Loudoun Now for June 15, 2023

n LOUDOUN

6 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 8, NO. 30

10 | n PUBLIC SAFETY

14 | n EDUCATION

19 | n LEGAL NOTICES

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

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JUNE 15, 2023

And They’re Off Monday wrapped up a little over two weeks of graduation ceremonies for Loudoun County Public Schools seniors.

The Academies of Loudoun started it off May 24 with a ceremony at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University. Riverside, Woodgrove, Dominion, Independence and Tuscarora high schools were the final five schools to hold ceremonies June 12.

The Woodgrove High School Class of 2023 honored senior Collette Baine, who died Aug. 27, 2022, the second day of school, by holding a moment of silence and hearing from Baine’s best friend, George Hughes who helped organize school fundraisers to benefit The Epilepsy Foundation throughout the school year.

This year 6,356 seniors graduated, with 70% planning to attend a four-year university and 17% planning to attend a two-year school. Sixty-nine division grads are joining the military, 356 are entering the workforce and 108 are taking a gap or a service year, according to division spokesperson Dan Adams.

— Alexis Gustin Woodgrove High School seniors walk into the gymnasium on June 12.

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Round Hill Utility Customers Urge Delay of Rate Hike

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Following a standing-room-only public hearing last week, the Round Hill Town Council held a rare special meeting Tuesday night to discuss whether to move ahead with its plan for a 24% utility rate hike.

They emerged from the 90-minute work session with a majority saying they

intended to stick to that plan when it came to a formal vote the following night.

The June 7 hearing followed five months of study by the council on how to finance a list of high-ticket capital projects and keep pace with soaring inflation.

While the debates during those meetings garnered little public attention, a letter from Mayor Scott Ramsey mailed to all utility customers last week explaining the plan brought a crowd.

Overwhelmingly, speakers said a 24% rate hike was too much as their families struggle with rising prices at the grocery store and many other areas of their lives. Most urged the council to delay the planned construction projects for another year or two and to adopt a more modest increase.

Round Hill has generally had lower rates than the other Loudoun towns, especially for in-town users. The town

adopted a similar 26% rate hike in 2007 to rebalance the system’s finances, but user rates increased only 12% over the subsequent 15 years.

But with new system upgrades needed and relatively few new users coming onto the system, rates could increase by 44% over the next five years, according to the latest rate study.

UTILITY RATES continues on page 37

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SEIU Files for Vote on Unionizing County Employees

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County government employees organized by Service Employees International Union Virginia 512 on Friday filed a petition triggering a vote on whether they will unionize.

The third-party labor relations administrator, Keith D. Greenburg, will set a date for the election.

Entering a petition required getting signatures from at least 30% of the employees who would be represented by a union. If a majority of county employees vote for a collective bargaining representative—likely the SEIU—that organization would become their representative.

SEIU Loudoun Chapter President Julius Reynolds during a press conference outside the county government building Friday called it “a great day in Loudoun County, both for employees and the community we serve every day.”

“So many of my coworkers have struggled with challenges on the job like the

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

SEIU Virginia 512 Loudoun Chapter President Julius Reynolds speaks at a rally outside the county government center Oct. 13, 2022.

lack of respect or poor working conditions that have made it nearly impossible to stay on the job despite their passion for

the work,” he said.

“Often our work can go unnoticed or underappreciated, but boy let me tell you, the residents would certainly notice if we didn’t do our work,” SEIU member and county planner Stacey Fedewa said. “We have to make sure the developers are following the rules for their projects, that our parks are clean and well maintained, we have technology for our firefighters and other employees, our rec centers remain accessible for people of all abilities in this great community. We clearly do so much to make this county a great place to live.”

“Today, by filing for your union vote, you send a clear message to everyone that every single working family, no matter the job you do, no matter the color of our skin, the country we come from, the language we speak, who we love, who we pray to, that every working person is deserving of dignity and respect, and that means a voice on the job through a union,” SEIU Virginia 512 President David Broder said.

County government employees are among several groups of public employ-

ees seeking to unionize. County firefighters have already voted to be represented by the Loudoun Career Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 3756, and are negotiating a contract with the county now. A School Board committee is discussing a resolution that will lay out the process and parameters for collective bargaining, the step before filing a petition for a vote.

“This contract is going to allow our public service workers the right to collectively bargain and to give us a seat at the table when the decisions are made,” Loudoun firefighters union President John Myers said. “This seat gives employees the ability to fight for better pay, better benefits and better working conditions while also retaining top talent.”

“I want, I need, the employees who make Loudoun County run to be a part of the decision-making that impacts all Loudoun County residents and employees,” Loudoun Education Association President Sandy Sullivan said.

Reynolds said they expect the vote later this summer. n

School Board Gets First Look at LEA’s Collective Bargaining Resolution

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN

agustin@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Education Association President Sandy Sullivan on June 5 presented LEA’s collective bargaining resolution to the Legislative & Policy Committee of the Sullivan School Board.

The School Board directed the committee to draft a collective bargaining resolution for the board to consider.

Committee Chair Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian) said Monday the committee invited LEA to present their resolution so they could hear their recommendation.

Sullivan was joined by English Learning teacher Cory Brunet and Moriah Allen, a staff attorney for the Virginia Education Association statewide teacher’s union.

Sullivan said when the General Assembly allowed for local governing bodies to adopt collective bargaining, there wasn’t a lot of guidance given. She said

they crafted their resolution with five goals in mind: to create an interactive and collaborative working relationship between LEA, administrators and School Board members; to be simple enough that employees and administrators don’t need attorneys; to minimize the cost of collective bargaining to maximize the funds for students and employees; to incorporate existing division procedures and policies; and comply with all laws and regulations.

“Implementing collective bargaining should not result in steep costs or require hiring additional staff or experts,” she said. “Our proposed resolution envisions administrators sitting down with their employees to come to mutual agreement over working conditions and ways to improve schools.”

She said when disputes or allegations that the collective bargaining resolution isn’t being followed arise, LEA’s proposed resolution calls for the School Board to step into the dispute resolution process, just like they do now to hear and decide employee grievances and enforce its own policies.

“The structure should feel familiar and comfortable to School Board

members,” she said.

The LEA resolution includes policy statements, definitions including what bargaining units are and the scope of collective bargaining, and rights of employees and the employer which Sullivan said are modeled after the National Labor Relations Act, a federal labor law. It includes the ability for employees to speak to one another about the union and working conditions and maintains that collective bargaining will not infringe on School Board managerial decisions like hiring, drafting job descriptions and establishing budgets. It also outlines the duties and rights of the exclusive bargaining representative, the union elected by employees to represent them in bargaining, along with certification and decertification procedures for the exclusive representative, procedures for elections including, procedures for bargaining, and what happens in case of an impasse, prohibited conduct or unfair labor practices.

The resolution sets up two proposed bargaining units: one for certified or licensed employees, and one for support staff. Allen said the resolution defines collective bargaining in a way that

does not diminish the School Board’s authority.

“The balance that we are trying to strike between ushering in this new legal regime but then also recognizing that the School Board maintains ultimate authority to supervise and manage and administer the school division, that’s constitutional,” she said. “We are very aware of that, and also the state collective bargaining statute made it very clear that in no way could collective bargaining impair your budgeting authority.”

Allen said the School Board maintains its right to establish the budget, write job descriptions, set staffing levels, hire, fire, assign positions and promote.

She said the rights of the employee are to unionize, vote for or against an exclusive representative by secret ballot, discuss with each other if collective bargaining is wanted or not and other activities that concern them.

“At its core, it’s about employee free choice. There is no collective bargaining if it’s not something employees voted for.

So, the resolution has to put employees at COLLECTIVE BARGAINING continues on page 5

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Collective bargaining continued from page 3 its center,” she said.

As a result, she said the resolution includes a section on employee rights that would be new in the division. There is also a section on the rights of the exclusive representative if one is elected.

“It’s important that the school division honor that selection so it can’t negotiate with another organization. That is the one bargaining representative that the School Board, through its designees, is permitted to engage in negotiations with about matters that are within the definition of collective bargaining.”

Rights of the union include certifying elections, getting access and information on unit employees, deducting dues and bargaining contacts.

Allen went through the election process and pointed out that elections aren’t on a regular cycle like School Board members are and said an election has to be triggered by 30% of employees—a number that comes from federal labor policy—saying they want an election and confirmed by a neutral party.

She said elections are by secret ballot per state statute. According to the pro-

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

posed resolution, decertification of an exclusive representative can’t happen until one year after a successful certification election and is not allowed during the term of a collective bargaining agreement except during a narrow window—about 30 days before a contract is about to expire—which John Beatty (Catoctin) said fell in the middle of the school year when no one would be paying attention.

Allen said it was important after an election that the representative have a chance to get its bearings and negotiate a first contract and allow it to be in effect for a year.

Allen said the resolution proposes bargaining over wages, hours and scheduling, retirement, benefits, health and safety, work rules, evolutions, discipline, quality of life issues, and other terms and conditions of employment.

“All of this is permissive and none of it is required or mandatory. The sole requirement would be that we come together in good faith,” she said. “But there is no such thing as mandatory bargaining law in Virginia. It’s all permissive. Whether a resolution is even passed is within the School Board’s discretion and there is no overarching state agency or federal agency with jurisdiction over collective bargaining in Virginia that can require negotiations.”

PAGE 5

She said when there is an impasse in negotiations, the resolution proposes a process that begins with mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which she noted wouldn’t cost anything. If that doesn’t work an appeal to a labor management panel would be the next and final step and would be binding on both sides. She said the panel would have a School Board appointee, an LEA appointee and a neutral person both parties agree on.

“There are ways to go about resolving conflict that can be cost effective and allow both the School Board and the exclusive representative to continue to have a voice in the process,” she said.

Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) pointed out that the resolution states that the cost of impasse procedures would be covered by the division and asked why it wouldn’t be shared with LEA. Allen said there were a couple of places in the resolution that noted the School Board would cover the costs, including impasse and the election of an exclusive representative. She said LEA didn’t expect the election costs to be more than a onetime occurrence and said they felt that one time cost in the interest of “ushering in new policy” was something the School Board could support. She said they don’t

envision impasses going beyond mediation but if they did, they felt the board should accept those costs in the interest of reaching an agreement.

“I can say very openly and transparently we have implemented cost sharing everywhere else we have successfully worked on these resolutions and gotten positive School Board responses,” she said. “We are willing to share in the cost of an election and share in the cost of the neutral required on an impasse panel or on resolving unfair labor practice allegations.”

And Allen said under the proposal’s “evergreen” clause, as one agreement is coming to an end and a new one is being negotiated, the former one remains in effect until a new one is agreed on, so as not to wipe out the progress that has already been made.

The next step is a closed session where the School Board will draft its proposal.

The School Board adopted a resolution to allow collective bargaining between the board and certain school employees March 28, 2023. The board will vote on or reject a resolution by Dec. 31, 2023.

After a resolution is adopted, school employees can file another petition triggering a vote among employees on whether to be represented by a union. n

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JUNE 15, 2023

ON THE Agenda

Loudoun

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The historic Union Street School in Leesburg.

Supervisors Consider Union Street School Lease

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

One of the first passenger trains along Metro’s Silver Line extension into Loudoun arrives at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022.

Supervisors Debate Local Metro Rules

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors on Tuesday mulled over whether offenses like skipping the fare or going barefoot on Metro in Loudoun should be criminal offenses.

With Metrorail serving jurisdictions across the region, each must adopt its own ordinances on conduct on the train for local law enforcement and Metro police to adopt. And some board members were troubled that something like wearing roller skates on the train could result in a criminal record.

Supervisors previously deferred action on a local ordinance governing behavior on Metro trains and buses over those same concerns, voting narrowly for Vice Chair Koran T. Saines’ (D-Sterling) request to add an option for civil penalties.

Those could escalate into criminal matters with repeat offenses. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is seeking consistent local regulations across the system for the Metro Transit Police Department to enforce.

The ordinance proposed by county staff members treats various offenses—ranging from spitting on the train to riding on the

top of the train—as misdemeanors. In particular, Metro and county staff members advised that fare jumping should be a Class 2 misdemeanor, upgrading to a Class 1 misdemeanor for a second offense within a year.

Class 2 misdemeanors are punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Class 1 misdemeanors are punishable by up a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

“These crimes—marking or drawing on a railcar or station, having no shoes on, spit or expectorating, discarding litter, wearing roller skates, riding a bicycle or skateboard—these could in theory put a criminal offense on a person’s record for the rest of their lives,” Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said.

“I’m thinking of a 20-something that is doing something that’s silly, and then a few years down the road they’re looking to get a security clearance and unable to do that,” Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) said.

Others argued civil penalties are unenforceable.

“The reality of it would be, you can do these things and nothing will happen to you, nothing from a law enforcement

perspective,” Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) said.

And some at the meeting argued fare evasion is related to other more serious crimes.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), a member of Metro’s board of directors, said there have already been 21,000 instances of fare evasion in Loudoun since the Silver Line began service.

“That’s over a million dollars in lost revenue to Metro, at a time when our system is about to see true fiscal cliff with a $750 million deficit,” Letourneau said.

“That’s the financial side. That’s not the real reason to do this. The real reason to do this is because we have a crisis of public confidence and safety on our system.”

Letourneau said violence from neighborhoods Metro serves is spilling onto the system.

“Randy Clarke, our GM, has a saying, which is that not everyone who fare evades is a criminal, but every criminal on the system fare evades,” he said. “So if we are able to stop at the point of entry, as the chief said, then we really will contribute to METRO RULES continues on page 8

County supervisors on June 14 will hold a public hearing on plans to lease the Union Street School property in Leesburg to the Loudoun Freedom Center.

The lease would fall under the county’s Resident Curator Program, through which the county leases publicly owned historic properties for low prices but with requirements to maintain or renovate the property and make it available to the public. In the case of Union Street, the county is considering a five-year, $1 annual lease, with the county conducting routine maintenance of the structure and of major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, with the Loudoun Freedom Center responsible for day-to-day maintenance and operations and taxes. County staff reported the center has provided documentation that it can afford the upkeep.

The center would also have to wait until the county completes a renovation project on the school building, one of the buildings on the property, before moving into that one.

The building, which during the 1930s was known as the Leesburg Training School, was built as an elementary school for Black children in 1883 during the Jim Crow Era. It was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register last year.

The Loudoun Freedom Center, founded by NAACP Loudoun President Michelle Thomas, works to preserve and share the history ON THE AGENDA continues on page 8

JUNE 15, 2023

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 7

Supervisors to Consider Regional Fair Housing Plan

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Supervisors are preparing to approve the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Regional Fair Housing Plan, a federally-required plan for tackling fair access to housing across the region.

And, the plan notes, segregation is on the rise in Loudoun and across the region.

Loudoun is required to adopt a plan by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development because the county receives HUD funding. Supervisors on June 14 will hold a public hearing on the plan created with the input of eight MWCOG jurisdictions, the 2021-2025 Metropolitan Washington Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Report.

The plan also focuses on increasing access to affordable housing. And with the region sharing, commuters, housing challenges, and neighborhoods that often reflect historic patterns of segregation, Loudoun joined the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Montgomery, and Prince William; the cities of Alexandria and Gaithersburg; and Washington, DC in writing a regional plan.

“People choose to live in this region for many reasons—healthy neighborhoods, good schools, and access to jobs, to name a few. But many aren’t treated equally when it comes to housing and other opportunities.

This is especially true for residents of color, those with low incomes, and people with disabilities,” reads an executive summary by lead author Diane Glauber, Director of the Fair Housing and Community Development Project at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and Urban Institute Senior Fellow Peter Tatian.

They noted that areas with more residents of color often have higher poverty rates and less access to good schools, transportation and jobs. And they wrote that local governments in the region have made efforts to increase access to safe and affordable housing with zoning changes and more funding, but that those efforts compete with commercial development pushing prices up and the region’s high cost of land.

The plan cites the U.S. Census Bureau’s Dissimilarity Index, Isolation Index and Exposure Index, tools used for a mathematical calculation of housing segregation, how many people live near people of other racial or ethnic groups, and how many share neighborhoods with them.

“People choose to live in this region for many reasons—healthy neighborhoods, good schools, and access to jobs, to name a few. But many aren’t treated equally when it comes to housing and other opportunities.

— Diana Glauber Director, Fair Housing and Community Development Project

All of those measures have trended toward greater segregation since 2010, they note.

Loudoun is slightly ahead of the region on that measure. The report notes Loudoun sees relatively low levels of segregation between white populations and Black and Asian or Pacific Islander populations, and moderate levels between white and Hispanic populations. In all combinations, the county reports a lower Racial/Ethnical Dissimilarity Index between white people and other racial and ethnic groups than the region as a whole.

However, those indexes have also been trending upward in Loudoun in all instances since 1990, especially measuring segregation between white and Hispanic populations.

Additionally, non-white populations in Loudoun are more likely to live below the federal poverty line and live further from jobs.

The region as a whole is considerably more racially and ethnically diverse than the country at large. According to the housing plan, nearly a quarter of the region’s population is Black, compared to less than half that, 12%, in the U.S. at large. The region’s Hispanic population at just under 16% is slightly less than the nationwide 18%, but is growing quickly, and the region’s population is 10% Native American and about 10% Asian American or Pacific Islander. Less than 1% of the nation’s population is Native American, and 6% is Asian HOUSING PLAN continues on page 8

WORKFORCE HOUSING IS ABOUT LOUDOUN’S FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

45%

45%

of Loudoun renters are spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.

More housing options for Loudoun’s workforce are essential to the future of Loudoun.

of Loudoun renters ar spending more than 30% of their monthly Let’s shape Loudoun’s future.

WO N ’ T Y O U J O on I N U Shousing. ? income Workforce Housing Now is not an issue about charity. It’s about the future economic prosperity of Loudoun.

workforcehousingnow.org

Workforce Housing Now is an initiative of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 8

ON THE Agenda continued from page 6

of Black people in Loudoun County, such as with the Belmont Cemetery for the Enslaved and Waterford’s historic John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church.

Loudoun County

The unfinished hotel building on Lizzio Center Drive.

Supervisors Seek Options to Demolish Chantilly Building County supervisors on June 6 directed county staff members to come up with options for demolishing the long abandoned, half-built hotel just off Tall Cedars Drive Chantilly.

According to a county staff report, plans for the 161,000-square-foot Sheraton Dulles South on Lizzio Center Drive were approved in 2008. The hotel was to

Metro rules continued from page 6 safety on the system.”

Chief of Metro Transit Police Chief Mike Anzallo said stopping people for fare evasion often ends in an arrest.

“When somebody fare evades into the Metro system our officers will stop them,

Housing rules continued from page 7 American or Pacific Islander.

Loudoun is less racially and ethnically diverse than the region as a whole, but still more so than the national average.

