C & Brothers Home Improvement, LLC

Loving Fence

20 Years of Experience Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, Decks, General Handyman Services

NEW INSTALLATION, REPAIRS & PAINTING

FREE ESTIMATES!

BOBCAT SERVICES LICENSED & INSURED

WESLEY LOVING 1824 HARMONY CHURCH RD HAMILTON, VA 20158

Cristian Arias 240-413-5827 | 240-413-5673 | candbrothers@gmail.com

540-338-9580

Licensed, Bonded & Insured | References Available

LOVINGFENCE@AOL.COM

Land Clearing

Landscaping

Veterans LLC Land Rescue We Give You Back the Land You Already Own

North’s Custom Masonry Retaining & Decorative Walls • Stonework Fire Pits, Fireplaces & Chimneys Repointing Brick, Concrete DIS 20% C on Pa OUNT and Paver Driveways ver P atio &

Mowing and landscaping mulching, spring and fall cleanups sod, core Aerating and over seeding, excavating, Ponds, Horse arena, horse burial, retaining walls, patios, stonework, demolition, asphalt, hardscapes

Lovettsville, VA Veteran Owned & Operated VA, MD & WV Residential & Commercial

703-718-6789 major@veteransllc.us www.veteransllc.us

Masonry Providing The personal professional touch to each of our customers.

540-668-9005

Serving Loudoun County since 1989

Walk wa

ys

Call Brian 540.533.8092

Also selling bulk material such as mulch, topsoil, filled dirt and stone.

No job too big or too small

Angie’s List Member • Free Estimates, BBB, Lic/Ins.

Painting

Expert Tree Service Expert Tree & Stump Removal Hes Company, LLC

15% OFF

703-203-8853

Interior & Exterior

More Than 20 Years of Experience FREE ESTIMATES

HOA Maintenance • Tree Planting • Lot Clearing Storm Damage Pruning • Trimming • Crowning • Spring Clean Up Mulch • Roofing and Decking Available

(703) 597-6163

JohnQueirolo1@gmail.com • www.hescompanyllc.com

AngelOchoa1103@Yahoo.com Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OchoasPainting

Licensed & Insured • Member Angie’s List & BBB • Affordable

Siding

Basement Finishing Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling Granite/Marble Installation Interior/Exterior Carpentry Crown Molding Rotted Wood Repair/ Replacement Hardwood Floor Installation, Sanding & Refinishing Carpet Installation Power Washing

Video Production

Tree Removal NORTH’S TREE SERVICE & LANDSCAPING Your Complete Tree & Landscaping Company

Tree Removal • Lot Clearing • Pruning Trimming • Clean Up • Deadlimbing Uplift Trees • Grading Private Fencing Masonry Work • Grading Driveways Family Owned & Operated

Honest & Dependable Service 24 Hr. Emerg. Service • Satisfaction Guaranteed

(540) 533-8092 Windows Roofing

s

18 Liberty Street SW

Lic./Ins. Free Estimates Angie’s List Member • BBB

Windows & Power Washing POTOMAC WINDOW CLEANING CO.

Window Cleaning: Inside & Outside • By Hand • Residential Specialist

(703) 356-4459

Family Owned & Operated | Licensed • Bonded • Insured Working Owners Assures Quality & Knowledgable Workmanship

Ask about our Soft Wash, No Damage, Low Pressure Cleaning using Rotating Soft Brushes to Clean Brick, Stone, Siding & Decks The Montgomery Family Thanks You for your Interest

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 40

MAY 5, 2022

Opinion Back at the Table

Last week’s joint meeting between members of the Board of Supervisors and the Leesburg Town Council was a good first step toward rebuilding an important relationship that’s gone frosty in recent years.

While most would point to the attempt by the previous county board to abandon the long-establish utility service area for the town as breakdown point, the relationship was broken far earlier. The idea of unilaterally extending Loudoun Water’s utility lines into Leesburg’s designated service area wouldn’t have gained

traction without a respect vacuum to drive it through.

