Loudoun Now for March 17, 2022

n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 7, NO. 17

Pg. 6 | n EDUCATION

Pg. 8 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 9 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

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MARCH 17, 2022

County Leaders Look Back on COVID-19 Efforts

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Trent Small of the Office of Mapping and Geographic Information works through proposed changes to the next local election district map during the Board of Supervisors March 15 meeting.

Supervisors Prepare New Map for Redistricting Public Hearing

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night adopted both a new local election district map—and a backup redistricting option—as they get ready for a public hearing May 11.

The new district map is based on one devised by Supervisors Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) and Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), which the public has seen before. But neither supervisors nor the pub-

lic previously had seen the version adopted March 15, as it contained a number of boundary adjustments narrowly approved that night. It was based on revisions proposed by Turner that evening, and then further modified by adding the Birchwood at Brambleton neighborhood to the same district as the rest of Brambleton.

Supporters said the changes responded to concerns raised by the public.

Supervisors differed on whether the last-minute revisions represented a lack of transparency, or a responsiveness to

input they received over the past several weeks.

Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) said he was bothered by the process problem, although he ultimately voted in favor of the revised map.

“Probably none of the majority of the public has seen anything other than what’s in this staff-created item that was released at the end of last week,” he said.

“This is not a new map, but a map with

On Tuesday, county supervisors ended the COVID-19 testing requirement for county employees—another sign of the two-year pandemic emergency in county government falling away.

And with the county’s two-year state of emergency ended, masks coming off in many places and COVID-19 cases dropping, the people at the top of Loudoun County government looked back on two unprecedented years.

Starting in March 2020, for most people the novel coronavirus went from a scary news item to changing their way of life. That was also true of the county government, which in a matter of days found itself grappling with uncertainty about a deadly new virus, new restrictions on gathering in one place and public facilities closed by executive order. County government employees were set scrambling not only to provide their usual services safely, but to meet new needs like the early struggle to find personal protective equipment.

“We had to make a lot of changes to our organization to keep operations running,” County Administrator Tim Hemstreet said. “So, for example, we diverted a lot of

REDISTRICTING continues on page 27

COVID EFFORTS continues on page 27

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US Tennis Announces Plans for Loudoun Complex Greenway Bald Eagles Hatch First Eaglet

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Board of Supervisors has approved a $250,000 incentive for the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section’s plans for new headquarters and a 36-court tennis campus along the Dulles Greenway south of Leesburg.

The organization plans to invest an estimated $42 million to bring both the tennis campus and its new headquarters to Loudoun. It is planned at Village at Clear Springs, a development proposal to rezone 246 acres along Evergreen Mills Road south of Leesburg to make way for 1,238 homes. The developer has offered to provide 20 acres for the tennis complex.

The tennis association’s plans include 20 outdoor tennis courts, 16 indoor tennis courts, eight pickleball/youth courts and more than 190,000 total square feet of tennis infrastructure for daily tennis programs and match play, USTA Leagues, and events. According to the announcement, the association plans to offer daily tennis activities and classes, wheelchair and adaptive programs, enrichment programs, and community events for players and fans at every level and ability.

And once built, the organization plans to house its operations and headquarters on the campus.

Supervisors voted 8-0-1 in favor of the incentive deal.

Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) abstained from the vote, citing concerns about the development in a rural area, worrying that the tennis complex and the still-pending rezoning application would be tied together. He pointed to the Kincora development, which hosts the Children’s Science Center.

“When it was looking like the rezoning application might not have enough support to pass, the applicant came in, we heard from the science center, we heard from [the Loudoun Department of Economic Development], and they said if the rezoning is not going to pass, it’s just not going to happen, the Children’s Science Center,” he said. “… I think these two are tied regardless of who tells me they’re not tied.”

“I have made it very clear, I don’t believe this number units should be in this particular area,” said Supervisor Caleb E. Kerhsner (R-Catoctin), whose district includes the Village at Clear Springs property. “What that right number is, I don’t know yet, but obviously these two may be tied but they are obviously

LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section

A rendering of a planned United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section campus featuring 36 courts and the organization’s new headquarters.

very, very separate.”

The plans were announced during a March 10 press conference.

“We are committed to making tennis the most accessible sport in the mid-Atlantic region. We want every child to play and to play through life,” USTA Mid-Atlantic Section CEO Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro said at the event.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Chief Operation Officer Beth Twomey said the campus would be “a hub of learning, teaching and growth that amplifies beyond its walls out to the larger community and Mid-Atlantic region.”

“We will have holistic outreach and education programs that will extend into the community to support under-resourced youth, tennis and education programs, and tennis programs integrated within schools as way to provide access to a sport they might not otherwise have access to,” Twomey said.

“This project will provide a place where the next generation of players can learn perseverance, integrity, and fair play,” Loudoun County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) stated. “The pandemic has shown us just how important it is for all our residents to have access to open space and opportunities for outdoor recreation. This project will provide both outdoor and indoor courts which will provide a wonderful place for our citizens to get exercise and have fun safely.”

The project also adds to Loudoun’s growing sports tourism industry, she pointed out, joining facilities like Segra Field and others that help make Loudoun the third-largest generator of tourism revenue in the state.

USTA Mid-Atlantic expects the campus to draw regional, national, and international tennis events and estimates hosting more than 50 annual tennis events and more than 78,000 event attendees.

Coupled with daily tennis programming, tournaments, and community events the campus is hoped to contribute $8.5 million in economic impact annually.

“The USTA Mid-Atlantic headquarters and facility adds another dimension to the diverse recreational options and sports assets in our county,” Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer said. “We have been working with the USTA MAS team for years to bring this concept to reality, and today every step of that journey was rewarded with a great project that all Loudouners can be proud of.”

“This new development aligns with Visit Loudoun’s strategic vision to position the county as a top-tier sports destination,” Visit Loudoun President & CEO Beth Erickson said. “It will open up the opportunity to attract new tournaments and create jobs as well as drive demand for our hotels, restaurants and other attractions.”

The county incentive package comes with performance measures that must be met or the money must be returned to the county, including investment of $42 million, 76 employees including 24 existing USTA Mid-Atlantic employees and 52 new, and an average annual salary of $74,908.

After winning a commitment of county funding support, USTA Mid-Atlantic plans a capital campaign to advance the project. n

The nesting pair of bald eagles at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands have hatched their first eaglet of the year, with another expected to hatch sometime this week. The family’s growth is being livestreamed on a nest cam.

Rosa and Martin, named by Sterling Middle School students in a contest, are a mated pair and hatched their first eaglet of the year Sunday morning. Rosa and Martin are named in honor of civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. They have nested at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands south of Leesburg since 2005.

According to the National Eagle Center, bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs per year. Once the approximately 35-day incubation period is over, it can take up to two days for the hatchling to emerge. Rearing and preparing the baby eaglets to fledge then takes about 10-12 weeks.

See a video of the eagles feeding their first eaglet here.

The Dulles Greenway’s owners partnered with the American Eagle Foundation, the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, and livestreaming company HDOnTap to install a webcam overlooking the nest of a pair of bald eagles in September last year.

The eagles returned to the nest in November.

The livestream camera is online at dullesgreenway.com/eagle-cam. There are two views, and a moderated chat to comment and ask questions about the eagles. n

Dulles Greenway Eagle Cam

One of the nesting pair of bald eagles at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands feeds their newly hatched eaglet.

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

Loudoun

Afghan Evacuees Arrive at National Conference Center

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR AND RENSS GREENE hbour@loudounnow.com rgreene@loudounnow.com

The first group of Operation Allies Welcome Afghan evacuees arrived at the National Conference Center on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced on March 9.

A DHS spokesman had said two days prior that the government would not be giving advance notice, citing operational security.

“While they await to be connected to resettlement agencies and partners who will help them move to their new communities, Afghan evacuees at the NCC will receive support services, be able to apply for their Employment Authorization Documents through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and participate in workshops on U.S. laws and civic education,” Operation Allies Welcome Senior Response Official Robert J. Fenton, Jr. stated. “All Afghan evacuees undergo a multi-layered, rigorous screening and vetting process prior to arriving in the United States, they are required to receive age-appropriate vaccinations and undergo medical screening, including getting tested for COVID-19. We will continue to work closely with state and local partners to ensure we can continue to resettle our Afghan allies as quickly, safely, and successfully as possible.”

Office of Senator Mark Warner

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) tours the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, which is hosting Afghan evacuees as part of Operation Allies Welcome.

Media still has not been allowed to see inside the center, but on March 11, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Loudoun Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) toured the center, which they said now hosts around 300 evacuees. The Department of Homeland Security’s plan anticipates up to around 1,000 people at a time.

Warner described the environment in the center as “home-like.”

“You see relief and joy that these families are on their way to a new life in America,” he said.

The families are expected to stay at the center for 30 days while they await resettlement into their permanent homes

in the U.S. Warner said he was told about 70% of the asylum seekers have family or friends already in the country.

When news broke that the site would be used for Operation Afghan Welcome, the Sheriff’s Office shared concerns over vetting evacuees and ensuring the safety of the neighboring community.

“I think the screening process is appropriate I think the security is top-notch. I think once again what we are demonstrating here in Loudoun County and in Virginia is this continuing tradition of hospitality. Many of these families put their lives on the line to protect our American servicemembers during the conflict of Af-

ghanistan,” Warner said. He added that the group of evacuees had been vetted by U.S. officials while in both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Turner said he was attending the event on behalf of County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large).

Turner said that he worked on similar operations while he was in the military, particularly during Desert Storm.

“I’m not logistically unfamiliar with the challenges that they face here. I can tell you this is a world-class operation,” Turner said, adding that it was a very well-known group of asylum seekers.

Warner praised the work of the ADAMS Center, which worked to ensure that evacuees would have familiar foods and comforts of home. ADAMS Board of Trustees Chairman Rizwan Jaka gave a sense of the environment inside the center.

“They have great cultural food. Their chef and their dining team made great Afghan food, kabobs. They have a great dining hall,” Jake said, adding that there is a center where people can receive help with immigration paperwork, and supply stores where they can buy necessities such as diapers and baby formula.

The National Conference Center until September will be used exclusively as a “safe haven” site for the federal governEVACUEES continues on page 5

Supervisors Trim Housing Plan, Collective Bargaining in Next Budget

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors have begun to trim some of their signature plans as they seek to keep the growth in tax bills under control in the next fiscal year.

The county’s plan to administer the Health Department locally have been put off for a year, and the staffing to support collective bargaining and the county’s expansive Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan has been cut back as supervisors continue to look for places to trim the Fiscal Year 2023 county budget. They also gave County Administrator Tim Hemstreet more flexibility on where the money for the Housing Fund comes from—the budget includes $5.9 million for affordable housing, a half-cent of the real estate tax.

After a March 10 vote, while the amount of funding remains the same, that money can come from other sources, such as proffer agreements with developers.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), the board’s longest-serving current member, likened that to existing policy dedicating the value of two cents of real estate tax revenue to transportation, which began during his first term.

Much of that funding comes from proffer agreements and grants.

However, Loudoun’s Housing Coordinator Sarah Coyle Etro stressed that providing a dedicated source of funding for affordable housing will be important.

“It’s very critical. You all can tell by the loans that you’ve been providing, it’s costly to be able to provide for affordable housing, and so to have a game plan for how you’ll ease into adding funding

would be a good thing because eventually the sources that we have available, we won’t have them, and we’ll still have the need,” she told supervisors.

Those cuts mark supervisors trading off some of their own initiatives while they have been cautious about cutting new staff positions that county department heads have asked for. They also push back initiatives supervisors think they can delay—for example, with collective bargaining. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said other than the firefighters union, she doesn’t expect a union to be ready to come to the county to begin collective bargaining in this budget, and she moved to cut much of the staffing to support collective bargaining even though it has been a signature issue of hers. She said this budget year calls for difficult choices.

“It’s still a board priority in the end, so I think that when we start talking about sacrifices, that’s what it has to be,” she said.

Those ideas come, in part, from Hemstreet, who supervisors asked for guidance on what they can trim out of the budget with the least impact to county operations. He provided options to trim up to $20 million from the budget in a March 10 memo.

Usually, supervisors have that advice along with the proposed budget—they have usually asked Hemstreet to include in his budget options to cut the budget and tax rate back. In December, supervisors voted 6-2-1 to ask for a budget without those options, with Letourneau and Caleb BUDGET continues on page 5

MARCH 17, 2022

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PAGE 5

General Assembly Adjourns; Loudoun Chamber to Host Post-Session Report LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

With the General Assembly adjourning over the weekend without passing a budget and leaving work on major bills such as the Virginia Football Stadium Authority unfinished, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce will host a post-session report with state legislators on Friday, March 25.

The state legislature adjourned sine die—ending the regular session—on Saturday, but once again did so without having agreed to a state budget. That will mean Gov. Glenn Youngkin will have to call a special session for legislators to finish that work.

That also means uncertainty in closeto-home local government functions like schools, which will not know exactly how much state funding to expect in the next Fiscal Year until a state budget is passed.

It was also a session where the two chambers warred over political party

Budget continued from page 4 E. Kershenr (R-Catoctin) opposed, citing that concern.