Additionally, about 9% of the region’s population has a disability. The report also notes the many languages spoken in the region.

In a regional survey conducted for the plan, 84% of respondents said safe, affordable housing is hard to find, and 13% said

include 243 rooms and a banquet hall.

Construction stalled in 2009. The property was sold in foreclosure in 2011, then sold again in 2013 to the current owners, who have been unable to get a hotel franchise and financing for the project. Today, the building is mostly an overgrown lot and a collection of steel beams. The report notes there is evidence people frequently go onto the property.

“We’ve been dealing with this particular structure in my office the entire time I’ve been in office,” district supervisor and longest-serving current supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said.

The county code and state law provide various avenues for the government to demolish a blighted structure and charge the property owner for the work; county staff members are expected to report to the board in July with best options for demolishing that building.

Mortgage Relief Program.

The first clinic at noon June 15 will go over information about the county’s Affordable Dwelling Unit Purchase Program, Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program, Public Employee Grants for Homeownership, and Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities or SPARC. The Fire Marshal’s Office will provide an overview on home fire safety and escape plans at noon June 21.

The county Department of Housing will offer an overview of the county’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program, Rental Unit Accessibility Modification Program and Granting Freedom Program at noon June 22.

And Virginia Housing will offer an overview of the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program at noon June 27.

Registration is required for the workshops. Registration and more information is online at loudoun.gov/housing.

JUNE 15, 2023

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Traffic flows by Farmer John’s Market on Rt. 15 north of Leesburg.

Design work continues on plans to widen Rt. 15 between Battlefield Parkway and Montresor Road north of Leesburg, with the Loudoun County design team moving toward approvals for their design for the first phase of the project.

The first phase of the project will widen Rt. 15 to four lanes from Battlefield Park-

way to Whites Ferry Road. The design team is now seeking approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Town of Leesburg and the county’s Department of Building and Development.

The project team is also coordinating with utility companies to relocate affected utilities, the county reported.

It’s the first phase of larger plans to widen Rt. 15 to four lanes north to Montresor Road. Plans also include floodplain alterations, a new bridge over Limestone Branch, building a roundabout at Montresor Road, and a shared use path along the road from along North King Street from Dry Hollow Road to Rt. 15, then along Rt. 15 to Montresor Road.

The county plans to begin acquiring land for the project this summer.

For more information and to sign up for updates go to loudoun.gov/route15northwidening. n

will write a Virginia uniform summons, we’ll get their name as long as they cooperate, and then we’ll run their name through a law enforcement database to check for any warrants they may have,” he said. “And what we do encounter quite often is that folks we do run through do have open warrants and are subject to arrest.”

If not, he said, they are escorted off

Metro property.

Anzallo said after transit police ramped up enforcement on fare evasion, crime on the system dropped off “tremendously.”

After Washington, DC decriminalized fare evasion, he said, “the only thing we could do is get their cooperation if possible, but if they walk past us, there’s nothing we could do to stop that person.”

Supervisors agreed to send the new

ordinances to a public hearing with offenses classed as misdemeanors.

“We go to criminal justice first in this country. We incarcerate everything, all the time,” Randall said, although she voted yes.

Supervisors voted unanimously to send the ordinance to a July 12 public hearing. n

they have faced discrimination. Attendees of public meetings and focus groups highlighted the lack of affordable housing alongside government failures and racial discrimination.

The Regional Fair Housing Plan proposes a range of strategies, such as work to make more housing available for people earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income, or $91,300 for a family of four.

That targets a lower income level than some previous efforts. It also includes some newer ideas, like low-interest loans to homeowners who want to build an af-

fordable unit on their property, such as a garage apartment.

The plan also calls for changes to zoning and land use policies such as allowing by-right accessory units, incentives for developers to include more affordable units in their projects, and considering fair housing equity when reviewing rezoning proposals.

And the plan calls to preserve existing affordable housing and stop the displacement of residents, along with increasing homeownership in the region, increasing community integration, and increasing ac-

cess to public transportation. That comes with plans to protect the housing rights of federally protected groups like racial minorities and senior citizens, such as expanded housing choice vouchers, greater outreach, and a possible Right to Counsel program providing tenants legal representation in disputes with their landlords.

The plan is now nearing its final approval after almost two years of staff work.

The eight MWCOG jurisdictions began work on the plan in October 2020. All eight must approve the plan before it is sent to HUD. n

County Offers Free Homeownership Classes During Homeownership Month in June, the Department of Housing & Community Development and its community partners will host four free virtual events on buying and owning a home in Loudoun County.

The workshops will offer information on the county government’s homebuyer programs, fire safety, home improvement and repair programs, and the Virginia

County Finalizing Rt. 15 Widening First Phase Plans

JUNE 15, 2023

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

703-956-9470

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JUNE 15, 2023

Leesburg

AROUND Town

Council Briefed on Airport Tower Plans

Input Sought on Crescent District Master Plan

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Town of Leesburg is embarking on a path to build a permanent air traffic control tower at Leesburg Executive Airport after its eight-year investment in remote tower technology comes to an unexpected end.

The Town Council on Tuesday approved funding for the first stage of planning for construction of the new tower project, with the goal of having the system up and running by 2030.

The action follows months of work with leaders in the Federal Aviation Administration after the Feb. 21 announcement that the agency planned to terminate the experimental remote tower program that has guided traffic in and around the airport since 2018.

The council’s Tuesday authorization of a $270,000 allocation to undertake a tower siting study is the first step in what is expected to be a seven-year, $15 million undertaking, with federal and state funds covering most of the costs.

The scramble started with a decision

by Saab, the developer of the remote tower technology, to abandon its effort to win FAA certification for its system after policy changes significantly narrowed its potential use at other airports.

The FAA initially set a June 14 deadline to shut down the system and return the Leesburg airport to uncontrolled airspace.

Town leaders, pilots, and airport-related businesses quickly raised concerns that the decision would increase safety risks. Leesburg is the second-busiest general aviation

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The new mobile air traffic control tower arrived at Leesburg Executive Airport last week. Nicknamed “the tug boat,” the trailer-mounted facility is being outfitted by the Federal Aviation Administration to take over flight control operation when the town’s remote tower system is decommissioned later this summer.

airport in the state, with nearly 80,000 annual take offs and landings according to a report for the town’s Airport Commission.

Over the past several months, town representatives have reported an increasing cooperative effort with FAA leaders to address those concerns.

After extending the operational deadline for the remote system, the FAA agreed to reestablish a mobile tower at the airport, similar to one that was used in the early stages of the remote tower project.

The new tower arrived at the airport last week. It is expected to remain in operation until a permanent tower is constructed. The FAA will pay for the equipment and staffing for the tower. Under the current plan, the town will pick up the lease expenses—estimated at $10,000 per month—but during a Monday night briefing council members urged the staff

to find a revenue source to cover that cost.

According to a timeline presented

by Airport Manager Scott Coffman, the siting study is the first step in the tower construction process. The town plans to use its aviation planning and engineering contractor Talbert & Bright to evaluate potential tower locations in a study expected to take 16 months to complete. That will be followed by a year-long environmental study and then two years of design work.

Construction is expected to begin by February 2028, with completion in October 2030.

Coffman stressed that both the schedule and the cost estimates were preliminary. For airport construction projects, federal and state sources typically pay 98% of the costs. However, as with the siting study, the town may have to advance some funds with reimbursements to follow. n

Noise Complaints Bring Changes at Leesburg Airport

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Following a spike in complaints about noise from airplanes departing Leesburg Executive Airport, pilots-in-training are being encouraged to follow a new flight pattern.

“All the good things we’ve been doing at the airport fortunately—or unfortunately—has increased traffic,” Airport Manager Scott Coffman told the Town Council during a briefing Monday night.

Concerns center on the Evergreen

Meadows neighborhood, located about a half mile from the end of the airport’s runway. The subdivision, built in 2001, borders the no-build Runway Protection Zone and lies within the Airport Impact Overlay Zoning District that requires homebuyers to sign disclosures acknowledging the proximity of the airport and the expectation of aircraft overflights.

After meeting with neighbors, Coffman said the primary source of the complaints was narrowed to the flight patterns used by the five flight schools based at the airport. Specifically, he said pilots were

flying over the neighborhood as they powered up to make a left turn to loop back to the airport for a landing or touchand-go operations.

As a result of talks with the residents, the schools now are being asked to alter the flight pattern to fly farther out and make the turn over the Dulles Greenway/ Leesburg Bypass area. That change, made last week, is expected to lower the noise impacts by flying over neighborhoods at NOISE COMPLAINTS continues on page 11

Town planners and a consultant team will hold two community meetings June 28 to discuss plans to update the Crescent District Master Plan and garner public feedback.

The plan guides redevelopment in the area southeast of the downtown area. The town staff is seeking feedback on what aspects of the plan, adopted 15 years ago, should be refined.

The effort to reexamine the plan followed last year’s approval of a plan to redevelop the Virginia Village shopping center. The process will consider land uses, building heights, architecture, targeted opportunity sites, and housing goals.

The meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the lower level of Town Hall. Learn more at leesburgva.gov/crescentdistrict.

Council Authorizes New Traffic Study The Town Council on Tuesday approved a $382,000 task order for a consultant study of traffic issues in town. The work will include another look at converting some downtown streets—including Market and Loudoun—to one-way roads.

The study will focus on areas inside the Catoctin Circle loop to study existing conditions, analyze turning counts at 27 intersections, predict future traffic conditions and analyze the potential for one-way access on Wirt Street SW, Royal Street SW, Liberty Street SW, and North Street NE. In looking at whether to convert Loudoun and Market streets to oneway corridors, an idea that has been discussed for decades, the town is seeking an analysis the impact on business, parking, and pedestrian in addition to the general traffic impacts.

The study also will assess the potential impacts of the redevelopment of the Liberty Street Parking Lot on the surrounding roadway network.

Also, the consultant will develop a travel demand model that will be AROUND TOWN continues on page 11

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

AROUND Town continued from page 10

tied to the existing model operated by the county government to provide the town staff with additional functionality for planning and project evaluation.

The task order is for a one-year period.

County Seeks Westpark Design Input The county Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is planning an in-person, design public meeting on the Westpark Improvements project for Tuesday, June 27, from 6 to 7 p.m.

The county purchased 134 acres of the former Westpark Golf Course last August.

The county-owned land has been placed into a conservation easement, which will preserve the natural landscape. The Westpark Improvements project includes the design and construction of a passive park. The Board of Supervisors has earmarked $13.4 million for the project, with completion expected in 2027.

At this meeting, residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the design of this future passive park. Comments will be accepted through July 14, through the online comment form at

PAGE 11

loudoun.gov/westparkproperty or by mail to Logan Baird, Loudoun County Department of Transportation & Capital Infrastructure, 101 Blue Seal Drive, Leesburg, VA, 20177.

The meeting will be held at the park department’s office at 742 Miller Drive SE in Leesburg.

served on the seven-member commission from 2008 to 2016. His new term runs through December 2026.

He fills the seat that opened with the resignation of James Corkrey.

Shaw Rejoins Parks Commission

A new exhibit of Loudoun County’s Revolutionary War court records is on display in the Mercer Room at Thomas Balch Library.

The Circuit Court’s Historic Records Division is displaying facsimiles of records highlighting Loudoun’s role in

The Town Council on Tuesday appointed Russ Shaw to fill a vacant seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

A town resident since 2001, Shaw

Revolutionary War Records on Display at Balch

the American Revolution. Visitors will learn what happened in Loudoun on Aug. 12, 1776, who Daniel Coleman was, and how the county provided public relief to military families.

A larger exhibition of Loudoun’s Revolutionary War court records is planned at the historic courthouse during Leesburg’s First Friday event on July 7.

The Balch exhibit is viewable through the end of June during the library’s operating hours: Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. n

Noise complaints continued from page 10 a higher altitude and with lower power.

The schools also are being asked to avoid nighttime repetitive touch-and-go training flights.

Coffman noted that changing the flight pattern is just a guideline to pilots and flight schools. Only the FAA can mandate restrictions, he said.

According to the report prepared for Monday’s Town Council briefing, repetitive flight training traffic has increased since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the airport averaged 4,600 monthly takeoffs/landings. Since July of 2020, the airport has averaged 6,300 flights per month, with summer peaks more than 8,000 per month. Traffic continues to grow, with 8,947 takeoffs/landings reported in May. Residents also are concerned about lead air pollution from aircraft fuel, an issued being raised in many communities across the country. Piston-engine aircraft use low-lead 100 octane fuel, but the FFA is working to develop unleaded fuel for light aircraft, the report stated. n

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Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk speaks during her 2023 State of the Town address June 7 at Town Hall.

Burk Touts Accolades, Successes in State of Town Address

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk last week presented the 2023 State of the Town address, touting a broad assortment of accomplishments and the municipality’s strong fiscal condition.

The June 7 program started with a celebration of accolades received during the past year, highlighted by Fortune magazine rating Leesburg the eighth best place in the United States to live with a family.

Del. David Reid (D-32) presented a General Assembly resolution commemorating the accomplishment. Burk noted the town also was named most beautiful town in Virginia by Travel.com and a top 10 safest place in Virginia by Ramsey Solutions.

“These recognitions are due to the Town Council’s vision and commitment,” Burk said. “As a result, Leesburg has remained a place where people want to live, explore, and start a business. We have retained our history while planning for the future, welcoming a diverse population, and maintaining the values of a smalltown community.”

Among the long list of accomplishments Burk highlighted in her address were the adoption of a new town plan, Legacy Leesburg, that is intended to guide the community development for the next

20 years; launching a Main Street program to better support the downtown commercial district; raising police pay and hiring a new chief; revamping the town’s social media outreach and reinterring the remains recovered from the town’s paupers burial ground to a more fitting Potters Field Memorial.

She also reported on her annual visit to the pre-kindergarten class at Loudoun Country Day School, where the students provide her with mayoral advice.

“Some of the ideas involve the mayor getting everyone ice cream, more playgrounds, helping all the animals in town be safe, and to spread love and peace throughout Leesburg,” she said.

Looking ahead, Burk noted that the town is undertaking a Zoning Ordinance re-write, taking a new look at the Crescent District planning guidelines, working to build a control tower at Leesburg Executive Airport, expanding the police station, reevaluating downtown parking regulations and exploring ways to reduce the town’s environmental impact, among other projects.

“With a solid financial outlook, strong staff support, and an increasingly involved citizenry, I am excited about 2023 and beyond. We met the challenge of the past few years, and the Town Council will continue to do its best to represent the residents with civility and respect,” Burk said. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Leesburg Implements New Downtown Speed Zone Motorists entering Leesburg’s historic district on Monday morning were greeted with new signs imposing a lower 20 mph speed zone on many streets.

The new speed zones were approved by the Town Council in February following the recommendation of the town’s of the Residential Traffic Commission and the completion of a consultant’s engineering and traffic study in 2022.

State law allows localities to adopt the lower speed zones if they conduct a traffic study and install new speed limit signs.

The project resulted in the installation of 82 new speed limit signs, according to the town.

The 20 mph speed zone includes portions of Market, Loudoun, King, Royal, Church, Liberty, South, Cornwall, North, and Wirt streets; Memorial Drive; and Edwards Ferry Road. n

What matters to you matters to us We’re working to meet the growing energy needs of Northern Virginia. We’d like your input on upcoming electric transmission line projects in Eastern Loudoun County and Ashburn.

Attend the Community Meeting most convenient for you: Virtual Meeting: Thursday, June 22, 12-1 p.m.

In-Person Meeting: Thursday, June 29, 5-8 p.m.

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

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

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Tuesday is Primary Day for Democrats

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Democrats finalize their nominees for November’s General Election with a primary vote Tuesday, June 20.

This year’s primary features races in the 26th House of Delegates District between Kannan Srinivasan and Sirisha Kompalli, the 31st Senate District between Zach Cummings and Russett Perry, in the 32nd Senate District between Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) and Ibraheem Samirah, and for Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney between incumbent Buta Biberaj and Elizabeth Lancaster.

There are no Republican primary races in Loudoun this year.

With the latest redistricting, some precincts and polling places have changed. Voters should have received mailed notifications, but you can check where to vote, register to vote and check registration status at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo.

The last day to vote early in-person in the primary is Saturday, June 17. Then polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

June 20 at 7 p.m. is also the deadline to file as a candidate for the November local elections, and for political parties to nominate a candidate. Candidates for the House of Delegates and state Senate have an extra week, until June 26, to file.

Political parties do not place candidates on the ballot for School Board and town councils, although the parties often make endorsements.

Find more information about voting in Loudoun at loudoun.gov/vote, and sample ballots at loudoun.gov/5267/Sample-Ballots.

After the primaries, the race for the November election begins in earnest. Early voting will begin Sept. 22, and the deadline to register to vote will be Oct. 16. This year’s general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Loudoun will see elections in every House of Delegates and state Senate district and every county-level office, including the Loudoun Clerk of the Circuit Court’s eight-year term, along with some town council and mayoral seats. At the county level, that includes all nine seats on both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board along with the five constitutional officers, the Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue and Commonwealth’s Attorney.

That means Loudoun voters will see at least 14 races on their ballots: a House of Delegates district, a state Senate district, all five county constitutional officers, a district and at-large seat on both the School Board and Board of Supervisors, and up to three candidates for Soil and Water Conservation District director. With Town Council seats on the ballot in Middleburg, Purcellville, Lovettsville, Hamilton and Round Hill, some town residents will vote for more. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Politics

Democrats Push for Education Funds in Final Budget Debate

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Democratic members of Loudoun’s General Assembly delegation gathered outside the Loudoun Education Association headquarters June 7 to spur support for a state budget proposal that would add $1 billion to public schools rather than one that would provide that money in tax breaks they said would benefit corporations and wealthy Virginians.

The program was part of a fivestop “Show Your Values” tour organized by the Freedom Virginia political advocacy organization. It was attended by Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-33), Del. Irene Shin (D-86), Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87), Del. David Reid (D-32), Del. Vivian Watts (D-39), Loudoun Education Association President Sandy Sullivan, and Loudoun County School Board Member Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian), who is seeking the 27th District

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Del. David Reid speaks during a June 7 gathering of Democratic members of Loudoun’s General Assembly delegation to support adoption of the state Senate’s budget amendments.

House seat in November.

The push comes as the General Assembly prepares to return to Richmond in the coming weeks to

break the budget stalemate. Central sticking points between the budgets BUDGET DEBATE continues on page 15

Dems Decry Conservative ‘Dark Money’ in Primary; Lancaster Misses Another Campaign Finance Deadline

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Democratic Committee Chair Avram Fechter on Monday issued a statement decrying spending from a conservative Super PAC, Mission America PAC, supporting Elizabeth Lancaster in her Democratic primary seeking to unseat Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj.

