Loudoun Now for April 15, 2021

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Pg. 6 | n PUBLIC SAFETY

Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 19 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

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LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN PULLOUT INSIDE

VOL. 6, NO. 20

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APRIL 15, 2021

Transit Union Threatens Strike in Battle with New County Contractor

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

The union that represents Loudoun’s transit workers is fighting a new county contractor to keep benefits in place.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 has found itself battling with Keolis North America, the winner of a $101 million, five-year contract to run Loudoun’s transit services, combining what used to be two contracts into one to run both commuter and local buses.

And while the workers from the previous contracts are not seeing their pay cut, the union says they are seeing some of their benefits eroded and the company is refusing to meet.

Amalgamated Transit Union representative John Ertl said the concerns include higher health insurance premiums, lower health insuance coverage, taking away a week of vacation from some of the most senior employees, downgrading flex time, and perhaps most symbolically removing Labor Day—a day honoring the American labor movement—as a paid holiday.

He said the people who make the buses run in Loudoun only want to hang on to what they already had.

“They initially met with us and proposed accepting the CBA but only if we agreed to steep concessions,” Ertl wrote by email. “We rejected those demands for TRANSIT STRIKE continues on page 30

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Children’s bikes stand inside the courtyard in Shreveport Ridge Apartments, a rent-controlled workforce housing project opened in Ashburn in 2014.

Supervisors Prepare to Tackle Housing Challenges

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors are getting ready to face one of Loudoun’s biggest, most well-known and longest-running issues: the demand for and cost of homes. But

now, for the first time, they are preparing to tackle it not on an ad hoc basis, but with a central, organized approach laid out in the draft of the new Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan.

The new plan, ordered as supervisors finished work on the county’s 2019 Gen-

eral Plan, lays out anew the scope of the problem, which affects people looking for homes at almost all prices and sizes. As of 2019, according to the plan, 35,000 house-

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Loudoun Surpasses 200K Shots; Eligibility Expands to 16 and Older LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

The Rockland Farm family requested Chuck Kuhn, the new owner of White’s Ferry, provide them with 50 cents per vehicle as payment for use of the Virginia landing.

White’s Ferry Reopening Plans Hit Snag as Virginia Landing Negotiations Stall

BY NORMAN K STYER AND RENSS GREENE nstyer@loudounnow.com rgreene@loudounnow.com

When the Kuhn family purchased White’s Ferry in February, they held out hope of quickly reestablishing the transportation link with Maryland. However, it now appears the crossing won’t reopen this year as the battle over paying the Virginia landowners to use their property continues.

The ferry shut down in late December following a cable break and the conclusion of a years-long legal battle with a ruling that it lacked legal authority to use its Virginia landing. Negotiations with Rockland Farm, the site of the Virginia landing, on a fee to use the landing produced no result.

After purchasing the business, Chuck Kuhn, the founder and CEO of JK Moving Services, said he hoped to restart the service within weeks. Now he said it may be 10 months before operations can resume.

“We stand ready and willing to reopen.

The ferry has ramifications for our local economy and the livelihoods of many people, from technology workers to re-

tail employees to farm workers,” Kuhn stated. “The former ferry owner Herb Brown and his team have been a pleasure to work with as have all the municipalities and states—all of which are interested in protecting this important transportation route. We will be seeking more help from the county and state to ensure this vital route serves our community and people.”

But Libby Devlin, manager of the property and a member of the family that owns Rockland Farm, said her family is fighting strong-arm tactics to take their land. Devlin said the family asked for 50 cents per vehicle as compensation for using the land, with the Loudoun County government offering to maintain a count of the vehicles.

“Instead, Mr. Kuhn continued to push for a permanent easement and threatened to convince County, State, and Maryland officials to pursue condemnation of the Virginia landing if Rockland did not agree to his offer for a permanent easement,” reads a statement from Rockland Farm published April 7. “Mr. Kuhn gave a deadline of 5:00 PM on Friday, March 26th for Rockland to agree to his terms.

Mr. Kuhn’s offer for a permanent sale or easement came to a tiny fraction of the

50-cents-per vehicle fee that Rockland is seeking as compensation for the use of its landing.”

“He’s been really putting a lot of pressure on state, county and Maryland officials to condemn our landing, and says that we will get very little if we don’t take his offer and we risk condemnation,” Devlin said. “[…] We don’t want to give up permanent rights to the property, because it’s been part of Rockland farm forever and ever, and it’s just part of the history here. It’s sort of sacred ground to us, and again we were hoping for an ongoing stream of income to help support the agricultural use.”

“Rockland remains open to working with White’s Ferry, County and State officials to get the ferry operating again but insists on fair compensation for the ongoing use of its landing,” the statement concludes.

Established in 1786, the ferry remains a significant transportation route between Maryland and Virginia, carrying nearly 800 daily users when operational. It is the only Potomac River crossing between the American Legion Bridge and Point of Rocks. n

Loudoun County’s COVID-19 vaccination effort last weekend surpassed 200,000 shots, with more that 75,000 residents now fully vaccinated.

This week, the county opened up scheduling to all residents age 16 and older, marking a significant milestone of having all essential workers offered vaccinations during the past four months.

While the vaccination program at the county’s Dulles Town Center has geared up to an average of more than 4,000 shots per day, it also has endured a few setbacks.

On Saturday, the center was closed because of a plumbing problem at the former Nordstrom store, forcing appointments for that day to be rescheduled.

On Tuesday, following the recommendation of federal health officials, Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia suspended use the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine pending the results of an investigation into rare but dangerous side effects possibly associated with the vaccine. According to the county health department, approximately 2,840 people were scheduled to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Loudoun County’s vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 17. All of those doses will be replaced with the Pfizer vaccine.

Loudoun County will continue its vaccination efforts using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

The federal Food and Drug Administration recommended pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention committee reviews a possible side effect from

VACCINATIONS continues on page 31

PAGE 4

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

Loudoun

Wexton Marks Relaunch of Agritourism Caucus with Tour

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) toured local agricultural businesses Thursday to mark the relaunch of the bipartisan Agritourism Caucus, which she founded with Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC7) in 2019.

“They adapted quite a bit during COVID, but they’re looking forward to getting back to more normal times,” Wexton said while stopping for lunch at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery.

“But they’ve learned some lessons from COVID which they’re going to keep— things like a reservation system and online reservations were very helpful, and so they’ll keep some of that just to enhance the user experience.”

Agritourism is a sector that has taken a beating during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with fair weather returning and vaccination ongoing, Wexton said the 10th District has some success stories the rest of the caucus can learn from.

She said Loudoun and the 10th District can share some best practices learned during the pandemic with the rest of the country, “because I think we’ve got a pretty great formula around here.”

That will be useful for other regions “especially as more districts are like mine, that have the suburban encroaching into

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery Head Brewer Austen Conn seals bottles in one of the business’s repurposed historic barns Thursday, April 8, 2021.

the rural, and more and more family farms that are facing pressure to sell out to developers, to be able to use this property for agricultural purposes but also enhancing the quality of life for the people that live here,” Wexton said.

She also said the caucus can streamline the work of getting federal assistance or grants for agricultural businesses.

John and Bonnie Branding, Wheatland

Spring’s founders, said they saw strong support even during the pandemic, and that Congress can help with some of the unusual things they do—such as growing their own grains for their beer, or the adaptive reuse of the nearly 200-year-old barns on the property for brewing and seating.

“I think people are attracted to authenticity,” John Branding said. “And I think

there’s no amount of marketing or slogans or jargon that people won’t figure out eventually doesn’t ring true. I think people like real things, people like things on a human scale, especially now with everything in the world over the last year.”

And, he said, that includes recentering, thinking about what’s important to them, AGRITOURISM continues on page 5

Wertz Warns Car Values, Tax Bills Could Go Up Amid Pandemic Buying Loudoun Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. issued a press release April 8, warning that people could see an increase in their car tax bill—not because taxes have been raised, but because the value of used vehicles has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typically, vehicle values drop over time as the vehicles age—meaning each year, the tax bill on that vehicle, which is based on its assessed value as of Jan. 1, would go down. But during 2020, according to Wertz, COVID-19 has altered the usual trends, and all major vehicle valuation services saw vehicle values increase between January 2020 to January 2021. Over the summer of 2020, pric-

es across the U.S. used car market as a whole climbed 10%.

Several things contributed to that, according to the commissioner. In March 2020, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to nearly 0%, allowing people to buy vehicles sooner than they may have in the past. That resulted in strong demand, which pushed prices up.

Additionally, COVID-19 saw some auto manufacturing plants redirected to producing ventilators and personal protective equipment, which cut into new car inventories, further tightening the market. And companies like car rental businesses with large vehicle fleets put off replacing their inventory—meaning they held onto vehicles which they oth-

erwise would have sold off into the used car market, contributing to the supply shortage.

“My office assesses personal property on the assumption that it is in fair condition for its age,” Wertz stated. “A vehicle owner can request a review of the assessment if a vehicle is not in average condition as of January 1 of the tax year being appealed, because of unusually high mileage, extensive unrepaired body damage or serious mechanical defects.

This does not include normal wear and tear.”

Vehicles will see varying changes in value based on factors like model year and trim package; Wertz offered examples ranging from a 2020 Ford F150 Rap-

tor EcoBoost appreciating by $8,279 to $58,850 in 2021, to a 2015 Honda CR-V 4D EX-L 2WD appreciating by $525 to $13,800.

The personal property tax, $4.20 per $100 of assessed value, hasn’t budged in decades. There is car tax relief available for elderly or disabled people and veterans, among others. More information is at loudoun.gov/taxrelief.

Vehicle owners who believe their vehicle was worth less than its assessed value on Jan. 1, 2021, can find an appeal form at loudoun.gov/pp-appeal. For more information, go to loudoun.gov/cor or send an email to ppdcor@loudoun.gov. n

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APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 5

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The new segment of Riverside Parkway will connect Silvery Blue Terrace with Smith Circle.

New Segment of Riverside Parkway to Open Construction crews on April 15 are scheduled to shift traffic to a new 0.4mile segment of Riverside Parkway between the intersection of Silvery Blue Terrace and the eastern intersection with Smith Circle.

This will be a temporary traffic pattern, with only one eastbound and westbound lane of the new four-lane, median-separated segment open to traffic. Turns onto and from connecting roadways will be restricted to one direction and a four-way stop created at the intersection of Riverside Parkway, the western leg of Smith Circle and Garden Center Court.

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Agritourism continued from page 4 and connecting with the land. Bonnie said people visiting the brewery see the grain growing outside and ask if it’s used in the beer—it is.

“A lot of the businesses that we look up to, a lot of the owners that we look up to, are folks who are very responsible,” John Branding said. “They’re responsible for their community. Of course, they’re making a profit, but everything’s in balance so it’s not profit at all costs. It’s not exploiting the environment or the community or other things like that to make a profit. It’s about this balance, and I think people can sense that.”

During her April 8 tour, Wexton also visited Great County Farm and Bee’s Wing Farm in Bluemont.

tends from Silvery Blue Terrace to Loudoun County Parkway at George Washington Boulevard. The project includes the construction of a new four-lane, divided road segment, the removal of Lexington Drive on both sides of Rt. 7, a new Loudoun Water main and the replacement of the temporary traffic signal at Loudoun County Parkway and George Washington Boulevard with a permanent signal. Construction is expected to be completed by the fall.

More information about this project and the Riverside Parkway temporary traffic plan can be found at loudoun.gov/riversideparkway. n

According to the Census of Agriculture, agritourism-related income nationwide increased from $202 million in 2002 to $949 million in 2017, a nearly 370% increase. And according to Wexton’s office, Virginia’s 10th Congressional District is home to more than 230 agritourism businesses.

In addition to Wexton and Rouzer, members of the Agritourism Caucus include fellow Virginia Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Elaine Luria (D-VA-2) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) as well as Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH-20), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Peter DeFazio (DOR-4), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6), Jared Huffman (D-CA-2), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-2), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18), Jerry McNerney (D-CA-9), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1). n

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APRIL 15, 2021

AROUND town

Leesburg Storm Water Concerns May Derail Cemetery Transfer

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A tentative decision by the Leesburg Town Council to not invest in storm water improvements may spell the end of an agreement between the county seat and the Loudoun Freedom Center.

Plans to transfer the 1.6-acre Sycolin Cemetery property to the Loudoun Freedom Center have been in the works since 2019. The land includes 65 gravesites associated with the Sycolin Baptist Church.

Land near the burial sites was purchased by the town more than 30 years ago for the federally mandated Runway Protection Zone for the Leesburg Executive Airport.

While the town has mowed and maintained the upper field of the area since its acquisition, it was not until 2015 that town staff ventured farther into the wooded area— outside of the Runway Protection Zone—to begin to maintain the land that includes the burial areas after receiving criticism from members of the community, particularly the NAACP, on its overgrown nature.

Criticism has followed some decisions of the council and town staff, who at separate times have considered creating a master plan for the cemetery and even leasing it to an outside group or organization to maintain it. The latter suggestion

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The low-lying Sycolin Cemetery property across Sycolin Road from Leesburg Executive Airport.

brought forward a strong rebuke, with Loudoun Freedom Center founder and current Loudoun NAACP President Michelle Thomas likening it to a “sharecropper’s agreement” when the council debated it at the end of 2018. It caused the council to reverse course, and instead pursue a land transfer to the Freedom Center, which

has been behind several efforts to preserve African American gravesites in Loudoun County. A resolution with council support for the land transfer passed in July 2019.

Since then, the town staff has worked to draft up a Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the Loudoun CEMETERY continues on page 17

Work Begins on King Street Bridge Mural The South King Street bridge is about to get livelier, as artist Kaeley Boyle began work last week on a longplanned mural project on its facade.

The final product will depict a locomotive on each side of the exterior concrete wall of the King Street Bridge adjacent to Georgetown Park and the W&OD Trail. Boyle is using different shades of grey along with a red gradient to complete the mural. In all, she said she would use about eight gallons of paint.

It’s a long-awaited public art project, as the Town Council approved it more than three years ago, in February 2018. Boyle said she expects to have the mural finished by the first week of May. n

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Artist Kaeley Boyle, with the help of Rusty Boyle, has started work on her locomotive mural on the concrete wall of the King Street Bridge adjacent to Georgetown Park and the W&OD Trail.

Bypass Construction Begins this Week Toll Road Investors Partnership LP II, owner of the Dulles Greenway, and Shirley Contracting Company this week will begin construction of a Leesburg Bypass improvement project aimed at removing a frequent commuter choke point.

The project involves a reconfiguration of the exit ramp from the westbound bypass to northbound South King Street and will add a continuous third westbound lane on the bypass between the Greenway and the South King Street interchange. The construction is expected to be complete in May 2022.

“With construction beginning on the Leesburg Bypass project, we are eager to alleviate congestion for our commuters,” stated TRIP II CEO Renée N. Hamilton. “We will work alongside Shirley Contracting LLC to provide as many updates on the process and timeline as possible to ensure smooth navigation for everyone during the construction period.”

For more information regarding construction and updates call 703707-8870 or go to dullesgreenway. com.

Balch Hosts Virtual Author Talk Thomas Balch Library Director Alexandra Gressitt will host a virtual conversation with local author Ellen Crosby on her latest wine country mystery, “The French Paradox,” on Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 1 p.m.

In this volume, Lucie Montgomery’s discovery of her grandfather’s Parisian romance unlocks a series of shocking secrets. The book was released in the United States on April 6.

Crosby is the author of the Virginia wine country mysteries, the Sophie Medina mysteries, and “Moscow Nights,” a standalone.

Before writing fiction full-time she was a freelance reporter for The Washington Post, foreign correspondent for ABC News Radio, AROUND TOWN continues on page 7

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 7

VFW Post 1177 Celebrates Contributors

AROUND town continued from page 6

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnnow.com

VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg held its annual awards ceremony April 7, recognizing the contributions of past post commanders and the exemplary community work done by one member.