Even with the cuts, county real estate taxpayers will almost certainly see tax bills go up as assessments have climbed even more quickly than usual. The county has typically counted on new construction to grow the tax base and support budget increases, but this year new construction was relatively stagnant. And while supervisors propose one of the largest-ever cuts to the tax rate, property values have climbed so much that the average tax bill will still be higher than last year.

County budget officers have also warned supervisors they need to balance their real estate tax revenues with proper-

Evacuees continued from page 4 ment’s Operation Allies Welcome, the effort to resettle Afghans who helped the U.S. during its 20-year war in Afghanistan, their families, and others who are particularly vulnerable—such as women who are teachers, women’s rights activists, judges and prosecutors, journalists and others who are targeted by the Taliban. About 1,000 people per month could go through the facility as they arrive in the U.S. at Dulles Airport and wait to find their permanent homes here. Unaccom-

priorities, with the Democrat-controlled Senate stopping Republican measures such as rolling back collective bargaining and clean energy commitments, banning “inherently divisive concepts” particularly dealing in racial inequity, and repealing gun safety laws. Meanwhile the Republican-controlled House of Delegates stopped bills starting the legal sale of marijuana earlier, adjusted sentences for people previously jailed for marijuana-related offenses, and gave Attorney General Jason Miyares new powers.

And both chambers rejected campaign finance reform, with the Senate stopping legislation to limit donations to candidates to $20,000 per election cycle and cut off donations from utilities, while the House rejected a bill to ban lawmakers from using campaign money for personal purposes.

Locally, the General Assembly also stopped a bill to end new regulation and ty tax revenues, and that the income from data centers now accounts for too much of local revenues. They warn that income from data center taxes is less reliable than real estate taxes, pointing to the scramble last year to offset that revenue coming up $80 million short of projections. But that has also meant that if supervisors are to cut the real estate tax rate and maintain that balance, they must also cut personal property tax rates, magnifying the impacts of tax cuts on the county budget.

Currently, supervisors are on track for a real estate tax rate of $0.89 per $100 of assessed value, and a five-cent cut to the personal property tax rate to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value. They will continue working on the budget through March, with a vote to adopt a budget expected in April. n panied children will not be coming to the center.

Federal agencies and private sector and nonprofit partners are collaborating with an organization called Welcome.US, a national nonprofit initiative that launched in September to channel support from the American public and the private sector to newly arrived Afghans and their families.

Additionally another program, Sponsor Circles, directly supports Afghans who have come to the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome. More information is at sponsorcircles.org.

More information is at loudoun.gov/ safehaven. n

oversight on the Dulles Greenway’s tolls, and sent to 2023 a bill to allow telecommunications towers virtually anywhere apparently in response to Loudoun County’s decision to stop a cell tower on top of Short Hill Mountain.

However the General Assembly has also sent major bills to the governor’s desk for a signature—highlighted by the Loudoun Chamber such as working to lower health care costs, invest in affordable housing, strengthen Virginia’s talent pipeline and lifting COVID restrictions in

a press release.

The Chamber will host Loudoun state lawmakers for a conversation about the 2022 session at its PolicyMakers Series on Friday, March 25. Sen. John Bell (D-13), Del. Dave LaRock (D-33), Del. David Reid (D-32) and Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) will take part. Sen. Jill Vogel (R-27) has also been invited.

The program will begin at 8 a.m. at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott. More information is at www.LoudounChamber.org/events. n

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MARCH 17, 2022

Leesburg

AROUND Town

Pilot Program Will Test Private Property Murals in Leesburg

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

More public art is headed to Leesburg and, for the first time, it will be on private property.

On March 8, the Town Council endorsed the creation of a pilot program to allow murals on commercial buildings.

The council initially discussed whether to allow private property murals last year and, in July, passed a resolution creating an ad hoc committee to study the subject.

Councilman Ara Bagdasarian served as chairman of that committee, which also featured members of town staff and representatives from three town boards and commissions—the Board of Architectural Review, the Commission on Public Art, and the Economic Development Commission. Bagdasarian presented the council with the committee’s recommendations during Monday night’s work session.

Presently, murals are not permitted on private structures because they are considered signage. But, in moving the idea forward, council members hope to enhance commercial buildings in town, much in the same way the public art murals and installations that have sprung up throughout Leesburg over the years have become their own destinations.

Buildings in the H-1, or Old & Historic District, are excluded from consideration in the pilot program, as are residential buildings anywhere in town. Commercial structures within the town’s corporate limits outside of the H-1 will have to follow a process recommended by the ad hoc committee and endorsed by the council.

The process is similar to the one Leesburg follows for considering murals on public property, except there is one additional step. First, a theme for the mural will be selected by the Commission on Public Art. Then, there will be a “call for walls,” Bagdasarian said, where commercial property owners may submit their interest in their building façade being considered. After the wall is chosen, a call for artists for the mural will be issued, and about a month later an art advisory panel, which will include the owner of the selected structure, will convene to select the mural. The Commission on Public Art

Loudoun Now File Photo

Leesburg’s Harrison Street mural serves as a welcome to the downtown historic district.

will then review the selection before a recommendation goes to the Town Council, which has final approval for the project.

To avoid the conflict of the town regulating content on private property, Leesburg will lease the chosen wall for a nominal fee, at $100 per year, for a five-year lease term. The property owner would then have the option to renew the lease at the end of the term.

“Through the lease arrangement we are avoiding the whole thorny issue of having to regulate what happens on private property by the town leasing the wall. That’s what the call for walls does—it takes that wall and essentially makes it public property for the duration of the lease,” Town Attorney Christopher Spera said.

The theme for the pilot program is celebrate music in Leesburg, Bagdasarian said, and a call for walls is expected to be issued in April, with July eyed as the target for when the project will come before the council. The process will restart with the selection of a new theme every December, including this year.

Only one wall will be selected for the pilot program, but the council may determine annually how many walls can feature a theme-specific mural, Bagdasarian said.

Tuesday night, prior to the vote,

Mayor Kelly Burk proposed several changes to the guidelines for the program, all of which were accepted by the council.

Burk suggested that, in the event of the mural wall being damaged by a tree falling or some other act of Mother Nature, the town would be financially responsible for repairing the mural since it is the lessee of the space. However, she clarified later, the town would not be on the financial hook for repairing any damage to the building. Throughout the lease, the property owner would be responsible for maintaining the mural.

Burk also advocated the town being the financially responsible party for covering up the mural with paint after the expiration of the lease.

Finally, the chosen property owner would have veto power over whatever mural is selected. However, turning down a selected mural may make that property ineligible for the mural program for a period of time, a subject expected to be further clarified at a future council meeting.

The council voted 6-1 to approve the mural pilot program, with Councilman Neil Steinberg opposed. Steinberg expressed concerns about property owners, at the end of an already lengthy process, being able to turn down the mural design. n

Howard Receives Tolbert Award The Leesburg Town Council and Environmental Advisory Commission Chairman Paul Sheaffer last week presented Lexi Howard with the 2021 John W. Tolbert Jr. Environmental Achievement Award.

Last year, during her senior year of high school, she created Project Pollinate to bring awareness to the importance of pollination. As part of her project, Howard launched a website that provides an overview of pollinators, native plants, and how others can get involved. It is her goal to save and restore native plant populations, which will help pollinator populations as well.

The Tolbert Award recognizes students, community groups, and individuals that conduct or participate in activities that benefit the town’s environment. Those activities are vital to sustaining the quality and health of our community and significantly contribute to the long-term well-being of the town, according to the commission.

Registration Open for Ida Lee Egg Hunt The Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department has opened reservations for its 30th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, which will be held Saturday, April 9 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ida Lee Park.

Each child will search for empty Easter eggs and receive a treat bag at the conclusion of their hunt. One parent will be allowed to assist children ages 1 to 6. The Easter Bunny will also be available for pictures. Participants will be entered into a drawing for grand prize baskets at the conclusion of the event.

Pre-registration is required and the cost to participate is $10 per child.

Registration ends on Friday, April 8. There will be no day-of registration. To register, call Ida Lee Park Recreation Center at 703777-1368. n

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MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 7

Council Rescinds Vaccine Mandate Program, Updates COVID Guidelines

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

In light of changing CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, the Leesburg Town Council has done away with its controversial employee vaccine mandate, at least for the moment.

The council on March 8 received an update from Emergency Management Coordinator Joe Dame, who acknowledged much had changed since the council’s meeting two weeks prior. First, updated guidance from the CDC published Feb. 25, which now places Loudoun County in a low level of community impact, brought an end to the town’s mask mandate in government buildings the following morning.

Earlier that week, ahead of the CDC announcement, the council had indicated a willingness to take another look at some of its COVID practices, including a vaccine mandate that went into effect Jan. 11, and a testing program for its vaccine-exempt employees that began a few weeks later.

In addition to doing away with the town’s vaccine mandate and testing program, the resolution adopts the COVID-19 Community Level defined by the CDC as the “key metric” the town government will

use to guide future public health prevention measures associated with COVID. The 6-1 vote came without the support of Councilwoman Suzanne Fox, who had adamantly opposed the mandate from the council’s first consideration last fall. Fox said that her opposition was based on a clause in the resolution that permits the town’s vaccination and testing program to be reinstated if Loudoun County returns to a high COVID-19 community level.

According to a staff report, new CDC guidelines spell out that the first key indicator when determining the COVID-19 community level is if the community has fewer than 200 cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days. Then, two additional indicators are reviewed: the seven-day total of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population and the seven-day average percentage of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients to determine if the community level is low, medium, or high. If there is a difference between the community level indicators of new admissions and inpatient bed metrics, the higher level applies.

Town Manager Kaj Dentler explained that if the testing program is reinstated, the town would undertake a new practice—all employees would be required to be tested

weekly but can opt out of the testing requirement if they show a current COVID vaccination status. That mirrors the policy the county government followed.

“No one loses their job because they’re not vaccinated,” he emphasized. “They’ll only have employment issues if they refuse to be tested, so it’s a flip of the script.”

Prior to the vote, Fox had moved her own alternate resolution to terminate the town’s vaccine policy and enact new policy “which proscribes the instituting of compelled vaccinations in the future.” Fox’s resolution stated that compelled vaccinations “are both inappropriate and inadequate for accomplishing stated goals of ensuring a safe workplace, and … the town’s current vaccine mandate violates the basic human rights to bodily autonomy and control over one’s own medical decisions,” along with being divisive and lowering employee morale. The resolution called for the town to “memorialize in policy new proscriptions which eliminate the possibility of mandatory vaccination policies in the future, unless it can be first established, with relevant data, that the vaccine in question is both a necessary and sufficient means of making the workplace safer.”

Councilwoman Kari Nacy was the only other council member to support

Fox’s resolution.

Councilman Neil Steinberg criticized some of the wording in Fox’s resolution after the vote failed.

“I will never concede that this council or most members on this council did anything but act in the best of faith, also following CDC guidelines and supporting data. I simply can’t concede that data didn’t drive the decision that we made, [the same] data for decisions that were made nationwide and globally,” he said.

Fox took Mayor Kelly Burk to task for not following procedural rules in considering her alternate resolution. “The process was not followed tonight and because of that things that I needed to say and things that I thought you might like to hear got silenced,” Fox said. “That was not fair.”

Reached the following day, Burk said Fox had not made her alternate resolution available to council members ahead of the meeting, “so the council was not sure what the complete intent of the motion was.”

“My intention by asking her to allow others to speak [first] was a sincere attempt to just get more voices; however, Councilman Cummings called to question, and it was out of my hands at that point,” she said. n

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PAGE 8

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

Education

School Division Redrafting Equity Statement; Superintendents Association Criticizes State Report

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler has removed the former equity statement from the school district’s website.

“The Equity Statement has been removed from the LCPS website. It is not going away. … When I was appointed permanently to this position, that statement was labeled as the ‘Superintendent’s Statement on Equity.’ That’s how it was publicized. We can’t really call it that anymore, because I didn’t write it. I wasn’t here during the development of that statement,” Ziegler told the division’s Equity Committee, as recounted on the school district’s website.

He also said he would write a new one with community input.

“During the coming months we’re going to come to you and many other stake-

holder groups and ask for your voice in the Equity Statement. We’re seeking the input of our student, teacher and principal advisory groups, among others, so that we get a wide spectrum of voices in developing this statement. A community statement is something that we, as a community, can get behind. This statement will reflect our values as the LCPS community.”

Meanwhile, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, representing administrators across the commonwealth, has written a letter to Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow criticizing her report on what Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called “inherently divisive topics” in schools.

Balow’s report was prepared without feedback from local superintendents, drawing the rebuke signed by Virginia Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Howard B. Kiser.

“Virginia superintendents are the

educational leaders who are responsible for legislative compliance, policy implementation, and the assurance of quality educational services delivered to children daily throughout the Commonwealth,” the letter to Balow reads. “School division superintendents, along with their communities, know best their curriculum, personnel, and student services, and they believe that gross assumptions have been made, without evidentiary support, in the development of the 30-day report.”

Among the many criticisms, Kiser wrote that Balow’s “assumption that discriminatory and divisive concepts have become widespread in Virginia school divisions without your having involved educators in formulating that position or without having provided evidence to support that position.” They also point out that Virginia schools are consistently highly ranked among states.