The group spent $50,177, evenly split between anti-Biberaj and pro-Lancaster expenditures, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Meanwhile, Lancaster said she is seeking to run an unconventional campaign.

“Early on I realized this is an incredible learning process as far as what the barriers to entry are to get into politics, and it seems to me un-

Lancaster

less you’re independently wealthy or semi-retired, who has the time to do eight hours a day of call time?” Lancaster said.

Fechter said the spending appears aimed to get non-traditional Democrats to vote in the primary, which he said mirrors a similar effort by Fairfax Republicans in that county’s

Democratic primary.

The PAC’s previous donors were the Republican Senate majority funds of Oklahoma and Kansas. Its next donation disclosures are not due until July.

“The Loudoun County Democratic Committee is prohibited from making endorsements in contested Democratic Primaries, but I, as Chair, have a duty to inform our members when it appears Republican ‘dark money’ is attempting to interfere in our primaries,” Fechter stated. “I call on all Loudoun County voters who want to ensure that candidates who represent the values of and principles of the Democratic Party win our primaries to ensure that they vote on or before June 20th.”

Independent Super PACs like DARK MONEY continues on page 37

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Budget debate continued from page 14 supported by the Democrat-led Senate and Republican majority House include where to direct tax relief, how much more to invest in mental health services, and how much to increase educational funding to improve security, teacher salaries and post-pandemic student performance.

The Assembly adopted a fiscal year 2024 spending plan last year as part of the commonwealth’s biennial budget. The debate is over amendments to that plan.

Assembly members characterized the budget choice as being between House Republicans’ efforts to hand tax cuts to large corporations and the wealthy or the Democratic Senate’s proposal to provide needed investments in public schools.

“The budget is about priorities and a vision for what we want Virginia’s future.

And the investment that we are asking to be made from the Senate’s budget is about the priorities of funding education today in the commonwealth, and also establishing the foundation for a future that provides educational services across the entire commonwealth,” Reid said.

He said the needs of Virginia’s students are being overlooked as Gov. Glenn Youngkin works to raise his profile on a national level.

“We have to make a decision when we go back to be able to have these discussions about whether or not we’re investing in the educational system in Virginia, not only for the parents, the children, the communities and the future of Virginia, or whether or not we’re making a political statement that just benefits the governor as he is looking at what he is selling in New Hampshire or Iowa. It’s much easier to be able to go to one of those places and say you did a billion dollar tax cut than it

is to say that you fully funded the [Standards of Quality], or you brought teacher salaries up to up to the national average,” Reid said.

LEA President Sandy Sullivan said the funding contained in the Senate budget would have a big impact in Loudoun’s classrooms.

“For a state that has the fifth highest median household income in the country it’s an absolute embarrassment that we receive an F grade from the Education Law Center when it comes to funding efforts for our school,” Sullivan said. “Our children, our families and our educators deserve better.”

She said the Senate budget would provide an additional $34.7 million for Loudoun schools, funding needed for specialized support staff and English learner teaching positions. She also noted that the state has yet to address a state administrative accounting error that left Virginia school divisions with funding shortfalls.

“Republicans are so intent on these costly tax giveaways for the rich that they didn’t even have the necessary funds to fix the $201 million calculation error from Governor Youngkin’s Department of Education, which leads school districts across Virginia with less money from the state than they anticipated,” she said.

Boysko said the Senate plan would help fund hundreds more counselors, social workers, and other support staff in Loudoun’s school division.

“In the next few weeks, we have a choice between spending a billion dollars to ensure that our children have the world-class education that they deserve, and giving away a billion dollars to mostly corporate handouts and tax giveaways,” Boysko said.

“Honestly, to me it seems really obvious that we need to make sure that our children’s education is the top priority.” n

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JUNE 15, 2023

Education

SCHOOL notebook

School Board to Release Independent Report to Prosecutors, Not to Public

Second Woodgrove High School Entrance Planned

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN

agustin@loudounnow.com

The School Board announced June 7 it won’t challenge the recent court order to give prosecutors a copy of the independent investigation into the district’s handling of two sexual assaults committed by the same assailant at two schools.

The board was split on the decision.

The majority said they do not agree and still believe, despite a judge’s ruling, the report is privileged attorney-client information and attorney work product, However, they concluded it was better for the Loudoun community to not contest the matter further, according to a statement issued by the division.

The report will remain confidential and only be seen by those involved in the cases against former superintendent Scott Ziegler and their lawyers, according to the statement, despite Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher’s ruling that the report is not protected by attorney-client privilege. Fisher also said it

Board Extends Smith’s Contract Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Members of the School Board and a large crowd at the May 9 meeting.

seemed several closed session meetings of the School Board appeared to violate open meetings law.

The independent investigation by Fairfax law firm Blankingship & Keith was

hired to investigate how the division handled two sexual assaults by the same stuASSAULT REPORT continues on page 18

Byard’s Motion to Dismiss Denied Again

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN

agustin@loudounnow.com

Loudon County Public Schools spokesperson Wayde Byard’s second attempt to have his perjury indictment dismissed was denied by a Loudon County judge Thursday.

Byard’s felony perjury indictment springs from a special grand jury investigation into the school district’s handling of two sexual assaults by the same student at two different high schools.

Byard told the grand jury he only became aware of the sexual assault at Stone Bridge High School “months” later after the second assault happened at Broad Run High School. Emails unearthed in the special grand jury investigation show he was fielding emailed questions about the repeated sexual assaults within days of the second one. And the high-profile arrest at a School Board meeting of Scott Smith, the father of the

The School Board on June 13 voted to authorize an additional entrance to Woodgrove High School connecting Rt. 690 through the county-owned Fields Farm property and to transfer $5.93 million to build the road.

The vote adds the project and its funding to the division’s Capital Improvement Projects.

On April 18 the Board of Supervisors ended its Woodgrove High School/Fields Farm Park Road project and transferred the remaining funds to the division’s CIP. There is $5.93 million still available of the project’s $7.8 million budget.

first victim, occurred between the two assaults, and the next month Byard met Smith’s wife in the lobby of the school administration building when she was asking about how to obtain an incident report about an assault that happened at school. Byard told her to file it with the Sheriff ’s Office.

Byard’s attorney, Jennifer Leffler of LefflerPhillips, argued Former Assistant Attorney General Carlton J. Davis, who was appointed to serve as special counsel to the special grand jury, routinely gave personal opinions and commentary that were designed to influence the special grand jury and therefore violated Virginia code. She listed six times she claimed he did this and alleged his opinions are “clearly parroted in the SGJ report.”

Special prosecutor Theo Stamos, in her opposition to Byard’s motion to dismiss, said it was “another meritless allegation of prosecutorial misconduct.”

She said Leffler’s motion deliberately misrepresents the exchanges between Davis and witnesses as being between Davis and the special grand jury.

Stamos said Davis wasn’t in court when Byard testified and stated that the special grand jury didn’t need to be influenced, because the crime of perjury was committed in front of them. She also said half the quotes Leffler claims are objectionable happened after Byard was indicted. She argued Davis’s comments have nothing to do with Byard’s indictment.

Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher agreed and said although Leffler’s argument was interesting he found no connection between Davis’ commentary and Byard’s perjury indictment and denied the motion to dismiss.

Prosecutors also sought to have BYARD MOTION continues on page 18

The School Board on June 13 voted to amend Acting Superintendent Daniel Smith’s agreement to remain in his position until the new superintendent assumes office.

The amendment states the board wishes to extend his term until a “permanent superintendent begins employment for the board or

by October 1, 2023, whichever is sooner.” Previously his time as interim superintendent was set to end June 30.

The agreement also amended Smith’s compensation and benefits to include monthly salary of $25,197 starting July 1, a raise from his current $24,583 a month. Smith is also entitled to receive a raise if additonal division-wide raises are given after July 1 “equivalent to the average combined step increase and/or cost of living adjustment given to all other employees.” The amendment also gives Smith the option to choose to receive a cash payment for up to 15 sick leave days, at a per diem rate calculated by his then current monthly salary divided by 20.

It also states Smith can choose to return to his former position, Chief of Staff, and states he will be allowed to serve in that position ON THE AGENDA continues on page 17

JUNE 15, 2023

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 17

Everybody has a Favorite

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A picture of then Chief of Staff Daniel Smith last summer helping unload food at an elementary school for the summer meal program.

Schools Summer Meal Program to Return Free meals will again be provided this summer at eight locations to Loudoun County Public Schools students ages 18 and younger.

All meals must be eaten at the school or site location, food cannot be taken offsite, and parents or guardians aren’t allowed to pick up meals to take home.

Summer meals will be provided July 10-28, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Forest Grove Elementary School, Frederick Douglass Elementary

School, Guilford Elementary, Park View High School, Rolling Ridge Elementary, Sterling Elementary School and Sugarland Elementary School.

Meal services will also be available at Sterling Library June 15-Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No meals will be provided at the library June 19 and July 4.

Meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For additional food assistance go to loudounfeeds.org. n

SCHOOL notebook

members Denise Corbo (At-Large), Vice Chair Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn) and Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run).

The name change is also supported by the Costello family, the Broad Run Parent Teacher Student Organization and the school’s Athletic Booster Club.

Costello was a teacher and coach at Broad Run High School for over 25 years and was known for his care and compassion for students and athletes, according to the letter from Spage. Costello lived in the Ashburn community for nearly 30 years and has four children who are alumni of the school. He died in a car accident Dec. 8, 2022. The 2022-23 school year was to be his final year of teaching.

The name change is for a period of 10 years. n

continued from page 16

for 12 months or be compensated for 12 months unless he’s fired for any reason. If he returns to Chief of Staff his annual salary will be what it was Dec. 6, 2022 plus any salary increases earned while serving as Acting Superintendent.

Broad Run Gym Renamed John Costello Gym The School Board voted June 13 to rename the Broad Run High School gym the John Costello Gym. Principal David Spage requested the change with the support of School Board

VOTING NOW OPEN FOR THIS YEAR’S LOUDOUN NOW FAVORITES.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TODAY! loudounnow.com/favorites Voting ends on July 1st, 2023.

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JUNE 15, 2023

Assault report continued from page 16 dent months apart in 2021. The report has been hidden from public disclosure since it was completed, with the School Board claiming it is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Fisher ruled on May 30 that the Blankingship & Keith report is not protected under attorney-client privilege and ordered it be turned over to special prosecutor Theo Stamos within seven days.

The action is part of pre-trial motions in the prosecution of Ziegler on three misdemeanor charges arising from a special grand jury investigation conducted last year.

Stamos had subpoenaed the independent report March 2 saying it was “material to criminal charges” pending against Ziegler.

The School Board held a vote Feb. 14

Byard motion continued from page 16 school division Director of Communication and Community Engagement Joan Sahlgren declared an adverse witness.

Special Assistant to the Attorney General Jason Faw said the intent was not to imply she would be untruthful to help Byard.

Faw called Sahlgren to testify Thursday in which she answered questions establishing how long she’s been with the division, what the chain of command is in the office, where her office is in relation to Byard’s and her relationship with him.

Local Leadership.

Local Assets.

Local Needs.

on whether to waive attorney-client privilege. That vote failed 6-3 with Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run), John Beatty (Catoctin) and Denise Corbo (At-Large) voting to release it.

In April 2022, a different Loudoun Circuit Court judge ruled the B&K report fell under attorney-client privilege saying it was “abundantly clear” it was prepared in anticipation of potential litigation. The School Board has kept the report from the public under the former ruling.

Despite the contradictory rulings, the School Board believes it is still appropriate to “continue to assert attorney-client privilege and attorney work product exemptions” in response to Freedom of Information Act requests, according to the release.

Following the school district’s Wednesday statement, Loudoun Now again requested a copy of the independent report.

That request was denied with the division citing attorney-client privilege exemptions from disclosure. n Leffler argued Sahlgren answered the questions well and proved she has no personal interest in the outcome of Byard’s trial, to which Faw agreed and said she answered them because they were leading questions and that Leffler made his point for him.

Fisher decided to let the trial judge decide whether to declare her an adverse witness. He said he wasn’t sure who will be the trial judge.

Byard has been on unpaid leave since the perjury charge was filed last year. A two-day perjury trial is scheduled for June 20. n

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JUNE 15, 2023

PAGE 19

Appeals Court Overturns Contempt Conviction of Domestic Abuse Victim

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

In September 2021, Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher drew public ire after he jailed a domestic abuse victim, claiming she was intoxicated while giving testimony during the trial of her alleged attacker.

This week, a Virginia Court of Appeals panel joined in the rebuke of that action.

The woman, Katie Orndoff, was testifying in case against James Paige Phillips, who was charged with felony assault and battery of a family member, third or subsequent offense. He was accused of punching her twice in face while she was driving on Rt. 15.

About 80 minutes into Orndoff ’s testimony, Fisher interrupted proceedings to ask her if she was intoxicated. During the exchange, she admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. Fisher declared her in contempt of court and sentenced her to 10 days in jail, the maximum sentence per-

SAFETY briefs Burglary Case Ends with 6-Month Sentence A controversial, two-year old burglary case ended last week when Kevin E. Valle was sentenced to serve six months in jail for a series of burglaries and related charges.

Valle was charged with break-ins at Sterling businesses on May 18, 2021, along with other burglaries in three other jurisdictions over a 10-day span.

The case became controversial last June when Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman disqualified the Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office from prosecuting the case amid his allegations he was not provided with adequate information about the crimes in a proposed plea agreement. The state Supreme Court in December overturned that action, ruling that Plowman did not follow the procedures required for such a disqualification.

Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. took up the case in March when Valle entered a guilty plea to the charges. Following a delay to determine whether to reinstate the CA’s office, Valle was sentenced during a June 8 hearing to four years in prison, with three and a half months suspended on three charges of burglary and destruction of property; and to six months in jail on charges of destruction of property and giving false ID. The sentences are to be served concurrently. He was required to pay $2,289 in restitution to the businesses.

Public Safety mitted. After being held for two days, Orndoff was released from jail on $1,000 bail.

In a June 6 majority opinion written by Judge Vernida R. Chaney, the appeals court found that Fisher “impermissibly exercised the power of summary contempt in violation of Ms. Orndoff ’s rights to notice of the contempt charge, a fair hearing, and representation by counsel.” The panel vacated her conviction.

The key element of the argument was whether Fisher had the required evidence to render a contempt finding. The opinion noted that Fisher initially cited Orndoff ’s in-court admission as the basis for the charge. Her attorney objected that the judge’s questioning violated her due process rights.

However, the panel noted, in Fisher’s 35-page final order, published the following January, the judge reversed his previous

Armed Robbery Hits Sterling Gas Station The Sheriff ’s Office is investigating an armed robbery and assault that occurred at a Sterling convenience store early last Wednesday morning.

According to the report, deputies were called to the Exxon gas station at the Rt. 606/Pacific Boulevard intersection just after 1:30 a.m. June 7. The preliminary investigation revealed that a man entered the store, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. He struck the store employee in the head with the gun before fleeing the area. The employee was treated at the scene.

The suspect was wearing a black face and head covering, a black sweatshirt with “New Balance” written on the chest in white, black gloves, black pants, black shoes, and a black bag.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call Detective T. Rodriguez at 703-777-1021. You may also submit an anonymous tip by calling 703-777-1919 or using the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app.

Shooting Suspect Acquitted by Jury A Reston man charged in connection with the 2022 shooting of three people on North Fillmore Avenue in Sterling was found not guilty during a Circuit Court jury trial last week.

Isaias Lainez-Alvarado was charged with six felonies: three counts of malicious wounding and three counts of use of

statement. He wrote that he did not consider her statement in his ruling. Instead, Fisher said he used that question to confirm his suspicions based on her conduct in court, which included referring to the defendant’s prior criminal history in front of the jury despite instructions not to do so, and rocking back and forth in her seat.

But with the admission excluded, the appeals panel found the judge lacked any evidence of intoxication.

“The circuit court’s recorded factual basis for the contempt finding includes no recorded observations linking the reportedly observed in-court behaviors to the use of any intoxicant,” the opinion noted.

The claim that Fisher misused the power of a contempt finding was one of several challenges to the judge’s actions contained in the appeal. Orndoff ’s attorney Thomas K. Plofchan Jr. also argued that Fisher denied her due process by sentencing her to a period of incarceration, ordering a post-conviction blood test, and ordering the public dissemination of her protected health in-

formation. He also contended Fisher erred in convicting her based on insufficient evidence to prove intoxication and contemptuous intent.

Those additional challenges were not considered by the appeals panel after the initial nullifying factor was determined.

The third member of the appeals panel, Judge Clifford L. Athey, Jr., dissented, writing that he would have determined there was sufficient evidence to support the contempt conviction.

After the original case ended in a mistrial and Orndoff ’s arrest in September 2021, Phillips pleaded guilty to assault and battery in April 2022. He was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $4,805 in court costs.

Plofchan said that in addition to offering vindication for Orndoff, he hoped the ruling would help other domestic abuse victims to not be discouraged from seeking help in the court system, which he said was a natural and wrong consequence of the action taken against her. n

a firearm in commission of a felony.

The charges stem from a June 11, 2022, incident in which deputies were called to an area of North Fillmore Avenue near Fletcher Road where a woman was found suffering gunshot wounds. Two other victims suffered minor injuries and later returned to the scene. All three victims were later released from the hospital, according to the report.

During the investigation and trial, Lainez-Alvarado was identified as the shooter by other suspects involved with the case. While raising questions about their credibility, attorney Thomas K. Plofchan also used dash cam footage showing the shooter involved in the case had a tattoo sleeve on his arm, while Lainez-Alvarado did not.

Fire Marshals estimated damage at more than $500,000 and determined the fire to have been intentionally ignited. The incident remains under investigation.

No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Loudoun County Emergency Communication’s Center at 703-777-0637 and ask to speak to the On-Duty Fire Marshal.

South Riding House Fire Under Investigation The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a June 7 fire that destroyed a South Riding home.

Crews responded to the Leonard Drive home just before 5:30 a.m. last Wednesday after callers reported smoke and fire coming from the residence. Units from Dulles South, Kirkpatrick Farms, Arcola, Moorefield, Metro-Washington Airports Authority, and Fairfax County.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and found significant fire and smoke at the vacant single-family home. In addition to extinguishing the fire, crews used hose lines to cool and protect the neighboring homes.

Shooting Report Draws Heavy Response in Hillsboro The Town of Hillsboro was placed on lockdown for two hours June 8 as tactical response personnel from the Sheriff ’s Office investigated a report of a shooting.

The incident began shortly after 12 p.m. when a diner sitting outside the Stoneybrook Farm & Market reported hearing a loud noise and turned to see two men, at least one with a long gun, in the field across the street. It appeared to witnesses that a round had struck the door of the market nearby.