Post Commander Ray Delpesche presented Steve Hood with the VFW Post Commendation, which is awarded to members who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide service to the community and veterans.

“He takes time out of his busy scheduled time and time again to make sure our presence is seen all over Loudoun County and to make a positive representation of the post,” Delpesche said.

“You know how much Steve does for this post and for the community at large.

He volunteers five or six hundred hours at the Martinsburg (VA) hospital, where he is one of our ambassadors and he helps maintain the post, helps with the security of the post and makes sure the post is solid and in good working order for us to enjoy,” he said.

Delpesche also recognized the contri-

R I V E R B E N D FA R M |

and an economist at the U.S. Senate. After living overseas in Europe and the former Soviet Union for many years she now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband.

The public is invited to join in on the conversation by pre-registering at tinyurl. com/TBLEvents. To learn more, contact the Thomas Balch Library at 703-7377195.

Photo Exhibit Debuts

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Post Commander Ray Delpesche, left, presents Steve Hood with a VFW Post Commendation for his work at the post and in the community.

butions of four past post commander for their work building the organization and supporting the work of the VFW. Those

O F F E R E D AT $ 1 , 5 0 0,0 0 0

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awards were presented to Jim McQuary, Phil Rusciolelli, Max Gutierrez and Ray Houck. n

Works created by members of the Loudoun Photo Club are on display in a new exhibit, “Capturing Moments in Black & White,” at Thomas Balch Library.

Nineteen photographs depict some of the best moments captured in black and white.

The exhibit is available to view, by appointment only, through the end of June.

Call 703-737-7195, email balchlib@leesburgva.gov, or request an appointment at leesburgva.gov/departments/thomas-balch-library.

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APRIL 15, 2021

Education

School Staff Finds Fixes for Budget Cuts

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Two weeks ago, the Board of Supervisors surprised the School Board by cutting $28.6 million from its adopted Fiscal Year 2022 budget, demanding reductions to planned staff raises and other line-item adjustments.

On Tuesday, the School Board got the first look at the changes proposed by Interim Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler and his staff that would be needed to rebalance its budget, and the outlook is not as bleak as expected.

An increase in state funding reduced the shortfall by $8.7 million. And then an unexpected ruling by the state Department of Education cleared the way for new federal emergency aid to pay for plans to expand summer school offerings, saving another $7.7 million. Then the staff found $4.5 million in planned one-time

purchases that could be paid for using the year-end surplus.

Those changes cut the funding shortfall to just under $2 million. A proposal to drop the $1.9 million earmark to begin a collective bargaining program and to not hire six non-mandated health clinic specialists, would bring the budget back into balance without touching the raise plan or other School Board priorities.

Following an April 15 public hearing and work session, the board plans to adopt the revised $1.48 billion budget April 20.

Although the budget process may end relatively painlessly, School Board members are still stinging from the unexpected battle with supervisors. They especially objected to the county board’s efforts to dictate line-item spending—not only to cut staff raises, but pushing for the elimination of fees charged to student athletes.

During Tuesday’s meeting, School Board members again stressed that state law provides them exclusive authority to

create the budget, while the county board has control over how much local funding to provide. They said they didn’t want supervisors thinking they could wield such control in future budgets.

“I don’t want to play that game,” Jeff Morse (Dulles) said. “I am not going to support any of these line-item requests that came from the Board of Supervisors.”

Morse said that the staff and the School Board have done the detailed research needed to set the division’s priorities and that work shouldn’t be undermined by supervisors’ last-minute freelancing. He pointed to an item on that night’s agenda that listed 40 teacher resignations and retirements as evidence of the importance of the staff compensation plan.

Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn) expressed a sense of betrayal after the School Board adopted a budget that was well within the Board of Supervisors’ spending guidelines.

“I thought we were being thoughtful,

were being fiscally responsible,” he said.

“We presented a very thoughtful, very pragmatic, needs-based budget to the Board of Supervisors. What did they do?

They cut us down further and put us in this line-item approach.”

Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said the supervisors’ actions served to prove a point he has been trying to make—to simply ignore the county board’s spending guidance and put forward a budget that covers the division’s needs. This year, he said, the state and federal governments proved to be better partners in meeting Loudoun’s education needs than did the Board of Supervisors.

He also challenged the “audacity” of supervisors to attempt to direct the dropping of athletic fees, an estimated $810,000 line item, saying a higher priority would be to stop charging students to take advanced placement tests.

“It is quite infuriating, isn’t it?” Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) said. n

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703-771-9034RouteVisit Use your benefits our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com 24hr Emergency Service 7 between Wegmans and 1503 Dodona Terrace Won’t You Join Us? of the year and receive a FREE LA TheLeesburgVADentist.com Fitness fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org CommunityFoundationLF.org  (703) 779-3505 Visit our website at: Teeth Whitening Kit with every Suite 210 Mon & Wed: 8-6pm scheduled cleaning or procedure.

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 9

Leesburg Girl Scout Sends Experiment to International Space Station LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Marissa Incatasciato, a 15-year-old Girl Scout and student at Heritage High School in Leesburg, will send a science experiment aboard a SpaceX launch from the Kennedy Space Center to the International Incatasciato Space Station later this year.

She is one of a handful of winners of the “Making Space for Girls Challenge,” which is sponsored by SpaceKids Global in conjunction with the Girl Scouts Citrus Council in Central Florida. Nearly 700 girls from around the world entered the competition, competing in three categories: creating science experiments, designing mission patches, or writing an essay about future space travel. The projects, submitted in October 2020, were presented to a group of aerospace professionals for judging. There were more than 700 submissions from around the world. In total, nine entries were selected as winning science projects.

Marissa, a 10-year Girl Scout, devised

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an experiment that could one day keep astronauts alive on deep-space missions, seeking to use living micro-organisms to process carbon dioxide and waste on the International Space Station more efficiently than the current system.

It also is not the first time that the Girl Scouts have given Marissa an outlet for her passion for science.

In 2018, through the Girl Scouts’ Destinations program, she attended and graduated from Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. A year

later, she and a fellow troop member earned Silver Awards, the highest award that could be earned for their Girl Scout level at that time, for teaching biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy concepts to elementary-aged kids at a weeklong day camp. She’s also earned badges in robotics and crime solving, as well as non-science-related badges like archery, comic book artist, and woodworking.

“Girl Scouts has helped me do things I never would have thought possible at my age,” stated Marissa. “It’s a dream come true

to have my experiment launched to the ISS. I just hope they let me out of school to go see the launch,” she joked.

Making Space for Girls was formed in 2019 as a partnership with SpaceKidsGlobal, a nonprofit that uses space exploration to engage children in STEAM learning, and Girl Scouts of Citrus Council. ProxOps sponsored the experiments that will go to space.

For more information about the challenge, go to MakingSpaceforGirls.com. n

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PAGE 10

APRIL 15, 2021

Public Safety

Loudoun Now File Photo

A view of data centers along the Dulles Greenway in Ashburn.

FBI: Texas Man Planned to Blow Up Ashburn Data Center LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

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A Wichita Falls, TX man who allegedly plotted to blow up an Ashburn data center has been charged with a malicious attempt to destroy a building with an explosive.

According to U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Seth Aaron Pendley, 28, was arrested April 8 after allegedly attempting to obtain an explosive device from an undercover FBI employee in Fort Worth.

“We are indebted to the concerned citizen who came forward to report the defendant’s alarming online rhetoric. In flagging his posts to the FBI, this individual may have saved the lives of a number of tech workers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “We are also incredibly proud of our FBI partners, who ensured that the defendant was apprehended with an inert explosive device before he could inflict real harm. The Justice Department is determined to apprehend domestic extremists who intend to commit violence, no matter what political sentiment drives them to do so.”

According to the complaint, the investigation began after a citizen contacted the FBI on Jan. 8 about alarming statements posted on MyMilitia.com, a forum dedicated to organizing militia groups. A user who went by the screenname “Dionysus” stated he was planning to “conduct a little experiment,” that he said would “draw a lot of heat” and could be “dangerous.” When another user asked what outcome Dionysus desired, he responded, “death.”

A confidential source provided the FBI with the user’s email address, which was

registered to Pendley. A subsequent search of the defendant’s Facebook account showed that he had boasted about being at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot. In private messages, he allegedly told friends that although he did not actually enter the Capitol building, he did reach the “platform,” where he swiped a piece of glass from a broken window and interacted with police. He said he brought a sawed-off AR rifle to DC, but left the weapon in his car during his movement to the Capitol.

In late January, Pendley began using Signal, an encrypted messaging app, to communicate with another confidential source. The source told the FBI that Pendley allegedly stated he planned to use C-4 plastic explosives to attack Amazon Web Services data centers in an attempt to “kill of about 70% of the internet.”

On March 31, the confidential source introduced Pendley to an undercover FBI employee posing as an explosives supplier.

In recorded conversations, Pendley allegedly told the undercover he planned to attack web servers that he believed provided services to the FBI, CIA, and other federal agencies. He said he hoped to bring down “the oligarchy” currently in power in the United States.

On April 8, Pendley again met with the undercover FBI employee to pick up what he believed to be explosive devices, but actually were inert devices. After the agent showed Pendley how to arm and detonate the devices, the defendant loaded them into his car. He was then arrested by FBI agents.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 11

Nonprofit Community Foundation Awards $90K to Minority-Owned Businesses LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties recently awarded $5,000 COVID-relief grants to 18 minority-owned small businesses in Loudoun County for a total of $90,000.

The Minority Owned Small Business Grant Program was launched in December using seed funding provided by Google and Kaiser Permanente, with MVB Bank, Northwest Federal Credit Union, and the Community Foundation’s Community Emergency Relief Fund also contributing.

The goal was to boost operations made especially difficult over the past year for disproportionally impacted business owners.

Minority-owned small businesses demonstrating hardships attributable to COVID-19 were eligible to apply. After 198 applications were reviewed for eligibility, a lottery used to select the awardees.

“The grant has enabled my driving

Contributed

Amhader Derar, Owner and Instructor of Musie Driving School LLC, was a recipient of a Minority Owned Small Business Grant.

school business to not only remain intact but thrive,” said Amhader Derar, owner and instructor of Musie Driving School.

“This has been a tremendous relief and I don’t think I would have been able to prog-

ress without it.”

The program is one of several initiatives undertaken by the Community Foundation in the past year to address racial equity. The foundation also launched its Racial Equity Framework, a series of programs and workshops addressing racism and racial equity. Over the past year, more than 190 nonprofit professionals, Loudoun County government employees, and community members have participated in “Allyship” workshops, a series of sessions addressing allyship and racial justice offered in partnership with nonprofit Service Never Sleeps, and “The Onion Dialogues,” an educational workshop addressing race and racism developed by consultant Tamara Copeland and Community Foundation President and CEO Amy Owen.

“Grantmakers and philanthropists across America, and here in Loudoun, realize that reconciling racial equity and racial justice with present-day systems undergirds the progress of every charitable niche

and economic engine out there,” Owen said.

“We want to be part of the movement that brings our community closer to having the knowledge for respectful communication, a deeper understanding of the horrors our racialized history, and tools that move us forward together. The Community Foundation staff and board of directors have the will and commitment, but it is our donors and sponsors that fuel the vision, and we’re grateful.”

Founded in 1999 by local volunteers, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to grow community giving in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation.

Since its inception, the Community Foundation has granted almost $10 million back into the community including through its Community Emergency Relief Fund in response to COVID-19. Learn more at CommunityFoundationLF.org n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

Business

Flying Ace Brewery, Distillery Opens in Taylorstown

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

The county’s first-ever combination brewery, bourbon distillery and rum distillery—all situated on a working farm— has opened to customers.

Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery opened Thursday near the village of Taylorstown. Visitors to the 55-acre working farm property can taste Flying Ace’s eight different types of beer, three types of bourbon and rum, in addition to food from Chef Erik Foxx. By mid-summer, they’ll also be able to purchase barbecue from Monk’s BBQ. The brewery is the brainchild of Hadi Akkad, a Leesburg resident who in 2018 sold his financial technology firm to US Bank. Akkad said he wanted to do something different after selling his company.

“I’m a city boy and the idea of owning a farm was always kind of romantic,” he said.

When he set out to purchase land in Loudoun, he stumbled upon Simpson Farm. He bought the property right away, noting that the vibe there was exactly what he was looking for. That was in 2019.

Since then, his team has constructed new buildings and renovated the existing ones to create an environment suitable for the whole family.

Flying Ace is serving three types of bourbons: a 90 proof, a 116 proof, and a White Dog 80 proof. It’s also serving an 80-proof silver rum and eight different beers: a Dogfight Ale, a Punch Out IPA, an Air Boss Pilsner, a Warbird Wit, a Lights Out Stout, a Go Juice Blackberry Sour, an Imperial Pilsner, and a German Lager.

Brewing that beer is Steve O’Neil, the former brewer at Pittsburgh’s The Church Brew Works, which won the Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year award at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.

To make the liquor, Akkad’s team uses a custom-built still crafted by Louisville, KY-based Vendome Copper & Brass Works, along with two, 1,000-gallon fermenters. On the brewery side of the operation, Flying Ace uses a 20-barrel brewhouse with multiple 20- and 40-barrel fermenters.

Before opening to the public, the Flying Ace team canned about 20,000 cans

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Monk’s BBQ Owner Brian Jenkins, Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery Owner Hadi Akkad, Flying Ace Partner Pete Thomas and Flying Ace Brewer Steve O’Neil opened the distillery/brewery operation April 15.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

A 600-pound, half-scale model of the U.S. Navy’s iconic gull-winged World War II fighter, the F4U Corsair, is situated above the bar at Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery.

of Dogfight Ale, Punch Out IPA, Air Boss Pilsner, Warbird Wit, and Lights Out Stout.

At the center of the farm is the renovated main barn, where Monk’s BBQ will

operate starting in July as “Monk’s on the Farm.” In the interim, Foxx, the longtime chef at Magnolias at The Mill in Purcellville who opened The Polished Foxx at ChefScape in Leesburg last year, will be

selling food at a popup location on the property.

Upstairs in the main barn, via a spiral staircase added to the interior of an old silo, guests aged 21 and up will have a place to mingle with dart boards and foosball in the mix.

Next door, guests have the option to grab a picnic table in the pavilion, which is built like an Oktoberfest-like enclosure that features 26 sliding glass doors around the perimeter and seating for hundreds.

Picnic tables are also sprawled out across the property. And behind the main barn is the circular music stage—circular because it was built atop the foundation of a silo.

And within viewing distance of that stage is the property’s original farmhouse, built in 1838 and renovated by Akkad and his team to become a fully functional event space. Akkad said that while the house could be used for wedding parties and as a greenroom for his musical performers, he’s not renting it out overnight FLYING ACE continues on page 13

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

Economic Flying Ace continued from page 12 Development Announces just yet.

Flying Ace isn’t just a place for craft 2021 Innovation beverage enthusiasts to hang out. It’s also land where an historic ingredient is beChallenge ing grown. Akkad is growing 30 acres of The Loudoun County Economic Development Authority is offering $150,000 in grants for the 2021 Loudoun Innovation Challenge, the second annual competition for entrepreneurs.

The funding is split up across six grants.

“Entrepreneurship is a key driver of the Loudoun economy, not just for investment and rapid growth potential, but also for economic opportunity and equity,” stated EDA Chairman Bernard Mustafa. “The Loudoun EDA is dedicated to supporting the Department of Economic Development’s efforts, nurturing the local ecosystem and offering direct investment into our startup community.”

The window for applications will open during National Small Business Week, at noon on May 3, remaining open for two weeks, and close at noon on May 17. After a review and pitch process by EDA directors, members of the business community, and Loudoun Economic Development staff, a first prize grant of $40,000 will be awarded.