For some councilmembers over the years, criticizing the county government served as a sport in which to score political points of some sort. Rather than solve problems together, some stoked friction. When a majority goes along with such gamesmanship, rarely do good things happen.

That’s a tactic not shared in Loudoun’s other towns, where it is not uncommon to hear about County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s staff pitching in to help with a project that otherwise

would require some consultant help or finding funding to complete some special project. Perhaps never before has the recognition that town residents also are county taxpayers resulted in such direct support.

It’s likely that level of cooperation is demonstrated in Leesburg, too, but obscured by the combative rhetoric.

If there are town leaders who have felt betrayed by the utility service row, a good way to prevent a back-stabbing is to spend more time talking face-to-face. n

LETTERS to the Editor An American Question Editor: Mr. Buttolph’s sanctimonious diatribe [Letters, April 14] on why recently elected Loudoun County GOP Chairman Scott Pio should not answer the question of if he is “for” or “against” the Trump Insurrection of Jan. 6 is disingenuous. It is not a partisan question Mr. Buttolph; it is an American question. As a fiscal conservative Reagan Republican, I want to know if my chairman is pro-USA/pro-Constitution or pro-insurrectionists.

The answer is either a “yes” or “no” question. For Mr. Pio to dodge the question means that he is pro-insurrectionist and pro –“The Big Lie.” There are no fence sitters on the issue of the Trump insurrection and the bludgeoning and maiming of 150 police officers. This was an attempted coup organized by Trump and the Trump minions against the vice president and Congress to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Until Mr. Pio comes out publicly against sacking our capitol and maiming our police officers then he is pro-insurrection and pro-“The Big Lie.” Pro-insurrections are not only anti-democratic, but they are anti-American. We don’t sack the capitol when we lose election. We run better candidates next time.

Mr. Buttolph’s entire diatribe on foreign affairs sounds like a talking head from a Fox News/Pro-Putin Reality TV show (Carlson, Hannity, and Ingram).

Lots of rhetorical nonsense, very little substance, or facts. Mr. Buttolph goes on to say that only “a few cranks breached the capitol.” Two-thirds of the Trump’s Republican wing of the former GOP believe that Biden did not win the presidency. Two-thirds believe in the “Big Lie” propaganda even though there is zero evidence of voter fraud. Even after 63 different Trump fraud lawsuits were all thrown out because of zero voter fraud evidence. Zero evidence, which use to

mean something to the GOP. Two thirds of the Trump cult still believe the “Big Lie.” Why? Because Trump said so.

It is very sad and morally bankrupt, that the soul and leaders of the once great Republican Party say one thing behind Trump’s back (there was no fraud) and another to his face. The fundamental dishonesty at the heart of the relationship between the Republican Party and Trump himself could possibly be the end of our party and our democracy. How sad it is, that to win a Trump/Republican primary or a Trump/Republican appointment that you have to publicly lie about the election of 2020. If you are honest and tell the truth, you are called names (ethical, truthful, integrity) and can’t win in the Trump party. Since when did our party bend at the knee to a pathological liar, added $7.8 trillion to our national debt and who makes a mockery of our 10 Commandments? So yes Mr. Buttolph, unlike Trump, Mr. Pio needs to show

some ethics, integrity and answer the question. “Yes” he is pro-Trump insurrection and maiming of 150 police officers or “No” he is pro-American and pro-USA Constitution.

— Eric Cuthbert, Leesburg

Common Ground Editor: Lovettsville resident Mike Smeltzer wrote [Letters, April 21] that he respectfully disagrees with those of us who point out that the Democrats would like to distract the public from their party’s ongoing failures, such as the crisis on our border, policies that contribute to surging crime, and numerous other ongoing debacles.

At least we appear to agree that Mr. Putin is the perpetrator of this heinous war in Ukraine. It is important to find common ground on a crucial foreign policy crisis like this one.

However, with all due respect to Mr. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 41

Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor - nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC

Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176

Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com

PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Hayley Milon Bour, Reporter hbour@loudounnow.com

ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com Vicky Mashaw, Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Readers’ Poll

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: It’s Teacher Appreciation Week: What is the best way to show it?