The Sheriff ’s Office responded quickly and in force to address a potential active shooter case—closing Rt. 9 to traffic and ordering residents to remain indoors. The deputies searched the area for two hours but found no suspects or evidence of shooting.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective A. Perry at 703-777–1021. You may also submit an anonymous tip by calling 703-777-1919 or using the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s app. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

JUNE 15, 2023

Towns

AROUND towns

Western Loudoun Cricket Complex on Hold Amid Community Concerns

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Plans to convert Mickie Gordon Memorial Park on the eastern edge of Middleburg into a cricket complex have been put on hold amid growing community concerns over displacing a historically significant baseball field and impacts the project would have on the rural area.

Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton has joined in raising concerns, meeting with County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) and Loudoun Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Steve Torpy to discuss the project.

During Thursday night’s Middleburg Town Council meeting, several residents urged the town to help prevent the project from overwhelming the area with bright lights and heavy traffic.

Littleton announced that the county’s special exception application for the park expansion has been put on hold, pending plans for a community meeting that could be held as early as this month. The application, filed in May 2022, had been set to begin Planning Commission review.

The 99-acre park got its start as Hall’s Park, owned by William Nathaniel Hall who opened the land as a gathering place for the Black community on special occasions, offered a place for Black baseball teams to compete and hosted integrated games at a time when the sport and the county remained largely segregated.

Today, the property is owned by the School Board, which leases it to the county. In addition to a central lighted baseball field, the park has fields used for other sports including cricket, football, lacrosse, baseball and softball.

The county parks department’s new plan is to develop three competition-level, lighted cricket pitches, providing more space for the county’s fastest growing sport. Matches are played at Mickie Gordon, Bolen Park near Leesburg, Hanson Regional Park near Arcola and a pitch in Sterling.

According to the county parks department, since starting an adult cricket league with seven teams in 2009—the same year a cricket pitch was added to the ballfield at Mickie Gordon Park—the program has

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A cricket pitch in the center of the baseball field at Mickie Gordon Memorial Park was the first installed by the county parks department to accommodate its fastest growing sport.

grown to 60 teams with more than 1,600 players and more on waiting lists. The lighted ballfield at Mickie Gordon was retrofitted to accommodate cricket matches in 2016.

While many of the project’s critics agree that more facilities are needed for cricket teams, they say a rural park far from the county’s population centers isn’t the right location.

In recent weeks, public comment postings to the county’s land use application records site have turned up the opposition.

“This application should be denied.

The ‘improvements’ detailed are far too intensive for this sensitive location in an area of the county that is still overwhelmingly rural. If a recreational facility of this size is needed, it should be located east of Rt 15 along an area where the population can make full use of it and along a portion of Rt 50 that already has the capacity to handle the traffic it will generate,” Mary O’Connor wrote.

“Adding lights and buildings to Mickie Gordon Memorial Park is not only a bad idea, it’s a horrible idea! It should remain a natural park and NOT be developed into an auxiliary Sports Facility for eastern Loudoun County,” Doug Barbour wrote.

“This application should be denied. Rt. 50 west of 15 cannot handle the increase in traffic. Keep the cricket fields east where you have your population AND Rt. 50 is 4 lanes. Keep western Loudoun rural. The

light pollution and the increase in traffic are not necessary when those who will use the cricket fields live mostly to the east,” wrote Joni Novacich. “With so much development from Aldie and east, why not incorporate parks and cricket fields within the never ending development you allow in that area?”

“I oppose this park proposal. It is far more a sports facility than park. It erases the African American historical significance of the park. It will change the rural character of Middleburg area. Put a park where people actually play cricket and avoid increasing traffic,” posted Melissa Gray.

During its June 8 meeting, the Middleburg Town Council considered sending a letter to the county supporting those concerns. In the end, council members agreed to wait until after the parks department completes its public outreach to take a formal position on the application.

“This is not about being against cricket or about the folks who love cricket and enjoy it. I mean, there’s thousands and thousands of people who play cricket in Loudoun County,” Littleton said. “It’s about where’s the right place for a facility to support those folks. I mean, nobody would argue that putting a 300-acre equestrian center in the middle of Ashburn is serving the Ashburn community, but we’d love to have one out here. So it’s about the right stuff in the right place.” n

HAMILTON Gaucher Resigns from Council Council Member Elizabeth Gaucher has resigned from her seat on the Town Council effective June 13.

“I brought my whole heart and mind to serving the town, and it has been a tremendous privilege to work with you and the rest of our team to overcome challenges, plan, strategize, dream, and encourage this town we call home into an even better place than it already is,” Gaucher wrote in her resignation letter to the mayor.

The council is advertising for interested candidates to fill the seat until a special election is held in November. Those interested in running for the seat in the special election must file their documents

by Aug. 18. The winner of the election will serve for the remainder of her term, until December 2024.

This will be the second council seat on the ballot in November with Mayor Kenneth Wine’s former seat being the first. Heather Beardsley was appointed to fill the seat until the election.

“I want to thank Elizabeth for her time on the council, for her insights and such things as that,” Wine said. “I think she’s done a wonderful job since she’s been here.”

Council Adopts Budget The town council on Monday unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Fees and utility rates are unchanged from the previous year at $5.71 for in-town water users and $7.71 for out-of-town water users per 1,000 gallons bi-monthly and up to 8,000 gallons. Current wastewater rates are $10.88 per 1,000 gallons bi-monthly for in-town users and $14.68 for out-of-town users up to 8,000 gallons.

The budget also includes a 3% increase in wages for town staff.

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 22

JUNE 15, 2023

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 21

Hillsboro Celebrated as Appalachian Trail Community

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

A daylong celebration of the Appalachian Trail kicked off Saturday morning in Hillsboro with a ceremony welcoming the town as Loudoun’s newest Appalachian Trail community.

Hillsboro joins Round Hill and Bluemont as Loudoun communities participating in the program of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy with a commitment to help protect the 2,200-mile national scenic trail while promoting sustainable economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy President and CEO Sandra Marra said the AT communities program helps build the hikers’ experiences through support and stewardship.

“They look for more than just the treadway and that 1,000-foot federal corridor. They look for the experience of the Appalachian Trail and that experience includes communities like this. It includes mountains that are uninterrupted with development. It includes the idea of clean water and fresh air as you’re walking through those areas. And people then come to these areas to live for those same kinds of treasures,” she said.

“Communities like yours, supporting hikers, offering really important services, but also when you think about mountainside regulations, when you think about smart development and creating communities that are livable, but also compatible with the natural environment—that’s what really, really ensures that in the next 100 years, the Appalachian Trail that we know today will be here for those next generations,” she said.

Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Matthew Wells said the town’s support of the AT and of the new Sweet Run State Park to the north will have an important impact.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Lovettsville’s new ceremonial gavel and strike block donated by residents Chris Eubanks and Chris Barker.

Lovettsville Residents Donate Ceremonial Gavel Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A daylong celebration of the Appalachian Trail on Saturday in Hillsboro featured a ceremony welcoming the town as Loudoun’s newest Appalachian Trail community.

BY HANNA PAMPALONI

He said every dollar invested in outdoor recreation returns $15 in economic value.

“It connects you all with the powerful economic opportunity—that is Virginia’s $22 billion, outdoor recreation economy,” Wells said. “But none of that happens without partnerships. To preserve our natural resources, to sustain that outdoor economy to create an environment that makes people want to come on to the trail and to come off the trail in your community. That’s bigger than one group, or one agency can do. What it takes is partnerships. And so I want to commend you and the town for taking on this partnership. I think it will pay dividends for you and the state has a role to play in that partnership as well.”

Mayor Roger Vance said that, in addition to providing a welcoming stop for hikers, the town wants to play an active role in helping to maintain the trail starting with an important safety improvement at the trail’s Rt. 9 crossing at Keyes Gap west of town.

“I think everybody’s familiar with that top of the mountain here at the West Virginia border. It’s a pretty treacherous

The Town of Lovettsville last week received a donation of a custom gavel and painted strike block for use at town meetings and for the ceremonial keg tapping at the town’s annual Oktoberfest.

Lovettsville residents Chris Eubanks and Chris Barker presented the town with the custom gavel, which was made by Eubanks’ late friend Brian Gold and engraved by Barker. The strike block was painted by former Town Council member Renee Edmonston.

“Last Oktoberfest, we saw a gap with the device that was used to tap the ceremonial Oktoberfest keg,” Eubanks said. “I recognized that I indeed had a nicer implement that we could use. And so, we set into motion having commissioned that type of device, or a similar device, that would have the town logo and all these things on that device so that the town could have something that they could use in the future.”

However, Gold died earlier this year before completing the gavel and Eubanks said he made the decision to donate his, which Gold had made previously, and have it engraved by Barker who has a small engraving business.

The gavel has the town seal engraved into one end and the words “Town of Lovettsville” along the handle.

“Today, we would like to present this beautiful piece to the town on behalf of Brian Gold and the Barker and Eubanks families,” Eubanks said. n

crossing right now and I think it inhibits a lot of local people from going to the use of trail,” Vance said. Talks are underway about building a safer crossing with lights to alert motorists.

“I’m hopeful by this time next year, we’re going to have those in place and it will be a much more safer crossing for hikers and for local people just using the trail,” Vance said.

Also speaking at the ceremony were U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10), Supervisors Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Caleb Kershner (R-Catoctin), and Potomac Appalachian Trail President Bill Fetig.

Vance said the town’s support is an important investment for the future.

“Everybody needs to understand that we are here temporarily. We’re stewards here for this time. And really, it’s our job to protect it for the next generation,” he said.

The fourth annual Appalachian Trail Festival continued throughout the day with presentations, kids activities, vendors and live music at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School. n

Round Hill Fire House Advances The Round Hill Planning Commission last week approved the preliminary site plan for the new Round Hill Fire-Rescue Station.

The action follows last year’s annexation of the 14-acre property at 41 West Loudoun St, just east of the Sheriff ’s Office substation. The $29 million project is slated to replace the firehouse on Main Street.

The new county-owned facility will have four drive-through bays and living

Samaha Associates

A rendering of the proposed Round Hill Fire-Rescue Station on West Loudoun Street designed by Samaha Associates.

quarters for 15 fire and rescue personnel including locker rooms, and administrative spaces for the career and volunteer personnel, to be constructed to a LEED Silver certification.

Round Hill’s fire company traces its

roots to the early 1900s when firefighters operated with a hand-pulled cart. The Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department formally organized in 1938 when it moved to its current location, the former Lynch Livery stable property at 4 Main St. n

hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

AROUND towns continued from page 20

Polling Location Moves from Church to Elementary School With the adoption of new local election boundaries as part of a redistricting plan, new precinct boundaries and polling places have been adjusted.

The County Registrar has changed the polling location for Hamilton residents from Hamilton Baptist Church to Hamilton Elementary School.

That change starts Tuesday with the Democratic primary voting.

PURCELLVILLE Town Hires Lawrence as Planning Manager Boyd Lawrence was hired last month at the town’s new planning manager. The position has been vacant since Don Dooley’s resignation in January.

Lawrence comes to the town with 20 years of property management experience according to his résumé. His most recent job was real estate management specialist for Montgomery County Public Schools where he oversaw operations for land administration and property management.

He also worked for the Martin County School District in Florida as a transportation planner and then as a capital projects planning specialist. Lawrence has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University.

ROUND HILL Council Authorizes $2.6M in Borrowing Following a lengthy June 7 public hearing on its proposed utility rate hikes, the Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing a $2.6 million bond issue.

The private placement financing—a kind of bank loan—will be done through Huntington Public Capital Corp. with a 5.09% interest rate. The funds will be used to help pay for items on the town’s short-term Utility Fund to-do list, including bringing a new well online, funding emergency repairs at the wastewater treatment plant, and completing safety improvements.

The 20-year note will require debt service payments of about $213,000 annually through 2043.

JUNE 15, 2023

County Closes Purcellville Park and Ride Loudoun County Transit has announced they will permanently close the Purcellville Park and Ride lot effective Monday, July 3.

Commuters who use the existing park and ride lot in Purcellville will be directed five miles east to the Harmony Park and Ride lot located at 39464 East Colonial Highway, in Hamilton. The 250-space parking lot provides daytime free parking for carpools, vanpools and bus riders as well as bike lockers and EV charging stations.

The closing of the park and ride lot also results in changes to bus service within the Town of Purcellville. Routes 391, 483, 883, 884 and 885 will pick up and/or drop off passengers at the Harmony Park and Ride lot beginning with the morning commute on July 3.

On July 3, bus service adjustments will begin and new schedules will be posted at loudoun.gov/busschedules. The bus stop for Route 40, which is operated by Virginia Regional Transit (VRT), will move to Browning Court just outside the current lot. There will be curb parking available.

The existing park and ride lot has temporarily occupied the current location until a new park and ride lot could be built. The county had previously planned to build a new park and ride lot within the Town of Purcellville located south of Allder School Road and adjacent to the

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

The Purcellville Park and Ride lot will be permanently closed as of July 3.

future Route 7/690 interchange.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors canceled the capital project following a vote by the Purcellville Town Council in March to rescind the necessary permissions the county needed to construct the new lot. Since there are no longer plans to construct a new park and ride lot within the Town of Purcellville, the temporary property will be returned to its owner for other uses.

The vote to rescind the permissions came two weeks after the town had voted to approve the lot with a 5-2 vote.

The lot was one of several county projects in town that had been waiting for permits and approvals for more than two years. Another application next to the commuter lot, for the Fields Farm Park sports complex, had already been withdrawn by the county after prolonged negotiations with the Town Council and Planning Commission leaders. The Board of Supervisors now plans to build the sports park west of the town boundaries.

Loudoun Now has contacted Purcellville Mayor Stanley J. Milan for comment but has not received a response. n

More Round Hill Roads Renamed The county has announced the name for the remaining roads in a Hillwood Estates just outside the Town of Round Hill still named for Confederate generals.

Early Avenue will become Earlybird Avenue, Hampton Road will be Cinnamon Fern Road, Jackson Avenue will be Honeybee Avenue, Lee Drive will be Turtle Hill Drive, Longstreet Avenue will be Piper Run Avenue and Pickett Road will be Broken Arrow Road. The new names of Jackson Avenue, Lee Drive and Pickett Road were previously announced in January. Property owners submitted new names and voted on their favorites.

That renaming is anticipated to be complete by Aug. 3, with letters sent to property owners on those roads notifying them of the change.

Not every road in the neighborhood will get a new name. The Hillwood Estates subdivision is partially in the Town of Round Hill, which has authority over

changing street names within its borders.

Last year, the Town Council voted narrowly against renaming Mosby Court, which is entirely within town limits. All six homeowners living on the cul-de-sac had asked the Town Council not to rename it.

The road renaming is part of a larger countywide effort by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors to rename public infrastructure named for Confederate and segregationist figures. That includes two of the county’s most prominent thoroughfares, Rt. 7, Harry Byrd Highway, and Rt. 50, John Mosby Highway. Those roads are in the process of being renamed Leesburg Pike and Little River Turnpike, returning them to their historic names, effective September of this year.

As of June 1, the process of renaming Jeb Stuart Road near Philomont has been completed and all new street signs are in place, the county also announced. The

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Lee Drive and Jackson Avenue in Round Hill will soon be known as Turtle Hill Drive and Honeybee Avenue.

road is now Philomont Road.

The process of renaming Fort Johnston Road is still underway and expected to be completed later in 2023.

The county will provide updates to Apple Maps, Google Maps, TomTom GPS and Waze in advance of the renaming.

More information is online at loudoun.gov/roadrenaming. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

PAGE 23

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Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

NATHANIEL DAVIS

Art by Loca Lola

Claudia Rivera sits among works inspired by renowned marine artist Robert Wyland.

Art by Loca Lola

An example of Claudia Rivera’s egghead works, which begin as an experiment with abstract art.

Art by Loca Lola:

Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

Purcellville Artist Creates Egg-cellent Paintings

MIKE MCCABE

BY DANA ARMSTRONG

Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

MIKE KUSTER & THE CATOCTIN COWBOYS

Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

HERB & HANSON

Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com

MATT HUSSION

Friday, June 16, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

GARY JAY & THE FIRE

Friday, June 16, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

NEIL MCKILLIP

Friday, June 16, 6 to 9 p.m.

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

BRITTON JAMES

Friday, June 16, 6 to 9 p.m.

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

Tender brisket, crisp baked mac and cheese, baked beans in a CorningWare dish, and cool lemonade are the makings of a picture-perfect “Summer BBQ”—one of the latest paintings by Purcellvillebased acrylic artist Claudia Rivera, a.k.a. Art by Loca Lola.

The most surprising part of her surrealist, gingham-patterned piece is not its mouth-watering, life-like food depictions, but its subject in the background: a person with an egg for a head.

“The Egghead series is something I completely made up one day. I wanted to experiment with abstract art and something that didn’t really make sense, but in a way it did,” Rivera said.

“The series is inclusive to everyone, and I chose not to add a face so that the viewers can insert themselves or connect with the painting far easier.”

The artist behind the Eggheads describes her mind as “a hodge podge” of all the things she’s seen in her life.

With Rivera’s father being in the Army, she was born in Honolulu. Years later, when her father and her family were stationed in Germany, Rivera’s mother began drawing for murals and comic books.

“Seeing that as a kid at the time, I

was really inspired. I was old enough to admire her drawings. And a very distinct turning point in my life was when she showed me a book of this artist named Wyland,” she said.

Robert Wyland, known simply as “Wyland,” is best known for his paintings and murals of whales, sea turtles, and other marine life. The intricacy and vibrancy of his work inspired Rivera to start drawing.

By middle and high school, Rivera’s family had moved to Loudoun County, and she was sketching characters and fashion designs. She graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 2009 and then from Northern Virginia Community College with a liberal arts degree.

She worked in retail for years after college, keeping her art as a side hobby. Through the encouragement and support of her family and friends, she finally decided to give being a full-time professional artist a chance.

In 2021, Rivera applied for a business license under the name Art by Loca Lola, an homage to her Instagram username circa 2015 and her family’s Puerto Rican heritage. Thus began her painting journey into Eggheads and more.

“The very first [Egghead] I did very much had a ‘50s farmhouse-style retro vibe to it. And I really, really love clas-

sic films. I love anything that just has this brightness to it. I love vivid colors, I love food. And so that piece reflected this super bright, retro breakfast scene,” Rivera said.

“From that, I started playing around with timeframes. And a lot of people were saying, ‘I’d like to see my culture in it’ or ‘I would love to see a guy cooking.’ Everyone started pitching in, and I like that it became not so much a series, but I’d call it an Egghead universe.”

Part still life and part portraiture, her Eggheads have appeared on French Baroque and English Elizabethan era queens, Caravaggio-style maidens, Asian and Latin home cooks with culturally specific foods or ingredients before them, and characters from “The Last Of Us” video game turned HBO series.

But there is much more to Rivera than her eggs. Rivera’s art is born out of her diverse passions for pop culture, fashion, food, and the natural world leading to a range of artistic series.