There will also be $25,000 awards for a runner ups up for a technology venture-focused startup, a commercial venture-focused startup, a launch-stage startup, and a smart county-focused award. There will be a $10,000 people’s choice award.

Applicants must be a for-profit business located in or willing to invest in Loudoun County. To be eligible, each application must demonstrate how its product or service is unique and innovative, how it can create value for existing or potential customers, the potential economic benefits to Loudoun County, the potential to scale the proposed product or service offering, and any additional value to Loudoun.

Qualified applicants will be asked to provide a 5-minute video pitch for further consideration. The Loudoun Small Business Development Center offers classes and one-on-one help with how to make a pitch.

Applications must include business plans and the most recent annual financial statements, which will be reviewed by the authority’s members. Finalists will be asked to make an in-person pitch to the EDA. Winners will be announced in July 2021.

Learn more about the challenge online at LoudounInnovationChallenge.com. n

the corn in every drink and in much of the food.

Behind the entire operation is the theme of American military aviation. The brewery/distillery’s name comes from the American flying aces: military fighter pilots credited with shooting down at least five enemy aircraft in aerial combat. They include Akkad’s grandfather, who was one of only a handful of American aviators to earn the flying ace distinction in two U.S. wars, World War II and the Korean War. To commemorate those pilots, Flying Ace features aviation themes around the

Bloody Butcher heirloom corn, which was developed in Virginia in the early 1800s but has since all but died out. Akkad is attempting to bring the burgundy colored corn back. At Flying Ace, guests can taste

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property and on its beer labels. Perhaps most noticeable is the half-scale model of the U.S. Navy’s iconic gull-winged World War II fighter, the F4U Corsair, which is situated above the distillery bar. Akkad said the aircraft, which is the body of the fighter that was produced in 1991 specifically for air shows, weighs about 600 pounds.

Flying Ace is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday to Sunday and is located at 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. Learn more at flyingacefarm.com. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

TOWN notes

Our Towns

LOVETTSVILLE Hydrant Flushing Continues in Southern Part of Town The Lovettsville utility department will continue hydrant flushing through April 29, with the remaining two weeks occurring in the southern portion of town.

The flushing is occurring 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday each week. The flushings will be conducted in the southern part of town, south of Broad Way. Already, flushings have occurred in the northern portion of town, north of Broad Way. For more information, email Town Clerk Candi Choi at clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov or call 540-822-5788.

LUCKETTS Ruritans Pay for New Kindergarten Playground

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Crews lift the truss structure from the John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge on April 9 as part of a $5.3 million restoration project.

A Big Lift: VDOT Crews Move Historic Truss Bridge for Rehabilitation Work

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The effort to restore the John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge on Featherbed Lane reached an important milestone Friday morning when the truss structure was lifted off and moved to the side. That well-choreographed maneuver with two cranes makes way for the construction of a new bridge platform on which the trusses will be remounted this fall.

Variety Iron Works constructed the bridge in 1889 over Goose Creek on the Leesburg & Alexandria Turnpike, now Rt. 7. It was moved to its current location spanning Catoctin Creek in 1932. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Because of its deteriorating condition, the VDOT-instituted weight restrictions across the bridge in 2013 as conversation turned to replacing the structure. A coali-

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Crews lower the truss structure from the John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge onto its temporary storage location.

tion of community leaders—members of the Catoctin Creek Scenic River Advisory Board, the Piedmont Environmental

Council, historians and preservationists and area residents—organized efforts to retain the historic nature of the bridge.

Many of those advocates were on-site April 9 to witness the move, celebrating the work with a champaign toast.

“The important thing is that all of these people and organizations came together and created an enduring plan to save this historic bridge,” said Al Van Huyck, of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. “I salute all of you and hope that we will all remember this success in the years to come as a great and successful example of how a community and VDOT came together to create and implement a plan for saving a Loudoun landmark for all of its citizens now and in the future.”

See a video of the operation at youtube. com/loudounnow.

The $5.6 million work is expected to wrap up by November. n

Lucketts Ruritan Club President Al Menendez this month presented the Lucketts Elementary School PTA with a check for $9,500 to help pay for a new kindergarten playground.

The money will be combined with $10,000 the PTA has already raised.

The PTA expects the playground equipment to be installed in time for the 2021-2022 school year this fall. For years, kindergarteners at the school have spent recess on a blacktop with no playground equipment.

MIDDLEBURG Byrne Gallery to Host Month-long Spring Exhibit The Byrne Gallery will host an exhibit celebrating the arrival of Spring from May 4 to June 1.

The exhibit, named “Awakening,” will showcase a selection of vibrant landscape and still life oil paintings by artists Lida Matheson Stifel and Marietje Chamberlain, both of whom paint en plein air, or in the open air outdoors.

Stifel has exhibited her works across the U.S. for more than four decades. She draws her inspiration from TOWN NOTES continues on page 16

APRIL 15, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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Crews working on the Town of Round Hill’s and county’s $7 million Main Street/Franklin Park Trail projects will not be allowed to work nights just yet.

Round Hill Denies Request for Night Work on Trail, Street Projects

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Crews working on Round Hill’s street and trail projects will have to work more during the day and evening before they get the chance to work the night shift.

Highway Safety Services is handling the $7 million Main Street Enhancement and Franklin Park Trail projects, which are connecting the town with Franklin Park about 1.5 miles away and improving pedestrian safety along Main Street. Since the project began last summer, crews have installed the water main insertion valve, relocated the water main on East Loudoun Street and begun clearing and grubbing.

Recently, Highway Safety Services requested the Town Council approve a plan to perform night work through the town, but the council last Wednesday denied that request.

According to Round Hill Project Specialist Rob Lohr, the town has already approved crews to work extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and has approved weekend work. Lohr told council members last week the company wants to work through the overnight hours as well.

“That is a whole different issue and it

opens up Pandora’s box,” he said, noting that the town would inevitably receive numerous resident and business complaints if that work was approved.

Lohr said the crews aren’t working as much as they could during the approved extended daytime hours.

“The contractor needs to take advantage of these longer hours, not just automatically roll to nighttime work,” he said.

Mayor Scott Ramsey agreed.

“If they’re not even taking advantage of the evening hours then I’m not sure I want to have them out there at night,” he said, adding that he would sooner approve a full daytime road closure than night work.

Vice Mayor Mary Anne Graham said she was “emphatically against any nighttime work.”

“They need to reorganize their teams and be more efficient,” she said.

Other Town Council members agreed with those statements.

Lohr said Highway Safety Services is just now considering bringing in more crews to accelerate the project timeline.

“There are ways to actually take advantage with efficiency and bring more crews in,” he said.

Keep up to date on the project by going to loudoun.gov/roundhilltrail. n

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PAGE 16

APRIL 15, 2021

Purcellville Readies for New, 4-Tier Utility Rate Structure

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

People living in Purcellville will see an increase to their water bills in the next fiscal year and beyond, while non-residential customers will get a break.

Stantec, the town’s utility rate consultant, briefed the Town Council last Wednesday night on the new, four-tier utility rate structure, which will replace the existing 17-tier structure, and is meant to provide more equitable utility bills for all customers It will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2022, which begins July 1, 2021.

Currently, all single-family customers fall within the first six tiers of the town’s 17-tier pricing structure. Stantec Principal David Hyder said the majority of those customers fall within the first tier. He said non-residential users, however, pay much more for their water use because they use more and fall

into the higher tiers. While residential customers pay an average of $9.67 per 1,000 gallons of water use, commercial users pay an average of $15.84 for that same use and institutional customers pay $22.24 for it.

“There’s quite a disproportional effective unit rate,” Hyder said.

The new structure will create four tiers of bi-monthly water use: 0-7,000 gallons, 7,001-14,000 gallons, 14,00120,000 gallons and 20,001 gallons and up. Coupled with 3% water rate hikes proposed in Fiscal Year 2022, that structure will see the bill of the average single-family customer, who uses 8,000 gallons of water in a bi-monthly billing cycle, increase by $11. Meanwhile, the bills of large single-family customers who use 20,000 gallons of water per bi-monthly billing cycle will increase by nearly $67. There are 2,691 single-family water customers in Purcellville.

Non-single-family customers will

TOWN notes continued from page 14

the natural world and strives to instill an aura of energy and spontaneity in her work. She creates many of her works on her small farm in Montgomery, MD. Chamberlain has focused on the joy of painting landscapes in oil both en plein air and in a studio setting for the last 25 years. She has a particular interest in capturing the effects of light in her work, often exploring the theme through depictions of dawn, dusk and reflections of light on water. Chamberlain’s works have been acquired by collectors in the Netherlands, France and the U.S. In 2000, she was chosen to paint the cover of the White House Calendar.

The Byrne Gallery is located at 7 W. Washington St. It’s open Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at 540-687-6986.

PURCELLVILLE Fraser to Deliver State of Town Address May 4 Mayor Kwasi Fraser will deliver his 2021 State of the Town address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 4 at the Town Hall.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, seating in the Town Hall will be limited. Fraser’s presentation will be streamed live on GoToMeeting. His address will also be published

“The goal is to try to come up with something that’s equitable that allocates the water appropriately.”

— David Hyder Stantec

be charged based not only on their water use, but also on their meter sizes.

Most of their bills will also increase.

The majority of non-single-family customers with 5/8-inch meters who use 26,000 gallons of water in a bi-monthly billing cycle—182 of them in all—will see their bills increase by $104.

But the 29 non-single-family users

on the town website—purcellvilleva.gov—on May 5.

Volunteers Collect 216 Bags of Trash in Cleanup More than 180 volunteers collected 216 bags of trash and recycling during the annual town-wide clean up March 20-21, totaling 2,100 pounds.

The cleanup is conducted annually in partnership with Keep Loudoun Beautiful. This year’s effort required extra planning and coordination to ensure that COVID safety protocols were followed, which is why the event spanned two days instead of one. Mayor Kwasi Fraser and Councilmen Christopher Bertaut, Joel Grewe and Tip Stinnette also participated in the cleanup. Pack Rat Hauling picked up the trash and recycling.

Police Department to Host Attack Response Classes The Purcellville Police Department is offering two virtual classes on Zoom focused on the Department of Criminal Justice’s Active Attack Program on April 26 ad April 27.

The program provides training for Virginians to enable them to work together when an active attack occurs. The Civilian Response and Casualty Care course is a virtual, two-hour class that provides strategies, guidance and a plan for recognizing, responding to and surviving an active attack. It combines the civilian response with the Stop the Bleed Campaign, which empowers civilians to provide life-saving medical aid before first responders ever arrive. Topics include the history and prevalence of

with 1.5-inch meters who use 451,000 gallons of water in a bi-monthly billing cycle will see their bills decrease, by $2,500 to be exact. The two users with 4-inch meters who use 277,000 gallons of water in a bi-monthly billing cycle will see their bills shrink by nearly $3,000.

In all, Stantec anticipates that somewhere around 20% of the town’s 315 non-single-family water customers will see their bills decrease.

“The goal is to try to come up with something that’s equitable that allocates the water appropriately,” Hyder said.

Moving past the next fiscal year, Stantec has recommended the town increase its water rates each year by 3% through Fiscal Year 2026. Those increases would see the bi-monthly average bills of single-family customers who use 8,000 gallons of water in a bi-monthly billing cycle increase by about $2.50 in each of those years. n

active attack events, civilian response options and medical issues.

The class is offered April 26 from 6-8 p.m. and April 27 from 12-2 p.m. There will be a maximum number of 100 participants per session. The Police Department plans to hold additional four-hour, in-person training classes in July.

ROUND HILL Town Council Opts for November Elections Following the passage of legislation in Virginia moving municipal elections to November, the Round Hill Town Council last week voted to hold those elections in odd-numbered years from now on.

In February, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1157, which will shift all municipal elections from May to November beginning with elections held after Jan. 1, 2022. All elected officials will begin their terms Jan. 1 following the election.

Under the legislation, the terms of mayors and Town Council and School Board members will not be shortened with the change; those who were elected in May general elections, and whose terms expire June 30, will remain in office until Dec. 31 the year of the election.

In Round Hill, the terms of Mayor Scott Ramsey and Councilmen Donald Allen and Jesse Howe expire June 30, 2022. The terms of Vice Mayor Mary Anne Graham and Council members Mike Hummel, Melissa Hoffmann and Paula James are set to expire June 30, 2024.

APRIL 15, 2021

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LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

Flower & Garden Festival Returns

ROOFING WINDOWS DOORS SIDING GUTTERS REPAIRS

Last spring, the coronavirus pandemic shut down one of Loudoun’s most popular spring traditions, but the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival is returning, although as a scaled-down version, for 2021.

For three decades, the event has drawn some 30,000 visitors to the historic district for two days of flowers, food and music on the third weekend of April.

With crowd limits still in place to curb the spread of the virus, downtown streets won’t be packed with visitors this weekend. Instead, for 2021 the festival has been moved to Ida Lee Park where admission will be limited through the distribution of free tickets, which were quickly snapped up by 7,200 garden enthusiasts.

The space will accommodate about half the number of vendors typically found at the event, but many longtime favorites are returning.

Although most activities will take place at the park, there will be plenty for visitors to do if they venture downtown. Many businesses and downtown restaurants are offering special

LEESBURG FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL April 17-18

Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg Free — Advance Tickets Required flowerandgarden.org deals during the festival weekend.

There will be no beer garden or food vendors on the festival grounds this year.

The Flower and Garden Festival was founded in 1990 as a collaborative effort with the Town of Leesburg and has won local, state and international awards. The festival is produced by the Town of Leesburg, with efforts from many different departments, including Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Leesburg Police, and Leesburg Utilities.

For event details and updates, go to flowerandgarden.org n

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LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

Where is the festival being held?

The 2021 Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival will be held at Ida Lee Park in the AV Symington Aquatic Center parking lots.

Why did the festival move from downtown Leesburg?

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event moved to Ida Lee Park to allow for better social distancing.

Where is festival parking?

WHAT TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU GO

Attendees will park in the Ida Lee festival parking field, accessed from North King St. The parking gate will open at 8:15 a.m. for the first session of the day. Handicapped accessible parking will be available at the recreation center in a dedicated lot. Placard or tag required.

Do we need tickets for children?

Yes. A ticket is required for every person attending the festival, including small children and infants.

Are there still tickets available?

PAGE 5 What measures will be in place to make the event safe?

Guest, vendor and staff safety is the top priority. The town is following all Virginia state regulations including those regarding capacity restrictions, universal maskwearing in the event space, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing.

Do I have to wear a mask or face covering?

Yes. All attendees, staff and vendors, ages 5 and older, must wear face coverings in the event area. Face coverings must fully cover the nose and mouth at all times. Disposable masks will be available for guests who do not have their own.

Will there be food vendors and a beer garden this year?

Due to current pandemic restrictions and guidelines, there will not be food vendors or a beer garden.

Will there be a children’s area?

No, tickets are sold out.

There will be no children’s entertainment or craft area this year.

How early may I come for my timed session?

Will there be any entertainment?

Please don’t arrive in the parking area more than 45 minutes in advance.

May I leave the festival and re-enter?

Yes. Main stage acts are scheduled during each of the ticket sessions.

Yes. You may leave and re-enter during your designated ticket session. Be sure to get a hand stamp before leaving the festival area as it will be required to come back in.

No, pets will not be permitted within the festival footprint.

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The People’s Choice Award A hallmark of the Flower and Garden Festival is the landscaper competition in which designers create displays that transform small vender lots into unique garden spaces.

Although the festival is scaled back this year, three landscapers—Amazing Outdoors, Blue Sky Landscaping and Pine Ridge Landscaping—will be showcasing their creativity. Festival visitors will decide who wins top honors—and yearlong bragging rights— by voting for the People’s Choice Loudoun Now File Photo Award.