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: Should the county government pursue options to boost the local use of renewable energy?

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 40 Smeltzer, he chose to twist my words and argue that any suggestion that our commander in chief’s weaknesses helped to embolden the Russian dictator “obscures the Russian regime’s responsibility for the atrocious human rights abuses and war crimes occurring in Ukraine.” He went on to say, “I only ask that Mr. Buttolph and others who wish to engage with this tragedy begin by listening to local—that is to say, Ukrainian—voices, as well as experts in the history and geopolitics of Europe and Eurasia.”

I am pleased to report that Mr. Smeltzer’s request was completed long ago. Like so many others who have studied European history, I have utmost respect for those who are bravely enduring this unjust war at the hands of the ruthless tyrant in the Kremlin. I don’t know precisely who Mr. Smeltzer listens to, but over the past few months countless people around the globe have been listening closely to President Zelenskyy’s articulate, ongoing pleas for assistance.

It is helpful that our president has finally begun to ramp up support to the Ukrainians, but it is profoundly unfortunate that the Ukrainian people have been unable to count on insightful, steady leadership throughout this slowly unfolding disaster. As Mr. Smeltzer surely knows, history teaches us that weak leadership emboldens dictators. Whether we are talking about the appeasement of Iran, the breathtaking debacle in Afghanistan, the president’s frequent gaffes commenting on Ukraine, or the embarrassing blather uttered by our vice president during her

PAGE 41

Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls

press conference in Poland, the dangerous weakness of the top leadership of this administration has been on full display. I only hope and pray that the brave people of Ukraine will win this despicable war despite it.

— Jim Buttolph, Leesburg

Do Your Part Editor: Sediment, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides, oil, litter, pet and farm animal waste, litter – these are non-point source pollutants that have a detrimental effect in our local waterways.

Suburban lawn treatment, removing mass amounts of trees and turning vegetated areas into houses, buildings and data centers with Loudoun’s continued construction, stream banks that are eroding under large amounts of stormwater runoff, certain farming practices and overuse of single-use plastics are just a few ways that humans generate this pollution, which lays on the land until it rains. With the rain, the pollution washes off with stormwater runoff caused by increasing amounts of roadways, roofs, driveways, parking lots (impervious surfaces). These pollutants concentrate in our waterways, disrupting the entire ecosystem and polluting our drinking water.

Our local streams are important because humans rely on them for resources such as clean water and recreation.

Our waterways and the resources they provide us also support our economy.

That is why it is important to keep the streams healthy so we can be healthy.

Our local waterways are connected to the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay and finally the Atlantic Ocean.

Everything we do locally can have an impact downstream.

The people of Loudoun should be educated on stream health and take ac-

tion to protect local streams. We all use water, so it is of utmost importance that we all take care of our precious natural resource. Can we create new water if we run out of clean water? No. Water is a finite resource. Out of all the water on Earth, less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for human use. Let’s respect it by not polluting it.

How can the residents of Loudoun get involved? Contact local organizations who focus on stream health, such as the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Izaak Walton League of America – Save our Streams, Goose Creek Association, Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District and Loudoun Stormwater all work to keep our waters healthy. Reach out to your Board of Supervisors to let them know your perspective on continuous development of our land. Find ways you can reduce, re-use and recycle at home. If the residents of Loudoun don’t become more educated and involved, soon, our streams could be polluted to the point of no return, that is why we must help in whichever way we can. Stream monitoring, following recommendations on best management practices for farming and suburban lawn care, advocating for balanced development of our land and simply staying educated on your local stream health through these organizations are all things that can make a difference.

Do your part in reversing the trend of polluted water by becoming educated about the environmental and health effects of polluted water. Besides, the next time you take a sip of water who knows what type of pollution may be in it?

— Sharanya Maddukuri, Ashburn

Newspaper Lands 11 Awards in State News Contest Loudoun Now won 11 awards during the 2021 Virginia Press Association news contest, including first-place prizes for feature writing, business writing, newspaper design and photography among the commonwealth’s large-circulation weekly newspapers. The results were announced last week.