In her Mini Food/Drink studies, she paints a fruit tart, taco, Old Fashioned, Pisco Sour, and more on small canvases, sometimes with a receipt ART BY LOLA continues on page 27

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Best Bets

PAGE 24

SAUCE BOSS Friday, June 16, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

MacDowell’s macsbeach.com

THE CLASSIC ROCK EXPERIENCE Saturday, June 17, 6 to 9 p.m.

Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

Savor swampy Florida blues and spicy gumbo as Bill Wharton, the legendary Sauce Boss, cooks up a show on the beach in downtown Leesburg and kicks off a northeast tour.

The Classic Rock Experience combines the live theatrical aspects into an audio and visual production to present an authentic epic ‘70s rock concert.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 23 RYAN JEWELL

Friday, June 16, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

SAUCE BOSS

Friday, June 16, 6 to 10 p.m.

MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE. B, Leesburg. $10. macsbeach.com

ADWELA AND THE UPRISING

Friday, June 16, 6 to 9 p.m.

Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

GABE MATHEWS

Friday, June 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

HIGH & WIDES

Friday, June 16, 8 to 11 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

THE JUSTIFIED BAND

June 17, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

THE ULTIMATE DOORS: TRIBUTE TO JIM MORRISON Friday, June 16, 8 to 9 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $15 to $35. tallyhotheater.com

DIXIE POWER TRIO

Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

POLO IN THE PARK Saturday, June 17 6 to 10 p.m.

Morven Park International Equestrian Center polointhepark.org Pack a picnic and join the Saturday night party watching Morven Park’s fast-paced arena polo series. Reserve your car pass.

Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

JIM STEELE

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to noon Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

JED DUVALL AT SIR PAUL

HARD SWIMMIN FISH

SUMMER AND ERIC

Saturday, June 17, 1 to 4 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

DAVID THONG

Saturday, June 17, 1 to 5 p.m.

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JASON FRYE

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17 Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbioliwines.com

JOEY BAUER

Saturday, June 17, 1 to 5 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

ANDY B

Saturday, June 17, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

8 Chains N. Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford.

8chainsnorth.com

THE LOST CORNER VAGABONDS

Saturday, June 17, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

WILL BASKIN

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

JASON MASI

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

SHOTGUN HIGHWAY

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

B.EN

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 6 p.m.

Droumavalla Farms Winery, 15066 Limestone School Road, Lucketts. droumavalla.com

ACOUSTIC MOOSE

Saturday, June 17, 2 to 6 p.m.

Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com

JUNE 15, 2023

LEVI STEPHENS Saturday June 17 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Leesburg Town Green idalee.org The Town of Leesburg’s Summer Jams series continues with a performance by the Washington, DC, singer/ songwriter. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. No alcohol or pets.

MY KID BROTHER Saturday, June 17, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com The Leesburg-based indie pop quintet returns to the Tally Ho stage for an always popular hometown show.

VOODOO BLUES

SHANE GAMBLE BAND

MY KID BROTHER

JESSICA PAULIN

DEAD ON THE MOUNTAIN

NOT THE FATHERS

Saturday, June 17, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com Saturday, June 17, 3 to 6 p.m.

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

BRIAN JOHNSON

Saturday, June 17, 3 to 7 p.m.

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

RUSTY SEESAWS

Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

RED SAMMY

Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

STEVE GEORGE & FRIENDS

Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

KENNY RAY HORTON

Saturday, June 17, 5 to 9 p.m.

Creighton Farms, 22050 Creighton Farms Drive, Aldie. kennyrayhorton.com

DOUGLAS MEYER

Saturday, June 17, 6 to 9 p.m.

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

Saturday, June 17, 6 to 9 p.m.

Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

Saturday, June 17, 6 to 10 p.m.

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. $20. dirtfarmbrewing.com

THE CLASSIC ROCK EXPERIENCE - ‘70S ARENA ROCK

Saturday, June 17, 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts. $20 tararaconcerts.com

LEVI STEPHENS

Saturday, June 17, 8 to 9 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $15 to $35. tallyhotheater.com Sunday, June 18, 12 to 3 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH WITH ACOUSTIC MOOSE Sunday, June 18, noon to 6 p.m.

Forever Farm and Vineyard, 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville. foreverfarmandvineyard.com

SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 59

Saturday, June 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. idalee.org

Sunday, June 18, noon to 3 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

CHRIS HANKS

BRUCE CORSINO

Saturday, June 17, 7 to 10 p.m.

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

YOUNG RELICS

Saturday, June 17, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

YINZ

Saturday, June 17, 8 to 11 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

Sunday, June 18, 1 to 4 p.m.

Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbioliwines.com

JULIANA MACDOWELL

Sunday, June 18, 1 to 5 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Taylorstown. creeksedgewinery.com

JIM STEELE

Sunday, June 18, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

8 Chains N. Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford.

8chainsnorth.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 25

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 24 JOEY BAUER

Sunday, June 18, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sunset Hills Vineyard LLC, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville.

JOEL SHEWMAKE

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

RYAN JEWELL

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

ROBERT HOEY

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

LINDSAY DILES

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

NEW LEGACY BLUES

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

THE LOST CORNER VAGABONDS

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

KEN WENZEL

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

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

KENNY RAY HORTON

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

RICHARD WALTON

Sunday, June 18, 2 to 6 p.m.

Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. bluemontstation.com

DANIEL MENSCH

Sunday, June 18, 3 to 7 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

PAGE 25

LEROY BURKS BAND

Sunday, June 18, 4 to 7 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

WISHBONE ASH FEATURING ARGUS

Sunday, June 18, 8 to 9 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $30 to $110. tallyhotheater.com

ENJOY THE DAY WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS IN LEESBURG.

Celebrate July 4th, 2023

ROB HOEY

Monday, June 19, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

JUSTIN SUEDE

Thursday, June 15, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Leesburg Moose Lodge 1041, 43 Catoctin Circle SE., Leesburg. leesburgvamoose.com

JASON MASI

Friday, June 16, 5 to 9 p.m.

Hillsborough Vineyards & Brewery, 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. hillsboroughwine.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 28

10:00AM INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

travels through Historic Downtown from Ida Lee Park to Fairfax Street with a prelude by American Originals Fife & Drum Corps sponsored by Toth Financial.

TM

6:00PM GATES OPEN

at Ida Lee Park, with festival food vendors.

sat 6/24

6:30PM CONCERT

80’s & 90’s hip hop band OLD SKOOL CLEVELAND take the stage.

sun 6/18

9:30PM FIREWORKS

fri 6/23

W/ WISHBONE ASH GAVIN FEATURING ARGUS LIVE! SPAFFORD EVICK

sat 7/08

sun 7/09

One of the Region’s Largest Fireworks Display.

TEXA X S 7/16 XA ALBERT TEXAS sun

E M M E T BOUCHARD'S HIPPIE HIPPIE COALITION SWIMMING FT. EVERYTHING & KILLER DELUXE IMAGINOS WITH BULLET TO THE HEART sat ELTON&BILLY:FACETOFACE sat 7/01 HUDSONRIVERLINE&PHILADELPHIAFREEDOM 7/15 thu INT. ROLLING fri STONES SHOW 7/21 7/06 fri sat 7/07 FEATURING TICKLE ME EMO 7/22

SATISFACTION EMONIGHTBALTIMORE GATHERING GLOOM

fri 7/14 THE CURE TRIBUTE

U2TOPIA

YACHTLEY CREW THE RUSH EXPERIENCE sun THE BROKEN HEARTS 7/23 ULTIMATE TOM PETTY TRIBUTE

FOR TICKETS & MORE INFO:

www.TallyHoTheater.com

FREE ADMISSION A DAY OF FUN FOR EVERYONE! IN THE EVENT OF RAIN,

fireworks will be rescheduled for 9:30PM, July 5th.

No other activities will be rescheduled.

PLEASE...

No glass containers, No alcoholic beverages, No pets, No personal fireworks or sparklers

www.idalee.org ★ 703-777-1368

Loudoun Credit Union • Harris Teeter Delivery • Savage Pest Warfare Morven Park • State Farm – Cynthia Michitsch Agency • Wegmans Food Markets

PAGE 26

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Thirteen-year-old Wyatt Steel formed Silver Tunes to share music with those in retirement centers who are unable to attend performances outside of their communities.

‘Silver Tunes’ Student Musicians Share Music with Seniors

BY HANNA PAMPALONI

hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

A group of student musicians have joined together over the past school year to visit local senior homes and share their love of music.

Organized by 13-year-old Wyatt Steel, Silver Tunes has 10 student members, and their performances usually include appearances by Wyatt’s mother and grandfather as well.

Steel said he had the idea to start Silver Tunes when his great-grandmother was unable to attend a summer musical in which he was performing.

“I thought it would be a great idea to perform for seniors at retirement care centers when they may not be able to go out and see shows themselves,” he said.

Steel gathered two friends who were also musicians, and they gave their first performance in October. It wasn’t long before the word spread, and the member count grew.

A typical performance begins with Steel’s grandfather singing John Denver’s “Country Roads” accompanied by his guitar, followed by an original poem by Steel.

The students then take turns performing pieces on a piano, violin and singing a variety of songs, from “My

Favorite Things” and “The Sound of Music” to Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” Steel, his mom and grandfather make up a three-generation trio for the night’s last performance before inviting the audience for a sing-along.

“I love singing and playing the piano and all that,” Steel said. “So [this] allowed me to combine what I love with doing good.”

He said one of the best parts is hearing how much the audience enjoys listening and how much joy they were able to bring.

Silver Tunes played their final performance of the school year at Waltonwood retirement community June 3, but Steel said they’ll be starting back up in the fall when the regularity of school makes it easier to manage everyone’s schedules.

“We’re still always looking to expand our roster, so perhaps we’ll pick up a few new members over the summer,” he said.

Steel and another of his fellow Silver Tunes members will be keeping their skills honed over the summer by performing at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn in the play “9 to 5”.

Musicians interested in joining, or retirement communities interested in a Silver Tunes performance can email silvertunesdmv@gmail.com or go to silvertunes.org to learn more. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Art by Lola continued from page 23

from a “Loca Lola” establishment. In her Snakes & Stones series, she intertwines jewelry with reptiles. And in her Octopi series, she takes inspiration from her childhood role model, Wyland, to create larger-than-life cephalopods in vibrant hues.

“I think it’s how segmented I am.

I’m just a real big geek—I love a lot of things and I also always got the notion that people expected artists to be one style all the time. I’ve seen it for myself, and I never quite got that,” said Rivera.

In addition to selling prints of her work—and even her own Egghead series keychains—at art festivals around the DMV and through her social media, Rivera is also open to commissions. Past commissions include painted mannequins, purses, jean jackets, tennis shoes, and portraits of loved ones. “[Commissions don’t] necessarily have to be based on anything I’ve done. It can be completely brand new.

And oftentimes commissions that are very complex or way out of my box

and actually really help me in terms of skill and stretching my imagination.

So I’m definitely open for anything as well as what I do currently have,” she said.

Rivera’s future goals for her art are to continue expanding her Egghead universe, increase her social media presence by posting more reels, and launch a website of her work, with the ultimate dream of having her own studio space and gallery.

She is also looking forward to participating at Superfine Art Fair in DC from Oct. 26-29, where she’ll have a booth set up with her aquatic paintings and, of course, Eggheads.

“I get a kick out of painting food and intertwining food with the Egghead series because it makes it almost like this wholesome, hearty feeling,” Rivera said.

“A lot of people come by my booth [at events] and they’re like, ‘Oh man, I’m hungry.’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, I did my job!’” n To view more of Claudia Rivera’s art or purchase her work, visit her Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter (@ArtbyLocaLola).

Stay tuned for her website, coming out soon.

PAGE 27

The Town of Leesburg’s Incredible Free Summer Concert Series

welcomes to Town Green Stage Official Media Partner

Levi Stephens

June 17 • 7:00 pm Author Jeff Ryan: HISTORY & LORE OFSaturday, THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, or pets allowed.

In case of inclement weather, the show will be cancelled. For more information, visit www.idalee.org

Start your summer off with a BANG!

FREE!

On The Gap Stage

MUSIC FESTIVAL

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR! KIDS FUN

OLD 690 BEERS LOCAL WINES GREAT FOOD Scan Here for More Event Information Hillsboro’s Old Stone School 37098 Charles Town Pike OldStoneSchool.org

SUNDAY

JUNE 25

3 - 10 p.m.

Circa Blue Calgary Joey & The Waitress Scan Here to Reserve Lawn & Verandah Tables

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 28

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 25 TEJAS SINGH

Sunday, June 18, 5 to 9 p.m.

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

BOBBY THOMPSON

Wednesday, June 21, 5 to 9 p.m., Buchanan Hall, 8549 John S. Mosby Highway, Upperville. bobbytmusic.net

JASON MASI

Wednesday, June 21, 6 to 10 p.m., The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn.

lostfoxhideaway.com

KENNY RAY HORTON Wednesday, June 21, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Vino Bistro, 1605 Village Market Blvd. SE. #100, Leesburg. vinobistroonline.com

TEJAS SINGH

Thursday, June 22, 5 to 9 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen 202 Harrison St. SE. B, Leesburg. macsbeach.com

BOZA

Thursday, June 22, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Rio Cantina, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, Sterling. facebook.com/ RioCantinaSterling

HAPPENINGS TALES AND ALES ANNIVERSARY SHOW

Friday, June 16, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. $25 novatalesandales.com

STAGECOACH BANDITS IMPROV COMEDY Friday, June 16, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

StageCoach Theatre Company, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn. $10. stagecoachtc.com

14TH ANNUAL CURE FOR CLEAVAGE FUNDRAISER

JUNE 15, 2023

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

KIDS DAY IN THE GARDEN

Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meadows Farms Nurseries, 43054 John Mosby Highway, South Riding meadowsfarms.com

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY “BURG” FAMILY REUNION CLUB

Saturday, June 17, 12 to 6 p.m.

Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg. $20. thebfrc.com

Saturday, June 17, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

THE 249TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOUDOUN RESOLVES

BIRDING BLES PARK

POLO IN THE PARK

FUN AT THE FOUNTAIN WITH THE GREAT ZUCCHINI!

Saturday, June 17, 1 to 2 p.m.

County Courthouse Square, 9 E. Market St., Leesburg.

Saturday, June 17, 6 to 10 p.m., Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. $40 to $250. polointhepark.org

SPECIAL NATIONAL COMEDY SHOW

Sunday, June 18, 8 to 11 a.m.

Bles Park, 44830 Bles Park Drive, Ashburn. loudounwildlife.org

Tuesday, June 20, 10 to 11 a.m.

Lansdowne Town Center, Belmont Ridge Road, Leesburg. shoplansdownetowncenter.com

Saturday, June 17, 7 to 9 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Hieghts. $22. harpersferrybrewing.com

SCIENCE ON TAP

Thursday, June 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. library.loudoun.gov

listingsat at NowHiringLoudoun.com NowHiringLoudoun.com Post Post youryour jobjob listings Town of Leesburg

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

Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. information and to apply online.

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

Department Finance & Administrative Services Department Assistant Director of Capital Projects Public Works & Capital Projects Position Department Assistant Director of Public Works Operations Public Works & Capital Projects Accounting Associate Administrative Services Department Billing andIICollections Coordinator Finance & Finance & Administrative Services Department Communications Technician (Police Dispatcher) PoliceProjects Assistant Director of Capital Projects Public Works & Capital DeputyWorks Management and Budget Officer Finance & Administrative Services Department Assistant Director of Public Operations Public Works & Capital Projects Head Lifeguard (Full-Time) Parks and Recreation Billing and Collections Coordinator Finance & Administrative Services Department Police Detective Police Communications Technician (PolicePolice Dispatcher) Police Police Officer Deputy Management andPolice Budget Officer Finance & Administrative Services School Resource Officer Police Department Police Traffic Officer Police Head Lifeguard (Full-Time) Parks and Recreation Senior Engineer – Capital Projects Public Works & Capital Projects Police Detective Police Utility Plant Technician: Trainee, Technician or Senior Utilities Police Officer Police Utilities Utilities System Tech Trainee or System Technician

Regular Full-Time Positions Accounting Associate II

Salary Range Closing Date $50,000-$81,495 DOQ Open until filled $86,040-$156,137 DOQ Open until filled Salary Range Closing Date $86,040-$156,137 DOQ Open until filled $50,000-$81,495 Open $52,446-$95,178 DOQDOQ Open until filleduntil filled $50,000-$88,774 DOQ DOQ Open until filleduntil filled $86,040-$156,137 Open $72,952-$132,387 DOQDOQ Open until filleduntil filled $86,040-$156,137 Open NHLEmployerCard2.pdf $50,000-$82,500 DOQ Open until 1filled9/3/19 10:58 AM $52,446-$95,178 DOQ Open until filled $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled $50,000-$88,774 Open $62,000-$109,934 DOQDOQ Open until filleduntil filled $72,952-$132,387 Open $68,356-$109,934 DOQ DOQ Open until filleduntil filled $68,356-$109,934 DOQDOQ Open until filleduntil 1filled9/3/19 NHLEmployerCard2.pdf $50,000-$82,500 Open $70,374-$127,560 DOQ Open until filled $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled $50,000 - $95,178 DOQ Open until filled $62,000-$109,934 DOQ Open until filled $50,000-$88,071 DOQ Open until filled

Police School Resource Officer Police $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Summer Positions Police Traffic Officer Police $68,356-$109,934 DOQ Position Department Hourly Rate Senior Engineer – Capital Projects Public Works & Capital Projects $70,374-$127,560 DOQ Maintenance Worker $18.00 Utility Plant Technician: Trainee, Technician or Senior UtilitiesUtilities $50,000 - $95,178 DOQ To review Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-timeUtilities positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs.

Utilities System Tech TraineeIda or System Technician $50,000-$88,071 DOQ Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.

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

NHLEmployerCard2.pdf

Position Maintenance Worker

1

9/3/19

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Open until filled Open until filled ClosingOpen Date until filled Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled

10:58 AM

Department Utilities

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Hourly Rate $18.00

Closing Date Open until filled

Let us help find your next employee.

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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.

• Candidate Search • Employer All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.Dashboard NHLEmployerCard2.pdf 1 9/3/19 10:58 AM • Resume Postings and much more Y

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JUNE 15, 2023

PAGE 29

Legal Notices NOTICE OF JUNE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION June 20, 2023 By order of the Department of Elections of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a Democratic Primary has been called for Member, Virginia Senate District 31, Member, Virginia Senate District 32, Member, House of Delegates District 26, and Commonwealth’s Attorney.

The Election will be held in Loudoun County on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

The polls – which are listed below – will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Officers of Election will take the name of any qualified voter who is in line at the polling place by 7:00 p.m. and all such voters will be permitted to vote.