The designers spend long hours Waterfalls, pergolas, fire pits building their spectacular sites to be and flora in all colors are some ready for the Saturday morning open- of the highlights landscapers ing. Each texture, color, flower, shrub use to design the elaborate and tree is chosen for a particular role displays that anchor the Flower and offer a glimpse of the transforma- and Garden Festival. tion possible even in the tiniest backyard.

The People’s Choice Award is voted on by event guests by placing a ballot in the birdhouse located at the gazebo at the entrance of the event.

Votes are accepted until noon on Sunday, then tallied for the award to be presented on Sunday afternoon.

As you stroll through the festival, take a moment to thank a landscaper for their dedication to the festival and then cast your vote. n

APRIL 15, 2021

ON STAGE

at the Festival While much will be different during this year’s Flower and Garden Festival, live music from some of the region’s most popular performers will still be featured.

Each of the six tickets visitor time slots will have a different act on the main stage.

SNOWDAY

Saturday, April 17, 9:30-11:15 a.m.

Snowday was founded in early 2008 with the mission of bringing a cappella and vocal music into mainstream education. It started as a collaboration of several DC-area groups, with members of the group started singing and playing instruments from a very young age, discovering contemporary a cappella in high school and college. While they spend a lot of time touring U.S. schools, they have also traveled internationally, including a trip to Russia as Arts Envoys with the U.S. Department of State.

Loudoun Now File Photo

Gary and Tom Smallwood return to the Flower and Garden Festival stage this year, providing the opening performance Sunday morning.

DAVE MININBERG

Saturday, April 17, 12:45-2:15 p.m.

A familiar face both in Loudoun’s winery circuit and in Nashville songwriting circles, Dave Mininberg brings a mix of classic covers and clever originals to the stage. Known for his troprock hit “Jimmy Buffett Didn’t Write This Song,” you’ll hear his songs in rotation on ON STAGE continues on page 11

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Come celebrate with us and our neighbor

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LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

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APRIL 15, 2021

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Stop by and visit our participating merchants.

1

Shoes Cup and Cork

8

Rouge Boutique & Spa

17

Very Virginia Shop

26

The Nutrition Spot

2

Cowbell Kitchen

9

King’s Court Tavern

18

SideBar

27

Muz & Rose

3

Nineteen West Gourmet Burgers

10

Georgetown Café

19

Echelon Urban Wine Bar

28

Black Shutter Antiques

11

Leesburg Gourmet

20

Sunflower Shack

29

Buford’s Biscuits

12

WLDWST

21

Schmidt’s BBQ

30

Goosecup Coffee

13

MOCATINAS

22

Trinity House Café

31

14

Tarbender’s

23

Black Hoof Brewing Company

15

King Street Oyster Bar

Dig! Records & Vintage

Crooked Run Brewing

32

MacDowell’s Brew Kitchen

Robin Lee Hair and Makeup

16

33

Escape Room Loco

4

Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles

5

China King’s Restaurant

6

7

Misguided Angels

24

The Global Local

25

The Resourceful Woman

For additional information, scan the QR code or visit the URL below.

Visit leesburgva.gov/curated • See page 10 26 for weekend promotions

PAGE 8

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

DAISY LOT BOOTH

PAGE 9

LILY LOT

ROSE LOT

BOOTH

Abija Blue ........................................................1

Native Perennials....................................... 20

Sleepy Hollow Lights...................................2

Fly Home Birdhouses ............................... 21

Bill and Barb’s Crafts ....................................3

Town of Leesburg Tree Commission... 22

Murrell’s Salsa ................................................4

Caren Mittleman........................................ 23

Wind and Fire Chimes.................................5

The Cottage of Herbs ............................... 24

Print Impress ..................................................6

Blue Sky Landscaping.............................. 25

Seven Barrels..................................................7

Gutter Helmet by Harry Helmet ...26

The Painted Garden.....................................8

Wood Fired Pottery................................... 27

A Farm Less Ordinary ..................................9

SS Fragrances.............................................. 28

NoVa Deer Shield....................................... 10

Step by Stepping Stones ........................ 29

Richard’s Seagrass Hats ........................... 11

Sunny Sprouts Greenhouse................... 30

Mam Jam’s Candle Company ................ 12

Onice.............................................................. 31

Tower Garden by Juice Plus+ ................ 13

Radical Roots Organic Farm................... 32

What’s The Buzz Honey LLC ................... 14

Montgomery Shade & Awning, LTD.... 33

Loudoun Now/Leesburg Economic Development ............15

Renewal By Andersen...................34 Peony’s Envy................................................ 35 SoCo Swings................................................ 36

ENTERTAINMENT

Holly Heider Chapple Flowers .............. 37 Presentability LLC...................................... 38

SCHEDULE

Dondero Orchards, LLC ........................... 39

SATURDAY, APRIL 17

Blue Ridge Gardens .................................. 41

9:30am-11:15am Snowday

Town of Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission......................... 43

12:45pm-2:15pm Dave Mininberg 3:45pm-5:30pm Michael Solan

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 9:30am-11:15am Gary and Tom Smallwood 12:45pm-2:15pm Barretones 3:45pm-5:30pm Amy Andrews

For The Birds................................................ 40 Sislers Stone ................................................ 42

BOOTH

Loudoun County Master Gardener Association ......................... 50

Kris Krafts Stained Glass.......................... 51 Battle Worn Flags....................................... 52 Pine Ridge Landscaping ......................... 53 Garden Lodge Fresh, LLC........................ 54 Tansy Meadows Garden Shop .............. 55 Nelsons Creative Wood Products......... 56 SavATree ....................................................... 57 Richs Handcarved Root Baskets........... 58 True Honey Teas......................................... 59 Frivolous Cottage ...................................... 60 Parsonage Handmade Soaps................ 61 X-Tream Products ...................................... 62 C2 Operations...............................63 Shenandoah Crafts ................................... 64 Celestial Gardens....................................... 65 Amazing Outdoors.................................... 66 Berrygood Farm LLC................................. 67 NOVA Wholesale Growers ...................... 68 Tres Trop Designs....................................... 69 MAXXDOGGTOYZ...................................... 70 Out of the Woodwork .............................. 71 Althouse Pottery........................................ 72 Harvesting History, LLC ........................... 73

Loudoun Medical Group...............44

Frog Music Garden.................................... 74

Greg’s Art & Garden Iron ......................... 45

Temalle Ltd. ................................................. 75

Heartland Foods ..............................46

Avant-Garden Pottery.............................. 76 Food Loop Compost................................. 77

NON PROFITS

BOOTH

Sittin’ Easy..................................................... 78 Cymron Cottage......................................... 79 Premium Spas & Billiards ........................ 80

Christ Community Lutheran Church......................NP1

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy ............ 81

Visit Loudoun...........................................................NP2

Riverbend Landscapes and Tree Service ............................................ 82 Washington Gardener Magazine.. 83

Loudoun Career Firefighters Foundation ......NP3 Leesburg Diversity Commission .........................NP4

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

PAGE 10

APRIL 15, 2021

Enjoy Downtown’s unique food & drinks, and speciality shops.

Our merchants are excited to share curated experience and specials during the Flower & Garden weekend (4/17-4/18).

Merchants may require proof of F&G attendance.

7 for Locally Leesburg map See page 23

50% off Bavarian Pretzels Promo Code “flower and garden”

20% off any room; valid 4/17–18.

Online Code: “FLOWER”

Weekend sales, multiple antique dealers all weekend

Cheese burger w/ American cheese, free toppings, small fry w/ dip & drink $9.99

15% off entire purchase

15% off of any retail purchase

25% Off Medium Shake & Mega Tea Combo

20% off on all Merchandise

The Resourceful Woman: Home décor & books on sale

25% off any coffee, tea, or bar drink with the purchase of breakfast or lunch

10% discount for dinner

10% off all purchases

Happy Hour Pricing all weekend $2 off beer, wine, menu cocktails, & all prepared food

10% off orders over $20 (excluding lunch specials)

10% discount for dinner

Shaved Ice Social 2–4p.m. 4/17–4/18: Free shaved ice w/ mention Flower and Garden promo

$5 off purchases over $25 w/ proof of Flower & Garden Ticket

Free dessert with purchase of two entries

Free iced coffee with purchase of an entrée

25% off Heart & Soul IPA (day of festival only)

15% off one item (valid on in-store purhases only; not on website)

Beer & wine $2 @ 2p.m., $3 @ 3 p.m., $4 @ 4p.m., $5 @ 5p.m. $2 off house cocktails & $5 bites.

Cotton Candy Social on both Saturday and Sunday from 3pm-5pm

10% off all purchases

Select vintage clothing 50% off; BOGO vintage clothing from $5 bin; 10/$1 LPs; 20% off old stock LPs

10% off of purchase with proof of Flower and Garden ticket 10% off food orders w/ proof of F&G attendance. Sat. Rowdy Ace Band 3–6:30 and Sun. 8 Track Jones 2–5:30

20% off @ Muz and Rose, no exclusions apply. Discount code “flowershow”

$2 off steak and cheese eggrolls

Grab your bingo card!

Play & enter to win one of two prize packs valued at $150 each!

FREE GIFT no purchase necessary

Free gift with purchase over $75

Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles 20% off RC & Puzzles 4/16–4/30 Special pricing on Chocolate and Wine Pairings Featuring Neuhaus Belgian Chocolates For more Locally Leesburg info, visit leesburgva.gov/curated or share your experience at #LocallyLeesburg

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

ON STAGE continued from page 6

stage. The brothers blend their vocals and blazing guitar work to perform favorite classics as well as original material.

outlets such as Island Time radio show in Cleveland, Beachbarradio.com out of the Florida Keys, and Tampa Bay FM.

BARRETONES

MICHAEL SOLAN

The Barretones is a group of veteran DC-area performers led by Randy Barrett offering an exciting mix of bluegrass, country, swing music and beyond. Randy is a triple-threat as a standout songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist on guitar and banjo.

He has won several Washington Area Music Awards for Best Male Vocalist in Bluegrass and Traditional Folk as well as Bluegrass Album of the Year for his CD, Lights of Home.

Saturday, April 17, 3:45-5:30 p.m.

Michael Solan is a lyricist, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who studied creative writing at California State University, Long Beach. He has written and produced music for over a decade, drawing inspiration from traditional American folk music, the strong lyrical content of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed and developing his musical styles form years with rock and roll bands, hip hop and rap acts, the folk scene, jazz projects, and EDM.

GARY AND TOM SMALLWOOD

Sunday, April 18, 9:30-11:15 a.m.

Gary and Tom Smallwood are homegrown Loudoun favorites and fixtures on the Flower and Garden Festival

PAGE 11

While you’re in town for the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival come on by!

Sunday, April 18, 12:45-2:15 p.m.

Members pick the Nation’s Best Burger Joints

scores 7th place in the USA!!

AMY ANDREWS

Sunday, April 18, 3:45-5:30 p.m.

Born in Baltimore and raised on the Chesapeake Bay, Amy Andrews was brought up on the sounds of Sinatra, Ella, The American Songbook, and Motown, and spent years training for a career in musical theater before writing her own music and taking to the road to the tune of more than 150 shows per year.

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LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

PAGE 12

APRIL 15, 2021

Leesburg Launches Business Support Bingo Campaign To help welcome patrons back to the historic district following more than a year of COVID-19 restrictions, the Town of Leesburg’s Department of Economic Development is kicking off a month-long Bingo campaign designed to get locals and visitors alike to explore the diversity of businesses located downtown.

Now Open in Downtown Leesburg!

The Global Local is a Unique Boutique that showcases Local Artists and Makers as well as Fair Trade globally sourced products.

Visit us weekends from 11:30-5 at 103 Loudoun St SW, Leesburg, VA 20175.

Take advantage of 20% with your flower and garden show admission The Global Local 103 Loudoun St. SW Leesburg, VA 20175 (571) 210-2324 | www.globallocalshop.com

Rouge Spa & Boutique is located at the heart of Historic Leesburg, Virginia.

Rouge Spa, offers personalized facials, massage and body treatments to help clients feel relaxed and renewed. Rouge features a selection of unique, one-of-a-kind beauty and skin care products from around the world.

17 South King Street, Leesburg, VA 20175 (703) 779-3700 | rougespa.com

“In this time when the local businesses that who mean so much to our community, need all the support they can get, we hope that this initiative will remind visitors of the wonderful shops and atmosphere that make Downtown Leesburg a true destination of choice,” said Economic Development Director Russell Seymour.

Participants in the Locally Leesburg Bingo Challenge are asked to visit the town’s dining, shopping, cultural and craft beverage sites, track their progress on a Bingo card and enter to win special prize packages donated

by CEO Consulting Group.

Once an individual has completed a row of activities, he or she may drop off the card at Town Hall or send a photo of it to Business Development and Retention Manager Melanie Scoggins, who is spearheading the campaign. Email to mscoggins@leesburgva.gov with “BINGO Entry” in the subject line.

Entries also may be made through social media by tagging postings @LeesburgEconomicDevelopment and #LocallyLeesburg.

Winners will be notified after the campaign ends May 16. n

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 13

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APRIL 15, 2021

Seeing The Sights VISIT THE LOUDOUN MUSEUM

Typically, a trip to the Flower and Garden Festival is a daylong excursion, but this year’s scaled-down version offers a narrow window for visitors to explore the vendor offerings.

However, there are still plenty of ways to extend your visit to Leesburg, and some activities might be new to even longtime residents.

Here are a few suggestions:

TOUR DODONA MANOR At the edge of the historic district on East Market Street is the home of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate George C. Marshall, who served as chief of staff of the Army, secretary of state, secretary of defense and president of the American Red Cross.

The George C. Marshall International Center operates Dodona Manor as a historic house museum at 312 E. Market St. The house was home to George and Katherine Marshall from 1941 to 1959. Weekend guided tours provide a full picture of Gen. Marshall’s life—on the international and national stage as well has his

local life.

Tours are offered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult and may be purchased in advance at georgecmarshall.org.

The center also offers a free, self-guided walking tour that explores the architecture and fascinating history of the home. That tour may be viewed at the center’s website.

The official repository for Loudoun’s history, the museum works to navigate the county’s evolving future, conserve Loudoun’s diverse and complete history, interpret authentically, and disseminate knowledge of Loudoun’s culture, history, and natural treasures.

Currently, the museum features three special exhibits spotlighting three different eras of Loudoun’s history: Caught in the Maelstrom of Civil War: Loudoun Divided; A Fragile Republic: 1800-1825; and Vintage Pursuits: Cultivating a Virginia Wine Industry.

The Loudoun Museum, located at 16 Loudoun St. SW, is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. The museum closes between 1-1:30 p.m. for daily cleaning. Masks are required.

GET THE APP The Town of Leesburg’s TourLeesburg app offers four self-guided

Merchants Offer Festival Weekend Discounts For three decades, Leesburg’s annual Flower and Garden Festival has drawn huge crowds the historic district. With COVID restrictions still in effect, the festival will be open only to a fraction of the 30,000 visitors who typically attend and it won’t be held in the downtown area.

However, the town’s Department of Economic Development

is teaming up with downtown retailers, restaurants and breweries to provide extra incentives for fairgoers to extend their visits beyond the festival grounds.

“The annual Flower and Garden Festival is a very popular event, bringing local residents, as well as visitors from around the region to Leesburg. Its popularity has also meant a lot to the local business

community, as it draws clients and patrons downtown,” Economic Development Director Russell Seymour said. “With the festival being relocated this year to Ida Lee Park due to COVID, our focus quickly became on identifying opportunities to entice attendees to visit Downtown Leesburg.

More than 30 businesses are offering specials during the festival

walking tours of the downtown area.

The app can help you explore the town’s historical highlights; African-American history; the county’s foreign war memorials; and visit the town’s public art displays.

Each tour has historical photos, maps, images and audio narration of each site.