Reporter Hayley Milon Bour won first place in the feature writing category for her article, “I Want You to Call Me Max,” profiling a transgender student from Ashburn. She also won third place in education writing among entries by large weeklies.

Former Loudoun Now reporter Patrick Szabo took first place in the business and financial writing category for a selection of articles that explored the impact of the pandemic on local businesses.

Reporter Kara C. Rodriguez placed third in that category, as well as third in general news writing for her coverage of the proposed sale of the Leesburg Mobile Home Park. She won second place in health, science and environmental writing for a selection of articles that explored the local impacts of vaccine mandates, ransomware and gun detection technology.

Deputy Editor Renss Greene won second place for in-depth/investigative writing for his coverage of the General Assembly’s efforts to regulate tolls on the Dulles Greenway.

Photographer Douglas Graham won first place in the featured photo category for an image of artist Penny Hauffe drawing a chalk mural and third place for his portrait of Max, the subject of the transgender student story.

Recently retired editorial cartoonist Stilson Greene added one more prize to those earned over 36 years of his drawings. This year, it was a second place in the illustrations category.

The staff also won first place for general makeup, a category that focuses on design and layout elements throughout the newspaper. n

PAGE 42

Snap election continued from page 1 added in the statement.

Youngkin’s push came through an amendment to a bill tweaking the procedure by which the School Board will transition to staggered terms. It comes as his administration is investigating the school division’s handling of two sexual assaults committed by the same student and waves of criticism of its pandemic classroom closures and equity initiatives.

Last year, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing the Loudoun County School Board to begin staggered terms by having members draw lots before the 2023 elections to decide which district representatives would serve two-year terms and which would have regular fouryear term during the initial transition. This year, Del. David Reid (D-32)’s House Bill 1138 originally only specified when that lot drawing would take place—but after passing the General Assembly, Youngkin sought to amend the bill to force Loudoun County School Board elections this year in addition to next year, prompting concerns about both the amendment’s constitutionality and state interference in local elections for political reasons.

That amendment was agreed to in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates on a party-line vote, but defeated in the Democrat-controlled Senate, with Roanoke Republican Sen. David R. Suetterlein (R-19) crossing party lines to oppose it as well.

Under Virginia law, the amended bill would become law with a majority vote among members present in both houses. If two-thirds of members in both houses vote to oppose the amendment, the original bill

Nonprofit grants continued from page 3 ing—and four of them, nonprofit leaders pointed out at the previous meeting, serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I don’t agree with the methodology because I think if you pass a minimum threshold, wherever we set that minimum threshold, you should get some funding,” said Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) agreed.

The pot will grow again next year—as is now the county’s normal practice, supervisors have directed County Administrator Tim Hemstreet to add the additional money that would have been awarded

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

becomes law. If neither action occurs, the original bill returns to the governor’s desk.

“The voters voted in 2019 for those members expecting they would have a four-year term. That was the deal the voters thought they were getting,” said Sen. Barbara A. Favola (D-31). “The governor has arbitrarily decided that those terms should be three years rather than four, simply because—I don’t know, he wanted to do it. There was no rationale for that. That kind of action breaks trust with the voters.”

Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33) pointed to the work school boards have been doing in the state during this term—and to the death threats Loudoun County School Board members have endured. And she said shortening elected terms unilaterally and without allowing the residents of Loudoun County to weigh in on it “is disgusting to me.”

“We have a recall process. We are not going to debate a horrible situation that happened to a child in this body, and fix it in this room. That is before the courts where it should belong,” she said.

“One of the hallmarks of American democracy, or any stable democracy, is stability. One of the hallmarks of a stable Democracy is predictability, rules, procedure, process,” said Richmond Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-9). “…What’s happening in Loudon is the School Board has become the political battleground. That’s not unusual.

Many times in our history as a Commonwealth and a country, public schools and school boards become the battleground in culture wars. That’s what’s really happening here. And do you know who loses? Our students and their parents.”

Of Loudoun senators, only Sen. Jill Vogel (R-27) supported the bill, arguing Virginia’s removal process is “a lot of work.”

“It’s not very effective, and all it does is contribute to a lot of negative conversa-

tion in and around the School Board and what’s happening, and it’s petitions, and it’s families, and it’s super negative,” she said. “And a simple election is just not that negative, and it doesn’t deprive anybody of any democratic opportunity. In fact, it just gives you the chance to vote.”

Suetterlein said, “I hope the Loudoun County School Board overwhelmingly is replaced in 2023, but that that’s when I think it should happen,” and said he is concerned about going down the path of the amendment.

“I think once it enters the realm of ‘we oppose these folks so much that we are going to shorten the term,’ we are fundamentally changing our system of what we have here in the United States and here in the Commonwealth,” he said.

The Senate failed to adopt the governor’s amendment with a vote of 18-22.

In the House, Speaker C. Todd Gilbert (R-15) declined to rule on a challenge that the amendment was constitutional, allowing a vote. Democrats had pointed out that while the state constitution allows the General Assembly to set elections for local office, “no such law shall reduce the term of any person holding an office at the time the election is held.”

Reid warned against the precedent the amendment could set, and of “complete chaos after every election.”

“What you’re basically doing is, you’re saying that at any point in time in the future, if there is a different majority in the House, they’re going to be able to have the ability to reset elections, reset terms for anyone that they deem to be having a challenge,” Reid said. “If someone is having an issue, there is a section in the Constitution that allows for the recall of that person.”

Such a removal effort is underway in Loudoun County Circuit against two School Board members.

“This School Board is using the powers delegated to them by this legislature and they’re misusing them terribly, so it’s incumbent upon us to fix it. And the fix is to allow the people of Loudoun County to express the views at the ballot box just as soon as possible,” said Roanoke Del. Christopher T. Head (R-17). “Members on the other side, Mr. Speaker, are saying that this is an attack on democracy, and you know, how is holding an election an attack on democracy?”

Falls Church Del. Marcus B. Simon (D53) retorted that that “is exactly the scenario that the Virginia Constitution forbids, and is exactly the reason that the Speaker doesn’t want to rule on the constitutionality of this bill.”

“The governor doesn’t get to send out amendments and we, as the General Assembly, don’t get to go around to localities to say ‘you’re out of line, we don’t like your behavior, we’re shortening your terms and we’re calling a new election,’” he said. “That happens under some forms of government, right? When you have an autocracy and you don’t like what the localities are doing. Vladimir Putin can dissolve the city council and have a new mayor elected, but that’s not how we do it in a democracy.”

“The governor has made the rounds and said, this is about accountability and this is about transparency. What is transparent to me is that the people of Loudoun County are being punished for having the audacity to put the people, the students, the parents and their needs above the needs of the governor,” said Richmond Del. Candi Mundon King (D-2).

The House of Delegates agreed to the governor’s amendment by a vote of 51-48. n

based on scores, had funding not run out, to next year’s budget proposal. For the five nonprofits that qualified that did not receive funding, plus the partial funding available for Mobile Hope, that amounts to $505,170 more next year.

Supervisors approved county staff members’ grant recommendations unanimously.

Of the 45 applications for grant funding, 33 met the minimum score requirement, and there was enough funding for 27 awards and part of a 28th. There were also 17 applications for mini-grants, with all 11 that met the minimum score recommended for funding.

Nonprofits will have a chance at more grants soon from the federal government.

At their previous meeting, supervisors channeled another $3 million of Ameri-

can Rescue Plan Act funding toward nonprofits, $2.5 million of which will go to more nonprofit grants similar to previous rounds of ARPA-funded grants.