Kiser urged Balow, who resigned a job as the elected Wyoming State

Superintendent of Public Instruction to take the job in Virginia, to begin communicating with local superintendents. He encouraged her to “establish a working group soon, which includes superintendent representatives from throughout Virginia and superintendents of color, to discuss the process, objectives, and data that will be incorporated in the 90-day report.

As the Executive Director of VASS, I will be happy to assist in the facilitation with division superintendents.”

And he called on the administration to end its “tip line” for parents to complain directly to the state about “divisive concepts” taught in classrooms. Youngkin’s administration has refused Freedom of Information Act requests related to the tip line complaints.

“Parents and educators must collaborate in a positive manner to achieve EQUITY STATEMENT continues on page 9

Special Ed Administrator Resigns; Cites Student Safety Concerns

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

A high-level administrator is resigning from the school division, sharing her disapproval with a litany of issues including inequitable access to resources, student safety, and a hostile work environment.

Jennifer Sassano, who has served as supervisor of specialized reading and math instruction for six years, shared in a letter to staff that she will leave her post in June due to equity issues she has observed in special education.

Sassano wrote that she had been on medical leave, which she indicated was linked to matters ongoing in the school division.

“Awareness of this significant discrepancy makes my continued employment in this system and my desire to live a life in alignment with my ethics, morals and wellbeing two incongruent paths,” she wrote.

According to her letter, an investigation, at the direction of Superintendent Scott Ziegler, into the Office of Special Education led to eight administrators citing concerns about their work environ-

ment. Those individuals, she said, faced suppression after coming forward. She wrote that none of their concerns were addressed.

She also cited concerns over the ethics of department practices. Students whose parents paid for attorneys, advocates, and additional resources were given more resources from the division than students with similar needs but who did not have the same advocacy, she wrote.

Individualized Education Program meetings can be challenging for parents, who are often misguided about what services their learners are entitled to. Some parents hire advocates to attend those meetings to ensure their learner receives the services that they’re entitled to under the law.

“Although, of course, the individual nature of such occurrences are confidential due to student rights to confidentiality, it is my written statement that I did observe a noticeable pattern in this regard in the meetings I was required to partake in by procedural support,” she wrote.

Sassano also said that staff members are encouraged to predetermine IEP placement based on a learner’s special educa-

tion category, instead of encouraging IEP teams to make “authentic decisions based upon the needs of the individual student and in accordance with federal and state regulations governing special education.”

Decisions over mathematics curricula can also threaten special education learners’ futures, she said. The math progressions, she wrote, “track students into predetermined paths from which they do not have opportunity to catch up with their peers, and are therefore inadequately prepared for post-secondary education.”

She indicated that individual school administrators do not always implement research-based best practices to accelerate learning.

She wrote about the independent literacy audit, which found that literacy rates have been declining in the school division for a decade. She wrote that administrators created instructional materials to address literacy were not included in the items provided for the audit.

Division staff also dismissed occurrences of students and staff being injured by aggressive students. This school year, school staff has been stretched thin thanks to the pandemic. The School Board

seemed to acknowledge the onus on special education staff, including a $1,000 stipend for classroom staff in its 2023 fiscal year budget.

Special education students appear to have been heavily impacted by distance learning during the pandemic. Data show that while some students groups are recovering from pandemic-related learning loss, IEP learners are not making as significant gains.

Sassano wrote that, despite the concerns that fall into her department’s purview, she supports the division’s social initiatives.

“I believe the organization’s relatively new and emerging steps towards supporting the rights of the LGBTIQA+ population, increasing cultural awareness, racial equity and emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and social-emotional learning, as well as systemic school,” she wrote.

The school division did not respond with comment to the letter, nor did chairman of the Student Services Committee Andrew Hoyler (Broad Run). Loudoun Education Association president Sandy Sullivan also declined to comment on the matter. n

MARCH 17, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

School Board Implements New Anti-Discrimination Policies

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The School Board last week unanimously approved revisions to two policies to combat discrimination during its meeting.

Policy 8030, Student Discrimination and Harassment, and Policy 8035, Title IX, Sex-Based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, replace the broader Policy 8-6.

The motions to adopt both policies were made by Tom Marshall (Leesburg) during the March 8 meeting.

The policies were initially introduced to the Discipline Committee in 2020 as one policy. In February 2021, the Discipline Committee split the policies to make a standalone Title IX policy.

Before the vote, Vice Chairman Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) thanked the Discipline Committee, the Equity Committee, the Office of School Administration for their contributions during the twoyear process to develop the policies.

Equity statement continued from page 8 better outcomes for children,” Kiser wrote. “The administration can be a catalyst for positive stakeholder relationships through messages and actions. A tip line for parents to report divisive content to the Governor impedes positive relationships; therefore, the tip line needs to be terminated.”

Following the letter, Democratic lawmakers issued statements of support for the superintendents’ association.

“The superintendents are right. Many of these actions truly take public education backwards. They rescind years of work and research developed in collaboration with parents, teachers, and school systems, and many of these programs have made a difference for kids and parents,” Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) stated. “If the Administration truly wants positive changes for our kids, it should improve its public outreach and create a working group rather than continuing to make our schools and kids a political football.”

Youngkin’s first executive order sought to “end the use of inherently divisive con-

“And everyone else who’s had a hand in providing input for this policy.

I especially want to thank the students who spoke up to advocate for policy changes regarding notification timelines, mediation practices, and different topics that became points of action during those two years,” Serotkin said.

“The concern is that it was approximately 20 pages in length and the information was absolutely getting lost in the document. … What we decided was, in order to make it user-friendly, was to break it up into two policies,” he said.

Regulations for Policy 8030 cover discrimination against special needs students of all ages, and race-based discrimination.

The implementation of Policy 8035 comes as the division overhauls its adherence to Title IX after a sexual assault scandal rattled the community. On Feb. 23, Superintendent Scott Ziegler announced updates to the process, including the joining of the Association of Title IX Administrators and the hiring of a new Title IX coordinator. n cepts, including Critical Race Theory, and to raise academic standards.” While administriators say Critical Race Theory is not taught in public schools, school districts including Loudoun have begun to address related topics such as systemic racial inequality.

Loudoun was often the center of Youngkin’s gubernatorial campaign on education as local activists sought to curb the school system’s work toward fixing racial inequality in education. It has also been an ongoing topic of controversy in Loudoun, where Black and Hispanic students have historically lagged their white peers in testing, and where their recovery from pandemic learning loss also trails behind white students.

Balow’s work, among other things, includes ending Virginia L.E.A.R.N.S., which outlines remedies for COVID-related learning loss. The report describes Virginia L.E.A.R.N.S., as a “Substantial focus on building an equitable culture to remedy the learning loss caused by COVID-19 and school closures…” It states, “Education Equity is achieved when we eliminate the predictability of student outcomes based on gender, zip code, ability, socioeconomic status or language spoken at home.” n

PAGE 9

Obituaries friend and neighbor will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to either the American Heart Association or the American Humane Society to commemorate his love of family and furry friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Jonathan Corie Hale Jonathan Corie Hale passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022 at the age of 63.

Corie was a very strong-willed man but had been battling congestive heart failure and insomnia for some time; he is now at peace.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts to Priscilla Ordway and the late Corie Edgar Hale, Jr., Corie is survived by his mother, Priscilla; three sisters: Deborah Hale, Lydia Schmierer and Mary (“Molly”) Reid; three nieces: Jessica Larsen, Makela Reid and Charlotte Reid; and one nephew, Joseph (“Josh”) Larsen. In addition, as the late Sherman Ordway, Corie’s beloved maternal grandfather used to say, “there are cousins by the dozens,” now scattered from New England to California.

Corie loved the Washington, D.C. area where he returned to live after attending Virginia Tech. He completed his bachelor’s degree in business and then his Master of Business Administration at George Mason University, accomplishing both while working a full-time job in the telecommunications industry. Corie then worked as an IT contractor for the majority of his career, with one of his most notable assignments serving as a network specialist for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Corie was a man of many talents including drawing, writing poetry, cartooning, and especially participating in and watching sports. He was known for his love of basketball, baseball and running, and in fact remembered the day he went running and was joined by a deer that then kept pace with him.

His musical passion was classic rock, but he was just as happy conversing with those close to him about any number of philosophical viewpoints spanning sports, religion, politics, comedy and the arts. Corie’s outrageous sense of humor, energetic outlook on life and good deeds as a loyal and generous son, brother, uncle, cousin,

Lynwood Owens, Sr.

Age 86 of Hamilton, Virginia

Lynwood Owens, Sr., of Hamilton, VA departed this life on February 28, 2022, just shy of his 87th birthday. Born March 14, 1935, in Leesburg, VA to the late John Garrett and Joanna (Mitchell) Owens, he was a lifelong resident of Loudoun County and served as Air Police in the Air Force. He was known for his repair and body work skills which led to owning of the Round Hill Texaco in Round Hill, VA with his brother, William. When not at the shop, you would find him at Circleville Farm in Lincoln, VA where he was the Farm Manager for 49 years before retiring in 2014.

He is survived by his son, Lynwood Owens, Jr. (Catherine); two grandsons, Patrick Aviles and Isaiah Owens of Lovettsville, VA; six brothers, Johnnie Owens, Joseph (Betty Ann) Owens, Oliver (Henrietta) Owens, Donald (Candis) Owens, all of Hamilton, VA, Irving Owens of Round Hill, VA and Walter (Fannie) Owens of Sterling, VA.; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bettina (Shorts) Owens and three brothers, James, William and Lewis Owens.

A viewing was held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 10 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 250 W. Virginia Avenue, Hamilton, VA 20158. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Mt. Zion Hamilton UMC. Interment – Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hamilton, VA Arrangements By: Lyles Funeral Service, Serving Northern Virginia, Eric S. Lyles, Director 1-800388-1913 www.lylesfuneralservice.net

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 10

MARCH 17, 2022

Public Safety

Judge Denies Bond for Suspect in 2011 Murder Case

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

A Loudoun County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday denied a bid to have the suspect in the 2011 disappearance and presumed death of 21-year-old Bethany Anne Decker released to house arrest pending his trial early next year.

During the March 15 bond hearing,

Public Defender Lorrie O’Donnell argued that Ronald D. Roldan was neither a flight risk nor a danger to himself or the community—the two primary criteria use to assess candidates to be released on bond.

Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Shaniqua Clark Nelson depicted a pattern of aggressive and violent behavior by Roldan, even calling to testify the victim in 2014 domestic assault in North

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Carolina during which Roldan shot her in the head causing her to lose an eye.

Roldan was sentenced to six years in prison in that case.

O’Donnell sought to discount the significance of that conviction. She noted that Roldan entered an Alford plea in that case, a plea that does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have the evidence required to obtain a conviction, and that two charges against him were dropped. She also said Roldan shot the victim after she shot him. During questioning at the hearing, the victim acted out portions of the domestic fight, which included a beating she said broke her neck in two places. During the struggle, she was able to reach for a handgun under a nearby chair and shot behind her back with the thumb on the trigger at Roldan with rounds striking his chest and stomach. Then, she said, Roldan took the gun and shot her three times, once in the face.

Additionally, Clark Nelson cited Roldan’s prior convictions for driving under the influence and destruction of property, as well as an allegation of abuse against another of his girlfriends.

Clark Nelson also presented documentation that Roldan, who arrived in the U.S. with his mother at age 4, had been identified for possible deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement because of his felony conviction. If Roldan were released and then removed from the country by ICE, the community could

lose the opportunity to put him on trial for his alleged crime, Clark Nelson argued.

Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. said that, based on the serious nature of the charge and the domestic assault that occurred three years after Decker’s disappearance, he would deny bond because of the potential threat to the community.

It was as Roldan was being released from prison in North Carolina in December 2020 that Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office investigators charged him with Decker’s abduction. Later that month, a Loudoun grand jury indicted Roland for second degree murder. He’s set for a month-long trial that has twice been rescheduled and now is planned to start Jan. 20, 2023.

Roldan, 41, had been identified as a person of interest in the days after Decker’s disappearance was reported by her grandmother on Feb. 19, 2011. She had not been in contact with family members for the prior three weeks. Decker was five months pregnant with Roldan’s child. Her husband was deployed in the National Guard at the time.

While Roldan was interviewed by investigators at that time, no charges were brought against him until he completed the prison sentence for the North Carolina assault in 2020.

Clark Nelson said prosecutors are prepared to present the evidence of what happened to Bethany Anne Decker when a jury is convened to hear it next January. n

Deputy Pleads Guilty After Grand Jury Indictment of Soliciting Minor

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

A former Sheriff’s Office deputy charged with soliciting a minor pleaded guilty on March 10 during a Circuit Court hearing.

Dustin Amos, 33, of Herndon, was indicted by a grand jury on two felony solicitation charges.

According to State Police, an undercover detective assigned to the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigator’s Task Force came into contact with Amos online. Amos identified himself as a Sheriff’s Office deputy while communicating with a supposed 15-year-old girl and discussed sexual acts with her.

The task force reported the case to

the NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Dec. 17. He was arrested later that day. He is being held without bond in the Fairfax County jail.

Amos is due back in court for sentencing on June 13. His attorney, Robert Whitestone, said a memo would be filed two weeks prior, detailing Amos’ story.

The plea agreement also requires that Amos undergo a psychosexual evaluation prior to sentencing.

Prior to his arrest, Amos worked for eight years as a Sheriff’s Office deputy, serving at the Adult Detention Center since his hiring in 2013. He was placed on administrative leave following his arrest. He is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office, according to an agency spokesman. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 11

Nonprofit

Early Giving Opens for March 29 Give Choose Event LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has kicked off Give Choose event, held Tuesday, March 29, with an early giving period that opened March 15.

Give Choose, an annual day of online giving hosted by the Community Foundation, challenges residents to donate to area nonprofit organizations serving Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties at givechoose.org. In 2021, Give Choose

raised a landmark $824,000 for local nonprofits. Since its inception in 2014, Give Choose has raised more than $2.6 million.

The average gift made by a donor during Give Choose is $150.

“Give Choose is our community’s largest day of giving,” said Nicole Acosta, Vice President of Grants and Nonprofit Programs for the Community Foundation. “The magic of Give Choose day is the positive energy created by our community all coming together for common good. Our nonprofits also join forces to lift one another up for the benefit of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier. It’s truly remarkable what we all accomplish in that 24-hour period.”

More than 130 charities serving Loudoun and Northern Fauquier are registered on givechoose.org, where visitors may choose from among animal welfare, environment, health, human services, education, youth, and arts and culture

Now Including Northern Virginia

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Bryan Koons waves the checkered flag to start the 2021 Rallye for Vets at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg.

Rallye for Vets Returns with More Routes LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Rallye for Vets will return this year on May 1 with a new route, and more rallyes planned through the year.

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.

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 co-founder and Navy vet Desiree Peyman. They also assisted veterans in four states and paid five

mortgages and rents.

This year, the organization’s Board of Directors is hoping to hold at least four rallye events and triple their fundraising. And this year’s first rallye will be from DC Prime in Ashburn to finish once again at Breaux Vineyards, with a target time based on distance, road conditions, and local speed limits. Once they arrive at Breaux there will be a celebration that is open to the public with live music, raffles, and a winner’s ceremony.

To become a driver, sign up at rallyeforvets.org/become-a-driver. To donate to Rallye for Vets, go to 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. n

nonprofits during Give Choose on March 29. Donations of $10 or more may be made through the website.

Donations may be made up to two weeks in advance during an early giving period beginning March 15. Businesses also participate in Give Choose through sponsorships, which provide a prize pool to be awarded to participating nonprofits.

Inquiries about Give Choose may be directed to Acosta at nicole@communityfoundationlf.org or 703-779-3505, x3.

Founded in 1999 by local volunteers, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to accelerate community giving for common good in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has granted more than $11.8 million.

Learn more at community foundationlf.org. n

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PAGE 12

Business

Loudoun Wineries Take 16 Golds at Governor’s Cup 2019 Malbec

LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Twenty Loudoun wineries took more than 100 medals during this year’s Governor’s Cup competition. The Barns at Hamilton Station led the pack with four of the 16 gold medals awarded to 10 local wineries.

Those 16 gold-medal wines are in the running to be included among the top 12 wines selected for the Governor’s Case and to be this year’s Governor’s Cup winner. This year judges evaluated more than 600 wines from over 100 Virginia wineries. The top winners will be announced March 24 in Richmond.

This year’s medalists from Loudoun are:

868 ESTATE VINEYARDS: Gold, 2019

Vidal Blanc Passito; Silver, 2020 Meritage,2019 Meritage Reserve, 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Petit Verdot; Bronze, 2019 Merlot BLUEMONT VINEYARD: Silver, 2020 Viognier, 2019 Ascent, 2020 Reserve Viognier,2019 Summit BOXWOOD ESTATE WINERY: Silver, 2020 Rosé, 2019 Reserve, 2020 Sauvignon Gris, 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Topiary BOZZO FAMILY VINEYARDS: Gold, 2019 Sei What?; Silver, 2020 Lisa, 2019 Timmy; BREAUX VINEYARDS: Gold, 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Nebbiolo; Silver, 2020 Chardonnay Reserve, 2019 Petit Verdot, 2019 Merlot, 2019 The Quarter, 2020 Viognier,2019 Cabernet Franc, Cabernet

SUNSET HILLS VINEYARD: Silver, 2020

Viognier, 2020 Chardonnay Shenandoah Springs Vineyard, 2020 Chardonnay, 2019 Mosaic, 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Merlot

THE BARNS AT HAMILTON STATION VINEYARDS: Gold, 2019 Petit Manseng, 2017

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Patrons enjoy music and wine at The Barns at Hamilton Station in 2016.

Sauvignon, 2019 Merlot Reserve, 2019 Meritage, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2017 Merlot;

CANA VINEYARDS AND WINERY OF MIDDLEBURG: Gold: 2019 Unitè Reserve, 2019

LeMariage; Silver, 2020 Albariño, 2019 Malbec, 2020 Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc; DOUKÉNIE WINERY: Silver, 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Barrel Select Chardonnay, 2016 Dionysus, 2019 Zeus, 2019 Petit Verdot, 2020 Viognier FABBIOLI CELLARS: Silver, 2020 Chambourcin, 2017 Tannat, 2020 Petit Manseng, 2020 Chardonnay GREENHILL WINERY & VINEYARDS: Silver, 2019 Merlot, 2019 Tannat, 2019 Philosophy, 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2019 Eternity; Bronze, 2019 Petit Verdot HILLSBOROUGH WINERY, BREWERY & VINEYARD: Silver, 2019 Onyx MAGGIE MALICK WINE CAVES: Gold,

2019 Tempranillo, 2020 Albariño; Silver, 2019 TNT, 2019 Fortissimo, 2019 Tannat,

Meritage, 2019 Meritage, 2020 Cascina; Silver, 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Malbec, 2019 Cascina, 2019 Malbec, 2019 Merlot, 2019 Petit Verdot Estate, 2019 Petit Verdot, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay THE VINEYARDS & WINERY AT LOST CREEK:

Gold,2019 Allure; Silver 2019 Genesis,2017 Allure,2019 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Viognier, 2019 Trinity THREE CREEKS WINERY: Silver, 2019 Sur-Lie Viognier, 2019 Petit Verdot, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Sur-Lie Chardonnay, 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2019 Melange Rouge THE WINE RESERVE AT WATERFORD: Gold, 2019 Steel Magnolia; Silver, 2019 Plot Twist, 2019 Traveling Show; WALSH FAMILY WINE: Silver, 2019 Twin Notch, 2019 Russ Mountain Merlot, 2019 Bethany Ridge Tannat, 2020 Viognier, 2019 Merlot, 2019 Fieldstone WILLOWCROFT FARM VINEYARDS: Gold, 2019 Riesling Muscat-Ottonel; Silver, 2019 Assemblage Select, 2020 Albariño ZEPHANIAH FARM VINEYARD: Silver, 2017 Steamship White, 2019 Friendship, 2017 Three Captains Red, 2017 Cabernet Franc; Bronze, 2018 Steamship White n

JK Moving Named Independent Mover of the Year LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

JK Moving Services was named Independent Mover of the Year by the American Trucking Association during its annual Moving & Storage Conference.

The award recognized JK Moving for its leadership and innovation. ATA specifically cited JK adding dashcam technology to its whole fleet to help promote the safest driving practices; developing AI-driven tools that enable customers to conduct real-time, virtual surveys of their goods; and creating a mobile app that works with the survey platform to enable clients to review estimates, make pay-

ments, and communicate with their move team.

“We are incredibly honored to win Independent Mover of the Year. This award affirms our commitment to advancing the industry through innovation while helping our customers have the very best experience are on target,” stated CEO Chuck Kuhn. “We can’t win awards without our employees, which is why we share our success with them, most recently through a recent significant investment in our profit-sharing program.”

ATA also cited JK Moving’s innovations benefiting employees and the community, including creating an employ-

ee-led Diversity Council, which developed JK’s Mentorship Program. In addition, the honor noted JK’s work to address the industry’s serious driver shortage by increasing its annual guaranteed income for experienced Over-the-Road Class-A CDL Drivers to a minimum $100,000—twice the national average. Finally, the award celebrated JK’s work to start and support the JK Community Farm near Purcellville, a nonprofit that grows and distributes chemical free, healthy produce and protein to families in need throughout the Washington, DC, region.

Learn more at jkmoving.com. n

MARCH 17, 2022

Reservations Open for Sterling Job Fair LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Sterling District Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D) will host his annual Sterling District Job Fair Saturday, April 23, and reservations are open for job seekers and businesses The job fair will take place at the newly renovated Sterling Community Center at 120 Enterprise St. from 10 am to 1 pm and feature more than 50 employers from around the region. Those represent a variety of industries including technology, healthcare, hospitality/food service, trade/construction, retail, transportation, and public service. Among the employers that will be represented are Amazon, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, East Coast Powerwashing, Mission BBQ, Inova Health Systems, My Guys Moving & Storage, DSW, NOVA Parks, Prospect Solar, DHL Delivery, and Lansdowne Resort.

Anyone interested in attending to find a job or internship may register online at bit.ly/3trUtpE. There remain spots open for employers looking to hire. The job fair attracts hundreds of attendees every year. Nonprofits and institutions of higher education also are welcomed to register for a table to showcase their community initiatives, informational resources, and educational programs to the public.

To register a business or organization at bit.ly/3pT4DPE. In addition to employment opportunities, community and workforce development resources will be provided by Loudoun County agencies and community partners such as the Workforce Resource Center, Crossroads Jobs, the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, and INMED USA. The Sterling District Job Fair is hosted in partnership with SSJI Driving School, the Sterling Foundation, the Sterling Community Center, New Virginia Majority, and Park View and Dominion High Schools. If you are interested in volunteering at the event or if you have any questions, email Tianni.Ivey@loudoun.gov or vherbas@ssjidrivingschool.org. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 13

Towns

Purcellville Council Halts Historic District Plans

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

A divided Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday night killed the proposed Historic District Preservation Overlay Zone that was proposed by the Planning Commission as a tool to discourage demolition of buildings deemed to have historic significance.

Following a public hearing on the proposal last month, the council had been expected to approve a plan to update the 2006 survey that identified 283 properties that were designated as having structures

AROUND towns HAMILTON Council Approved Tax Rate Cut For the first time in at least 14 years, the Hamilton Town Council will reduce the real estate tax rate.

Following a public hearing Monday night, council members wrestled with the plan to maintain the 28-cent rate even in the face of sharp increases in the value of single-family homes in town.

In general, commercial properties and townhomes did not see high assessment increases.

The council unanimously approved a 26-cent rate. Homeowners are still likely to see higher tax bills, but councilmembers said it was important to acknowledge that residents could be struggling with increasing costs.

Council members stressed that it may only be a one-year reduction. While town residents haven’t lobbied for lower taxes, they have pushed for improvements, such as new sidewalks and better traffic controls.

The two-cent rate reduction will cost the town $20,000 in revenue. It wasn’t clear Monday what spending will be reduced to make up that shortfall. The council’s Finance Committee was scheduled to meet this week to look at the options.

While the tax rate is going down for property owners, it’s going up for motorcyclists. As part of the town transferring property tax collections to the

of historical significance but were located outside the town’s Historic Corridor Overlay District. The intent was to address one of the most common public criticisms of the plan by confirming that the targeted properties still met the qualifications to be viewed and protected as historic structures.

However, proceeding with that study failed to find majority support. Four council members said the proposed overlay district lacked public support to make it a priority for the town.

Updating the Department of Historic Resources survey before enacting new

anti-demolition regulations was pushed

by Councilman Tip Stinnette, who said it was important to confirm which buildings should be designated as contributing to the historic district. Failing to do so, he said, would equate to legislative malpractice and leave the new ordinance venerable to legal challenges.

Initially, the new survey was expected to reexamine the 283 properties that had been identified as significant in 2006.

However, the town staff said a broader survey should be conducted to determine whether other buildings in the protection zone have come to meet the qualifications

county government, it will eliminate its $16 license fee for motorcycles. Instead, they will be assessed the same $25 fee as other vehicles. The town was told the county would not differentiate between the types of vehicles.

safety improvements that may be needed.

More information, a recorded presentation and a comment form are online at the project page, loudoun.gov/route690study.

The comment period is open through March 23 to allow members of the public to watch a presentation and provide input about the study.

Mayor to Return to Duty The Hamilton Town Council had an unexpected call over Zoom during their public comment session Monday night.

Mayor David Simpson called to let them know he plans to return to town service by April 1.

Simpson stepped away from his duties in January, weeks after suffering injuries in car crash that required a period of recouperation. Vice Mayor Kenneth Wine stepped in to take over the dayto-day duties of mayor—serving as the town’s CEO. Simpson said calling in to the meeting seemed like the easiest way to let everyone know of his plans. He’ll start easing back into the work cycle over the next two weeks.

HILLSBORO Rt. 690 Safety Study Input Comments Sought The county government is holding an online public comment period to gain input from the public on the Hillsboro Road Traffic and Safety Improvement Study.

The county study examines current and future traffic conditions along Rt. 690 between Hillsboro and the planned Rt. 7 interchange in Purcellville, and offers recommendations for operational or

MIDDLEBURG Funding Builds for Town Hall Project On the same night the Town Council approved borrowing an additional $2.5 million for the construction of the new town hall, it also learned that the federal government would pitch in, as well.