You can begin a tour at any point of interest, or simply open the app get directions. n

weekend—some deals will be reserved for those attending the garden show and other will be available to all downtown visitors.

Discounts range from a halfprice Bavarian pretzel at Black Hoof Brewing to a free dessert at King Street Oyster Bar to 20% off all merchandise at Rouge Boutique & Spa—and that’s just in the middle of one block of King Street.

For a full listing of the discounts, go to leesburgva.gov/curated. n

APRIL 15, 2021

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN

PAGE 15

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APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 17

Politics

Pio Announces 32nd District Run the incumbent,” he said.

Pio said he has been frustrated by some krodriguez@loudounnow.com of the reforms that have come out of the Sterling resident Scott Pio said frustra- Democratic-majority House, including legislation that extends protection to transtion with the Genergender individuals. He said he met Reid al Assembly is what one time, and was alarmed that he did not prompted his decision have any positions on some of these gender to throw his hat in the policies. ring for a seat at the ta“It’s really frustrating to see the rubber ble in Richmond. stamps and not taking a personal opinion Pio has qualified on it, ” he said of his opponent. for the ballot and is Even before his campaign announcethe Republican nomment, Pio had acquired attention with inee challenging Del. Pio his vocal shows of support for President David Reid (D) for the Donald Trump. Pio organized rallies in 32nd District House of Delegates seat. Reid has held the seat since response to protestors outside of Sterling’s 2017, and was unchallenged in his 2019 Trump National Golf Club, and also participated in the Trump Train on the Capital re-election bid.

Pio says he was approached by members Beltway ahead of November’s election.

At the golf course, he said he organized of the Loudoun County Republican ComTrump supporters to show up when the mittee to encourage him to run for the seat. president was at the golf course on week“They didn’t want to see another two ends.

He said it was his effort to show reyears go by without someone going against spect to the president, and a response to the

negativity of opposing protestors.

“What the Democrats were doing on the side when Trump was there was not in any way, shape and form respectful to me. I was really frustrated by that,” he said. On the other hand, by seeing expressions of support from Pio and others, “I think Trump left there every weekend with a smile on his face.”

Pio said he spent several weeks working on his campaign manifesto, which lays out his positions on everything from faith and freedom, to schools and education, and finance. Within it, he expresses his support for opening schools and places of worship, removing tolls from the Dulles Greenway and other highways, and providing immigrants a path to citizenship. He said he formed much of his platform in conversations with friends, neighbors, colleagues and would-be constituents.

He said his plan if elected is to have a conversation with each member of the House of Delegates to find areas where they can work together.

A Florida native and married father of two daughters, Pio and his family have lived in the 32nd District for two years.

Professionally, he works in the technology field for a Reston-based company. He has been in Northern Virginia for 12 years, and previously worked for Northrop Grumman in the defense field. He was raised by his mother, and credits her for working multiple jobs to put him through school.

Looking towards November, Pio is hopeful that he can use his popularity in the community to move the state forward and make a difference.

“I did do a lot in the district in the last two years that has turned me into a small celebrity. While I appreciate the fame it doesn’t get the job done in moving the Commonwealth of Virginia forward. I’m looking to fix things and stop the over-encroaching radicalization of government,” he said.

More information on Pio and his platform can be found at scottpio.com. n

Cemetery

drainage situation for better or for worse, and the outcome of that would be out of the town’s control.

“While it’s unlikely road construction would remove completely that hillside there could be significant complications,” Spera said.

Mayor Kelly Burk also raised the possibility that the town performing storm water work on this cemetery property may set a precedent for other churches requesting related work on theirs.

Spera concurred.

“Anything we do beyond facilitating the donation you probably do run some danger there of establishing a precedent,” he said.

All seven council members indicated support Monday night for moving forward on scheduling a public hearing on the land transfer, agreement on the MOU, and providing the land without drainage improvements.

Thomas said Tuesday she was “disgusted” by that decision. She contended that the cost of needed drainage improvements was a small price to pay “for 30 years of abandonment.”

Thomas also said, had staff put in drainage improvements before putting in a nearby path, the conditions would be greatly improved. She compared it to a car salesman washing a car to ready it for sale, but neglecting to fix the engine or other interior components.

“This is their error. They can’t shove it off their plates and say take it or leave it.

That’s bullying tactics. We’re 90% finished [with the MOU] and now they throw up their hands and say take it or leave it,” she said.

Thomas said she planned to speak at the council’s Tuesday meeting, after this paper’s deadline, and said the Loudoun Freedom Center would “absolutely object” to the MOU if drainage improvements were not completed. She also questioned whether the town was trying to use the Freedom Center’s objection to do something different with the property. When asked by Councilman Zach Cummings Monday what the town would do with the property if the MOU with the Freedom Center did not move forward, Markel said staff would maintain the land as it has been doing.

There was no discussion of finding another community group to transfer the land to.

“They’re trying to use our objection to this, which is to their inaction, to either keep the property or find someone else to be a caretaker after five to six years of negotiating. It’s just disgusting. We’ve fought for this thing for the last five years. This is actually our last challenge and our most expensive challenge. This is the debt they owe; they broke it, they need to fix it,” Thomas said. n

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

continued from page 6 Freedom Center, and has also worked with outside consultants to complete a cemetery delineation study and survey and plat work, spending a total of $71,000. That sum does not include work performed by town staff, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel said in addressing the council at its Monday work session.

The cemetery delineation study noted the presence of the 65 gravesites, 55 in the larger northern burial ground and 10 in a smaller southern burial ground, with the earliest burials occurring in 1913 and the last known burial in 1959. According to a staff report, there is no historical research that has shown it to be a slave cemetery; however, some who are buried in the cemetery were born prior to the Civil War. The cemetery land would be carved out and transferred to the Loudoun Freedom Center as an outlot, or a plot of undeveloped land, and would include 50 feet of buffer between adjoining land. However, Markel emphasized, there was no risk of the town developing nearby land as it falls within the Runway Protection Zone.

Among items noted in the draft MOU are the town’s intention to continue mowing in the nearby RPZ, and to provide access to the burial sites. The Loudoun Free-

dom Center would be responsible for future maintenance of the cemetery land. The town is conveying the land at no charge.

However, a major sticking point is a wet one. Markel said while there has been verbal agreement on the draft MOU elements from the Freedom Center, the one exception relates to stormwater improvements.

Markel noted that the area can become rather wet, with ponding of water near burial sites, after rains. Drainage naturally falls down a nearby hillside, and pools by the graves, causing soggy conditions.

“The area is known to have springs and those areas are consistently wet,” Markel said. However, he said, “drainage modifications would be a significant disturbance to the area.”

Preliminary cost estimates for drainage improvements include three options—digging a ditch, at a tune of $125,000; installing a French drain, for $135,000; or installing both a French drain and a wall, for $210,000. All three options would require removing trees and roots.

“Staff feels this is not a guarantee of solving the drainage concerns raised by the Loudoun Freedom Center. We are not certain that any of this work gets to a drying of the soil, and we do recognize the sensitivity of working around burial areas,” Markel said.

Town Attorney Christopher Spera also pointed out that upcoming construction work on Sycolin Road could change the

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 18

APRIL 15, 2021

Loco Living

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Hunt Master of Foxhounds Larry Dale, with the help of the Loudoun Hunt team, works to install fencing near the finish line of the Hunt’s 2021 point-to point races at Morven Park.

A Spring Tradition Jumps to New Home Morven Park Welcomes Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point

BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com

For more than 50 years, spectators have lined the picturesque lane at Oatlands on the second Sunday in April for the Loudoun Hunt’s annual point-to point races. The event is a cherished tradition, one of the county’s bestloved social events and an important fundraiser for the hunt. But COVID is shaking things up for the races in a big way. After a first-ever cancellation in 2020, this year’s 54th running will happen at a new location for the first time.

Organizers say they’ve outgrown the beloved Oatlands venue, especially with social distancing requirements in place. The races make a permanent move to Morven Park on the other side of Leesburg starting with this year’s event Sunday, April 18.

The move was precipitated by COVID restrictions, but organizers have been feeling a space crunch for years, said Mary Sell and Carroll Galvin, Masters of Foxhounds for the Loudoun Hunt.

“They’re lovely grounds and we’ve been honored to be [at Oatlands] for at least 50 years now, and it’s served our race community very well. Part of the challenge is that there’s limited rail space,” Galvin said.

The move has sparked frustration, confusion and more than a little heartbreak from some longtime patrons. But organizers say they’re working to improve communication and offer a fresh start in 2022. The Loudoun Hunt, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2019 and is one of the oldest hunts in North America, has found keeping up with demand for rail space in a growing Loudoun to be a challenge in recent years.

“We’re here to preserve and enhance equestrian and hunting sports. [The point-to-point] is our biggest fundraiser and outreach to the community,” Sell said The Oatlands point-to-point was launched in 1966 by a small group of equestrians and hunt members. As the event grew into one of the biggest meets in the region, coveted patron spaces on the rail became hot ticket items, with spaces often passing from generation to generation, even included in wills. Patrons include octogenarians who

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Sunday, April 18 Limited general admission tickets are available for the Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center.

Gates open at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $100 per person with children 12 and under admitted free of charge. Advance reservations are required by April 17, and COVID protocols will be in place on race day.

For tickets and information, go to loudounraces.com.

have never missed a race. But many of those spots are now in the hands of GenXers who have grown up with the races as an annual holiday of sorts—whether or not the second POINT-TO-POINT continues on page 20

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

Obituaries

THINGS to do LOCO LIVE

Spend Saturday afternoon with folk rock and country favorites from the Eagles to James Taylor.

Live Music: Todd Brooks and Pour Decisions

Saturday, April 17, 2-5 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Brooks and company serve up a heavy helping of classic rock along with favorites from the ’80, ’90s and 2000s.

Live Music: Danny Kensy Courtesy CrookedAngels.com

Live Music: The Crooked Angels

Friday, April 16, 5:30 p.m.

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com Husband and wife duo Amy and Jamie Potter serve up wild roots and soulful Americana.

Live Music: Will Baskin

Friday, April 16, 6 p.m.

Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com Baskin was raised on Elvis, Johnny Cash and the Beatles and mixes jazz, motown and contemporary music into his sets.

PAGE 19

Saturday, April 17, 2-5 p.m.

Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com Kensy is a nationally touring country music artist and songwriter with an edgy/traditional sound that makes him consistently fun to listen to.

Live Music: Rowdy Ace

Saturday, April 17, 3-6:30 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Rowdy Ace takes the outdoor stage at MacDowell’s in downtown Leesburg with a fun mix of country and rock. $5 cover.

John Davie “Jack” Price

John Davie “Jack” Price died at home April 3, 2021. The cause of death is undetermined, pending the results of an autopsy by the Northern Virginia medical examiner’s office. He was 22.

Jack was born at Inova Loudoun Hospital on Feb. 20, 1999, and was a lifelong resident of Leesburg, Va. He graduated from Heritage High School and was enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College at the time of his death.

Jack struggled with autism and OCD, but with the help of medication, therapy and the love of his family and friends, he led a mostly happy and fulfilling life. He was active in Scouting, first with Cub Scout Pack 965 and then Boy Scout Troop 1159. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout under the leadership of scoutmasters Don Olivier and Brian Zabela.

A special person in Jack’s life was his music therapist, Tom Sweitzer of A Place To Be in Middleburg, Va. Over the course of a dozen years, Jack sang and acted in numerous APTB stage musicals and performed in the Same Sky Project, which toured schools

LoudounNow

Live Music: Indi Makeyzo

Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.

Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com Makeyzo takes the Social House stage with reggae and calypso-style tunes along with some throwback classics.

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

throughout Northern Virginia, spreading its message of empathy and understanding for people with special needs.

Jack loved family -- his grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, as well as his A Place To Be family. He loved to travel, and experienced memorable trips to Japan and China in 2008 and Antigua in 2019. He loved to cook. He loved music, primarily the “classic rock” he learned from his parents, and he loved to sing, especially with his “Jack Squared” duet partner and dear friend, Jack Wood. He loved long walks and bicycle rides around Leesburg. And he loved his dog, Genny, and his cat, Boxcar.

Jack is survived by his parents, John and Lori Price of Leesburg, and his beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Following a private visitation, he was cremated at Loudoun Funeral Chapel & Crematory. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Please share online condolences with the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to A Place To Be in Middleburg: aplacetobeva.org

Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.

DC Improv Comedy Night

Friday, April 16, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com DC Improv returns to the Tally Ho with host Christine O’Dea and comics Haywood Turnipseed, Kasha Patel, Matt Deakins and Larry XL. Tickets are $22-$32.

Live Music: Mark Dunn

Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Enjoy an evening of acoustic tunes from a master guitarist with the vocal chops to match his skill.

Live Music: Lost Corner Vagabonds

Saturday, April 17, 1-4 p.m.

The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Great tunes from local favorites Hugh Ghiringhelli, Rob Remington and Kevin O’Neill.

Live Music: Jim Steele

Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m.

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: twotwistedposts.com Fun covers and originals from a longtime winery circuit favorite.

Live Music: David Davol

Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com

Courtesy Emma Bailey

Live Music: Emma Bailey

Saturday, April 17, 6 p.m.

Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com This DMV favorite puts her mark on pop, rock, country and beyond from oldies to the current charts.

Live Music: Will Shepard

Saturday, April 17, 6-9 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com An evening of great tunes from a favorite local singer/songwriter.

Live Music: Eddie Pasa

Saturday, April 17, 7 p.m.

Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com This well-known DMV drummer also rocks guitar and vocals for his solo acoustic shows.

If you value quality local journalism ...

Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now.

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THINGS TO DO continues on page 22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

APRIL 15, 2021

Point-to-point continued from page 18

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Sunday in April falls on Easter.

For patrons like Rebekah White, it’s a once a year chance to catch up with lifelong friends, and the experience on Oatlands’ gorgeous shaded lane will be hard to match.

White’s late stepmother Anita Graf White was an early organizer of the races, a former Master of Foxhounds for the Loudoun Hunt and a longtime board member at Oatlands. Anita White worked with fellow equestrian luminaries including Dr. Joe Rogers, Harry Wight, Morris Fox and Silas D. “Sonny” Phillips to start the first races 55 years ago. Rebekah White’s father, Elijah B. White III, served as rector at the Anglican Church of Our Saviour Oatlands and the landscape and annual races have been part of her life since childhood.

White has kept the rail spot she inherited from her parents, starting new traditions with her own children and friends. But the races, like Loudoun itself, have changed.

“Oatlands itself was a big part of growing up in Loudoun County,” she said. “You have an emotional tie to the grounds there, and that’s one of the things that made Oatlands special—the graciousness of the lane with the big trees.”

Like many longtime patrons, White remains close to her family’s 55-year “neighbors” on the rail. Over the years, neighboring picnics have intertwined, essentially creating one big tailgate. And that sense of community is a big part of the draw. Like many longtime patrons, White is planning to hang onto her spot and is taking a waitand-see approach for 2022.

“I’m curious to see what happens,” she said.

Sell and Galvin say they understand concerns from longtime patrons and are hoping to preserve and grow that sense of community at the new location.

“We understand and feel for the people who have a tie to Oatlands,” Sell said.

“We’ve also had a lot of patrons that are somewhat excited about something new.”

Galvin said COVID-related uncertainty kept organizers from communicating news about the change in venue earlier in the year. With quickly evolving public health guidelines, organizers weren’t sure until early March that they could run the races, which delayed getting the message out to patrons and the public.

“We had a very short runway,” Galvin said.

The hunt’s point-to-point committee is now working on dual tracks to run the 2021 races under one-time protocols while planning for a new normal at Morven Park

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Hunt Master of Foxhounds Larry Dale works to install fencing near the finish line of the Hunt’s 2021 point-to point races at Morven Park.

in 2022, with an emphasis on keeping longtime patrons in priority spots while adding new rail spots.