107 Little River, Little River Elementary School, 43464 Hyland Hills St., South Riding 108 Mercer, Mercer Middle School, 42149 Greenstone Dr., Aldie 112 Freedom, Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Dr., South Riding 114 Dulles South, Dulles South Recreation & Community Center, 24950 Riding Center Dr., South Riding 119 Arcola, Arcola Elementary School, 41740 Tall Cedars Pkwy., Aldie 120 Lunsford, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, 26020 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly 121 Town Hall, South Riding Town Hall, 43055 Center St., South Riding 122 Hutchison Farm, Hutchison Farm Elementary School, 42819 Center St., South Riding 123 Cardinal Ridge, Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, 26155 Bull Run Post Office Rd., Centreville 124 Liberty, Liberty Elementary School, 25491 Riding Center Dr., South Riding 126 Goshen Post, Goshen Post Elementary School, 24945 Lobo Drive, Aldie 207 River Bend, River Bend Middle School, 46240 Algonkian Pkwy., Sterling (Cafeteria) *208 Algonkian, River Bend Middle School, 46240 Algonkian Pkwy., Sterling (Auxiliary Gym) *209 Potomac Falls, River Bend Middle School, 46240 Algonkian Pkwy., Sterling (Main Gym) 210 Cascades, Potowmack Elementary School, 46465 Esterbrook Cir., Sterling 213 Countryside, Countryside Elementary School, 20624 Countryside Blvd., Sterling 214 Sugarland North, Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Dr., Sterling 215 Sugarland South, Meadowland Elementary School, 729 Sugarland Run Dr., Sterling 216 Lowes Island, Lowes Island Elementary School, 20755 Whitewater Dr., Sterling 217 South Bank, Potomac Baptist Church, 20747 Lowes Island Blvd., Sterling 218 University Center, GWU Exploration Hall, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn 219 Galilee Church, Galilee Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Rd., Sterling 220 Mirror Ridge, Sugarland Elementary School, 65 Sugarland Run Dr., Sterling 221 Seneca, Seneca Ridge Middle School, 98 Seneca Ridge Dr., Sterling *307 Middleburg, Middleburg American Legion, Post 295, 111 The Plains Rd., Middleburg 308 St. Louis, Banneker Elementary School, 35231 Snake Hill Rd., St. Louis 309 Aldie, Aldie United Methodist Church, 39325, John Mosby Hwy., Aldie 312 Briar Woods, Briar Woods High School, 22525 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn 313 Pinebrook, Pinebrook Elementary School, 25480 Mindful Ct., Aldie 314 Legacy, Legacy Elementary School, 22995 Minerva Dr., Ashburn 319 John Champe, John Champe High School, 41535 Sacred Mountain St, Aldie 321 Brambleton Middle, Brambleton Middle School, 23070 Learning Circle, Ashburn 322 Buffalo Trail, Buffalo Trail Elementary School, 42190 Seven Hills Drive, Aldie 323 Sycolin Creek, Sycolin Creek Elementary School, 21100 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg 324 Madison, Madison’s Trust Elementary School, 42380 Creighton Road, Ashburn 325 Creighton, Creighton’s Corner Elementary School, 23171 Minerva Dr., Ashburn 326 Independence, Independence High School, 23115 Learning Circle, Ashburn 327 Willard, Willard Middle School, 40915 Braddock Rd, Aldie 328 Hovatter, Hovatter Elementary School, 41135 Collaboration Dr., Aldie 329 Lightridge, Lightridge High School, 41025 Collaboration Dr., Aldie 401 West Lovettsville, Lovettsville Community Center, 57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville 402 Waterford, Waterford Elementary School, 15513 Loyalty Rd., Waterford 403 Lucketts, Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Rd., Lucketts 409 Clarkes Gap, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg 411 East Lovettsville, Lovettsville Elementary School, 49 S. Loudoun St., Lovettsville 413 Tuscarora, Tuscarora High School, 801 N. King St., Leesburg 416 Hamilton, Hamilton Elementary School, 54 S. Kerr Street, Hamilton 421 Between the Hills, Between the Hills Community Center, 11762 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 423 Simpson, J.L. Simpson Middle School, 490 Evergreen Mill Rd., SE, Leesburg (Auditorium) 424 Purcellville, Emerick Elementary School, 440 S. Nursery Ave., Purcellville 425 Round Hill, Round Hill Center, 20 High St., Round Hill 426 Hillsboro, Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro 427 Philomont, Philomont Fire House, 36560 Jeb Stuart Rd., Philomont 428 Mountain View, Mountain View Elementary School, 36803 Allder School Rd., Purcellville 429 Round Hill Elementary, Round Hill Elementary School, 17115 Evening Star Dr., Round Hill 430 Harmony, Harmony Middle School, 38174 W. Colonial Hwy., Hamilton 501 West Leesburg, Ida Lee Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg 502 East Leesburg, Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School, 800 N. King St., Leesburg 503 Dry Mill, Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Rd. SW, Leesburg 504 Smarts Mill, Smarts Mill Middle School, 850 N. King St., Leesburg *505 Cool Spring, Office of Elections, 750 Miller Drive, SE, Ste 150, Leesburg (Training Room 1) 506 Douglass, Frederick Douglass Elementary School, 510 Principal Drummond Way, SE, Leesburg 507 Greenway, J.L. Simpson Middle School, 490 Evergreen Mill Rd. SE, Leesburg (Cafeteria) 508 Balls Bluff, Balls Bluff Elementary School, 821 Battlefield Pkwy. NE, Leesburg 509 Tolbert, John W. Tolbert Jr. Elementary School, 691 Potomac Station Dr. NE, Leesburg 510 Heritage, Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Rd. SE, Leesburg

511 Evergreen, Evergreen Mill Elementary School, 491 Evergreen Mill Rd. SE, Leesburg 512 River Creek, Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Dr. NE, Leesburg (Cafeteria) 513 Red Rock, Red Rock Community Center, 43131 Lake Ridge Pl., Leesburg 615 Hillside, Hillside Elementary School, 43000 Ellzey Dr., Ashburn 616 Eagle Ridge, Eagle Ridge Middle School, 42901 Waxpool Rd., Ashburn 620 Russell Branch, Ashburn Elementary School, 44062 Fincastle Dr., Ashburn (Multipurpose Room) 621 Dominion Trail, Dominion Trail Elementary School, 44045 Bruceton Mills Circle, Ashburn 622 Farmwell Station, Farmwell Station Middle School, 44281 Gloucester Pkwy., Ashburn 623 Weller, Steuart W. Weller Elementary School, 20700 Marblehead Dr., Ashburn 625 Mill Run, Mill Run Elementary School, 42940 Ridgeway Dr., Ashburn 626 Ashby Ponds, Farmwell Hall, 44755 Audubon Sq., Ashburn 627 Ashbrook, Ashburn Elementary School, 44062 Fincastle Drive, Ashburn (Cafeteria) 628 Moorefield Station, Moorefield Station Elementary School, 22325 Mooreview Pkwy., Ashburn (Gym) 629 Discovery, Discovery Elementary School, 44020 Grace Bridge Dr., Ashburn 630 Croson, Moorefield Station Elementary School, 22325 Mooreview Pkwy., Ashburn (Cafeteria) 631 Marblehead, Ashburn Senior Center, 20880 Marblehead Dr., Ashburn 701 Sully, Sully Elementary School, 300 Circle Dr., Sterling 702 Park View, Park View High School, 400 W. Laurel Ave., Sterling 703 Rolling Ridge, Rolling Ridge Elementary School, 500 E. Frederick Dr., Sterling 705 Forest Grove, Forest Grove Elementary School, 46245 Forest Ridge Dr, Sterling 707 Claude Moore Park, Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane Sterling 710 Sterling, Sterling Middle School, 201 West Holly Ave., Sterling 711 Guilford, Guilford Elementary School, 600 W. Poplar Rd., Sterling 712 Stone Hill, Stone Hill Middle School, 23415 Evergreen Ridge Drive, Ashburn 713 Carter, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School, 43330 Loudoun Reserve Dr., Ashburn 714 Rock Ridge, Rock Ridge High School, 43460 Loudoun Reserve Dr., Ashburn 715 Oak Grove, Oak Grove Baptist Church, 22870 Dominion Ln., Sterling 716 Ridgetop, Loudoun County Office Building, 21641 Ridgetop Cir., Sterling 808 Stone Bridge, Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Rd., Ashburn 810 Cedar Lane, Cedar Lane Elementary School, 43700 Tolamac Dr., Ashburn 813 Seldens Landing, Seldens Landing Elementary School, 43345 Coton Commons Dr., Leesburg 814 Newton-Lee, Newton-Lee Elementary School, 43335 Gloucester Pkwy., Ashburn 815 Belmont Ridge, Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Pl., Leesburg 817 Sanders Corner, Sanders Corner Elementary School, 43100 Ashburn Farm Pkwy., Ashburn (Multipurpose Room) 818 East Broad Run, Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn (Room 512) 819 West Broad Run, Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn (cafeteria) 820 Belmont Station, Belmont Station Elementary School, 20235 Nightwatch St., Ashburn 822 Riverside, Riverside High School, 19019 Upper Belmont Pl., Leesburg 823 Harper Park, Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Dr. NE, Leesburg (Auditorium) 824 Goose Creek, Sanders Corner Elementary School, 43100 Ashburn Farm Pkwy., Ashburn (Cafeteria) 825 Waxpool, Waxpool Elementary School, 42560 Black Angus Dr, Ashburn *Denotes a change in voting location for this election.

Underlined denotes shared voting locations with space designated within the school for each precinct.

The last day for in-person absentee voting is Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

The Leesburg Early Voting site, located at 750 Miller Dr. SE., Suite 150, Leesburg 20175 (near the Leesburg Airport), will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, June 13 & June 15; Saturday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Sterling Early-Voting site, located at the Claude Moore Park Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 20166 will be open June 13 to June 15, Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dulles Early Voting site, located at the Dulles South Recreation and Community Center, 24950 Riding Center Dr., South Riding, 20152 will be open June 13 to June 15, Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Western Loudoun Early Voting site, located at Carver Senior Center, 200 E. Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville, 20132 will be open Saturday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All absentee ballots received by mail can be hand delivered to the Office of Elections or any Loudoun County polling place no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Election Day, to be counted. All absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day (June 20, 2023) AND be received by noon on Friday, June 23, 2023.

Inquiries concerning the election and questions regarding registration status may be directed to the Loudoun County Office of Elections, 703-777-0380, located at 750 Miller Dr. SE. Suite150, Leesburg 20175. Please visit www.loudoun.gov/vote for additional information.

Authorized by: Judith A. Brown, Director of Elections Loudoun County Office of Elections

6/15/23

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 30

JUNE 15, 2023

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, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following: ZMAP-2022-0016, SPEX-2023-0018, ZMOD-2022-0058, ZMOD-2022-0059, ZMOD-2022-0061, ZMOD-2022-0062, ZMOD-2023-0029, ZMOD-2023-0033, ZMOD-2023-0034, & ZMOD-2023-0035 COMMONWEALTH CENTER RESIDENTIAL (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, & Zoning Modifications)

CWC Shops LC of Fairfax, Virginia has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 28.45 acres from the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) and PD-CC-SC (Planned Development – Commercial Center (Small Regional Center)) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop up to 625 residential units at a density of 21.97 units per acre; and 2) a Special Exception to permit the modification of the minimum yard requirements for the ADU developments in the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, the AIOD (Airport Impact Overlay District), within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours, and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District), major floodplain and minor floodplain. The proposed modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district is listed as Special Exceptions under Section 7-1003(C)(4). The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§1-205(A), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related, Terms, Lot Access Requirements. §3-708(A), R-24 Multifamily Residential, Additional Development Standards, Active Recreation Space. §4-202(C), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Purpose, Size and Location of Individual Districts, Small Regional Center (SC).

Allow access from a private access easement for the remaining parcels located in the PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district.

Reduce the required on-site active recreation space to 7,000 square feet.

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

Allow primary access to the remaining PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district through residential streets.

Reduce the minimum size of the remaining PDCC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district to 11.8 acres.

and §4-206(D)(3), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Building Requirements, Vehicular Access, Small Regional Centers. §4-207(B), PD – CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Use Limitations, Landscaped Open Space. §4-207(C)(3), PD – CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Use Limitations, Site Planning – External Relationships.

§5-1102, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required. §5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B). §3-702(A), R-24 Multifamily Residential, Size and Location. §3-707(B), R-24 Multifamily Residential, Building Requirements, Building Height. §5-1403(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B).

Reduce the required open space for the parcels remaining in the PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district.

Allow the required landscape buffer for the remaining PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district to be located on the outside perimeter of both the remaining PD-CC zoning district and the R-24 ADU zoning district.

Revise the required parking for Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be 1.2 parking spaces per ADU. Eliminate the required landscape buffer between the remaining PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) and the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning districts.

Allow for access to lots created after the rezoning to be provided by Category A and B private roads.

Allow a 60-foot building height without additional setback requirements for a height over 45 feet.

Allow for a ten foot building and parking setback along Commonwealth Center Drive.

(More detailed descriptions of each modification are available upon request.)

The subject property is approximately 35.48 acres in size and is located south of Route 7 on the east side of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607), and both the north and south sides of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN

ADDRESS

040-35-3062 040-35-9407 040-45-0894 040-35-0972 040-45-3498

20550 HERON OVERLOOK PLAZA N/A 20500 HERON OVERLOOK PLAZA 20530 HERON OVERLOOK PLAZA 20460 HERON OVERLOOK PLAZA

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 Recreation uses at recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

ZCPA-2021-0011, SPEX-2021-0055, SPEX-2021-0056, & SPEX-2023-0001, BROADLANDS, SECTION 104 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Special Exceptions)

Broadlands Commercial Development LLC of Fairfax, Virginia has submitted applications for the following: 1) to amend the proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZCPA-19940005 and ZMAP-1995-0003, ZCPA-1997-0004, ZCPA-2001-0006, ZCPA-2002-0011, ZCPA-20110002, ZCPA-2011-0004, ZCPA-2015-0009, ZCPA-2015-0010, ZMAP-2019-0005 and ZCPA-20190006 in order to administer the property under the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district in order to allow a maximum of 136 dwelling units, including a maximum of 45 single family attached units, a maximum of 27 multifamily stacked units, and a maximum of 64 multifamily attached units, to be developed at a maximum of 13.33 dwelling units per acre; and 2) a Special Exceptions to permit the modification of the minimum yard requirements for the ADU developments in the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/ Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district is listed as Special Exceptions under Section 7-903(C)(3). The subject property is approximately 10.2 acres in size and is located west of Claiborne Parkway (Route 901) on the north side of Broadlands Boulevard (Route 640) and west side of Van Metre Drive (Route 2343) in the Ashburn Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN

ADDRESS

118-45-2350 118-45-5654 118-45-3723

N/A N/A N/A

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 Recreation uses at recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

ZMAP-2022-0005, SPEX-2022-0017, SPEX-2022-0018, SPEX-2022-0019, SPEX-2023-0013, SPMI-2022-0005, ZMOD-2022-0017, ZMOD-2022-0070, ZMOD-2022-0071, ZMOD-2022-0084, ZMOD-2022-0085, ZMOD-2022-0086 & ZMOD-2023-0018 OLD ARCOLA RESIDENTIAL (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions & Zoning Modifications)

Capretti Land, Inc., of Sterling, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 31.67 acres from RC (Rural Commercial) and GB (General Business) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R8 (R-8-Single Family Residential) and R16 (R-16Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 228 residential units comprising 14 single-family detached units, 81 single-family attached units, and 133 multi-family units; and 2) Special Exceptions to modify yard and lot requirements, and one minor special exception to modify recycling container setbacks. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Section 5-607(A)(9), Section 7-803(C)(1)(c), Section 7-803(C)(3) and Section 7-903(C)(2)(b) and (c).

The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications:

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

PAGE 31

Legal Notices ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§5-1404(B) and (D), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix Table 5-1404 (B), and Buffer Yard Widths and Plant Requirements Table 5-1404(D). §5-1404(B) and (D), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix Table 5-1404 (B), and Buffer Yard Widths and Plant Requirements Table 5-1404(D). §7-903(C)(2)(a), R-16 Townhouse/Multi-family District, Lot and Building Requirements, Yards, Multi-family structures, front. §7-803(F), R-8 Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Other Regulations. §5-200(A)(2) and (6), Permitted Structures in Required Yards and Setbacks, In all yards or setbacks, including a front yard.

To allow no buffer yard requirement and no required plantings.

§5-1407(B)(1), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Parking Area Landscaping and Screening Requirements, Peripheral Parking Area Landscaping. §3-508(B)(2), R-8 Single Family Residential, Building Requirements, Building Height.

CMPT-2022-0009 PRENTICE DRIVE SUBSTATION To allow no buffer yard requirement and no required plantings.

To reduce the front yard requirement for corner lots from 25 feet minimum to 10 feet minimum.

To allow single family attached units and multifamily units to front on private streets.

To allow for no maximum height for patios or decks and to allow for porches, enclosed or unenclosed, to not extend closer than 10 (10) feet to a lot line.

To allow for all required plant unit types within the Type-A Buffer Yard requirement for peripheral parking lot landscaping to be located on the adjacent County property.

To allow for single family attached buildings in the R-8 Zoning District to be a maximum height of 50’.

The subject property is located within the AIOD (Airport Impact Overlay District between Ldn 6065 aircraft noise contour and the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District) Major. The subject property is approximately 31.67 acres in size and is located along Stone Springs Blvd (Route 659), south of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 651), and north of Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Route 50) in the Dulles (formerly Blue Ridge) Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

203-30-1458

24247 STONE SPRINGS BLVD

162-25-3177 203-20-7070

N/A N/A

203-20-8192

24244 STONE SPRINGS BLVD

203-20-9349

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Employment Place Type) which designates the area for the development of office, production, flex spaces, and warehousing uses. The Suburban Employment Place Type is 100% non-residential at up to a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

CMPT-2022-0001 & SPMI-2023-0001 DTC SUBSTATION (Commission Permit & Minor Special Exception) Dominion Energy, of Richmond, Virginia has submitted an application for Commission approval to permit development of one Utility Substations (Distribution) in the PD-OP (Planned Development - Office Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101. The subject property is located within the AIOD (Airport Impact Overlay District), within one (1) mile of Ldn 60-65, aircraft noise contours, and located within the Route 28 Taxing District. The subject property also contains moderately steep slopes. The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed Utility Substations is authorized

by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses (the Minor Special Exception application is not subject to consideration by the Planning Commission and requires approval only by the Board of Supervisors), pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§5-616(D), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Utility Substations.

Substitute the required Type 4 buffer yard with a 12’ tall 95% opacity architectural screen wall.