Grants this year will go, in descending order of application score, to the Loudoun Literacy Council; Northern Virginia Family Service; Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons; Women Giving Back; Crossroads Jobs; Loudoun Cares; Legacy Farms; Friends of Loudoun Mental Health; Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center; Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington; INMED Partnerships for Children; Loudoun Hunger Relief; Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR); Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing; Dulles South Food Pantry; All Ages Read Together; the Community Foundation for Loudoun and

Northern Fauquier Counties; Loudoun Serenity House; Insight Memory Care Center; The Arc of Loudoun; The Ryan Bartel Foundation; SCAN of Northern Virginia; The Chris Atwood Foundation; Windy Hill Foundation; Loudoun Habitat for Humanity; ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia; Legal Services of Northern Virginia and Mobile Hope Association. Those grants ranged from $113,000 to $17,800.

Smaller grants of $5,000 or less went to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy; Just Neighbors Ministry; Rx Partnership; Love, KK; The Step Sisters; Loudoun Youth, Inc.; Help for Others; YMCA Loudoun County; the American Turkish Friendship Association; BDesh Foundation; and Station Stitchers. Those grant applications go through a less intensive process. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Cyber security continued from page 1 ter CompTIA Security+ and Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect certifications.

“I was probably one of the youngest if not the youngest to get that one. And once I got that it was very motivating to go for other certifications,” he said of the Amazon credential.

Jadhwani built his first computer when he was 10 years old. But, unlike most preteens, he didn’t have much interest in using it to play video games.

“I had a really strong interest in how computers work, so I actually bought a computer so I could learn hacking, because hacking was a really cool topic to me,” he said.

Jadhwani’s parents own and operate Intellectual Point, an IT solutions and training company for the education industry where Jadhwani works after school, leading a team of 10 programmers. He balances his role as senior director of Technology Services with a part-time gig at Government Acquisitions Inc. “I go into a fully armed data center and manage the lab there. It’s a lot of work, but I really have to allocate having goals and milestones and have a calendar that I keep consistent with,” he said. “Some

Purcellville budget continued from page 28 there is merit in merging the two utility system budgets. However, staff members said the utility system challenges were driven largely by an out-of-balance system in which revenue from utility rates don’t cover the cost of operations and debt service, and there no longer are availability fees coming in from development to help cover shortfalls.

Representatives from the town’s utility consultant, Davenport, are expected to attend next week’s council meeting to discuss alternatives.

Another spending cut target is the proposed 6% cost of living adjustment proposed for the town staff. At next week’s meeting, the council is expecting a more detailed report on the salary breakdown between management and other positions, with some members suggesting pay hikes could be reduced for higher-compensated employees.

Simmering friction between some councilmembers and the staff boiled over during the meeting when Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut questioned the merits

days I’ll get off my job at Intellectual Point around 9 p.m. and stop by the data center to rack some servers.”

He admits that with his busy schedule, there isn’t much time to focus on getting his schoolwork done.

Gen Z’ers Take On the Invisible War

Jadhwani said he feels a sense of urgency to teach others about cyber security. He devotes most of his free time to instructing fellow teens pursuing educations in IT. “I’m extremely worried,” he said of the cyber security landscape. “Just looking at the way cyber threats are handled today and the insane workforce gap that we have. I feel like we are not putting enough presence on the fact that we need more qualified people to hone against these cyber security threats.”

Marden echoed that sentiment, saying that the unemployment rate for cyber security workers is 0%. According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, 2.7 million cyber security jobs are unfilled.

Marden begins each of her courses at Loudoun County High School by showing students the abundance of jobs available to professionals, with no college degree required.

“I want them to see, ‘oh my gosh, I of a relatively small line item that funds a contract providing five years of identification theft legal services to all employees working for the town in 2017 or earlier and their families. That plan was put in place following the town’s management scandal in which the acting town manager hired a human resources consultant who had access to all town employment files despite a previous criminal conviction of fraud.

Protection of up to $1 million per claim seemed excessive, Bertaut said, asking if there were cheaper options.

Mekarski said the service was important to the employees and he would recommend extending the service to seven years. The town is accessing the service by riding a contract secured by a state university, resulting in significant cost savings after a thorough study of available options, Director of Administration Hooper McCann noted.

Police Chief Cynthia McAlister—who had been the victim of identity theft following the management scandal, which also included efforts by the acting town manager and the hired consultant to have her fired—said the service had been extremely helpful.

She recommended the town extend

PAGE 43

On April 19, Google Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist Vint Cerf, alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin, announced the company would give

$250,000 to the organization CodeVA, an affiliate of national computer science education nonprofit Code.org, to establish seven computer science lab schools across the state. If the program is approved by the General Assembly, the schools will emulate CodeRVA Regional High School in Richmond, which serves students from over a dozen school divisions. At CodeRVA, subject matter is integrated with computer science-based learning.

The schools will span across the state in every region, including at Loudoun County High School.

“CodeRVA is an excellent example of how innovation and partnership can benefit our students and improve their opportunities. This school is a model for Commonwealth innovation schools and demonstrates that we can move beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ education,” Youngkin said at a recent event at the school.

But Jadhwani said that teens can get a great education outside of the classroom, too. He recommends teens pursue online credentials required for internships or jobs.

“You have to be on the job to get that experience. There’s no school in the world that can get you all of that. By having those credentials, it gives you a level of credibility with recruiters to get those opportunities,” he said. n

protections to the children of the affected employees until they are 21 years old, as many will not know they been targeted until they require credit verifications.

“The fact that we are having this conversation over a few dollars is appalling to me,” McAlister said, noting it was the town that brought in a convicted felon and gave her access to all employees’ personal information.

“I’m not going to thank you for that attitude,” Bertaut responded.

McCann defended McAlister, saying her “comments were coming from the heart and everyone on staff feels the exact same way.”

But McCann also raised objections to having staff members criticized in public, not a rare occurrence at town council meetings.

“Her ability to be candid and speak her mind is what we understand the council wants us to do. And when we are treated in the manner in which she was, in an open forum, it is extremely frustrating and, professionally to us, it is very impactful. And I can tell you it impacts everyone sitting in this room,” she said.

“Because of our dedication and commitment to this organization, we take it extremely personally when we feel as

though we are being maligned, that we are being questioned that our professionalism is being questioned. We all want to do the right thing for this organization. We all want to get to the same place. We all want to work with you. We want to make you look good. We want to give you the information you need to make the decisions that you need to make, but when we feel attacked, when we feel as though what we do does not really matter, we what we do is never quite enough … it is hugely impactful,” she said.

“I don’t mean this to be personal, but it is my job to ask those hard questions,” Bertaut said. “And I appreciate your candor and everything else, but I don’t appreciate the implication that my asking that question is somehow questioning your professionalism, honesty or anything for the sort, because it is not. It is my job, on behalf of the citizens of this town, to ask these tough questions.”

“We’re happy to answer those questions for you sir, but it was the comment that you made about the chief’s comment.

It was not necessarily the question. We just ask that we be treated professionally,” McCann said.

“And I ask the same. Thank you,” Bertaut said. n

don’t know what cyber security is, but holy cow there’s this thing called cyber security analyst and all I need is a high school diploma and I could be making $50,000 with these certifications,’” she said.

Marden said it’s important in her role of teacher to produce professionals who can take on the ever-evolving threats to society in cyberspace.

“They are happening in the United States daily. They could be small threats or they can be big threats,” she said.

“With what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine right now you can see it. The cyber threats that happened there trickle into our world, and so it’s a big, big deal.”

She pointed to the ransomware attack of the Colonial Pipeline in May 2021, that thwarted portions of the gasoline supply chain, sparking a temporary surge in gas prices on the East Coast.

“People don’t understand what it is until it impacts you financially. I think we’re going to see more and more of these types of attacks, and we need more and more people defending us against cyber attacks,” she said.

Stocking the IT Pipeline

PAGE 44

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MAY 5, 2022

Time is the most valuable nonrenewable resource.

That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

What are you doing with your time?

Make a difference in your life and the lives of others.

Volunteer as a first responder.

FIND OUT MORE

www.OpenNewDoors.org • text (571) 442-2801

National EMS Week is May 15-22, 2022