Morven Park’s 1,000-acre grounds north of Leesburg are home to world-renowned equestrian facilities. The Morven Park nonprofit ran its own point-to-point races for 32 years but stopped in 2011 to focus on renovations to the equestrian center, which were completed in 2019. The renovations include upgrades to the racecourse and several new riding arenas.

“The return of racing is just one of the benefits of the renovation of our international equestrian center,” said Morven Park Executive Director Stacey Metcalfe. “The course is absolutely beautiful, ... The views are spectacular.”

And like organizers with the Loudoun Hunt, Metcalfe has her eyes on 2022.

“This is going to be that interim year, but the year after that should go back to its grand splendor,” she said.

Sell and Galvin say the setup at Morven Park with a permanent designated course, will benefit riders, trainers and spectators.

The course at Oatlands was historically outlined with long stretches of temporary plastic safety fencing, which took days for volunteers to install, Galvin said, while Morven has a permanent rail. The setup at Morven is also laid out so that it’s easier for jockeys and trainers to move from van areas to the paddock and course.

“Ultimately in that respect, it’s much safer for the jockeys, the horses and for the public,” Galvin said.

But organizers are also up front about the fact that part of the motivation for the move involves keeping the event as viable as a fundraiser for the hunt, which means adding patrons, vendors and room for

sponsors.

Sell and Galvin say the hunt wants to stay on good terms with Oatlands leadership and look for opportunities to hold other events on the property.

Oatlands CEO Caleb Schutz said he was hoping for a solution that would have allowed the races to stay at Oatlands and suggested raising ticket prices as part of a new business model during early meetings with the hunt. Schutz, who was hired to run the Oatlands nonprofit in late 2018, visited his first pre-COVID point-to-point in 2019 and spent time walking the lane talking with patrons.

“It was a marvelous event. I definitely would have wanted to keep it, but it was their decision,” Schutz said. He adds that despite some crossed connections, relations with the hunt remain cordial. But he shares a sense of disappointment with longtime race fans.

“Some programs start at a point in time in history, and it would be very hard to ever duplicate it,” he said. “Having met the people on that road, I had the feeling that this was such a rare event that it would be sad if there was no way to work out a way to continue.”

With new ticketing and COVID protocols in place for 2021 and a change in date for the races, organizers are expecting some patrons to skip this year’s event but say they’re hoping longtime patrons will return in 2022 with a more traditional setup and a focus on keeping longtime rail neighbors together in the new location.

“We’re not moving the community experience. ... I think there’s going to be a new tradition,” Sell said. “We’re inviting people to continue their traditions in a new way.” n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 21

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online.

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

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Building Technician I or II

Public Works & Capital Projects

$41,353-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

IT Systems Administrator

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Engineer (Capital Projects)

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Systems Analyst

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Systems Analyst/Infrastructure & Asset Management

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Utilities Project Manager

Utilities

$76,941-$131,689 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Inspector II

Utilities

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities

$41,353-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Supervisor

Utilities

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

Open until filled

Summer Position Position

Department

Maintenance Worker

Utilities

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

$15.00

Open until filled

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

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

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

HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE

See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com

Large family practice in Loudoun County with 6 locations and 28 providers looking for FT LPN’s or MA’s with a dedication to excellence. New LPN graduates welcome to apply.

Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended.

We offer competitive pay rates, health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. Please send your resume to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa

FULL TIME FLAGGER Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up and control traffic around construction sites.

A valid drivers license is a must, good pay, and benefits.

If interested please fill out an application at 7855 Progress Court Suite 103, Gainesville VA on Tuesday and Thursday from 8AM-10AM or online at www.trafficplan.com

Tractor & Light Construction Equipment Technician Assembly Technician Parts Counter Salesperson At Western Loudoun’s largest equipment service organization.

Experience required. Full benefits package with 401k.

BROWNING EQUIPMENT, INC. Purcellville, VA 540-338-7123 sales@browningequipment.com

HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Experienced Lab Tech Or MA – Busy Family Practice office in Lansdowne, VA looking for an experienced lab tech or MA to collect and process Covid 19, Flu & Strep samples. Must be familiar with manual and automated methods. EMR experience preferred.

We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits.

Please send your resume to lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804

NOW HIRING Servers / Kitchen / Hosts / Food Runners Full time or Part time Apply online at BRGrill.com or in person between 2:00-5:00 ASHBURN (703) 729-0100 44065 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn VA 20147

BRAMBLETON 703-327-1047 22865 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton VA 20148

LEESBURG 703-669-5505 955 Edwards Ferry Rd. Leesburg VA 20176

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

THINGS to do continued from page 19

Live Music: Melissa Quinn Fox Band

Sunday, April 18, 1 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Catch Fox’s high-energy blend of rock and country at a favorite venue.

Live Music: Acoustic Soul

Sunday, April 18, 1-4 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Acoustic Soul’s Steven Shaffer and Bruce Turner are a guitar and vocals duo who pay tribute to legendary classic rock, blues, R&B and American roots artists.

Live Music: 8 Track Jones Duo

APRIL 15, 2021

from a rising star.

Sunday, April 18th 2-5:30pm MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com The acoustic duo from the 8 Track Jones pop band entertains at MacDowell’s outdoor stage with their powerful vocals and favorite covers.

Live Music: Ginny Blair

Sunday, April 18, 2 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsoboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Blair returns to Breaux with a genre-crossing blend of folk, pop, rock, jazz and a few things in between.

Live Music: Meisha Herron

Sunday, April 18, 2-5 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road Details: harvestgap.com Celebrate Sunday in the gap with soul and blues

LOCO CULTURE Tom Teasley: Drumming Through Cultures and Time

Saturday, April 17, 4 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Tom Teasley presents Drumming through Cultures and Time, a unique journey through the history and geography of percussion. From Italy to China and Africa to the Americas.

Tickets are $15 for in-person seats, $8 for streaming.

COMING UP Cabinet at B Chord

Friday, April 23, 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m.

B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Cabinet’s blend of psychedelic roots rock, bluegrass, country and jam always draws a crowd, so get tickets early. Friday’s show opens with Fletcher’s Grove and Saturday’s show includes opening performances from Seldom Said No and High and Wides. Tickets are $30.

‘The Fantasticks’

Friday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: thepickwickplayers.com The Pickwick Players present the classic musical theater tale of young love and acquired wisdom.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for children under 12. Seating is limited and advance purchase is required.

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG

TOWN OF LEESBURG ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

IFB NO. 19002-FY21-31 LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT NORTH HANGARS **NOTE: The Town of Leesburg has implemented revised procurement procedures during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Effective January 1, 2021, and for the duration of the Emergency or until further notice, all bids and proposals in response to a formal solicitation issued by the Town will be securely received via eVA, the Commonwealth’s eProcurement website. Additionally, during this time the Town will not conduct in-person public bid openings. ** SEALED BIDS to construct the above project WILL BE RECEIVED by the Town of Leesburg, electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), UNTIL BUT NO LATER THAN 3:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021. Bids shall be submitted electronically using the following naming convention: the IFB number and the name of the bidder (i.e. “IFB No. 19002FY21-31_Your Company’s Name”).

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Cisco Webex.

Cisco Webex conferencing information, including instructions to join the meeting via computer and/or phone, will be available from the Town’s Bid Board.

All questions regarding this bid must be submitted in writing via email to CapitalBidQuestions@leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

Bids will be publicly opened via Cisco Webex using the eVA e-Procurement website at the due date and time listed above. The bid opening will be livestreamed via Cisco Webex and made available to the public. Cisco Webex conferencing information will be available, including instructions to join the meeting via computer and/or phone, from the Town’s Bid Board.

Work includes excavation, storm drainage, grading, miscellaneous site work and pre-engineered metal building construction, and all incidentals related thereto. The Town reserves the right to perform all, part, or none of the work.

Bid Documents are available for download from the Town’s Bid Board at http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard. Any addenda issued for this project will be posted on the Town’s Bid Board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov) with a courtesy email to those firms who have registered on the Town’s Bid Board. It is the bidders’ responsibility to provide a correct email address and to be aware of any addenda.

APR IL 20 21

APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021

L 2021 APRI

1 202 RIL AP

Bud Siegel, P.E., Acting Manager Office of Capital Projects

n dou LouNow n u nedo Sceu nt o eL inm Now rta Ente e oun n’s en u ud Sc o t Lo en oud rtainm to L Now s Ente ide oun’ r gu Loud You e to Lou Scenedoun guid rtainment Your doun’s Ente Lou to e Now Your guid Your guide to Loudoun’s Entertainment Lo Scene

VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

04/15/21

Civil Case No.: CL20-8025

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2100 et seq., notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on:

In re: Name Change of THAO BICH NGO to JADE THAO NGO HO

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA

COMES NOW the applicant seeking to change his or her name pursuant to Virginia Code § 8.01-

FINAL ORDER (Minor)

217, and it appearing to the Court upon the applicant’s verified application that:

to consider the adoption of the following ordinance:

The current address of the applicant, including street address, city, state and zip code, is:

AN ORDINANCE INITIATING AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS FOR SOLICITING PROPOSALS AND GRANTING NON-EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY FRANCHISES

21264 Victorias Cross Ter, Ashburn, VA 20147; and If the applicant has previously changed his or her name by prior application to a court or by marriage, the former names of the applicant are as follows: _______________

The proposed ordinance initiates a Town Council process for the grant of non-exclusive telecommunications facility franchise(s) in the manner prescribed by law, and sets forth the process for soliciting, receiving, and evaluating bids for such non-exclusive franchise(s).

The name change is not sought for a fraudulent purpose and would not otherwise infringe on the rights of others; the applicant is not incarcerated, or a probationer with any court, or a person for whom registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is requires; and the applicant, if a convicted felon, included his or her felony conviction with the application.

A copy of the proposed ordinance is available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Town Clerk, at 703-771-2733.

It is, therefore, ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND DECREED that the name of the applicant is hereby changed from Thao Bich Ngo to Jade Thao Ngo Ho; and It is further ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND DECREED that the Clerk of this Court shall spread this order upon the current deed boopk, index it in both the old and new names, and transmit a certified copy of the order and the application to the State Registrar of Vital Records and the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

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

ENTERED this 9th day of December, 2020

04/08, 04/15, 04/22 & 04/29/21

04/15 & 04/22/21

Your monthly guide to Loudoun’s Entertainment Scene

ON NEWSSTANDS NOW getoutloudoun.com

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APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 23

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

ZOAM-2021-0001 AMEND THE REVISED 1993 LOUDOUN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE TO ELIMINATE THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION FEE FOR NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS USES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS (Zoning Ordinance Amendment) Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on March 16, 2021, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) in order to establish new, clarify, revise, and/or delete existing regulations in regard to references to fee waivers, and in regard to exemptions for special exception land development application fees for new Monopole and Transmission Tower uses, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance, in specified zoning districts. The amendment proposes revisions to Section 6-402, and such other Articles, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following: Amendments to Section 6-402: ·

Clarify, revise, and/or delete existing regulations which have references to fee waivers and use the term fee exemptions to describe how Section 6-402 functions more accurately.

·

Establish new regulations to exempt the Special Exception land development application fee for new Monopole and Transmission Tower uses requiring Special Exception approval in the A-3 (Agricultural Residential), A-10 (Agriculture), AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1), AR-2 (Agricultural Rural-2), CR-1 (Countryside Residential-1), CR-2 (Countryside Residential-2), CR-3 (Countryside Residential-3), and RC (Rural Commercial) zoning districts.

The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice, and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.

ZRTD-2021-0001 LOUDOUN GATEWAY LOT 2

PIN

ADDRESS

PIN

ADDRESS

163291069

N/A

163287836

24635 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA

163294142

24555, 24560, 24565, 24570, 24630, 24670 & 24700 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA

163190227

24680 & 24710 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA 42760, 42765, 42780, 42781, 42790, 42800 & 42801 Gateway Fountain Plaza, Chantilly, VA

163387890

24575 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA

163183632

24705, 24725, 24745 & 24765 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type), which designates this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0, and additional density (up to 1.5 FAR) may be achieved with project elements that go above and beyond required development standards to further the County’s comprehensive planning goals.

ZMAP-2020-0007, SPEX-2020-0017, SPEX-2020-0018, ZMOD-2020-0011 ZMOD-2020-0012, ZMOD-2020-0013, ZMOD-2020-0014, ZMOD-2020-0015 & ZMOD-2020-0016 THE SHOPS AND TECH AT ARCOLA CENTER (Zoning Map Amendment Petition, Special Exception, Zoning Modification) St. John Properties, of Frederick, Maryland, has submitted applications for the following: 1) To rezone approximately 33.94 acres from the PD-CC-RC (Planned Development – Community Center – Regional Center) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP (Planned Development– Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of Flex Industrial uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0; 2) A Special Exception to permit an Automobile Service Station in the PD-CC-RC zoning district pursuant to Section 4-204(C)(1) of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance; and 3) A Special Exception to permit Office, Administrative, Business and Professional Use, which do not meet the criteria contained in Section 4-503(G) in the PD-IP zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Sections 4-204 and 4-504. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications:

(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District & Zoning Map Amendment) Foulger-Pratt Development, LLC of Potomac, Maryland has submitted an application to rezone approximately 6.09 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance, to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.6 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception). The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, Route 28 CO (Corridor Office) Overlay District, the QN (Quarry Notification Overlay District – Loudoun Note Area, and located partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 6.09 acres in size and is located on the south side of Indian Creek Drive (Route 1038), north of Old Ox Road (Route 606), and west of Sully Road (Route 28) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 046-30-5546. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment)), which support a broad array of Employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

SIDP-2015-0008 DULLES LANDING SIGN PLAN AMENDMENT (Sign Development Plan) Beatty Limited Partnership of McLean, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to 1) allow two additional commercial development entrance signs in the PD, CLI, GB, and MR-HI Districts; 2) modify the maximum area of any one sign, minimum setback from right-of-way, maximum height, and additional requirements for commercial development entrance signs in the PD, CLI, GB, and MR-HI Districts; and 3) permit the usage of electronic message signs. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZMAP2004-0016, Dulles Landing, and SIDP 2014-0002, Dulles Landing Sign Development Plan, located in the PD-CC-RC (Planned Development Commercial Center-Regional Center) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The Subject property is also located partially within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District - Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area. The subject property is approximately 78.34 acres in size and comprises six separate parcels that are located north of John Mosby Highway (Route 50) and west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606), in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows:

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

§4-205(C)(1)(d), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Roads, Regional Center (RC). and §4-205(C)(3), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Other Nonresidential Districts.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION Allow parking, outdoor storage, areas for collection or refuse or loading space between buildings and streets where such areas are screened from the streets by the landscaped buffer required by Section 5-1400.

Reduce the required 50-foot yard requirement to a 35foot minimum yard requirement along the PD-CC-RC District portion of the Property’s Arcola Mills Drive frontage.

Eliminate the required yard for building, parking, outdoor storage and loading areas between the proposed PD-CC-RC district and the non-residential zoning districts located to the west of the Property.

4-206(D)(4), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Building Requirements, Vehicular Access, Regional Centers.

Vehicular access to the proposed PD-CC-RC district shall be from minor and major collector roads (respectively, Arcola Mills Drive and Dulles West Boulevard), rather than from an arterial road.

§5-1403(B), Buffering and Screening, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B)

Reduce setback for buildings within the PD-CC-RC district from 50 feet to 35 feet from the right-of-way of Arcola Mills Drive (minor collector road). Replace the Type 2 front yard buffer with a Type 3 front yard buffer and provide an additional 3 evergreen trees per 100 feet within the building setback.

§5-1407(B)(2), Buffering and Screening, Parking Area Landscaping and Screening Requirements, Peripheral Parking Area Landscaping.