The subject property is approximately 8.17 acres in size and is located east of Route 28 and south of Route 7 in the Sterling Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN 029-45-5622

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 recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

PROPERTY ADDRESS No Address

(Commission Permit)

Dominion Energy, of Richmond, Virginia, has submitted an application for Commission approval to permit the installation of a Utility Substation (Distribution) in the PD-OP (Planned Development - Office Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed uses require a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101. The subject property is approximately 75.7 acres in size and is located on the south side of Shellhorn Road (Route 643) and west of Route 28, in the Sterling Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN 063-47-7734

TAX MAP NUMBER /93/F/1/////3/

ADDRESS No Address

The area is governed by the policies of the Revised General Plan (Urban Policy Area (Urban Employment)) where a range of employment uses included office, research and development, and data center uses are envisioned at an Floor Area Ratio of 1.0.

SPEX-2022-0039 3 DOG FARM (Special Exception)

Gina Schaecher, of Purcellville, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit a dog kennel use in the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Table 2-102 in Section 2-102. The subject property is located within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District) Major Floodplain and contains Moderately Steep Slopes. The subject property is approximately 23.02 acres in size and is located north of Shannondale Road (Route 714), and west of Edgegrove Road (Route 716), at 15268 Shannondale Road, Purcellville, Virginia, in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 550-46-7353. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Rural Policy Area (Rural North Place Type)) which designate the area for agricultural, agricultural supportive, and limited residential uses at a recommended density of up to one dwelling unit per 20 acres or one dwelling unit per five acres equivalent for optional residential clustering in large-lot subdivisions.

ZMAP-2022-0015, ZMOD-2022-0053, ZMOD-2022-0054, ZMOD-2022-0055 & SPMI-2022-0017 CASCADES MARKETPLACE (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Modifications, and Minor Special Exception) Cascades Marketplace LP and Cascades Park Place LP of Bethesda, Maryland, have submitted an application to rezone approximately 33.79 acres from the PD-H4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district administered under the PD-CC(CC) (Planned Development – Commercial Center(Community Center)) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-TC (Planned Development – Town Center) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a maximum of 800 dwelling units, consisting of a combination of between 700 multifamily attached units and 180 single family attached and/or multifamily stacked units, at a density of approximately 23.68 dwelling units per acre. The applicant is also requesting a Minor Special Exception to reduce the minimum building setback requirements in the PD-TC zoning district from 75 feet to 35 feet from Cascades Parkway. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed modification of the minimum building setbacks requirements for the PD-TC zoning district is listed as a Minor Special Exception under Section 5-1409(B)(1).

The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §4-802(A), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Size, Location and Components, Town Center Core. §4-806(B)(1)(b), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Building Requirements, Building Height, Town Center Core, Minimum Height.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION To reduce the size of the Town Center Core from 10 acres to approximately 6.08 acres in size.

§4-806(B)(2)(a), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Building Requirements, Building Height, Town Center Fringe, Maximum Height. §4-808(A)(2), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Generally.

To increase the maximum building height in the Town Center Fringe on Block A from 60 feet to 70 feet.

To reduce the size of the required town green from 40,000 square feet to approximately 12,000 square feet.

To increase the maximum total gross floor area devoted to residential use to from 50% to 85%.

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

To reduce the minimum building height from 24 feet to 18 feet in the Town Center Core for existing retail buildings and a minimum building height of 20 feet in the Town Center Core for new retail buildings.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

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JUNE 15, 2023

Legal Notices ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §4-808(A)(4), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Generally. §4-808(A)(9), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Generally. §4-808(B)(1), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Town Center Core. §4-808(C)(1), PD-TC Planned Development – Town Center, Land Use Arrangement, Town Center Fringe.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION To eliminate the requirement for 3% of the total gross floor area within the district that is devoted to civic uses and/or other public uses.

To reduce the density of street trees within the district from 1 canopy tree per 40 lineal feet to 1 canopy tree per 55 lineal feet.

To increase the maximum perimeter of blocks from 1,600 feet to 1,900 feet in the Town Center Core.

To increase the maximum perimeter of blocks from 1,600 feet to 2,250 feet in the Town Center Fringe.

The subject property is approximately 33.79 acres in size and is located on the east side of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794), south side of Palisade Parkway (Route 1795) and north of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

019-28-4698

20960 Southbank St., Sterling, VA 20165

019-28-2139

21050 Southbank St., Sterling, VA 20165

019-37-6524

46230 Cranston St., Sterling, VA 20165

019-27-5587

N/A

019-28-0972

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area) in the Suburban Mixed Use Place Type, which designate this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural and Recreational uses at recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

Unless otherwise noted above, full and complete copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances and/or plans, and related documents may be examined in the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703777-0220, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. The opportunity for public input via this link will be temporarily unavailable during the upgrade of the County’s online land management system. However, other opportunities for public comments remain available as described below.

Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246.

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

Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and the Clerk’s records. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audio-visual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. Regularly-scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.

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:

MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 6/8 & 6/15/23

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLES 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 AND 18 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A CONTINUING CARE FACILITY DEFINITION AND REGULATIONS

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 AMENDED BUDGET

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, June 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2023-0001 to revise the following articles of the Zoning Ordinance:

The Middleburg Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers at 10 West Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia on June 22, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of receiving comments on proposed budget amendments to the amended Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund and General Fund CIP budgets, in accordance with Sections 15.2-2506 and 15.2-2507 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended.

1.

Article 5, Residential Zoning Districts: To establish Continuing Care Facility as a Special Exception use in the R-16, Planned Housing Development District and the R-22, Multi-Family Residential District.

The following supplemental appropriations are proposed:

2.

Article 7, Special Purpose Districts: To establish Continuing Care Facility as a Special Exception use within the MC, Medical Center (Special Purpose) District.

3.

Article 8, Planned Development Districts: To establish a Continuing Care Facility as a permitted use within the PRN, Planned Residential Neighborhood District, and the PRC, Planned Residential Commercial District.

4.

Article 9, Use Regulations: To create Use Standards for a Continuing Care Facility, and to amend the Use Table to include Continuing Care Facility, and to establish Continuing Care Facility as a Special Exception use in the R-16, Planned Housing Development District and the R-22, Multi-Family Residential District within the Use Table.

5.

Article 11, Parking, Loading and Pedestrian Access: To create parking standards for Elderly Housing and Continuing Care Facility.

6.

Article 18, Definitions: Establish a new definition for a Continuing Care Facility.

Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2771 and asking for Scott E. Parker, Senior Planning Project Manager. Mr. Parker can also be reached by email at sparker@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2023-0001.

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

Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting 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.

6/15 & 6/22

General Fund Supplemental Appropriations From

To

Amount

Contingency Contingency Contingency Contingency Contingency Contingency Contingency

Police Dept Office Rental Police Dept Other Wages Police Dept Overtime Administration Liability Insurance Administration Audit Administration Charitable Contributions Administration Other Wages

$19,942 $18,000 $13,500 $3,500 $3,000 $10,000 $17,565

Total Supplemental Appropriations

$85,507

General Fund CIP Supplemental Appropriations From

To

Amount

Contingency

Maintenance Fleet

$44,620

Total Supplemental Appropriations

$44,620

Details of the proposed amendments may be reviewed online or at the Finance Director’s Office located at 10 West Marshall Street in Middleburg, VA - Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to the Finance Director at 540-687-5152.

Tina Staples Finance Director/Town Treasurer

6/15/23

JUNE 15, 2023

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 33

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

Public Notice

TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLZM-2022-0006; VILLAGE MARKET BOULEVARD (VILLAGE AT LEESBURG)

The Town of Leesburg Board and Commission Vacancies

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2022-0006, Village Market Boulevard (Village at Leesburg).

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for Board and Commission vacancies. Current vacancies include: Diversity Commission and Tree Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-and-commissions. Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@ leesburgva.gov.

6/15 & 6/22/23

The subject property consists of approximately 1.16 acres of land within, and adjacent to, the existing “Retail Unit 1” land bay within the Village at Leesburg. The property is zoned PRC, Planned Residential Community, and is further identified as Loudoun County Property Identification Number (PIN), 14928-0225.

Rezoning Application TLZM-2022-0006 is a request by CRP/TRC Leesburg Retail Owner, LLC (applicant) to amend the approved Village at Leesburg Concept Plan to allow a new right-in only vehicular access point from Village Market Boulevard into the Retail Unit 1 land bay. This land bay is at the northeast corner of Russell Branch Parkway and Village Market Boulevard.

The Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan designates this property as “Regional Retail” on the Planned Land Use Map with a recommended density of between 1.0 and 3.0 FAR (Floor Area Ratio).

The proposed amendment for vehicular access redesign does not affect the existing residential and commercial densities on the property.

Additional information and copies of the application are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Scott E. Parker, AICP, at 703-771-2771 or sparker@leesburgva.gov.

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

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

6/15 & 6/22

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE 2021-2025 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE FY2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

On April 14, 2021, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2025 Five-Year Consolidated Plan (Consolidated Plan), which requires the submission of an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for each year. A substantial amendment to the FY 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan is now required to add the HOME Investment Partnerships Fund (HOME) grant award and to amend high priority funding activities, and to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AAP to enable reprogramming of funds.

On February 3, 2023, the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) was notified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Loudoun County has met the congressional appropriations threshold to receive HOME funds in the amount of $750,000 for FY 2024. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households and is regulated in Title 42 of the U.S. Code section 12701 (42 U.S.C. §12701), and Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations (24 CFR Part 92), as amended.

The proposed substantial amendment includes changes to the following components of the FY 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan: • The Strategic Goals • Project and activity descriptions • HOME and CDBG Budgets • Citizen Participation Plan • Adding The Loudoun County Fair Housing Plan/Analysis of Impediments High Priority Activities: • Projects that are shovel ready for affordable housing construction • Acquisition (24 CFR 570.201(a)) • Projects that promote energy efficiency and conservation through rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing buildings • Public Facilities (24 CFR 570.201(c)) • Tenant Based Rental Assistance (24 CFR 92.209)

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023 to hear comments on the following: Zoning Text Amendment 23-03 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLES II, XI AND XVI OF THE MIDDLEBURG ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL OFFICE AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS THEREOF The hearing will take place at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. The application materials may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/313/Public-Hearings or in the Town Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@ middleburgva.gov The 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.

6/8 & 6/15/23

Unallocated CDBG funds to be reprogrammed to the following FY24 eligible high priority activities.

Project

CDBG Citation

National Objective

Funded Amount

INMED Long Term Lease

24 CFR 570.201(a)

Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC)

$142,500

Good Shepherd Public Facility and Improvements

24 CFR 570.201(c)

Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC)

$20,000

HOME Investment Partnerships Funds proposed for FY24 eligible high priority activities.

Project

HOME Citation

Funded Amount

Number of Households

Tenant Based Rental Assistance

24 CFR 92.209

$500,000

25

Down Payment Assistance/ Closing Cost Assistance

24 CFR 92.254

$63,000

6

Administration

24 CFR 92.207

$75,000

N/A

Community Housing Development Organizations

24 CFR 92.300

$112,000

N/A

Copies of the draft Substantial Amendment to the FY 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan and the substantial amendment to the FY 2024 Annual Action Plan will be available June 9, 2023, through July 12, 2023, and may be examined at the offices of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. The same Substantial Amendment will be available June 9, 2023, online at www.loudoun.gov/cdbg through July 12, 2023.

All citizens and organizations are invited to present their views and comments. Written comments may be submitted to the attention of the CDBG Program Manager at the Department of Housing and Community Development, P. O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177 or by e-mail at housing@loudoun.gov by not later than 5:00 p.m. on July 12, 2023.

A Board of Supervisors Public Hearing to consider the Substantial Amendments to the FY 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan and the FY 2024 Annual Action Plan will be held on July 12, 2023, at the Loudoun County Government Center Board Room, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia at 6:00 pm.

If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodation may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

6/8, 6/15 & 6/22/23

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 34

Legal Notices

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a public hearing in the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING ROOM, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

APPL-2023-0002

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

ORDER OF PUBLICATION JJ047405-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Case No.:

JJ046978-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jimmy Mendez Jr.

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Acquyea Najet Bettie

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

/v.

Jill Dann, mother and Richmond Bettie, father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Acquyea Najet Bettie; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Acquyea Najet Bettie.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jill Dann, mother and Richmond Bettie, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before June 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

(Adjudicatory); and July 26, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

(Dispositional).

6/8, 6/15, 6/22 & 6/29/23

Taya Selner, mother and Jimmy Mendez, father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing in Child in Need of Services matter pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-228 and 16.1-241 for Jimmy Mendez Jr. It is ORDERED that the defendants Taya Selner, mother and Jimmy Mendez, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before July 5, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

6/15, 6/22 & 6/29/23

18822 Woodburn Road-McCarter - Small Business Uses Nicholas J. McCarter of Leesburg, Virginia has submitted an application for an appeal of the March 21, 2023, Zoning Administrator determination, ZCOR-2022-0328, which found that, pursuant to Article 8 and Section 5-614(A)(2) of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, Chartis Consulting Corporation d/b/a Chartis Federal and Periscope Aviation LLC are not permitted to operate on the subject property as a “Small Business” use under Section 5-614, as Chartis Federal and Periscope Aviation LLC do not comply with the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance definition of “Small Business” nor do they meet the intent of a “Small Business” use in accordance with Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance Section 5-614(A)(2). The subject property is zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1) under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and is located partially within the MDOD (Mountainside Development Overlay District) (Somewhat Sensitive Areas). The subject property is approximately 12.901 acres in size and is located approximately 0.43 miles north of Harmony Church Road (Route 704) on the east side of Woodburn Road (Route 769) addressed as 18822 and 18826 Woodburn Road, Leesburg, Virginia, in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 312-46-3720.

Full and complete copies of the above-referenced application(s) and related documents may be examined in the Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call (703) 777-0246.

All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. If any member of the public requires a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate in a public meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice.

Nan M. Joseph Forbes, Chairman

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VA CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Commonwealth of Virginia, in re

ABC LICENSE

MICHELLE LYNN BAIDOO-DAVIS V. ISACC BAIDOO

It is ORDERED that Isacc Baidoo appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before July 21, 2023 at 2:00:PM. 6/1, 6/8, 6/15 & 6/22/23

2005 1988 1973 2013 2018 UNK

MERC FORD FORD FORD FORD BRI MAR

MARINER RANGER MUSTANG BOXTRUCK F-150 DUMP

In accordance with Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §§ 58.1-3818.8 et seq. (Transient Occupancy Tax), 58.1-3840; 58.1-3916; 15.2-1102; 15.2-1104; and 15.2-1427, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, June 27, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA

VIN 4M2YU57185DJ05712 1FTEW1EG7JFB78597 3F05F220054 1FDWE3FL6DDB20250 1FTEW1EG2JFB56877 NO VIN

at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on proposed amendments to Town Code Chapter 20, Article VI (Sections 20-132 through 20-144), to update and conform the Town Code to State Code, and clarify and refine business processes for the reporting and remittance of the transient occupancy tax. No change in Town tax rates is included.

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

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

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.

MODEL

CHAPTER 20 (LICENSES, TAXATION AND MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS), ARTICLE VI (TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX)

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.

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.

MAKE

TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO LEESBURG TOWN CODE:

The object of the suit is to file for divorce.

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

YR.

6/8 & 6/15/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION Case No. CL23-3025

Dabel Corporation trading as CDMX Bar and Grill, 16 E Washington St., Middleburg, VA 20117.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on & Off Premises, Mixed Beverage license sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

David Ayala Ayala - President 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.

6/8 & 6/15/23

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

Leesburg Council Denies Harper Park Townhouse Plans

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council on Tuesday unanimously voted down a proposal to build 25 townhouses at a cul-de-sac on the end of Bow Lake Place, next to Harper Park Middle School.

The vote came amid organized resistance to the proposal from residents living near the project, and despite a town staff recommendation that it be approved.

Developer Carr Homes proposed a rezoning to allow townhouses on the 6.4acre parcel currently known as Harper Park, as well as stabilizing the adjacent “Stone House,” also known as the “Harper House.” The property is surrounded on three sides by Rt. 7, the Clarion Hotel and Harper Park Middle School. It would have been among single-family homes and accessed only by Bow Lake Place, raising concerns among neighbors in the Potomac Station neighborhood about routing traffic through their community.

The town staff analysis indicated that the added traffic from the townhouses would fall “well below a threshold to be considered a burden to the local residential street network,” and that the development would result in a similar overall density of units per acre as the surrounding development.

Town planners and the applicant noted that the project matches the language of the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan, which supersedes the Town Plan in that area. Town Project Manager Scott Parker pointed out the small area plan calls out the property specifically, stating “the vacant property at the end of Bow Lake Place is appropriate for single family detached or attached development that is compatible with the character of the adjoining residential neighborhood.”

The small area plan also calls to “ensure protection of Heritage resources in the Eastern Gateway Area including Carradoc Hall and the Stone House at Harper Park.” Under the rezoning proposal the Stone House, which was moved to the site in the 1990s to save it from demolition during construction of the Rt. 7/ River Creek Parkway interchange, would be weather sealed, with no access to the interior, and trails built to a public area outside the building.

Walsh Colucci Lubely Walsh Land Use Planner Matt Leslie, representing the applicant, pointed to the same. He said evaluations by the applicant and reviewed by the town “confirmed the Stone House is not eligible for listing in any historic register, and that the house is not associated with significant, specific events or broader themes of local, state or national history.”

“That being said, we understand that there are at least some members of the community who have a connection to the house and that it carries, at the very least, some amount of sentimental value if nothing else,” Leslie said. “With that in mind, we are proposing to preserve the Stone House in a way that makes it structurally sound and watertight. A pergola and picnic tables will be provided, we’ll provide an area for family gatherings, and interpretive signage along the trail areas around the amenity will allow an opportunity to tell the history of this area in a meaningful way.”

And he said the town’s policies state the property should be developed “with more than just two large manor homes,” the use allowed under the property’s current zoning.

And on traffic, he said the project would be expected to create 141 daily trips. He compared that to the closest 92 single-family homes, which he said currently create 935 daily trips.

But the Planning Commission had recommended denying the rezoning application, finding that based on the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan, the proposal “is not beneficial to current town residents and future generations” and “does not support the general welfare of the existing community.” And nearby residents opposed to the proposal packed the town council chambers for the public hearing Tuesday night.

Bow Lake Place resident Tori Furphy said residents have collected more than 400 signatures from Potomac Station homeowners on a petition opposing the project.

“There’s nothing that my neighbors and I care more about in this world in the safety of our loved ones. We want our children to have the freedom to play in their front yard with peace of mind,” Furphy said.

“We all purposely chose this street for our homes in a quiet, low traffic area of Potomac Station,” Furphy said. “We were all well aware of the vacant lot at the end of our street when we moved in, but we did our research before making our purchasing decision. We knew that the lot was zoned for just two single-family estate homes. That was the only threat of new houses and increased traffic down our quiet street. And to be clear, our neighborhood would be completely content with two single-family homes.”

Elias Fahel, who lives next door to the Harper Park property, said his home already has a problem with Rt. 7 noise, which would only be exacerbated.

“I’ve lived with this noise problem for almost 20 years. The amount this traffic noise has increased year after year in those 20 years is astounding,” he said. “I never would have predicted that the home I was buying would be this impacted by what has now turned into a very busy highway.”

And Tim Furphy questioned the value

of the Stone House proposal. He said while advertised as a benefit to the community, “in reality, it doesn’t benefit anyone.”

“This house has been boarded up for over 20 years and will continue to remain boarded up. It’s non-accessible and most likely prone to vandalism,” he said. “This house is not being brought back to life, yet this is considered a significant feature of the application. …You can’t even go inside. It’s no more of an amenity than the shed in my neighbor’s backyard.”

The Town Council sided unanimously with those Potomac Station residents, particularly citing traffic concerns. Mayor Kelly Burk dismissed the staff analysis.

“The traffic from this new development will have a very significant negative impact on the already established neighborhood. And one of the core principles of the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan is to provide a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system that promotes, enhances mobility and connectivity between neighborhoods and destinations,” she said. “In my judgment, this proposed development does not do that. Rather it simply adds to the traffic on the existing neighborhood roads, which are already subject to traffic associated with the Harper Park Middle School for the greater part of the year.”

The council voted 7-0 to deny the rezoning application, based on a finding that “the proposed use is not consistent with the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan, nor the regulations of the Town of Leesburg zoning ordinance based on the traffic generated by the proposed development in conjunction with the traffic associated with the existing residences and the Harper Park Middle School, placing too much of a burden on and presenting an unacceptable intensification of the use of the existing streets.”

The decision was met with applause from the crowded chamber. n

Purcellville’s New Interim Manager to Start Next Week, Next Steps Unknown

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Purcellville’s newest interim town manager, Loren “Rick” Bremseth, is set to begin his role as early as next week, according to Purcellville Mayor Stanley J. Milan.

Milan said during Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting that Bremseth will begin on June 19, however, the town will be closed that day for Juneteenth so he is expected to start Tuesday, June 20.

Bremseth, a retired Navy SEAL commander who lives just south of town, is filling the post vacated June 6 by the res-

ignation of Glen Adams, who had been the third person to serve as town manager this year.

Bremseth’s appointment came as the council was interviewing the final candidates for the permanent town manager’s post. The council had been expected to make its selection in early June.

Loudoun Now has contacted Milan for

comment on the next steps regarding the town’s search for a permanent manager but has received no response at the time of this article’s publication.

Director of Administration Hooper McCann said the council will likely be reviewing applications from the original candidate pool. n

JUNE 15, 2023

Utility rates continued from page 1 In presentations before the hearing, Town Administrator Melissa Hynes noted that the Town Council already decided to postpone several utility projects it had intended to pursue, but Mayor Scott Ramsey said the two big ones remaining on the priority list will require the town to take on new debt, resulting in higher costs.

The council wants to move forward with the construction of a replacement water treatment plant, at an estimated cost of $4.4 million, that would have the capacity to take full advantage of a new highyield well under development north of town. The second major project is the $4.1 million construction of a water tower on the south side of town needed to provide redundancy and to address fire flow and water pressure concerns in some areas of the system.

Ramsey noted those projects, along with others, were put on hold during the pandemic, but further delays increase the risk of system failures. And the costs of constructing them also is expected to increase; estimates for both projects have nearly doubled since 2018.

Under the 24% increase plan, bills for the average household on the system— those using 142 gallons per day—would increase about $19 per month for in-town residents and $30 per month for out-ortown customers, who comprise the vast

Dark money continued from page 14 America First can spend money to sway races, but cannot donate to campaign committees or coordinate with candidates. Virginia has open primaries, meaning voters can vote in whichever primary they choose.

Lancaster said she was frustrated didn’t hear from Fechter before the statement went out.

“He knows me. He could have called me to say ‘what the heck is this,’ he didn’t,” Lancaster said. “But I got a lot of real push back right from the get-go from the [Loudoun County Democratic Committee. … Really, at the end of the day, it’s politics. This just the hurdle you’ve got to jump through to get the job that you want.”

Meanwhile, Lancaster’s campaign

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 37

majority of the system’s users.

However, many of the speakers during the public hearing were not average users, with $240 bimonthly bills. Some reported paying more than $300 and as much as $500 per month.

“I think I had a thousand-dollar bill last month,” said one customer, who noted he had been watering a newly planted lawn.

Several said they do everything they can to keep water use low, including putting timers on their children’s showers and limiting use of the washing machine. One suggested having community fundraisers to help offset the utility costs.

Among the most passionate speakers was Bethany Andino, a mother of three who said she works three jobs and volunteers at the fire department. She moved to Round Hill from Leesburg and saw her water bills increase from $124 to $360.

“I can’t imagine what 24% would do,” she said. “I cannot do it. There’s got to be another way.”

Erin Dunbar, a single mother with three children, said the construction projects are needed, but not urgent.

“You’ve picked the worst possible time to do this,” she said.

Andrea Brooks said she was among the first residents to move into the Mountain Valley neighborhood. She uses paper plates and cups, and shower timers to limit water use.

“Twenty-four percent is a lot of money for a lot of people in this room,” she said.

Others advocating for a delay in the

construction projects said that the costs of materials, such as concreate and steel, would likely come down in future years.

During its final utility rate work session May 17, the council decided to consider two rate options.

The first, supported by a majority of the members, is for a 24% increase in fiscal year 2024, followed by plans for 5% annual increases over the next four years.

The second option is for a 15% increase starting in July, followed by 15% increase in fiscal year 2025 and the three years of 5% increases.

Both options would be expected to provide enough revenue to cover increased debt service payments and operating costs while adequately maintaining the system’s reserve fund. The town’s fiscal policies require utility fund reserves to cover at least 12 months of operating and debt service costs, and for the town to pay at least 25% cash for capital projects. In recent years, fueled by a strong stream of new connection fees, reserves have grown to more than two years of coverage even as cash was used for most utility upgrades. The town is in the process of securing its first debt financing in several years, a $2.6 million bank placement bond. That’s expected to be followed by $7 million in additional borrowing through 2027.

Tuesday’s follow-up work session began with several members saying they were open to considering a 15% increase instead, with plans for a second 15% increase next year. However, as their discussion continued, a majority circled back to

a preference to push ahead with the 24% proposal. They noted that 15% would not significantly lower the increase users would see in their bills compared with a 24% hike—a difference of $5 to $15 per month for the average users—and would put the community through the stress of a second large rate increase next year.

“Twenty-four percent sounds like a lot, but in a dollars sense it really isn’t that much,” Vice Mayor Mary Anne Graham said.

“The costs are not going to go down for the [Capital Improvements Plan] and the need for these projects aren’t going to go away. This is a hard responsibility to have to do it,” Council member Isaac Pacheco said.

In addition to spending much of the public hearing providing information on the history of the utility system and its needs, Ramsey urged those in the crowd to support annexation. If they were town residents, not only would they pay intown rates that are 50% lower, they also could run for council seats and have a greater voice, he said.

“You need to be in town,” Ramsey said, who is a proponent of eventually annexing the town’s utility service area.

The council was scheduled to adopt the rate at its June 14 meeting, after this deadline for this issue. Check loudounnow.com for an update on that action. n

committee, Lancaster 4 Loudoun, has missed another campaign finance disclosure deadline. The committee filed its first legally required campaign fundraising and spending disclosures more than a month late, and with information missing from every donor listing. The committee’s first quarter report, which was due April 17, was filed June 3.

The next quarterly report was due Monday, June 12. Lancaster said she filed that disclosure the next day, Tuesday, June 13.

Late filing of those disclosures is punishable by a civil fine of up to $500. Any subsequent late filings in the same election cycle are penalized with a $1,000 fine.

Once filed, the first quarter report reflected $4,735 in fundraising and no campaign spending. Lancaster said she is trying to run against the conventional wisdom around campaign fundraising.

She said in meeting with potential donors, “all these kind of big money donors that I

met with wanted a piece of something. …

I’m not willing to do that, I’m not willing to kind of compromise my message.”

She said the negative political messaging around her race is “demoralizing.”

“We’ll see whether or not I’ll be a loser who can pat myself on the back about having integrity, or whether the message got out through other means and I win the day. And then I can pat myself on the back for doing it with integrity,” she said. “This has been an incredible learning experience, and I think the major lesson I have learned is that the barrier to entry for normal people to get into politics is incredibly high. If I could do it all over again, I would certainly do it differently.”

She said despite the electoral bid, she doesn’t want to be a politician.

“I think I have the right message. I think I could do a great job being a commonwealth’s attorney. Whether or not I could do a great job being a politician who raised a bunch of money, I think clearly

that is not my strong suit, and I’m OK with that,” she said.

“I really wish I was the monster everyone wanted me to be, but I’m just a single mom who’s trying to make a change, but the reality is first I’ve got to pay my mortgage,” Lancaster added.

In the most recent quarter, Biberaj’s campaign reported $163,838 in fundraising and $292,235 in spending such as on consultants, organizing, campaign software, events and advertising.

Biberaj was her own second-largest donor of the quarter, giving $40,000 to her campaign. Her largest donor was Hasan Biberaj of New York real estate firm Morgan Barrington, who gave $75,000 last quarter bringing his total contributions this election cycle to $115,000.

The next-largest donors were Sabria Biberaj of Falls Church, who gave $5,000, and Demand Justice PAC, a federal hybrid PAC which gave $5,000. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 38

JUNE 15, 2023

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

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL RENSS GREENE Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com

Utility Hot Potato There are lots of things we want our town governments to do well. There are few things they must do without failure. Water and sewer service is on that very short list.

Police service? Not required. Parks? Not required.

Farm markets? Movie nights? Concerts? Not required.

Trash pickup? Not required, but you do want to make sure that happens.

The delivery of potable water and the treatment of sewage is a whole different category. Losing the service for a few hours is a significant inconvenience; longer than that, it’s a health threat. Longer still, it moves to disaster status.

Each budget season, town councils wrestle the investment required to ensure the efficient operation of their aging or growing systems. Raising utility rates— like taxes, and sometimes more so—is never a popular option.

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

LETTERS to the Editor

ADVERTISING SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

Online always at LoudounNow.com

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county.

Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

Most towns strive to take a long view with a schedule of modest annual rates that provide predictability and stability for both the utility system and the rate payers.

Hard choices come when the needs of the system outpace that gradual revenue growth. It’s then that town leaders are faced with the choice between political expediency and community responsibility.

While some town leaders seek to avoid that responsibility by promoting a search for creative magic bullet solutions, utilities are better suited to simple math—the costs are totaled and divided among the users.

The practice of skimping on this critical infrastructure with the short-term goal of keeping user charges artificially low often is equated to kicking the can down a road. In most cases, it should be viewed as a game of hot potato. Which future town council or town manager will be on the hook when some long-ignored system fails? It’s not a game worth playing. n

No Credibility Editor: Hysterical propagandist. That must be the leading qualification to be the Republican Chairman in Loudoun County.

GOP Chairman Scott Pio strikes again.

His diatribe against Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall [Letters, June 8] was filled with falsehoods and misrepresentations. It seems Pio wants to blame even the weather on Chair Randall. He has absolutely no credibility.

There is no need to rehash the accusations Pio made against Chair Randall.

Suffice it to say, those accusations are utterly absurd. By his silly account, only his party can do anything right, which is wrong.

I do not know Chair Randall. I am not an associate of hers. But I do have decades of experience working in or with the public sector. I understand the complexities faced by our public servants. It is too bad that the GOP Chairman does not.

Overall, my observation is that in the face of many challenges, Loudoun County is very well managed. The leadership is stable and effective. The county Board of Supervisors, comprised of Democrats and Republicans, is doing a good job and

properly carrying out their role.

Much progress has been made under Chair Randall, economically and in other areas, such as social justice. Considering history, this is a good thing. It is also a bipartisan effort.

Is there room for improvement in Loudoun County? Sure. Would I do some things differently? Yes. But Chair Randall is not at fault for everything that may be less than perfect.

Absurdly, and without any sense of shame considering what the Republican Party has been doing across the country, Loudoun County is not under one-party rule. I would bet Mr. Pio wouldn’t say this if his party had the majority on the Board of Supervisors.

If Mr. Pio wants more elected Republicans, make the case for the voters based on actual issues. He should not keep rolling out his boogeyman argument, relying on dishonest scare tactics. Recruit candidates who will focus on the issues, lay out their vision, and tell us how they realistically propose implementing and paying for it.

We see none of this from Mr. Pio. He is representing a political party that currently has no coherent vision. Their

agenda is not based on the good of the County, but rather on the selfish interests of a few. The voters can see this, and this is why Mr. Pio’s party is currently in the minority in Loudoun County.

Go to work on constructive ideas, Mr. Pio. The voters are pretty tired of dishonest scare tactics by a bunch of politicians more concerned with power than public service.

— Russell R. Clark, Leesburg

A Reminder Editor: From one Scott to another, I’d like to thank Scott Pio, chair of the Loudoun County Republican Committee, [Letters, June 8] for reminding me of why I’ll never vote Republican again.

I was once a reliable vote for the GOP; then Trump came along. He has turned the once Grand Old Party into the GQP, his own personal cult.

Thanks again, Scott, for reminding me of what a blighted wreck the Republican Party has become, nationally and locally.

— Scott Wallace, Leesburg LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 39

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JUNE 15, 2023

READERS’ poll

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

PAGE 39

CHIPshots

What should be the top priority for Loudoun’s next schools superintendent?

• 40.6% Rebuild Trust • 25.8% Improve Student Performance • 24.2% Wait for the Next School Board • 5.5% Stay the Course • 3.9% Expand Educational Programs Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 38

A Disservice Editor: During one of his first media interviews after being chosen as LCRC Chair, Scott Pio confessed that he really knew very little about Loudoun County issues. With his June 8 Loudoun Now letter to the editor Mr. Pio demonstrates how accurate that statement was.

When he accuses Chair Randall and others of redefining equity he is simply highlighting his lack of knowledge and understanding of the unfortunate truths within the history of the United States, Virginia and Loudoun County; his assertion that labor unions are “brought in”, demonstrates his ignorance of the entire collective bargaining process; and apparently his attention has been completely diverted from four Rt. 15 North road projects (one funded, three in various design phases).

The GOP in Loudoun, Virginia, and the United States does itself a great disservice as it continues to choose leadership that opts for fiction over fact.

And with the likes of Mr. Pio and his ilk, the Party, while old, is unlikely to be “Grand” anytime soon.

— Neil Steinberg, Leesburg Editor’s Note: The writer is the vice mayor of Leesburg.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

What are your summer travel plans?

Your Prescription Is Ready

BY STEVE ROBIN

Those of us of a certain age find ourselves with ailments that are new to our experience.

You can either tough them out or go see your doctor. If you call the doctor’s office you will get an appointment that is routinely several weeks out (I’ve had it be as much as five months), so you get your share of toughing it out thrown in anyway.

Now the big day arrives and you report in. You explain your situation and not long afterwards the doc pulls out a pad and the question for you is “What pharmacy do you use?” You tell him/her, the conversation is over, and you ask someone for the location of the check out desk, which is often otherwise not easy to find, settle up, if needed, and you leave.

A day or two later you get notified by the pharmacy that your prescrip-

Common Sense?

Editor: The speed limit was just reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph in the central downtown district of Leesburg.

Loudoun Now previously reported on the traffic study commissioned by the town: “The study found that most downtown traffic in the area already complies with existing 25 miles per hour speed

tion is ready. You hustle over to the pharmacy, give your name and date of birth (I always knew mine, but now my wife informs me I recite it in my sleep; the whole medical profession identifies you based on that piece of information. Forget it and you might as well go directly to the funeral home of your choice.) and you get handed a bag. In the bag are one or more bottles of pills each of which is accompanied by related paperwork.

When you return home and start reading the paperwork you realize that it contains a very loosely written and random description that appears to address your interest in how/when to take the pills and what side effects you should be aware of, but is laid out more like the unassembled pieces of a jigsaw puzzle than you should ever have anticipated. It’s like that ad for spaghetti sauce, which tells you that you can’t see the ingredients, but trust the spaghetti company, they’re in there.

The potential side effects from your new purchase are spelled out at great

length and are attention-getting, to say the least. Lack of energy and dizziness are routinely listed. Not good, but maybe doable. Irritability and mood swings; really? Avoid driving or other activities that require you to be alert; how the heck? Depression and possible thoughts of suicide; whoa, baby! And, if you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, you simply can’t use the med whatever that may mean for the health issue you went to the doctor for in the first place.

I don’t know about you, but at this point I’m about ready to put this bottle on a shelf—and that’s even before I read the laundry list of other drugs, the names of which I can’t relate to and I’m told I can’t use with the other ones I just brought home. n

limit, recording an average speed of 21 mph. Higher speeds were found on the fringes of the district, along West Market, West Loudoun and North King streets— including areas that would be outside the reduced speed zone.”

It appears all that has been accomplished will be to reduce vehicle speed by 1 mph (from 21 to 20 mph) in the areas affected.

I guess this means to cover the cost of

pavement painting notification(s) and replacing the presently posted 25 mph signs with 20 mph signs, motorists must expect the town will need to implement zero tolerance enforcement to generate sufficient fines to pay for the signage costs.

Reminds me of Philip K. Howard’s 1994 book, “The Death of Common Sense.”

— Mark S. Londner, Hillsboro

Steve Robin is a retired attorney, a resident of Loudoun for over 45 years, and an observer of life for considerably longer than that.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 40

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Completely turn-key Colony Woods Beauty! Well maintained home with no HOA! This beautiful home, renovated in 2016, is the last house on a quiet cul-de-sac and is on a half-acre lot.

LISA CROMWELL

REALTOR®, CRS 703.999.6535 Licensed in VA

SOLD FOR $620,000

$35,000 OVER LISTING PRICE | UNDER CONTRACT IN 3 DAYS 7 OAKDALE CT | STERLING, VA

Charming 3 BR 2 BA cul-de-sac home in Countryside! Open, airy and full of natural light...this home is a delight. Beautifully updated bathrooms, wood floors and freshly painted. Backs to a mature tree buffer. Enjoy all the wonderful Countryside amenities pools, tennis courts, sport court, walking trails.

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | ATO KA PR O PE RT I E S .CO M MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 MARSHALL: 540.364.9500 | CHARLES TOWN: 304.918.5015 | MARYLAND: 240.266.0066 *REPRESENTED BUYER CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV + MD | VA PRINCIPAL BROKER, PETER PEJACSEVICH | WV + MD PRINCIPAL BROKER, JOSH BEALL