Town Manager Danny Davis reported that Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) secured the addition of $2 million for the Middleburg project in the omnibus spending bill approved last week.

The Loudoun County government, which annually allocates capital funds to help the towns with construction projects, has committed $500,000 for the project.

The town earlier secured an $8 million loan for the project.

The focus of the March 10 meeting was authorizing a $2.5 million loan to cover any shortfalls as the cost of the project has grown since planning began.

The town had earmarked $9.5 million for the municipal building, but with the current construction market the total cost increased to about $12.3 million.

In January, the council awarded a $10.9

during the past 16 years. That would be another 193 properties. The staff estimated the cost of the surveys at $150 per property.

Stinnette said he supported the effort to discourage demolition of historic homes but, in the end, did not feel that spending money on the survey and devoting more time to hone the proposed regulations was a top town priority.

Councilman Stanley J. Milan Jr., the council’s liaison to the commission, said HISTORIC DISTRICT continues on page 25 million construction contract to Cooper Building Services.

The council approved taking the supplemental loan through Key Government Finance for a 15-year term at a fixed 2.527% interest rate. The town may pay off the loan in its entirety after 12 months, an option town leaders hope to use if town finances remain strong.

PURCELLVILLE Hearing Planned for Rt. 287 Interchange Upgrades Loudoun County government and the Virginia Department of Transportation will hold an online design public hearing to gain input from the public on construction improvements for the Rt. 7 and Berlin Turnpike interchange in the Town of Purcellville.

The public hearing will be held Thursday, April 14, from 6 to 7 p.m.

This project includes lengthened and widened ramps, turn lanes and expanded turn and through lanes along Rt. 287 between Eastgate Drive and the westbound Rt. 7 entrance/exit ramps. It also includes expanded pedestrian access to the W&OD Trail and traffic signal modifications.

Login information and hearing materials, including the public advertisement for the hearing, are available for review at loudoun.gov/route7-287interchange.

For more information about the project, including a link to sign up for updates about the project and upcoming public hearing, go to loudoun.gov/ route7-287interchange. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 14

MARCH 17, 2022

THINGS to do

Loco Living

LOCO LIVE Live Music: The Smithereens

Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The New Jersey-based power pop band had a string of hits in the ’80s are still going strong. Tickets are $39.50.

Live Music: Doin’ Time

Friday, March 18, 5 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Doin’ Time brings favorites from Hank Williams Sr. and Jr., Johnny Cash, George Jones, Willie, Waylon and more.

Live Music: Gary Jay and Fireball

Friday, March 18, 5:30 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com This country/grassroots two-man band is dressed to kill with music to thrill from Johnny Cash to Doc Watson and beyond.

Live Music: Michelle and Jason Hannan

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Veronika Amaya displays a quilt made by Purcellville’s Beverly McDonald of Your Life In Stitches, who is one of two dozen Loudoun crafters with merchandise available to shoppers at the Dulles Town Center mall.

A Space of Their Own Local Makers Find a New Outlet in a Changing Dulles Town Center

BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com

For years, Veronika Amaya dreamed of a permanent space where local makers and crafters could sell their products.

Last year, she made that dream a reality at Dulles Town Center. Her business, Handmade by LMAC (Local Makers, Artists, and Crafters), is part of a new wave of small businesses opening at the mall as pandemic restrictions end and shoppers return.

Amaya opened Handmade by LMAC last June with a handful of fellow makers.

Since then, the shop has expanded as foot traffic returns to the mall, now featuring work from more than 60 crafters. And Amaya is part of a mini revival of sorts at the mall.

“We’re makers–we also deserve a little retail space to exhibit our work and get feedback from clients,” Amaya said. “I always told myself when I get a store, it will be for all makers, whether they have

one product or tons of products.”

Amaya is a longtime maker who specializes in wooden decor for children.

Like many crafters, she spent years on the farmers market and festival circuits. But she always wanted a full-time retail outlet for her products.

“I kept getting doors closed on me because my inventory wasn’t high enough,” Amaya said.

So, she decided to do it on her own.

Amaya lives in Springfield but was looking for space near her studio in Reston. She scored a lease at Dulles Town Center last year. The mall’s future has been the subject of speculation since the closing of anchor stores Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor before the pandemic, the sale of the property in 2020 and the shuttering of its Sears store in 2021.

As large anchors shut down, the mall is seeing an influx of small and independent retailers, often on customized and short-term lease agreements, said Kimberly Mazhari, marketing director for

Centennial, which took over management of the mall late in 2020.

“The rules have changed,” Mazhari said.

Since Centennial’s takeover more than a year ago, the buzz has been about a potential large-scale redevelopment of the property. And while Centennial is mum on redevelopment plans for now, it is focused on bringing creative new businesses into the existing space. The mall has brought in more than a dozen new retailers in the past year and is planning new additions in coming months, including a Middle Eastern concept restaurant, a spa and a local company focused on CBD and hemp products. And Mazhari said Handmade by LMAC is the kind of business they’re trying to attract: “She brings so many unique pieces of merchandise. … She really fills a void.”

Amaya said foot traffic has been picking up, her business is growing and she’s LOCAL MAKERS continues on page 15

Friday, March 18, 6 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Michelle and Jason Hannan bring chart topping original independent country/ Americana music and favorite classic country covers to Flying Ace Farm.

Live Music: Cowboy Mouth

Friday, March 18, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Cowboy Mouth returns to the Tally Ho with high-energy rock ‘n’ roll rooted in punk, rock, blues and Big Easy attitude. Tickets are $29.75 for general admission, $60 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Hard Swimmin’ Fish

Friday, March 18, 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.

Live Music: Just South of 7 and Something’s Brewing

Saturday, March 19, 1-7 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Two of Leesburg’s top rock bands team up for a day-long music extravaganza.

Live Music: Linda Andersen

Saturday, March 19, 1 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville Details: creeksedgewinery.com Andersen returns to Creek’s Edge with gorgeous jazz vocals.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 16

MARCH 17, 2022

Local Makers continued from page 14 optimistic. Every week she gets a steady stream of new customers who say they haven’t set foot in the mall in two years.

“We’re still here,” she said. “It’s getting better.”

Amaya now has 52 makers from around the DMV, including 24 from Loudoun.

Among those are Sterling-based Linda Moeser Ceramics, Purcellville-based quilter Beverly McDonald of Your Life In Stitches, painted glass by Sterling artist Sandra Luciano and handmade candles from Leesburg’s Rustic Slate Candle Company. Amaya also works with 10 outof-state makers.

Amaya is finalizing a partnership with the ECHO nonprofit, which provides employment opportunities and support to individuals with disabilities. LMAC is slated to become an outlet for ECHO’s Blue Elegance line of jewelry handmade

by ECHO participants who are paid for their work. Blue Elegance is planning to launch a line of handcrafted candles later this year.

“These are great quality products, and we’re excited to bring them to the market,” said Todd Goldian, ECHO’s director of community outreach and fundraising.

Amaya, who has a background in graphic design, launched her own maker business Bon Bon Decor 15 years ago.

When her friends started getting married and having babies, she wanted unique gifts and began making personalized wooden door hangers. She has since expanded to picture frames, memorabilia boxes, home decor, wall decor for nurseries and customized textiles. Amaya continues to operate Bon Bon Decor with help from her

LOUDOUNNOW.COM mom. But she says for now, her main focus is on creating retail opportunities for other crafters and making Handmade by LMAC a success. Amaya runs the store with two employees so her makers can focus on doing what they do best.

“They get exposure to the public of their products seven days a week, nine hours per day and they don’t have to be there,” Amaya said.

Amaya also uses her graphic design background to support her makers with feedback on packaging and marketing.

“As makers, we focus on our product and create the product but we’re sometimes lacking on the creativity of the packaging,” she said.

Amaya includes photos and profiles of each maker in the shop and works to bring in fresh products regularly. The shop is already building a clientele of regulars who come in every few weeks to check out new products. They’re also now seeing more out-of-towners passing through Dulles Airport and Amaya is building an e-commerce website to facilitate shipping.

She said holidays are always a busy time. Easter items are rolling in, and March has seen a big bump as wedding season kicks off, with couples seeking out unique gifts for attendants and guests.

“Our goal is to collectively promote talented local individuals who create amazing products to a larger audience, Amaya said. “There’s always something new in the store.” n Handmade by LMAC at Dulles Town Center is open 12 pm-9 pm Monday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, check out @handmade_by_lmac on Instagram.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

More than 60 area crafters have items for sale at Handmade by LMAC in the Dulles Town Center Mall.

PAGE 15

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MARCH 17, 2022

BEST BETS

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY’S POCKET FULL OF FUGUES Friday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.

St. David’s Episcopal Church loudounsymphony.org

THINGS to do

continued from page 14 Live Music: Jim Steele

Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m.

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: twotwistedposts.com Join local favorite Jim Steele for an afternoon of fun covers and originals.

COWBOY MOUTH Friday, March 18, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Live Music: Jason Masi

Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m.

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Enjoy a mellow afternoon of acoustic soul and R&B from local favorite Jason Masi.

Live Music: Juliet Lloyd

Saturday, March 19, 5 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway Details: lostbarrel.com Singer/songwriter/pianist Juliet Lloyd returns to Lost Barrel with pop, rock and classic soul favorites.

ASHBURN ROTARY BENEFIT CONCERT FOR UKRAINE Frayed Knots, Train Wreck Endings, DJ LK3MY5t Saturday, March 19, 3-7 p.m.

Black Walnut Brewery ashburnrotary.org Live Music: The Wooks and The High and Wides

Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m.

B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com The Wooks’ distinctive sound has grown through original songwriting, exceptional musicianship and outside influences ranging from jam bands to Southern rock. The High and Wides open with their own brand of boundary-defying bluegrass. Tickets are $20 in advance.

Live Music: Live Wire: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience

Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Catch all your favorites from this top-notch AC/DC tribute band. Tickets $20.

Live Music: Ginada Pinata

Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Shepherdstown-based Ginada Pinata taps the influences of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, trance and drum and bass and blends them to create an organic vibe.

Live Music: Acoustic Moose

Sunday, March 20, 1 p.m.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com This south-central PA duo with acoustic guitar and dynamic vocal harmonies plays a range of folk rock, blues and classic rock favorites.

Loudoun Jazz Jam

Sunday, March 20, 1-4 p.m.

Chefscape, 1602 Village Market Blvd. # 115, Leesburg Details: chefscapekitchen.com Join the Loudoun Jazz Society every third Sunday for a fun jazz jam.

Live Music: Stephanie Ball

Sunday, March 20, 1 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville Details: creeksedgewinery.com This classically trained NOVA native is known for killer vocals and fun and engaging performances.

Live Music: Stuart Frye

Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville

THE YALE WHIFFENPOOFS Sunday, March 20, 4 p.m.

Salamander Resort and Spa middleburgconcerts.com

Details: flyingacefarm.com Stuart Frye of Wall & Frye rocks Flying Ace.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS St. Paddy’s Day Weekend at Vanish

Thursday, March 17-Sunday, March 20 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all weekend with green beer, Irish coffee, food specials and live music.

Flying Ace St. Patrick’s Day Party

Saturday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Celebrate all day with live music from Chris Bowen, festive games and Irish fare including corned beef and shepherd’s pie.

LOCO CULTURE ‘Seussical Jr.’

Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 20, 3 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: artsforallloudoun.org Arts For All’s all-inclusive cast presents the beloved musical about the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and other favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life in this musical extravaganza. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, children and seniors. Add $5 at the door. Performances also run March 25-27.

LSO: Pocket Full of Fugues

Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.

St. David’s Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn Details: loudounsymphony.org Who doesn’t love a good fugue? The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra presents a program featuring at least one fugue in each score with works by Bach, Adam, Hovhaness and Saint-Saëns. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors. Children 12 and under are admitted free but must be ticketed.

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MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 17

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

DRIVERS NEEDED

Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Accounting Associate II

Finance

$50,000-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Biosolids Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior

Utilities

$50,000-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Communications Technician (Police Dispatcher)

Police

$50,000-$75,961 DOQ

3/22/2022

Deputy Director of Utilities

Utilities

$93,438-$159,968 DOQ

Open until filled

Enterprise GIS Manager

Information Technology

$76,426-$130,688 DOQ

Open until filled

IT Systems Administrator

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$62,000-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011 NHLEmployerCard2.pdf

1

9/3/19

10:58 AM

Project Manager

Utilities

$76,426-$130,688 DOQ

Open until filled

Stormwater & Environmental Manager

Public Works & Capital Projects

$82,999-$141,929 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 until filled

Zoning Analyst

Planning & Zoning

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Regular Part-Time Position Position

Department Administrative Associate

Hourly Rate Human Resources

$21.21-$36.30

Closing Date 3/22/2022

Flexible Part-Time Position Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

C

M

Library Assistant

Thomas Balch Library

$20.51-$33.42 DOQ

Open until filled

Parking Enforcement Officer

Finance

$16.86-$28.85 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Engineer

Plan Review

$55.00-$70.00 DOQ

Open until filled

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Summer Internship Position

Department Planning & Zoning Intern

Hourly Rate Planning & Zoning

$15.00

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.

See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com

Closing Date Open until filled

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 18

MARCH 17, 2022

Legal Notices TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 - JUNE 30, 2023 Pursuant to Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, 15.2-2111, 15.2-2119, 15.2-2122, and 15.2-2143 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on March 24, 2022 at 6:30pm in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the Town’s proposed schedule of fees for fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting.

Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Town website and are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted.

Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

GENERAL FUND TAXES

Type

Tax/Fee Rate

Real Estate Tax (per $100 assessed value)

$0.178 $0.1727 (Elderly/Disabled Real Estate Tax discount is 100% for qualifying residents)

Meals Tax

3% on gross receipts

Cigarette Tax

$0.40 per pack

Transient Occupancy Tax

5% of gross receipts

Vehicle License Tax

$25.00 per car/truck/motorcycle

Town Facilities Use Permit $50.00 Out-of-Town Rate

$25.00 In-Town Rate $50.00 Out-of-Town Rate

Preliminary/Final Site Plan

$1,000.00 FOR FIRST ACRE + $50.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE

Conditional Use Permit*

$350.00

Subdivision/Site Plan Exception*

$100.00 PER SECTION VARIED

Comprehensive Plan Amendment

$2,500.00

Occupancy Permit

$75.00

Bond Reduction (PER REDUCTION)

$100.00

Bond Release

$150.00

VDOT Street Acceptance

$150.00

Variance/Appeal*

$100.00

Subdivision/Site Plan Engineering & Legal Consultant Review Deposit Fee**

$3,000.00

Comprehensive Plan (Document)

$40.00

Notes: * Additional charges for advertising and/or adjacent property owner notification will be billed to the applicant. (Applicants are responsible for all base fees as well as any engineering or Town Attorney Review Costs) ** As required by Section 30-37 of the Town Code for subdivision construction drawings and development site plans. If actual costs differ from amount deposited, the excess shall be paid by the applicant to the Town or difference refunded to the applicant, as applicable.

Taxes are authorized by VA Code 58.1. Fees are authorized by Code of Virginia §15.2-2241 and §15.2-2286. All civic, charitable, and religious organizations having non-profit status are exempt from application fees.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUESTS

BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE Type

APPLICATION FEES

Tax/Fee Rate

Cost for staff time to research and respond to FOIA requests will be based on the hourly rate of the appropriate staff member(s) responding to the request and range from approximately $20/hour to $50/ hour.

All Businesses Except gross receipts over $20,000.00

Fee of $30.00 for gross receipts up to $20,000.00 and a Tax of $0.17/$100

In-Town Contractors

Fee of $30.00 for gross receipts up to $20,000.00 and a Tax of $0.16/$100 for gross receipts over $20,000.00

Photocopies

$0.25 per page (8 ½ x 11)

Out-of-Town Contractors

No charge for work valued under $25,000.00 annually; Fee of $30.00 plus a Tax of $0.16/$100 for gross receipts over $25,000.00

Documents Printed In-House

$2.00 per page (Black/White 24” x 36”) $3.00 per page (Color 24” x 36”) Documents Sent to Printer Due to Volume or Size Actual Cost

Audio CDs and Flash Drives

$5.00 per copy

APPLICATION FEES Type

Fee Rate

Zoning Permit – Minor

$75.00

Zoning Permit – Major

$150.00

Pool Permit (Fence Included)

$75.00

Zoning Determination Letter

$75.00

Demolition Permit

$0.00

Other surcharges may include: Type

Fee Rate

For more information, see the Town of Lovettsville Freedom of Information Act Policy, Request Form, and Schedule of Fees.

UTILITIES FUND FEES AND CHARGES Type

Fee Rate $9.23 $9.51

Rezoning/Zoning Map Amendment*

$750.00 FOR FIRST ACRE + $250.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE

In-Town Water User Rate (per 1,000 gallons): In-Town Sewer User Rate (per 1,000 gallons):

14.66 $15.10

Proffer Amendment

$500.00

In-Town Sewer Only Customers:

Fixed rate of $43.68 $44.99

Ordinance Amendment**

$150.00

Out-of-Town Water/Sewer Customers Charged:

150% of In-Town rate

Home Occupancy Permit

$75.00

Penalty for Late Payment:

10%

Zoning Certificate

$75.00

Sign Permit – Permanent (UP TO 3 SIGNS)

$75.00

Bulk Water Sales:

$25.00 / 1,000 gallons, plus $75.00 transaction fee

Sign Permit – Temporary (PER SIGN)

$25.00

Virginia Department of Health Waterworks

Preliminary Plat

$300.00 + $15.00 PER LOT

Technical Assistance Fund:

Preliminary Plat Amendment

$250.00

Water Cutoff Charge or Turn On Charge:

Final Plat

$500.00 + $25.00 PER LOT

Final Plat Amendment

$250.00

Fire Sprinkler Fee for facilities with a fire sprinkler

Boundary Line Adjustment

$250.00

Minor Subdivision Plan/Plat

$300.00 + $15.00 PER LOT

Preliminary Site Plan

$1,000.00 + $50.00 PER ACRE

Final Site Plan

$1,000.00 FOR FIRST ACRE + $50.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE

system connected to Town Water:

Set by VDH $30.00 $6.67 / Month

Availability Tap refund processing charge:

$50.00

Fats, Oils and Grease Permit Fee:

$25.00

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 19

Legal Notices AVAILABILITY FEES, MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE USAGE AND METER FEES

FEES AND CHARGES Flushing Hydrant Maintenance Fee:

$500.00 per year

Off-Hours Service Charge

$75.00

Frye Court Service Tax District (per $100 of assessed value exclusive of improvements)

$0.275

WATER AND SEWER RATES TABLE Meter Size (inches)

Minimum Billed $ (Month)

Minimum Billed Usage (gallons)

Sewage Rate Per 1,000 gallons Over Minimum

Water Rate Per 1,000 gallons Over Minimum

$47.81 $49.20(residential) 5/8 & 3/4

$58.11 $59.20 (non-residential)

1

$68.41 $69.20

1.5

$78.71 $79.20

2

$89.01 $89.20

3

$99.31 $99.20

4

$109.61 $109.20

$9.23 $9.51

2,000

$14.66 $15.10

Max. Allowable Usage (GPD)

Water Availability Fee***

Wastewater Availability Fee***

Meter Fee

5/8”

500

$11,721.00 $12,893.00

$17,220.00 $18,942.00

$250.00

3/4”

750

$17,581.00 $19,339.00

$25,830.00 $28,413.00

$250.00

1”

1,250

$29,303.00 $32,233.00

$43,049.00 $47,354.00

Cost of meter + $20.00

1-1/2”

2,500

$58,605.00 $64,467.00

$86,099.00 $94,709.00

Cost of meter + $20.00

2”

4,000

$93,768.00 $103,145.00

$137,758.00 $151,534.00

Cost of meter + $20.00

3”

8,000

$187,535.00 $206,289.00

$275,515.00 $303,067.00

Cost of meter + $20.00

4”

12,500

$293,024.00 $322,326.00

$430,492.00 $473,541.00

Cost of meter + $20.00

Failure to Upgrade Meter Fines First Offense

$100.00

Second Offense

$200.00

Third Offense

WATER AND SEWER INSPECTION FEES Type

Meter Size

$300.00 Water Theft Fines

Fee

First Offense Fine

$500.00

Main Inspection Fee

$1.90 x linear foot of Water Main + $2.15 x linear foot of Sewer Main + $300.00 for Beneficial Use Inspection + $300.00 Final Inspection

Lateral Inspection Fee

$150.00 per connection- charged with Zoning Permit for the building

Line Record Drawing Fee

$1,350.00 + $1.25/linear foot of Water Main + $1.50/linear foot of Sewer Main

Reward for Successful Notification and Capture of Water Theft Town Water and Sewer Account Holders

$100.00 Credit

Water Modeling Fee

Engineering Reimbursable- cost to update water model to include new water lines and provide required information to VDH for their review and approval; component of Engineering Deposit.

Non-account Holders

$50.00 Check

Hydrant Flow Test Fee

$100.00 + provide needed testing equipment

Lateral Upgrade Fee

$100.00 + Cost of meter (when existing connection upgrades to a larger size meter)

DEPOSITS FOR NEW WATER AND SEWER ACCOUNTS Type of Connection

Water

Sewer

Residential (within Town limits)

$50.00

$50.00

Residential (outside Town limits)

$100.00

$100.00

Non-Residential

$100.00

$100.00

$2,205.00 $2,426.00

$2,205.00 $2,426.00

Water and Sewer Connection Fees

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 to hear public comments on the following:

Second Offense Fine

$1,000.00

Third/Subsequent Offense Fine

$2,000.00

Notes: *** Upgrades from a smaller meter size will equal the difference between the new availability fee and the current availability worth of the existing meter size.

These actions are authorized by the Code of Virginia §15.2-2111 - §15.2-2143 & §15.2-2111 - 15.22119 $30.00 bank charge for all returned checks

3/10 & 3/17/22

Public Notice Vacancy The Town of Leesburg Residential Traffic Commission

Comprehensive Plan Amendment 22-01 The Planning Commission will review and consider approval, and recommendation to the Town Council for adoption, an amendment to Chapter IV (Population & Housing) of the Town of Middleburg Comprehensive Plan 2019 pertaining to ShortTerm Rentals.

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting resumes and letters of interest to appoint a Residential Traffic Commission member. The term of this appointment will run from the date of appointment until December 31, 2024.

The hearing will take place at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. The proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/313/ Public-Hearings or in the Town Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov

The Residential Traffic Commission meets the first Monday of the month. All meetings are held in the Lower Level Conference Room at Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. Additional information is available by contacting Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, during normal business hours (Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 703-771-2733 or eboeing@leesburgva.gov, or on the Town of Leesburg Website: https://www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-commissions/residential-traffic-commission

The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.

3/10 & 3/17/22

Please submit your letter of interest and/or professional resume addressed to the Clerk of Council. All materials should either be delivered or mailed to the Town’s official address at Town of Leesburg, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 or emailed to the Clerk of Council at eboeing@leesburgva.gov.

3/10/22 & 3/17/22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

MARCH 17, 2022

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

$40 $75 per sign.

Sign Permits/Sign Plans

TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING FEE SCHEDULE

$100 $250 Comprehensive Sign Plan

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, and 15-2.2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg VA 20176 at which time, the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on an ordinance amending and re-adopting the Department of Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule. The proposed fee schedule is as follows: New fees are shown in bold and underlined.

Fees for which an amendment or increase is proposed show the current fee amount in strikethrough and the new fee amount in bold and underline.

Town of Leesburg Department of Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule

Temporary Use

$250 $150

Temporary Portable Storage Units

$30 for residential use

Business Special Event

$50 for non-residential use

Variances

$350

Appeals

$350

Proffer Determination

$150

Appeals to Council (Proffers)

$500

Special Exceptions/Flood plain, BZA

$250

Zoning Certification Letters

$150

Zoning Re-inspections – Residential – Subdivision

$200

Zoning Re-inspections – Commercial – Occupancy

$250

Zoning Re-inspections – Residential – Occupancy

$50

Home Occupation Permit

$30 $50

Parking In-Lieu Fee (H-1 Old & Historic District Only)

As required by Ordinance 2015-O-0022

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

$5,000.00

Board of Architectural Review

Revised through March 22, 2022

BAR review of Comprehensive Sign Plan

$25

Council review of Comprehensive Sign Plan

$25

Appeal of BAR Decision to Council

$25

New Construction of One or More Primary Buildings

$500

New Construction of One or More Accessory Structures

$50

Additions to Existing Primary Buildings

$100

Additions to Existing Accessory Structures

$25

Alterations to Existing Primary or Accessory Structures

$25

Demolition of an Existing Structure

$50

$1,200.00 per each submission over three submissions

Administrative Review Applications

No fee

$1,000.00 for non-profits

Signs, Administrative Review

$10 per sign

$500.00 for accessory structures to dwellings

Referral Review for Legislative Applications

No fee

Signs, Public Hearing

$10 per sign

Land Use and Zoning Applications $32,000.00 per more than 10 acres (first through third submissions) Rezoning

$16,000.00 per up to 10 acres (first through third submissions) $1,200.00 per each submission over three submissions

Concept Plan and/or Proffer Amendments

$10,000.00 $10,000.00 per buildings over 10,000 square feet (first through third submissions)

Special Exceptions

$7,500.00 per buildings up to 9,999 square feet (first through third submissions)

Minor Special Exception

$3,000.00

Administrative Amendments to Minor Special Exceptions

$1,000.00

Town Plan Amendment

$5,600.00 plus cost of advertising

Commission Permit

$1,000

Zoning Ordinance Modifications or Waivers per Code Section Modified

$1,250

Public Hearing Sign Deposit

$25 $10 per sign to be posted1

Annexation Fee

$10,000 for 0-5 acres $10,000 plus an additional $50 per acre for >5 acres

Zoning $350 $450 New residential construction $30 $50 per residential addition or exterior alteration $30 per accessory structure $50 Home Day Care Zoning Permits

$35 per temporary sign

$300 $400 New non-residential construction $50 $100 per non-residential addition or exterior alteration $50 $75 Commercial Use/Fit Up $50 Demolition (Residential or Commercial)

Crescent Design District

1 2

Building Design and/or Material Review fees for By-right Development (Old H-2)

$500

Zoning Modification Fees for By-right Development

$1,250

Current $25 refundable deposit to become a $10 fee.

Current fee amount is $7,378.52; fee subject to annual CPI adjustment per Ord. 2015-O-002.

Copies of the ordinance and additional information regarding the amended fee schedule are available at the Department of Planning & Zoning located on the 2nd floor of Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg VA 20176 during normal business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or by contacting Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator, via email at mwatkins@leesburgva.gov, or via telephone at 703737-7920.

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.

3/10 & 3/17/22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 21

Legal Notices Loudoun County Public Schools Reserve at Holly Springs Proposed School Attendance Zone Change On March 8, 2022, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone change process that proposes to assign all of the Reserve at Holly Springs community (as well as adjacent parcels at 42888, 42908, 42934, 42937 Buffalo Run Lane and 43123 Hollyspring Lane) to the Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, and Freedom High School attendance area. The attendance zone change would take effect in fall 2022, with the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.

ATTENTION NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No. 22-966

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176 Yvonne Thompson v.

David James Thompson,

The School Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the attendance zone change on April 5, 2022, to be followed by action on the proposed change later the same evening.

Additional information on this proposed attendance zone change is posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/241804), including detail on how to sign-up to speak at the April 5 hearing. Written comment may be sent to lcpsplan@lcps.org; all correspondence and information received will be shared with the School Board.

The April 5 meeting will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org).

Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, in order to participate meaningfully in the April 5, 2022 public hearing and meeting, should contact the Superintendent's Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services, Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22

PUBLIC NOTICE The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.

SBPL-2022-0003 WATERFORD WOODS RESERVE Karyn Minnix, as Manager for Carrington Builders LC, of Leesburg, Virginia, the Applicant, is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plat of subdivision to subdivide three (3) existing parcels of land, containing approximately 50.8547 Acres, into eight (8) cluster lots, two (2) rural economy lots and one (1) open space parcel. The property is located on the north side of the private street portion of Waterford Woods Court, approximately 0.35 mile north of Waterford Woods Court (Route 1346), a public street, and approximately 0.50 mile north of the intersection of Waterford Woods Court and Stumptown Road (Route 662). The property is zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1) and MDOD (Mountainside Development Overlay District) under the provisions of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is located within the Catoctin Election District and is more particularly described as MCPI #222-49-2184, MCPI #222-49-6062 and MCPI #222-49-6635.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the Loudoun Online Land Applications System www.loudoun.gov/LOLA by searching for SBPL-2022-0002. Complete copies of the above referenced application are also available for public review at the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Land Development File Room, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical public access to the file may be interrupted. You may contact the project manager to arrange for alternative access to the file if necessary. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Tom Donnelly, at Tom.Donnelly@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development, 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by April 18, 2022.

The Department of Building and Development will take-action on the above application in accordance with the requirements for a Preliminary Plat of subdivision as outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).

3/17/22

LoudounNow.com

THE OBJECT OF THIS SUIT is to obtain a divorce a vinculo matrimonii.

IT is ORDERED that David James Thompson appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before May 20, 2022 at 2:00 PM. 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 & 4/7/22

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Nonprofit organizations seeking exemption from Loudoun County real and/or personal property taxes for the 2023 tax year may file an application with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue by the April 1, 2022 deadline.

Most charitable nonprofit organizations are not automatically exempt from local property taxes in the Commonwealth, even those that may be exempt from federal income taxes. The filing of an application with the Commissioner of the Revenue is the necessary first step to obtaining a local real estate or personal property tax exemption. Completed applications should be returned to the Commissioner of the Revenue with a postmark by April 1, 2022, for consideration this year. Any exemption, if granted, would be effective January 1, 2023.

Applications are available online at www. loudoun.gov/cor.

For information or assistance, please contact my office at trcor@ loudoun.gov or 703-737-8557 weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ045042-01-00

Sterling Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 100

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Anthony Rodriguez Castro

Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Carlos Barnica, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Anthony Rodriguez Castro.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Carlos Barnica, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before April 4, 2022 at 3:00 pm.

3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ043373-03-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ezra Zipporah Fisher Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Sheila Fisher, mother The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-281 and 16.1-278.8 for Ezra Zipporah Fisher.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Sheila Fisher, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before April 6, 2022 at 3:00 pm.

3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22

Phone: 703-737-8557 Email: trcor@loudoun.gov 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ045892-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Elmer Salin, putative father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego, and; hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Elmer Salin, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before March 16, 2022 at 3:00 pm (Adjudicatory) and April 13, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

(Dispositional).

3/3, 3/10, 3/17 & 3/24/22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

MARCH 17, 2022

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG VACANCIES – TOWN COMMITTEES The Middleburg Town Council is accepting letters of interest/resumes from individuals who wish to be considered for service on the following committees: Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The BZA hears and decides appeals from any determination or interpretation of the Zoning Administrator; applications for variances; and, applications for interpretation of the zoning map, including disputed district boundaries. Members must be residents of the Town of Middleburg. This appointment is to fill an unexpired term which expires December 31, 2025.

Normally, terms are for a five-year period. Appointments are ultimately made by the Judges of the Loudoun County Circuit Court. The BZA meets on an as-needed basis.

Middleburg Sustainability Committee (MSC). The Middleburg Sustainability Committee is responsible for advising the Town Council on environmental issues. They are responsible for developing recommendations for environmental action plans and for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) resolution. Their goal is to increase community awareness about environmental issues, such as the value of recycling, the importance of preserving water quality and the methods for conserving energy. The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; and, in work session on an as-needed basis. Terms are for a two-year period.

Middleburg Streetscape Committee. The Streetscape Committee is responsible for developing and annually updating a management plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposal of trees and shrubs along town streets and in public areas. They also are responsible for organizing the annual Arbor Day event held in the town. The Streetscape Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month; and, in work session on an as-needed basis.

Anyone interested in serving on any of these committees is asked to send a letter of interest/resume, to include any relevant qualifications, no later than April 15, 2022 to the following: Mayor and Members of Town Council Town of Middleburg P. O. Box 187 10 W. Marshall Street Middleburg, Virginia 20118 Attn: Committee Vacancies

3/17 & 3/24

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.

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In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended §§ 15.2-1427, 58.1-3000, 58.1-3007, 58.1-3200 et seq., and 58.1-3500, et seq., the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA. at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the following proposed amendments to the Leesburg Town Code: • The Town Manager proposes no increase to tax rates for real property for tax year 2022 ($0.184 per $100 of assessed value) • Appendix B – Fee Schedule, Sec. 20-22(a): o Real estate; manufactured or mobile homes = $0.184 per $100 of assessed value o Real estate; tangible personal property for public service corporations (excluding aircraft and motor vehicles) = $0.184 per $100 of assessed value Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public examination prior to the public hearing in the office of the Clerk of Council at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, during normal business hours. For more information about the ordinance, please contact Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at 703-771-2720.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodations are requested to contact Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the public hearing. For TTY/TTD services, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

3/10 & 3/17/22

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MARCH 17, 2022

Opinion Just Getting Started There is no question that preserving the small-town atmosphere is a top priority for Purcellville’s residents. It may very well rank as a universal goal.

That is a large part of the reason why the controversy swirling around the proposed new historic protection overlay district sparked such frustration among the town leaders who championed those regulations. They were seeking to implement the aspirations so clearly laid out in the Town Plan.

However, it is not clear a new historic district is the best tool to accomplish those goals. The overlay zone would apply only to some houses in a neighborhood or on a street—those deemed to have historic significance. And it wasn’t clear which homes would land that designation or why.

As a majority of the Town Council members stated, conducting a new survey of the structures throughout town is a critical first step toward any implementation of the new preservation rules. That will take time, and it may not happen anytime soon given the council’s other budget priorities.

The fear of having a neighborhood building that has been home to generations of residents being torn down to make way for a McMansion or high-density development isn’t limited to the historic ones. It isn’t even limited to Purcellville, as other town councils have voiced fears that their most affordable homes could be targeted for redevelopment as the region’s housing market climbs to new heights.

There’s a good chance that those concerns could be more effectively handled through broader changes to the zoning ordinance, which sets regulations for all properties. Something as simple as new lot coverage limits may address many of the worries.

It just so happens that Purcellville is embarking on a comprehensive re-write of its zoning ordinance. It will be a long, detailed process with lots of opportunities for public comment and participation. Done correctly, that process will result in regulations that implement the land use goals laid out the town plan. It is there that protections for historic properties and neighborhood streets can be formulated in a comprehensive way.

The public debate over the past few months has given the community a foundation from which to dive into those deliberations. And it provides a valuable reminder why it is so important to participate in the process.

The conversation is just getting started. n

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

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LETTERS to the Editor The Refreshing Breath of Patriotism Editor: When I was growing up, the public schools were serious about teaching patriotism. For example, we were told about Nathan Hale who served as a spy for the Revolutionary Army. He was caught and hanged by the British, but before he died his captors asked him if he had any last words. “My only regret,” he said, “is that I have only one life to give for my country.”

I heard a distant echo of that proud sentiment when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, knowing the dictator Putin had sworn to kill him, was offered safe haven by the U.S.: “I need ammunition,” he said, “not a ride.”

The American people are caught up in the great drama unfolding in Ukraine in large measure because we see ourselves in the Ukrainians—or at least we see the way we used to think of ourselves. The Ukrainians are fighting for democracy, the right to live as free people and elect their own government. We’ve been fighting for those very same values for 247 years, and counting.

There were no public opinion polls back in 1776, but historians generally conclude that about a third of our ancestors supported the revolution, another third remained loyal to Great Britain and the rest were ambivalent.

I think a poll in Ukraine today would

show a much more lopsided support for resisting the Russian invasion. These people, former citizens of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, have finally tasted freedom and are determined to keep it, come what may. The people of Ukraine are our soul mates in our longtime defense of freedom.

The Ukrainians are reminding us— and we do need occasional reminding— of why we cherish our heritage of democracy and freedom. These are not abstract concepts. They are fundamental values that define our character and hopes for the future —for ourselves and for the world. The Ukrainians know they are values worth dying for and they are proving it every day.

In this time of a deep schism in our country when it seems we are sharply divided between red and blue, and some of us are so bitterly divided we automatically reject any views other than our own. We need to recall the wisdom of another Revolutionary War hero Patrick Henry who memorably said: “I disagree with what you say, but will fight to the death to defend your right to say it.”

The Ukrainians have no interest in our petty political spats about this and that. This is the basic question before us today: Where do we stand on fundamental human rights? It fills my heart to see us putting petty LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 26

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MARCH 17, 2022

PAGE 25

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Historic District continued from page 13 the survey could be done quickly and urged the council not to pull the plug on the project after eight months of Planning Commission work.

He initially made a motion to conduct a survey of the 193 properties not currently included in the overlay zone, but Mayor Kwasi Fraser said he opposed adding any of those immediately, suggesting instead they be addressed in a second phase survey.

Milan then moved to fund a resurvey of the 283 properties currently proposed for the district to determine whether any of them should be excluded because of a change in their condition.

Town Manager David Mekarski and Town Attorney Sally Hankins recommended all 476 properties be surveyed to ensure all properties were treated equally in the district, providing a stronger legal standing for the effort.

As it became clear a majority of the council either opposed the concept of the

overlay district or did not support spending money on the survey effort, members discussed postponing a vote or conducting a poll of residents to gain more input.

Without reaching agreement on any other option, Councilman Joel Grewe moved to end consideration of the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. That passed on a 4-3 vote.

Grewe was joined by councilmembers Erin Rayner, Mary Jane Williams and Stinnette in voting to end work on the ordinance. Milan, Fraser and Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut opposed the motion.

The meeting also featured complaints by the Planning Commission on the conduct of the council and staff and complaints about the Planning Commission by public speakers and council members.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Nan Joseph Forbes charged that the panel was not adequately consulted by the council or the town staff on the final round of debate on how to implement the program.

The commission presented its own recommendations after objecting to elements of the report developed by the town staff.

She said there was a pattern of the com-

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mission not being consulted or receiving information too late to provide meaningful input to the council.

Meanwhile, speakers from the public voiced objections to comments made by commission members during a recent meeting that were dismissive of concerns raised by critics of the overlay district plan, suggesting they were based on misinformation or part of a coordinated opposition effort that did not represent the position of most town residents.

Some council members agreed that the commissioners’ comments were out of line.

“All citizens, no matter how much I disagree with your perspective, are always welcome there. I want to hear,” Grewe said.

Rayner said the commission, in its zealous advocacy for the district, appeared to have lost its objectivity and public trust.

“This ordinance has become personal for the commission. They have moved from a body of advisors to activists and that is not their role,” she said.

As proposed by the Planning Commission, the Historic Preservation Overlay

Zone would have included lots with buildings deemed to have historic value that are located outside the town’s existing Historic Corridor Overlay District. Those properties include buildings listed or eligible for listing on the national or state historic registers or deemed a local landmark as designated by the Town Council.