Eliminate the requirement for a 10-foot landscaping strip for parking areas next to abutting property lines for parcels within the Property, including those subdivided in the future

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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PAGE 24

APRIL 15, 2021

Legal Notices §4-505(B)(1), PD-IP Planned Development – Industrial Park, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Roads. and

Eliminate the minimum 35-foot setback for buildings and 25-foot setback for off-street parking along interior private streets (not public roads) in the proposed PD-IP district.

§4-505(B)(3), PD-IP Planned Development – Industrial Park, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Other Nonresidential Districts.

Eliminate the need to provide building, parking, outdoor storage, and loading area setbacks between the PD-CCRC and PD-IP districts.

§5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B).

Eliminate the Type B Buffer Yard requirement between Group 10 Flex-Industrial Uses and Group 8 Office Uses and Group 9 Commercial / Retail Uses.

The subject property is located within AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 70.00 acres in size and is located on the south side of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), north of Route 50 and west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606) in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN

ADDRESS

163-38-0140

N/A

163-49-1534

N/A

163-48-7614

N/A

162-19-4928

25227 Arcola Mills Drive, Sterling, VA

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for a range of compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational uses at a recommended FAR of up to 1.0.

SPEX 2019-0035, SPEX 2019-0048 & SPEX 2019-0049 POTOMACK LAKES SPORTSPLEX (Special Exception) The Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia, through the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to install and grade two synthetic turf fields, add 0.29 Acres of new impervious surface paths, and incidental structures totaling 5,725 SF within the major floodplain in the PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under 4-1506(E) and (F). The subject property is partially located in the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD). The subject property is approximately 46.84 acres in size and is located north of Algonkian Parkway (Route 1582) and on the east side of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794) at 20286 Cascades Parkways, Sterling, Virginia, 20165 in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 010-27-3927 and PIN: 010-17-4363. The area is

TOWN OF LEESBURG

DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES NOTICE OF WATER MAIN FLUSHING

governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for existing parks and recreation facilities uses.

Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. To arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email dpz@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246, or you may view the file electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. For detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Planning Commission public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40, and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audiovisual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified.

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

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

BY ORDER OF:

FOREST HAYES, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 04/15 & 04/22/21

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Case No.:

Case No.:

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

The Town of Leesburg will conduct controlled flushing of water mains throughout the Town beginning April through June 30th, 2021. This preventative maintenance program is essential for maintaining the Town’s high standards of water quality.

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

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

Some residents and businesses may experience lower pressure during the flushing in their neighborhood. The Town regrets any inconvenience the flushing operation may cause.

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

04/01 & 06/30/21

JJ040484-08-00

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

David Craig Johnson, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a 2nd permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Christian Carter.

It is ORDERED that the defendant David Craig Johnson, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court to protect their interests on or before May 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

04/01, 04/08, 04/15 & 04/22/21

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

JJ038733-19-00

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

Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Abbigail Jacobs.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before May 3, 2021 at 10:00 am.

04/01, 04/08, 04/15 & 04/22/21

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APRIL 15, 2021

PAGE 25

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold public hearings beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021 to hear public comments on the following: Zoning Text Amendment 21-01 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 121 OF THE MIDDLEBURG ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO BUILDING HEIGHT IN THE R-2 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. The proposal is to amend the building height limitation in the R-2 District to 25 feet with the ability to increase the allowable height, up to 30 feet maximum, with the provision of increased side yards.

Zoning Map Amendment 21-01 - AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE A 0.5153 ACRE PORTION OF LAND AT 10 WEST MARSHALL STREET (PIN 538-27-9541) FROM R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO C-2 TOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AND TO REZONE A 0.59696 ACRE PORTION OF ADJOINING VACANT LAND AT PIN 538-27-7860 FROM MUV MIXED USE VILLAGE DISTRICT WITH PROFFERS TO C-2 TOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. The rezonings are proposed in conjunction with the new Town Hall project and would bring the land into common zoning designation with the existing Town Office and surrounding properties fronting on W. Marshall St. Zoning Map Amendment 21-02 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE PROFFERS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDITIONALLY ZONED R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, R-3 RESIDENTIAL AND MUV MIXED USE VILLAGE DISTRICT PROPERTIES AT PINS 538-25-6474 AND 53827-7860 AND A PORTION OF 500 NORTH PENDLETON STREET (PIN 570-40-5809). This is a proposed amendment to the original, 2007 Salamander Hospitality proffers, as subsequently amended, and is proposed in conjunction with the new Town Hall project. The proposal is to revise language as it pertains to a proffer for a Town Hall site and Village Green and to also update existing proffer language that has been superseded or fulfilled. THIS IS A SEPARATE REQUEST FROM PROFFER AMENDMENT ZMA 21-03 OF SIMILAR ORDINANCE TITLE. The Commission meeting and public hearings will be conducted remotely in accordance with the Resolution Confirming the Declaration of a Local Emergency and the Ordinance to Implement Emergency Procedures & Effectuate Temporary Changes to Address Continuity of Governmental Operations during COVID-19.

Public participation will be available 1) by calling (301) 715-8592, Webinar ID: 921 0867 5541, OR 2) online via zoom.us/j/92108675541. Those who plan to participate in the hearings are encouraged, but not required, to contact the Town Office at (540) 687-5152 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting to register to speak. For those who only wish to observe the proceedings, the meeting can be viewed on the Town’s website at www.middleburgva.gov/town-meetings The files for these applications may be reviewed at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia 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 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.

4/8 & 4/15/21

LoudounNow.com ABC LICENSE

Restoration Bed and Breakfast LLC, trading as Restoration Bed and Breakfast, 40959 Pacer Ln Paeonian Springs, Loudoun, VA 20129-1844

NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires.

All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Description

Case Number

Recovery Location

Purple Kent BMX style children’s bicycle SN: HS191102803

Recovery Date

Phone Number

SO210004806

3/26/2021

43360 Defender Drive Chantilly, VA

703-777-0610 04/15 & 04/22/21

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Bed and Breakfast license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Richard Norman, Owner Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

04/08 & 04/15/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26 ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS

INCOME AND EXPENSE SURVEYS DUE MAY 31 To facilitate the establishment of accurate real estate assessments for tax year 2022, as authorized by Virginia Code § 58.1-3294, I am requesting that owners of incomeproducing real estate provide a calendar year 2020 certified statement of income and expenses. This information, which shall be kept confidential in accordance with Virginia Code § 58.1-3, will be utilized to determine fair market values for tax assessment purposes.

The survey forms are available online at www. loudoun.gov/income-expense and should be returned to my office by email or regular mail

by May 31, 2021.

Commercial property owners are encouraged to review and verify our record of property characteristics online at www.loudoun.gov/ parceldatabase to assist us in ensuring fair and equitable property valuations.

To protect the safety of taxpayers and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to connect with us virtually because most transactions with our office can be done online.

For information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/cor or contact my office at commercialre@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0260.

APRIL 15, 2021

Legal Notices

VIRGINIA

In the Circuit Court of Loudoun County

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR: JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR ASHBURN SENIOR CENTER, IFB No. 391782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 13, 2021.

OTHER (THAN PENSION) POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (OPEB) VALUATION, RFP No. 388782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 5, 2021.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/ procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 4/15/2021

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

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

YR.

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Sterling Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 100 Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 Phone: 703-737-8557 Email: trcor@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor 03/18 & 04/15/21

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ORDER OF PUBLICATION THE OBJECT of the above-styled suit is to obtain a judgment, jointly and severally, against the Defendants due to the breach of a contract/ open account; and IT APPEARING by affidavit filed according to law that the Defendant, Chris Iminephro in the above-entitled cause cannot be found, and that diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Chris Iminephro, it is therefore ORDERED that the said Chris Iminephro, whose last known address is 2800 Dorr Avenue, Suite M, Fairfax, Virginia 22031, appear on or before the 28th day of May, 2021 at 10:00 a.m, in the Clerk’s Office of this Court located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia and do what is necessary to protect his interests; and it is further ORDERED that this order be published once a week for four successive weeks in LOUDOUN NOW, a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Loudoun; that a copy of this order be posted at the front door of the courthouse wherein this court is held; and that a copy of this order be mailed to the Defendant at the address shown by the aforesaid affidavit.

04/01 & 04/08/21

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Case No. CL 20-7611 DULLES ELECTRIC & SUPPLY CORPORATION, Plaintiff, v.

IMINEPHRO SOLUTIONS ELECTRICAL LLC AND CHRIS IMINEPHRO, Defendants

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PAGE 27

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 28

APRIL 15, 2021

Opinion The Journey Back This weekend, two of Loudoun’s most celebrated spring traditions will return in ways that provide hope of a return to normal life following the pandemic, but remind us that we’ve not reached the finish line.

Last year’s cancellation of Leesburg’s Flower and Garden Festival and the Loudoun Hunt’s Point to Point at Oatlands, coming just weeks after schools closed, left no doubt that the pandemic response would fundamentally, if just temporarily, alter the fabric of life in our county.

The Oatlands races had run for more than 50 years, and served as a post-winter community reunion, albeit with a decidedly equestrian theme. The Flower and Garden Festival over its 30 years has grown into an economic and tourism powerhouse and helped lead the revitalization of the historic district.

This year, tailgaters won’t line the lane at Oatlands, but a smaller gathering will plant the roots of a new tradition at Morven Park. And crowds won’t pack the downtown blocks of King and Market streets, but thousands will still be coming to town to scratch the itch on their green thumbs. And next, many students are expected to head to school four days a week.

It’s evidence that we’re on our journey back from a year of isolation, fear, and frustration. However, it’s not known with certainty how long that road will be, and the experiences in other parts of the globe demonstrate how fragile the pandemic recovery can be. As we celebrate the season of renewal, let’s continue to follow the safety rules that brought us to this point, celebrate the remarkable work of the volunteer Medical Reserve Corps and other medical providers, and keep the masks up for a bit longer. n

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

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com

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

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

LETTERS to the Editor Open the Ferry Editor: There is a reason that many people do not regard the functions of governments as adequate to the interests of constituents.

Those we elect make every effort to ignore meaningful issues that would serve the people who put these politicians in office.

The issue of White’s Ferry is a case in point.

What should be a simple decision to move forward in reopening this necessary and convenient ferry service to Maryland that is used by many commercial and personal travelers, has been tied up in wrangling over a clear attempt by one family who claims it should be awarded money for doing nothing related to the operation of the ferry.

I wrote a letter to the local papers that was published in the first week of January this year suggesting that it was necessary to move forward with eminent domain for this crossing due to the fact that it is a route of interstate commerce and that the roads to the site are built and maintained by the taxpayers. I sought the support of political leaders in getting behind this suggestion.

Other than a few faint whispers saying it should be resolved, nothing has been seriously acted upon to take firm stands to get this done and fast.

Everyone seems to agree that this crossing is vital and a welcome respite from the torture of going north on RT. 15.

Response from the Leesburg Town

Council - NADA. Response from the Loudoun Board of Supervisors - ZIP. Response from the several state delegates and senators who represent people who did and still want to use this ferry SILENCE. Even on simple issues like this, the political leaders are absent unless a loud and frequently contentious effort is launched against them. Supposedly, these pols are adults who should understand their role in advancing services that benefit their constituents ... but they almost always have to be treated like inattentive children who have to be threatened with adverse results just to get their attention.

Now, once again, the attempts by this one family to intimidate the public and the current owner of the ferry by demanding a fee per car for contributing nothing to the operation of the ferry has arisen.

Can we please hear an unambiguous and vigorous public announcement with our political leaders standing in a photo saying, “Get this eminent domain done ASAP and open this ferry operation.”

Just for the record, I do not know Chuck Kuhn nor the owners of Rockland or have any vested interest in any of their operations.

And finally: No, Libby Devlin, despite what you said publicly I am not willing to pay you any amount of money since you LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 30

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

APRIL 15, 2021

Readers’ Poll

PAGE 29

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

Should the state or local government consider condemnation to support the reopening of White’s Ferry?

With the COVID-19 vaccines opening to the general public, do you have any hesitancy about getting a shot?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

What Does Racism Look Like in Loudoun County?

BY CHRIS CROLL

“There’s no racism in our highly-educated, high-income, diverse community,” some might say, and yet the incidents I am about to share with you were told to me by people who experienced them first-hand. These events all took place here in Loudoun County within the past few years.

A Black friend’s daughter made a new white friend in middle school. One day the girls went exploring along the woods behind the home of the new friend.

While the kids were playing, the mother of the white girl called out to the Black child and said, “Hey, we only invited you over to see how well you would hang from one these trees.”

An Asian friend’s son was in seventh grade when the pandemic started. One of his schoolmates turned to him in class and said, “You brought the China virus over here.”

A white teen noticed that whenever his Latina friend approached the women in the front office of their high school, the friend was treated brusquely and dismissively. Whenever he approached the same women, he was treated with patience and kindness.

A Black friend was playing golf at a Leesburg resort community where she lives. As she drove the cart onto the course, she was stopped and asked by an

employee for her membership number.

Her white companion told her that, in the 17 years the white woman had played golf at that club, she had never once been asked for her membership number.

A Black woman went to the doctor, who happened to be white, because she thought she might have a urinary tract infection. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor asked the patient if she had a new boyfriend. The woman replied that, no, she had been married and monogamous for 25 years. The doctor responded by saying, “Your risk of UTI’s increases with multiple partners at the same time…. this is something you need to consider going forward.”

A fifth-grade girl of mixed race earned straight A’s in elementary school but was recommended for academic classes in middle school rather than honors classes. Despite the top grades, her teachers said they were concerned she may not be able to handle the more rigorous work.

These were not miscommunications, as some would like to believe. They were microaggressions with racism at their core. And from what my friends tell me, incidents like these are not unusual here in Loudoun, or elsewhere in the country.

You may be thinking, “I have never seen anything like that happen here.” My question to you is: Have you engaged in conversations with people of color who live here to ask them about their experiences? When you do, you are likely to hear more stories like this.

The majority of the people who live in Loudoun county are not racist. But many of us were taught to mind our own business unless something impacts us personally. That culture of passivity inadvertently enables the status quo, which, as these stories illustrate, is hurting our friends and neighbors of color. If we want to disrupt the status quo, we must become anti-racists, which requires taking action. How? It all starts with paying closer attention.

Notice how minorities are treated at stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals and in our neighborhoods—and if you see something that does not look right, speak up. Notice which companies have people of color in leadership roles and on their boards and patronize those businesses. Notice which nonprofit organizations champion equity and donate time and money to those organizations. Do

a deep dive into our country’s history to get a better understanding of how institutions like public education, the prison system, healthcare, and other industries have systematically discriminated against communities of color and raise your hand to help reform them.

Being an anti-racist also means engaging in uncomfortable conversations with the people who promote racist ideas. There are no “innocent” discriminatory comments. If someone tells you a joke that promotes a racist stereotype, respond with, “I don’t get it. What do you mean by that?” and make the person explain why they think the joke is funny.

This provides a teachable moment which is especially important with our children, as racism is learned behavior.

Loudoun County is a fabulous place to live but we can create a more inclusive culture if we speak out against, and take action to eliminate, racial injustice. n Chris Croll is a writer, empathy activist and communications consultant. She sits on the Board of the Ryan Bartel Foundation, a youth suicide prevention nonprofit. Croll lives in Leesburg with her husband and two teenage boys.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 30

Transit strike continued from page 1 concessions and they subsequently cut off discussions and decided to not recognize the union at all. I had phone calls with Arturo Ross, their attorney, and the company threatened they would do this if we didn’t accept their proposals for concessions.

What they did was illegal and that’s why we filed charges with the NLRB.” The union has filed a range of complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, from alleged retaliation for union activities, to refusing the bargain in good faith, to denying the union access to the facility.