After its initial proposal sparked controversy during a public hearing last July, the commission worked to provide a balance between efforts to preserve the historic character of town and the rights of property owners. Among the changes were to exempt accessory buildings, such as sheds, from the new requirements; and to attempt to make less onerous the requirement that any building in the protection zone planned for demolition first be offered for sale to buyers who would preserve it. Specifically, if the town’s Board of Architectural Review denies a demolition permit for a principal structure within the overlay zone, the property owner may still raze the building if it first has been offered for sale for six months—less than the maximum 12-month allowance permitted by state code. n

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MARCH 17, 2022

Multiple Paths to a College Degree PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE

BY NEIL MCNERNEY

This is the time of year when high school seniors begin making their decisions on where they will be going to college next year. It is a time filled with anxiety and worry about whether they will get into their dream school. In my work with students and their families, I have learned that there are multiple paths toward a degree. I would like to share with you a menu of options that might be a better path for your student.

Path 1: The Traditional Path

The traditional path entails doing as well as possible in high school, participating in activities and clubs, getting into the school of your choice, and finishing a college degree. I won’t spend any additional time on this path, as it is the one that we all know very well.

Path 2: Transfer

Let’s assume that your student didn’t get into their dream school but got into a few other schools. Most assume that their path to a degree must lie in their second or third choice. This is not necessarily the case. I am a perfect example of this. To put it mildly, I was not a high

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 24

quarrels aside and coming together on what really matters. Long live Ukraine!

— David W. Walker, Lovettsville

Cloud Over Quarry Editor: After reading about the “Dulles Cloud South” data center development in southeastern Loudoun, I am disappointed that five out of nine of Loudoun County supervisors opposed it.

Approximately 15 years ago, Loudoun County supervisors overwhelmingly approved the Luck Stone quarry expansion disregarding any harm to nearby forests, streams, and wildlife in southeastern Loudoun.

Comparing building a data center over a quarry expanding, I believe that we in the neighborhood would prefer building a data center.

I live in the east of the county within

achieving high school student. Entering my senior year, my GPA was under a 2.0.

I dejectedly applied to ten schools and got one acceptance letter from a private school that probably needed the tuition.

My guidance counselor told me to go, do well, and transfer. I did well enough my first year to transfer to James Madison University. Since I did well my first year in college, my high school grades were much less of a concern to the admissions department. I happily finished my bachelor’s and master’s degree from JMU.

Path 3: Community College, then University

I recently met a local community member, Tori Truesdale, who is a big advocate for starting at the community college level. Tori told me: “I considered community college primarily due to the cost. I started out my first semester at Virginia Tech and after taking out a $2,500 student loan, I decided I didn’t want to have that much in student loans when graduating.” Tori returned home and began her studies to earn an associate degree at Northern Virginia Community College. She then transferred to James Madison University through the Guaranteed Admission Program.

The Virginia community college system has an amazing program called walking distance to Fairfax County.

In my earlier letter to the board, I emphasized the unfairness of us being in Blue Ridge District, unable to vote on behalf of the east of the county which shares my interest.

I hope those who opposed “Dulles Cloud South” have good reasons for their opposition. Just saying, “I will fight this so hard every step of the way,” or “when we start creeping in those places” is not enough for those residents who have had to live with the quarry expansion.

Loudoun County residents do not want to see three miles of towers down Rt. 7. The alternative would be ”Dulles Cloud South.” This has been studied and suggested by the Department of Economic Development. Southeastern Loudoun already has high-voltage lines nearby.

Residents in the west of the county are not familiar with this area. The archeologist and environmental officials did not support us when we were fighting the Luck Stone expansion in early 2000.

I suggest the Loudoun Board of Supervisors take a survey of the local

Guaranteed Admission. Basically, it is an agreement with 40 universities that will accept students based on their GPA after completion of an associate degree.

For instance, James Madison’s minimum GPA is 3.0, and William and Mary’s is 3.6. No other requirements are needed.

SAT scores don’t matter. No essay is needed.

What about the quality of teaching at the community college level? Here is Tori’s opinion: “I thrived at NOVA! I’m still connected through Facebook to three of my professors. Many of them also teach at George Mason University which is super cool to have the best of both worldssmall class sizes with university professors.”

The cost savings is significant. Tori estimates that she saved almost $40,000 by going to community college. This savings has allowed her to launch a successful business as a home organizing coach.

Path 4: GED, then Community College, then University

The path that is most encouraging is the GED path. GED is short for General Equivalency Diploma. Instead of finishing high school and receiving a diploma after 4 years, students can test for the GED as early as 16 years old (restrictions apply for students under 18). residents and find their preference of having a data center over a quarry expansion.

— Bijan Katebini, Chantilly

Do More Editor: I lived in Loudoun County, for 16 years. I have a family of 4, with two children and one of them is autistic. Last November, we had to make the difficult decision to move from Leesburg to Winchester due to the cost of housing.

It was a very difficult decision to leave the county since my son had excellent teachers. The special education program in the schools was very beneficial in my son’s progress as he had many academic and emotional challenges. As parents, it hurt us a lot to take our son away from all his progress.

My husband works in a restaurant and sadly, it was impossible to buy a house in Leesburg since the rent is so high. We were stuck living in a small apartment, where my children could not play freely.

This took away our dream to give our

Once the GED is obtained, it is a simple process to begin classes at a community college and then transfer into a university. I have had students as young as 16 pursue this path. One of my graduate students at Virginia Tech just finished his master’s degree in family therapy.

He struggled with mental health issues in high school and needed the flexibility that a GED provided.

This path is ideal for those students struggling with health issues that make it difficult to succeed at their regular public school.

As you help your middle and high school students navigate this path, keep in mind that there are many ways to finish college, and many students need alternative routes. As Robert Frost reminds us: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” n Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out! and The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s. He can be reached at neil@neilmcnerney.com. children a better home to live in because of the expensive property costs. For that reason, we had to move to another city in which we had the opportunity to buy our house.

That is why we moved to Winchester, a place with affordable housing prices for our income. Currently, my husband is the only one working and our budget is limited. But even though my children now have space to run and play freely, they have struggled with this transition.

We changed their world, their schools, their friends, and for them it has been a great loss. The schools are good, but they will never be like the ones in Loudoun County, where the much-needed support is offered for our autistic child.

Families like mine are Loudoun’s essential workers. The county must do more to invest in housing solutions for working class families. If not, more and more families will be forced to make the same decision we did—to leave Loudoun County in search of housing we can afford according to our incomes.

— Yancy Henriquez, Winchester

MARCH 17, 2022

COVID efforts continued from page 1 procurement, finance, General Services and parks and libraries employees to address the purchase of PPE.” The county set to work trying to find cleaning supplies and protective equipment not only for its own employees, but also for congregate living centers like retirement homes which housed some of the most vulnerable populations in relatively close quarters.

And it wasn’t the only way county employees adapted—the county continued to provide of its normal services while most employees were sent to work from home.

Meanwhile, county workers at facilities closed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive orders shouldered new job such as acting as couriers for other employees working from home. Parks employees went to work delivering food through a greatly expanded meals program. The county opened up internet connection site to support students as they navigated distance learning. A new warehousing operation spun up to acquire and issue PPE, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.

“We kept people still doing work even though their main facility was closed by the governor. So we had a large operation like that so that people could still, if they were renovating a house, or they were trying to do something new with a business, they could still move forward and we could still get their plan sets reviewed,” Hemstreet said.

Redistricting continued from page 1 refinements made based on community requests,” said Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run).

“Those who advocate that this process should have ended back in February don’t allow for constituent concerns to be addressed at all by the board, and that’s what the board has been trying to address,” said Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg).

And the last change to the map, at Birchwood, particularly concerned some supervisors. Although that added that area today does not unbalance the district populations, it is an area currently under development—with more residents moving in. Supervisors are working to create eight voting districts with populations of around 52,600 residents, give or take 5%.

“Even though it works right now, if it’s not going to work in a year, why are we putting something in place that works right

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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“If something was scaled back, we were ramped up in another area,” said Assistant County Administrator Erin McLellan. Across the board, she said, even with some facilities closed, county workers were putting in more hours. And even at that time the county already was planning for when employees would come back to the building.

“We were also remodeling many of our facilities in anticipation that eventually a lot of stuff would open up, but anticipating that we would have to open up in an environment that would still have COVID restrictions. So, remodeling work areas, installing Plexiglas barriers, going through and inventorying every single conference room so that we can limit the number of people in a conference room,” Hemstreet said.

Hemstreet’s staff began almost to operate two governments side-by-side: one doing the normal business of local government in an abnormal environment, and one dedicated to the pandemic response.

And the pandemic both showcased the county’s planning and preparedness and had some real-world lessons for Loudoun’s sophisticated emergency operations.

“For many years, we’ve been doing regular tabletop exercise that are focused on these types of events—in fact I want to say either the fall of ’19 or early in 2020 we actually did a tabletop exercise that was kind of similar,” Hemestreet said.

“It was related to a potential chemical or biological attack, but the result was the need to do something very similar to what

we did in terms of creating a distribution POD for medication, and having to isolate the population and things like that. So we had those types of pandemic plans in our emergency plan for many years.

“Now, of course, in reality, it didn’t occur exactly the way the plan assumed— the need for six feet of distance created a lot of obstacles that we had to work around. But definitely the mentality, the plan, was there.”

And like many offices, the pandemic likely has changed some things about the way the county government operates permanently.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve all adjusted to is the fact that telework or alternate work sites, or people being able to work from home, is a lot easier or a lot more efficient than we would have thought pre-pandemic,” Hemstreet said.

“In fact, we’re looking at adding that with a level of permanency for those more office-based employees that we have.”

Concurrently, as county staff members bore that burden, the county offered support such as bonus pay for people directly working in emergency operations and flexibility on accruing vacation days.

The pandemic also tested the connections between the county government and the charitable nonprofit community, which was also greatly tested and continues to feel the impacts of the pandemic.

Hemstreet said the pandemic strengthened those partnerships in many ways, but also pointed out where there are weaknesses.

And he said it also was a test of the county’s ability to help hard-to-reach

communities that don’t often show up at the county government center in Leesburg.

“There’s always some people that are always here, but when we have a pandemic that impacts all of Loudoun County, there’s also communities that don’t normally show up here,” Hemstreet said.

“So one of things that we identified in the pandemic was the need to be able to reach everyone in every community, because COVID was going to impact them directly regardless of what the county government was doing.”

Today, mask and testing requirements have been mostly lifted, the weather is warming, and COVID-19-related deaths are low, but the way the county government operates has been permanently changed.

“I can’t stress enough just the quality of people that we have working here, and that goes from our customer service personnel, to our people that are out in the field, all the way up through senior management. The staff here really has a can-do attitude,” Hemstreet said. “Every problem that we faced, and certainly as leaders every problem that we faced, when we went to the employees and said, hey, we need to try to do this, they took it on. In many cases, the resolutions to problems and issues were designed by them.

I didn’t sit in this office and make it all up—the staff really embraced their work for the community, and I can’t say enough about that. They’re the ones that dedicated to their jobs, wanted to serve the public and made it all happen.” n

now but not in year?” asked County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “One of things that we did say is we’re going to consider future growth, and if we know for a fact that future growth is going to put a district over the line, and not future growth in ten years, but future growth right now, like immediately, why would we do that?”

“I’m not comfortable voting for a map that one day one I know is going to be over population before we even have an election,” Letourneau said.

Ultimately, that map passed by the slimmest of margins, a 5-4 vote. Randall, Letourneau, Umstattd and Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) voted against it.

Among the changes to the previous Letourneau-Turner map that had been the leading candidate for adoption, the far southwestern St. Louis precinct has been moved into the southernmost district; Ashburn Village, Ashburn Farm and Broadlands have been consolidated into same district where previously they were split between two; a currently rural area

south of Leesburg has been moved into the northwestern district; and the Regency neighborhood has been moved to a different district.

Randall also asked her colleagues to forward the existing Letourneau-Turner map to have available at the public hearing in case problems are found with the new map, which has never been reviewed by county staff members.

“What I don’t want is when we get to May 10, [Loudoun Registrar] Ms. [Judy] Brown comes back and says, ‘this is a problem, this is a problem, this is a problem,’ and then we have no other map going to public hearing,” Randall said.

Previous election district proposals have been evaluated against both legal requirements, such as acceptable boundary lines and population differences, and county board directions, such as considering future growth.

“There could be a hidden landmine in this map that we just don’t know about, and if there’s a hidden landmine in the map, I think that’s going to surface pretty

fast,” Turner said. But he said the map was fundamentally the same as the previous Letourneau-Turner map draft.

That proposal to approve the original Letourneau-Turner map as a backup also passed 5-4, with Buffington, Glass, Umstattd and Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) opposed.

Deputy County Administrator Charles Yudd said county staff members would come to the April 5 board meeting with an evaluation of the new map, giving supervisors another chance to vote and avoid advertising two maps for public hearing on May 11.

Supervisors at that hearing will also take input on proposed names for the districts. Many are familiar—the names Algonkian, Sterling, Ashburn, Broad Run, Dulles, Leesburg and Catoctin will likely return. For a new southern district, the options are Little River, Evergreen and Blue Ridge.

At press time the latest version of the new electoral map was not available; check LoudounNow.com for updates. n

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MARCH 17, 2022

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