Union members also voted to authorize a strike even before Keolis formally took over on April 1, although there are no immediate plans to go through with it. Ertl said, “we haven’t gotten this kind of treatment anywhere.”

The shop is also dealing with an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Sandra Vigil, a former 15-year school bus driver before joining Loudoun Transit six years ago to drive a commuter bus, said about 10 people are out sick right now—including herself and her family. And she said some of the enhanced cleaning under the previous contractor didn’t pick up again under Keolis until this week.

Vigil said she was part of getting the union into Loudoun’s commuter buses in the first place in 2018, after facing hostile working conditions. All the time, she also had a son in and out of the hospital. But eventually, she said, the workers and union reached a productive working relationship with the contractor.

Things changed when Keolis arrived.

“It’s not about who’s got more power,

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 28 contribute nothing to the operation of the ferry.

— Robert Ehinger, Leesburg

Important Work Editor: In line with the National PTA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Hunt District PTA Executive Board fully supports Loudoun County Public School’s Comprehensive Equity Plan and the Action Plan to Combat Systemic Racism.

The troubling experiences reported in the Systemic Equity Assessment (2019) make it clear that LCPS still has much to

APRIL 15, 2021

it has nothing to do with that,” Vigil said.

“Like I keep telling them, we’re not asking for the moon and the stars, you know. We’re asking for what’s fair, for good healthcare we can afford. We want to be able to get our hours so we can make money and pay our bills.”

“Some of these people have worked here for 20 years,” Ertl said in a phone call. “It’s just such a terrible way to treat people. I mean, imagine being such a sh—y employer that you antagonize your people until they would vote to authorize a strike before they even start.”

He also warned that replacing Commercial Driver’s License holders who leave will be difficult, with a nationwide shortage of CDL holders.

“No fewer than 20 of our members have jumped ship already, and they left for the Fairfax Connector,” Ertl said. There, he noted, the union has a stronger agreement.

“Keolis, they’re dismantling the transit system here as we know it, and we’re losing a lot of longtime, qualified workers.”

“I had to go through a lot of testing, a lot of training, to do what I do,” Vigil said.

“My thing is, if we are doing something that requires us to get licensed, something that requires us to have responsibilities out on the road, people’s safety—their lives—in our hands, and you instead of trying to pay what’s fair are taking away, that’s not right.”

Keolis’s proposal to the county, transition plan and agreement with the county all promised a rosier change over.

“Our goal is to offer comparable, or better, plans than those currently in place for employees,” Keolis wrote in their proposal to the county.

“Throughout the recruitment process, Keolis will maintain close communication and coordination with the County, the outgoing contractor, and union representa-

tives,” reads the company’s transition plan. “[T]he Contractor will utilize a pay scale that provides at least the same starting wage and incremental increases, and to provide, at a minimum, the same benefits as are provided by the current Contractor for all operators, supervisors, dispatchers, cleaners and maintenance personnel,” reads the executed Agreement for Service, signed by Keolis Transit America President and CEO Aline Frantzen on Jan. 29, 2021.

The company also issued and then rescinded an offer letter to at least some hires from the previous contractors that recognized a union collective bargaining agreement. A second offer letter stated “your employment with KTA is ‘at-will’ and is subject to end at any time, with or without cause and with or without advance notice.”

Some of the conflict seems to arise from combining the two contracts—the previous commuter bus contract was unionized, while the local bus contract was not.

A letter on behalf of Keolis from attorney Arturo Ross of Miami-based Akerman LLP in response to demands to recognize the union says that the company “is unable to predict exactly what the percentage breakdown of former Transdev and former MV Transportation employees [the two former contractors] will be on Day 1.” It says the company does not recognize the union, but that the company will recognize the union if, after hiring, the majority of employees are union members.

Contacted to comment for this article, Keolis provided a prepared statement attributed to Frantzen, which takes a slightly different tack.

“Because this workforce is blending a non-represented and represented team, the employees must vote to determine if they wish to continue with their Union representation,” it reads. “Keolis welcomes that

process and is supportive of the employees’ final decision after this vote.”

If there is a vote to unionize, the statement promises, “Keolis will be supportive of the Loudoun County employees if they vote to Unionize and in turn we will in good faith negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Unionized employees on a variety of matters including the benefits currently in question.”

“Keolis sees our workforce as our most valuable asset and we will continue to support all employees while providing safe, clean, and reliable transit service to the Loudoun community we are privileged to serve,” the statement adds.

The six Democratic county supervisors signed onto a letter to Keolis North America President and CEO Clément Michel encouraging Keolis to recognize the collective bargaining agreement which was in place before the company took over, an which doesn’t expire until Dec. 31. The letter also points out that the county government is in the process of writing an ordinance that would allow collective bargaining for public employees.

“We will be monitoring this situation and trust that you will do what it is right to ensure that Loudoun County’s public servants rights as workers are honored and respected,” the letter concludes.

Letters to the company from Del. Kathleen J. Murphy (D-34), Del. Ibraheem S. Samirah (D-86) and Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33) also express concern.

“We’re having to pull teeth to just get some of the most basic things done,” Ertl said. “This company just really doesn’t give a damn about its employees, and they’ve made it very clear that they’re going to cut costs at our expense.” n

do to ensure a system free of racial bias for students, families, faculty and staff. There are dramatic, observable differences in the treatment and the experiences BIPOC, LGBTQ+, English Language Learners, and those in the special needs community have within the LCPS system when compared to their caucasian, cisgender, and heterosexual peers. We feel strongly that this needs to change and are committed to continuing to work with LCPS to enact these changes.

LCPS students have the right to attend schools free from slurs and violence motivated by perceived differences. Students have the right to be recognized by the name and gender they identify as. All students deserve to have teachers and staff that respect and, ideally, represent the full diversity of Loudoun County’s population.

A system-wide equity policy will help

address these issues.

All students deserve teachers and staff who have high levels of racial consciousness and racial literacy. They should be free from discipline policies that disproportionately impact students of color.

Most of all, all students and employees of LCPS need a school system that is able to engage in conversations about race and take a stand against racially charged incidents when they occur. The Action Plan to Combat Systemic Racism focuses on these issues and will help disrupt and dismantle the systems that fail to support every student.

We know that students learn best when in a setting where they feel safe and know that they matter. Our current school system is not providing this type of setting for all students, faculty, and staff, but its leaders and the School Board have committed

to change. As a community, we have an opportunity to participate in improving our system and supporting their efforts.

This work begins by engaging with the Comprehensive Equity Plan, learning about Culturally Responsive Teaching, and supporting your local school in this journey. PTAs play an important supporting role driving LCPS’s equity work forward by advocating for every child. The Hunt District PTA Executive Board stands behind LCPS and the LCPS School Board in their efforts to make this change real for our students. We are here to provide support and assistance to local PTA chapters engaging in this important work.

— Kirsten Shabanowitz, Director, Hunt District PTA Lara Profitt, Equity Chair, Hunt District PTA

APRIL 15, 2021

Housing challenges continued from page 1 holds in Loudoun are “cost-burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on housing. That particularly affects the poorest of Loudouners—most of the cost burdened households are low-income households, but people at every price point are feeling the pinch.

At the same time, Loudoun County homes tend to be large. Nearly half of all homes in Loudoun, 48.3%, have four or more bedrooms.

Some supervisors say the housing cost problem in Loudoun and the DC region is exacerbated by demand.

“The two things I hear the most in Loudoun County about housing are, ‘we have too many homes,’ and at the same time sometimes, the same person will say ‘but I want a home for my son to live in when he comes out of college,’” said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “And I always say, well, those are things that don’t go together. So, when we personalize what housing means to your family, for your child, for your mother-inlaw who you want to live near with but not with you, they become different conversations.”

People across the country have found homes of their own harder and harder to afford. From 1980 to 2019, the median household income in the U.S. approximately tripled, to $65,712. Meanwhile the median home value increased by about five times, to around $240,500.

A $240,500 home in Loudoun is a find—here, the 2019 median household income was $142,229, and the median home value $556,600.

But supervisors may disagree on how much Loudoun County can move the needle.

“I’ve always viewed this as a much larger, macro issue that government has a limited ability to really influence,” said Su-

Vaccinations continued from page 3

the vaccine. According to the CDC, as of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the United States. Federal agencies are reviewing six reported cases in the U.S. of a rare and severe type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, or CVST, in people after receiving the vaccine. All six were women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days

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pervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who chairs the county board’s finance committee. He pointed out that other major metropolitan areas see the same issue—housing is more expensive the closer to the heart of the city you live.

“Loudoun is affordable housing for Washington, DC, Arlington, even Tysons, but then the question is, what is affordable housing for the economy that exists in Loudoun?” Letourneau said. “And just like it’s probably outside of a 10- to 15mile radius outside of DC, it may be for Loudoun, too. And I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but that just kind of is, in every major metro area.”

The U.S. Census Bureau reports about only half of Loudoun’s workforce have jobs in the county. For those who don’t work at home, the Census reports the average commute is 35 minutes—more than an hour a day, on average, spent just getting to and from work.

According to the draft plan, from 2000 to 2015, Loudoun added more than 67,000 new jobs, a nearly 77% increase, and young working families are forecasted to be a key component of Loudoun’s growth over the next 25 years, following jobs and high-quality schools and amenities.

“Why did a lot of people move to Loudoun County in the first place?” Letourneau said. “I’m a good example. I didn’t move her because I enjoy driving an hour-plus to go to DC every day. I moved here because it’s where I can afford to live.”

And still, not all development works toward bringing down prices—for example, even a development that includes price-controlled units can still make things worse on the housing cost problem, if more of the market-rate units end up housing cost-burdened families.

“Homes don’t belong everywhere, but where they do belong, we should approve them,” Randall said. “And two, the issue is not ‘can we absorb more homes?’ The issue is, can we absorb more homes for the infrastructure that we have in place?”

Both Randall and Letourneau think they may have an answer to public opposition to new development, at least, by building out infrastructure.

“When people get upset when we say yes to homes, and then I say to them, ‘what is your issue?’, what I inevitably hear is, ‘my kids’ schools are overcrowded,’” Randall said. “So, it’s not that they don’t want new people—they don’t want new people for the existing infrastructure.”

“We still get a lot of generalized opposition to development in general and housing in general, and I’ve always wondered how much of that is driven by infrastructure and lack thereof,” Letourneau said. “And if we could solve that and really make substantial headway on that issue, would that solve some of that resistance to developments.”

The draft Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan lays out a variety of ways to tackle the county’s housing needs. Those range from coordinating among different nonprofits and developers, to various ways to use public land or otherwise set aside land for housing, to finding new sources of funding. The latter option in particular has been important in Loudoun—changes made to affordable housing regulations in Loudoun in 2016 opened up a combination of state and federal financing for affordable housing developers, by organizations like the Windy Hill Foundation and Good Works Inc. Kim Hart, who heads Good Works and previously headed Windy Hill, said at the grand opening for Ashburn Chase, one of those projects, that in the last four years they have built more affordable units than over the previous 20 thanks to that change. That amounted to more than 300 rent-controlled units in four years—an accomplishment hailed by people across government and the development community, but that still only begins to scratch the surface of the tens of thousands of cost-burdened households in Loudoun.

Affordable, accessible housing is an is-

sue that extends to all facets of life—from the infrastructure questions, to the importance of good housing to the health and well-being of children and families pointed out in the draft plan, to the ability for people to build their wealth. Letourneau pointed out it can even affect the environment, as people drive long commutes to get to work, or take public mass transit—”You can kind of see a strategy here, but maybe a strategy that has to go beyond just housing policy.”

Whatever the board decides, tackling the unmet housing needs in Loudoun will test both the county board’s power to tackle a nationwide trend, and its appetite for big changes and possibly big spending.

“I don’t know that there is that much we can really do, short of literally constructing our own housing that’s public housing,” Letourneau said. “Especially on the affordable side, I don’t know what else we can do. We have created zoning activities for this type of development, whether it’s commercial or residential. We have opportunities at this point. It’s really the market that’s dictating whether these are viable activities or not.”

“The stigma on affordable housing really is just really unfortunate, and we have to address it,” Randall said. “And in Loudoun County, the affordable workforce housing is firefighters, and sheriff ’s deputies, and nurses, and the person who’s serving you your food.”

Loudoun County is gathering feedback on the draft Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan. To review the draft Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan, go to loudoun. gov/housingneeds.

To offer feedback, fill out an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/T7NZWRM, email housing@loudoun.gov or sign up to speak at a Board of Supervisors public hearing. Online feedback is open until April 25.

Learn more about the county’s other existing housing programs at loudoun.gov/housing. n

after vaccination.

For people who have already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC and FDA have emphasized that the possible side effect from the vaccine is extremely rare. However, people who have received the vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider, or call 911 if it is an emergency.

With the vaccination effort now turning to the Phase 2 priority group—all

residents 16 years old or older—county leaders are encouraging everyone to preregister for an appointment.

Anyone who lives or works in Virginia may pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine in one of two ways: online, at vaccinate.virginia.gov, or by phone by calling 1-877-829-4682.

People can also look for available appointment slots at pharmacies and other locations near them by going to vaccinefinder.org. Those entities do not coordinate their registrations with the Health Department.

As health workers pursue herd immunity and a safe, full reopening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Loudoun Health Department continue to recommend that even fully vaccinated people take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, such as hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing.

Loudoun County also continues to offer free COVID-19 testing weekly. More information about COVID-19 testing opportunities is online at loudoun.gov/covid19testing. n

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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

APRIL 15, 2021

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

FLEETWOOD FARM | DELAPLANE

35487 SNAKE HILL RD | MIDDLEBURG

$10,700,000 | Fleetwood Farm - West showcases the rolling hills and majestic mountain views Virginia's Hunt Country is known for. 17 parcels totaling 1327+/- acres of mature farmland, this massive plot sits just 60 miles west of DC. On the property are 4 rental homes and a historic stone mill, c. 1820, Crooked Run, and pond.

$5,500,000 | Mortgage Hall is situated in the heart of hunt country minutes from historic Middleburg. The 121-acre estate boasts a Georgian Mansion built in 1850 that currently operates as a destination event venue and horse farm. With scenic views of the countryside and Bull Run Mountains the “manor house” is the perfect venue or family home.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

21167 TRAPPE RD | UPPERVILLE

3194 LOST CORNER RD | DELAPLANE

$3,950,000 | Stunning manor home w/ 4 BD/3 bathrooms, & 3 half bathrooms w/ a beautiful lake view on 166 lush acres. This light-filled home features exposed beams, exquisite HW floors, updated bathrooms, custom cabinetry, & countertops. Large kitchen island, numerous living spaces, & back porch make this home an entertainer's delight.

$2,700,000 | Feel a world away from it all in this luxurious stucco retreat just 20 min from Historic Middleburg. This 6 BD, 4.5 BA, 5,200+ square foot home was recently built in 2018 by AAA contractor Gretchen Yahn with the highest quality materials. Enjoy meaningful moments with loved ones in the large, open kitchen and living room.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

UNDER CONTRACT

315 HANDLEY AVE | WINCHESTER

8632 ANDERSON AVE | MARSHALL

$665,000 | Charming Historic farmhouse located on over half an acre close to the shops and restaurants in the Historic district of Winchester. This home has four large bedrooms, high ceilings, a wraparound porch, large patio and lots of space in the yard. Established landscaping adds to the charm and character of this private lot. In addition, it has off street parking and a two-car garage. Enjoy the luxury and convenience of living intown while having the privacy afforded by a large lot.

$329,000 | If you are looking for a quaint move-in ready home near the attractions of Marshall, The Plains, and Middleburg then this is the home for you! This all brick Cape Cod with 1,000+/- finished square feet boasts refinished hardwood flooring, freshly painted rooms, an updated main level bathroom, 2 main level bedrooms.

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | AT O KA P R O P E R T I E S . C O M MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV