Loudoun Now for Sept. 28, 2023

Trial Begins for Fired Schools Superintendent

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

The trial for fired Loudoun schools superintendent Scott Ziegler got underway Tuesday with opening arguments and testimony from six witnesses including Erin Brooks, the subject of two of the three misdemeanor charges filed against Ziegler.

Ziegler is charged with retaliating or threatening a person for publicly expressing their views on a matter of public concern, and with penalizing an employee for a court appearance.

Brooks was called to testify by special prosecutor Theo Stamos to talk about the circumstances that led up to the special education teacher’s contract not being renewed in June 2022.

Brooks, who was named Special Education Teacher of the Year in 2021 and who had received glowing evaluations prior to not being renewed, testified that one of her nonverbal special needs student’s behaviors seemed to become sexual in nature after winter break in 2022. She said she and her teaching assistant Laurie Vandermeulen experienced 30-40 attempted touches or touches

ZIEGLER TRIAL continues on page 36

As Public School Enrollment Plateaus, Private Christian Schools See Boom

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Despite the continuing growth in Loudoun County, the school division has struggled to get enrollment levels back to pre-pandemic levels, leaving many wondering where students are going.

In its 2023-2024 preliminary enrollment numbers announced Sept. 12, the

division saw an overall drop in students from last year’s initial 10-day enrollment report of 81,992. The data shows the largest decrease, 447 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with smaller drops in middle school, 18, and preschool, 29, student counts compared to last year.

The only group that saw an increase in this year’s preliminary report was high school, an increase of about 299 students.

Loudoun’s official enrollment numbers in fall 2019 indicated 84,175 students, but since then the division has struggled to get back to that number. Official counts for fall 2020 showed 81,504 students, fall 2021 showed 81,642 students enrolled and fall 2022 had 82,233 students enrolled.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Sisters Clara, Finley and Faith Norman at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Middleburg.

Johnson, Parker Celebrated for Community Contributions Loudoun Laurels Foundation Scholarships Top $1M

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun Laurels Foundation on Friday night celebrated the community contributions of Sheila Johnson and Lew Parker during its annual fundraising gala that also introduced its latest scholarship recipients.

Both entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Johnson and Parker join a roster of 30 previous Loudoun Laureates to be honored for their lifetimes of accomplishments and community service through the program that was launched in 2008. The sold-out gala was held at Lansdowne Resort.

Johnson said her life has been lived in three phases—as a violinist, as a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, and building a hospitality company anchored by the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg.

She grew up in McKeesport, PA, and learned the love of music from her neurosurgeon father, who played piano. Her talent on the violin landed her a scholarship to the University of Illinois. “It really continues to be the foundation of my life,” Johnson said of her love for the arts.

That passion also led to the launch of BET in the early days of the cable tele-

vision industry in 1980. “The problem was as those cable networks were being created, there was no cable network out there that was really representing the African-American voice. And that’s where we thought it was important to be able to create a cable network,” she said.

After selling the network two decades later, she started the third phase of her life,

including a move to Loudoun County.

“I ended up in Loudoun County because my daughter is a great showjumper. She loves horses has been on the backs of horses since she was three years old. She had quite a career on horses, so we were here a lot through competitions,” Johnson said. “I just fell in love with the area. … It grabbed me, and I wanted to be here.

I wanting to settle here because, to me, it was a place where I knew that I could relax and start a new life.”

Her entry into the hospitality industry was rooted in her work as a musician, performing on tours around the world. “I stayed in some of the finest hotels, and I just got to know the luxury business and I fell in love. And I said, ‘you know, if ever I have a chance in my life, I’d like to own a hotel.’”

This month, she celebrated the 10th anniversary of the opening of Salamander Resort, a five-star hotel and spa that has grown into a larger collection of hotel and resort properties. The resort spurred the creation the annual Middleburg Film Festival, an event Johnson said she created at the suggestion of Robert Redford after he visited Middleburg. Another annual event at the resort is The Family Reunion that highlights the role food has played in the Black experience in America and features the work of the country’s top chef of color. Johnson also is the only African American woman to have a principal ownership in three professional sports teams: the Washington Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics as a partner in Monumental Sports.

Among her philanthropic contribu-

Falcon’s Landing Resident Honored as West Point’s Oldest Graduate

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Residents of Falcon’s Landing in Sterling gathered this morning to celebrate one of their long-time neighbors, as Col. Herbert I. Stern was recognized as the oldest living graduate of West Point.

Born on Christmas Eve in 1918 in Baltimore, MD, Stern was a member of the academy’s Class of 1941, a group of newly minted Army officers whose training was quickly put to the test on the battlefields of Europe.

During the war, Stern commanded artillery battalions, including in the Battle of the Bulge, and led a unit that freed 3,000 Jewish women they found in a Nazi concentration camp. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions.

He went on to serve as an advisor to the French in Vietnam in the early 1950s and to an assignment at NATO headquarters in Italy. He also was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, working on special projects for Dwight D. Eisenhower, both when he was chief of the Army and as president.

After retirement from the Army, Stern returned home to Maryland to run his father’s company, Stern’s Furniture in Rockville.

He moved to Falcon’s Landing, a retirement community for military and government service veterans, in the early 2000s with his wife, Rose. She died in 2015 after 70 years of marriage.

At age 104, Stern remains active, even enjoying pheasant hunting outings with his son, Robert, who said he remains an excellent marksman.

“We try to honor the oldest grad

because we feel we are the most widely connected alumni association in the world. Pretty much, we know were all

50,000 some odd graduates are right now,” said Robert Curran, a leadership gifts officer for the West Point Association of Graduates, who presented Stern with an “Oldest Grad” T-shirt and socks.

“This is just a way to say thank you and we appreciate your service to the country, your support of the academy and the expression of the ideals we feel are important: duty, honor and country,” Stern said.

Read more about Stern’s life and career on the West Point Association of Graduates’ webpage.

Last year, Stern was featured by CBS News during its Veteran’s Day coverage.

The exploits of Stern and other members of the Class of 1941 are detailed in a book, West Point ’41: The Class That Went to War and Shaped America, by Anne Kazel-Wilcox and PJ Wilcox. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Loudoun Laurels Foundation Chairman Joe T. May welcomes Sheila Johnson as a 2023 Loudoun Laureate inductee.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

At left, Robert Curran, a leadership gifts officer for the West Point Association of Graduates, presents Herbert Stern—joined by his son, Robert—with an “Oldest Grad” T-shirt during a Sept. 22, 2023, ceremony at Falcons Landing.

LAURELS SCHOLARSHIPS continues on page 36

Douglass High School Commemoration, Documentary Proposals Unveiled

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

After almost two years of work, the Douglass High School Commemorative Committee has unveiled a plan to commemorate the struggle for racial equality in Loudoun, and to pass the stories of the people in that fight on to new generations.

Under that plan, the county’s Douglass Community Center and the Douglass High School Consortium, including representatives of the Loudoun Douglass High School Alumni Association, the Edwin Washington Society, and the Loudoun NAACP, would develop educational programming and organize an annual commemoration. And the

county would commission a documentary film about the history of that school and the history of segregated education in Loudoun.

“This is not an easy topic to tackle, I’m sure you know,” commemorative

DOUGLASS COMMEMORATION

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Supervisors to Pilot Union Rule for Construction Contracts

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

For the first time, the eventual contractor to build a new county office building will have to sign a union contract following a Sept. 19 Board of Supervisors vote. Democratic supervisors have pushed for a project labor agreement clause in hiring contractors for county projects. Under state law, local governments may require the contractor “to enter into or adhere to project labor agreements with one or more labor organizations,” a proj-

ect labor agreement, for a specific project. State law defines it as “a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific public works project.”

Supervisors voted to require one of those agreements for the $89.6 million project to build a new government office building near a cluster of other county government buildings off Sycolin Road.

They also set county staff members to work identifying a road project in the county’s capital plans for a second pilot

agreement. That recommendation is expected to the board’s finance committee Oct. 10.

Democrats on the board have argued project labor agreements keep projects on-time and are a tool to reduce pay disparities for women and minorities; Republicans have argued they would drive up the cost of projects and could exclude small, women- and minority-owned businesses and Virginia businesses from

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

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Low Cost Well Water Testing Offered

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun is offering a reduced-cost water testing program for wells, cisterns, and springs.

The Virginia Household Water Quality Testing program provides water testing, aids with understanding test results, and provides information about addressing problems. A water testing kit costs $65. A comparable analysis at a private commercial lab would cost more than $300. Financial support is also available.

The program tests for the 14 water quality parameters, including iron, manganese, nitrate, lead, arsenic, fluoride, sulfate, pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, sodium, copper, total coliform bacteria and E. coli bacteria.

Water samples are analyzed at Virginia Tech’s Research Lab. Confidential results, an explanation of what they mean, and information about addressing any problems are sent via email after six weeks.

Find more information and a link to register under news items at loudoun.gov/extension. Testing kits are limited.

Business Hazardous Waste Collection Oct. 5

Loudoun County will offer hazardous waste collection for businesses and other non-residential generators on Thursday, Oct. 5. Pre-registration is required by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29.

The county hosts two collection events a year allowing eligible hazardous waste generators to deliver toxic, reactive, ignitable and corrosive materials for proper disposal. It is offered for organizations in Loudoun considered “Very Small Quantity Generators,” which produce less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month, less than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste per month, and accumulates not more than 2,220 pounds of hazardous waste on-site at any time.

Registration forms and more information are online at loudoun.gov/bhwp.

ON THE AGENDA

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Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A statue of abolitionist, writer, orator and newspaper publisher Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery, outside the Douglass Community Center at  407 E Market St., Leesburg.

"SHE SAVED MY LIFE"

Loudoun County resident Dawn R. had been experiencing the painful side effects of Peripheral Neuropathy, “my feet and legs were extremely painful and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do. That I would have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my life.”

Then she met Ashburn's very own Rachal Lohr, L Ac

Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort, and numbness caused by nerve damage to the peripheral nervous system. Dawn explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful.

“How can you live for the next 30 years when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?”

She was experiencing the burning, numbness, tingling, and sharp pains that those suffering from neuropathy often describe. “The way that I would describe it, it’s equivalent to walking on glass.” Dawn hadn’t worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big so that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet

Unfortunately, Dawn’s story is all too familiar for the over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.

If you’re unfortunate enough to be facing the same disheartening prognosis you’re not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet You have difficulty walking, shopping, or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain. You’re struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall. Your doctor told you to ‘just live with the pain’ and you’re taking medications that aren’t working or have uncomfortable side effects.

Fortunately, two months ago Dawn read an article about Rachal and the work she was doing to treat those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, without invasive surgeries or medications

Rachal Lohr, founder of Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness, in Ashburn, is using the time tested science of Acupuncture and a technology originally developed by NASA that assists in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease

“Now when I go to bed at night I don’t have those shooting pains. I don’t have that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs,” Dawn enthusiastically describes life after receiving Rachal Lohr's treatments. “I can wear socks and shoes!”

Dawn and her sister now operate a successful dog walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day.

“It’s life altering. As far as I’m concerned Rachal saved my life!”

Rachal has been helping the senior community for over 16 years using the most cutting edge and innovative integrative medicine. Specializing in chronic pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed ‘hopeless’ or ‘untreatable’, she consistently generates unparalleled results

What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of Northern Virginia

If you’ve missed too many tee times because of pain or you’ve passed on walking through the town centers with friends because you’re afraid of falling, it’s time to call Rachal and the staff at Firefly

It’s time you let your golden years BE GOLDEN!

Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. is once again accepting new patients. And for a limited time will be offering $40 Consultations so call (703)263-2142 to schedule a consultation

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Douglass commemoration

continued from page 4

committee co-chair Charles Avery told the Joint School Board-Board of Supervisors committee Sept. 18. “I think we have, after much deliberation, come up with some very strong recommendations that will show not only the county but folks across this country what we’re doing here in Loudoun County.”

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The forced sale of the property for Frederick Douglass High School in Leesburg, Loudoun’s first high school for Black students, has been a particular focus. The County-Wide League of Black PTAs, formed in 1938, raised $4,000 to buy land for a high school, but was forced to sell the land to the county for $1. The school opened in 1941.

Loudoun was also one of the last school districts in the country to desegregate, shutting down schools as part of Virginia’s “massive resistance” led by Sen. Harry Byrd. According to research by county staff, at that time the county board also supported changing the state constitution to allow funding segregated private schools with taxpayer money, and refused to make any improvements to Douglass Elementary School and Douglass High School until “reasonable assurance was given by the parents of colored children of the county that they conform to the opinion that their education be promoted better by their continued school attendance on a segregated basis.” The county’s schools integrated in 1968, 14 years after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling that found racially segregated schools unconstitutional.

The Commemorative Committee estimated an annual commemoration would cost around $50,000 and commissioning a documentary around $1 million.

“People want to tell their stories,” Loudoun Human Services Project Manager Shalom Black, the county’s liaison to the committee, said. “They want to tell the work that has been done, and they want to tell it while they’re still around and folks are able to hear and see what has been done in that community.”

County supervisors and School Board members on the joint committee greeted the proposals, voting unanimously to recommend them to the full Board of Supervisors for funding.

“I’m just so happy to be a part of this community, to do something that’s so significant for our history in Loudoun County,” joint committee co-chair Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) said. She recalled a fellow educator at Loudoun

County Public Schools teaching students about growing up in Loudoun: “He would go out and talk to the students every year about him growing up in Loudoun County and the difficulties that he had. I think that’s a way to show people that it’s not going to hurt anyone—telling your story. You’re telling the story of what happened in your community. So, I think this is a wonderful thing, and the children learned the history of Loudoun and they learned it from someone that they knew and they trusted.

“I hope this is an opportunity for us to continue with this, telling the stories of our constituents, and this is a good opportunity for us to understand one another, show empathy and grow as a community.”

Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said school segregation impacted the entire community.

“We were a community not at peace. We were not at peace, and in many ways we won’t be at peace until a lot of these things are reconciled and we tell the full truth of what happened in this county,” she said. She agreed the plans “can be a model for other communities and for our state and even for our nation about how to talk about massive resistance, how to talk about systemic racism in our society, how to talk about what happens when you attempt to erase history, and also be a beacon that’s showing how we’re coming together and we’re talking about it.”

“I really appreciate the modesty of these requests,” Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said. “It is unbelievably humble, and I had expected something far more expensive, so thank you for the way you handled this and the way you emphasized the importance of keeping this history alive.”

A draft plan for the documentary has the Board of Supervisors approving funding in January to contract an archivist to catalog resources for the movie. A request for proposals for a production company would go out around May, and a contract to produce the movie would be issued in August. The million-dollar budget is comparable to higher-end documentaries produced for PBS POV and Independent Lens movies.

Another project to study the lasting impacts of Loudoun’s history of racial segregation is still underway, led by the University of Virginia’s Center for Race and Public Education in the South. That $250,000 project, which supervisors approved in December, is expected to report back with findings in December of this year, and with recommendations for action in December 2024. n

9.37 ACRES LOVETTSVILLE

1.43 ACRES IN LEESBURG

Landfill Temporarily Halts Tires Collection

The Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility south of Leesburg will temporarily stop accepting waste tires effective today because it has reached its permit limit for storing them.

According to the Sept. 26 announcement, the collection stoppage is expected to continue into mid-October.

The commonwealth limits the number of tires a facility may store as a safety measure.

The landfill has seen an increase in scrap tires as other collection sites reach their storage limits and disposal cost increase. Also, there are a limited number of tire hauling operators available to keep pace with the increase volume and remove the collected tires, according to the announcement.

Within the next two to three weeks,

Construction contracts

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bidding on county projects. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said the requirement would limit competition and drive prices up, and the board is “essentially implementing an experiment at taxpayer expense, on what is really an important project.”

“This is the best thing we can do for the construction industry in Maryland, and one of the worst we could do for Virginia, because the vast majority of workforce in Virginia is nonunion,” Letourneau said. “And a lot of these [subcontractors], including many small businesses that the county has made a point of trying to utilize in the past, will not be able to bid on these contracts or be part of them.”

“It’s hard to say something’s experimental that’s been going on for decades in other places. Just because it hasn’t happened here doesn’t mean it’s experimental,” Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said. “I don’t know how you make that case at all. …This is a pilot program for

ON THE Agenda

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4-H Gets Grant for Shooting Education

The Loudoun County 4-H has received a grant from the NRA Foundation for its Shooting Education Program.

The grant provided $3,400 worth

the county expects its service provider will remove the current accumulation of tires for recycling, at which time it will resume accepting scrap tires. However, to minimize the potential for the landfill to reach its tire storage capacity in the future, landfill operators plan to limit on the number of tires residential and commercial customers may discard each day. The county charges disposal fees of $3 to $39, depending on the size of the tire.

Tires collected at the landfill are transported to a permitted recycler who can convert the scrap tires into other uses, such as crumb rubber, which is used in road construction and other applications, and tire-derived fuel.

More information about the landfill’s services is posted on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/landfill. n

a reason. We will see how this goes and see what happens, and we will be kind of monitoring it all the way through.”

Either way, Loudoun’s pilot project—or experiment—begins soon.

The $89.6 million office building project is under design and will likely go out for construction contractor bids soon; construction funding is available in the county capital budget in the current fiscal year. The project is expected to finish construction in fiscal year 2027 and is part of an ongoing county project to save money in the long term by moving county offices out of leased space and consolidate those offices into county-owned buildings.

The building is planned among a cluster of other county government buildings including the Loudoun Homeless Services Center, the Loudoun County Public Schools central garage, and the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Training Academy.

Supervisors voted 5-3-1, with Letourneau and Supervisors Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) opposed and Vice Chair Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) absent. n

of equipment for the program, which stresses gun safety, form, accuracy, self-discipline and proper sporting usage of target firearms. The new equipment includes safety gear, a clay throwing machine, and other assorted gear and supplies to support the hands-on program.

4-H is the youth development education program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. More information is online at loudoun.gov/4-H. n

Leesburg

Residents Urged to Report Sightings of Lanternflies and Their Favorite Trees

Leesburg’s Department of Public Works has launched an online Invasive Species Locator map to track sightings of spotted lanternflies reported by residents.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species of insect that can significantly damage native plants and trees that are economically important in Virginia, including grapevines, hops, fruits and vegetables, and ornamental trees. Residents are encouraged to report and kill the insects in an effort to limit their spread.

The insects are native to China and have spread across the Mid-Atlantic region since they were first discovered in

Berks County, PA, in 2014.

Leesburg Tree Commission Chairman Earl Hower noted spotted lantern flies are attracted to the Tree of Heaven—another invasive species native to China and which is common in the area. The trees provide a readily available food source for the insect, allowing them to multiply and expand their range.

The town’s Invasive Species Locator map provides a way for residents to report, in real time, what they are seeing. It uses a geographic information system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all data entered. The system also allows res-

idents to report where Tree of Heaven is located.

“The goal is to collect this information, so town staff has a better idea of where the Tree of Heaven is located and how many insects are in the area,” said Renee LaFollette, the town’s director of Public Works and Capital Projects. The information will be collected through the fall and be used this winter to coordinate a response with the county government, the county extension office, HOAs, and VDOT, she said.

Sightings should be reported online at leesburgva.gov/departments/ public-works/urban-forestry. n

Habitat Begins Construction on Leesburg Duplex

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

stacked duplex that will be built on a vacant lot on Prince Street in Leesburg’s Lowenbach neighborhood.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Celebrating its 30th year of working to provide affordable housing, Loudoun Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday broke ground on its latest project, one that will provide homes—and homeownership— to two families.

The new project is a one-over-one

According to President and CEO Therese Cashen, after acquiring the lot last year, Habitat leaders were pleased to learn the property’s by-right zoning

Town Celebrates Aviation with Airshow on Saturday

Leesburg Executive Airport will host its popular annual Leesburg Airshow on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beginning at 1 p.m., aerobatic performers will take to the skies of Leesburg. The event will feature the Flying Circus, Scott Francis Airshows, RJ Gritter, Chef Pitts, and Warbird Thunder Airshows. The Commemorative Air Force will also return.

Throughout the day on the tarmac, visitors will get a chance to see a variety of modern and antique aircraft up close, including an Air Yukon DC-3, a UH-1 (Huey helicopter) restored by the Liberty Warbirds, and a Douglas C-47B Skytrain (Luck of the Irish).

Attendees will also enjoy aviation-related displays, educational activities and exhibits, inflatable slides for the kids, and a variety of food and beverage vendors. Craft beer will be available for purchase.

Admission is free. Gates open at 11 a.m. Event parking will be at Heritage High School, at 520 Evergreen Mills Road; and Segra Field, at 42095 Loudoun United Drive. Complimentary shuttles will run continuously from 10:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

This year’s airshow is presented by Toth Financial, along with Kuhn Jet Center and The Malinowski Family.

For more information, go to  leesburgairshow.com.

Hauntings Tickets on Sale

The Loudoun Museum is gearing up for its annual Hauntings walking tour of downtown Leesburg.

The 80-minute walking tours are offered in small groups Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Tour guide will tell stories about historic homes and their inhabitants from the past—some highly ghostly in nature.

Stops on this year’s tour include the Loudoun County Courthouse, Eliza House, Glenfiddich House, Presbyterian Church, and the Johnston House.

Tickets are available for $35 at loudounmuseum.org and typically sell out quickly.

Hauntings is the largest annual fundraiser for the Loudoun Museum, with the money used to support new

AROUND TOWN continues on page 9

Town of Leesburg

Leesburg’s Department of Public Works has launched an online Invasive Species Locator map to track sightings of spotted lantern flies reported by residents.

Loudoun Habitat for Humanity President and CEO

Therese Cashen discusses plans for a new Prince Street duplex that will provide homes for two Loudoun families.

HABITAT continues on page 9

Lafayette’s 1828 Tour Commemorated at Temple Hall

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Northern Virginia Parks, joined by a representative from the French Embassy, on Tuesday commemorated the 1825 visit by the Marquis de Lafayette to Temple Hall near Leesburg with a ceremony to unveil and dedicate two permanent signs at the regional park.

The event was attended by Embassy of France to the United States Deputy Consul Mathieu Esnault, NOVA Parks Board Chair Cate Magennis Wyatt, Loudoun Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), NOVA parks staff members, Lafayette Trail Inc. President Julien Icher, the Sons of the American Revolution, and members of the public.

Wyatt shared about Lafayette’s visit to Leesburg where an estimated crowd of 10,000 greeted him as he traveled up Rt. 15. Lafayette visited Temple Hall, the home of George Mason’s nephew William Temple Thomson Mason, at the end of his tour of the United States in 1825.

“There is no overstating the impor-

AROUND town

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exhibitions, collaborative programs with local businesses and nonprofits, guest lecturers, educational programming, and community events.

Ready to Rake? Leaf Collection Begins

Leesburg’s annual fall bulk leaf collection will start on Monday, Oct. 16 and continue through the last week of December.

Collections will rotate around town each day: Mondays, northeast; Tuesdays, northwest; Wednesdays, southeast; Thursdays, southwest; and Fridays, King and Market Streets Zone. Saturday will be makeup days as needed.

Leaves should be in piles within 4 feet of the street curb—but away from storm inlets, fire hydrants, and utility boxes—by 6 a.m. on collection day. The bulk leaf pickup uses a vacuum truck and is designed for leaves only.

Learn more at leesburgva.gov/ fall-leaves. n

Habitat

continued from page 8

the long-lasting relationship between France and the United States.

“We are deeply honored to have been invited to this ceremony,” he said. “… I can only wish that our two nations will foster many more visionary individuals devoted to French American relationships and dedicated to our shared history and to carry forward our ideals of liberty and progress.”

tance of Lafayette,” she said. “His family heritage alone was so impressive, but then his military acumen, his finances that he brought. … He lived and breathed and put everything he had into ensuring other people’s liberty and democracy.”

Esnault said that the visit from Lafayette and the decision to commemorate it so many years later spoke to

Icher also provided some historical background for Lafayette’s visit to Temple Hall at the end of his tour of the United States in 1825. He visited with John Quincy Adams and James Monroe, and stood to sponsor to Monroe’s daughter Mary as she was baptized— similar to being a godfather, NOVA parks historian Paul McCray said.

“Why did he come here?” McCray said. “… [William Temple Thomson] Mason headed up a team of three people to invite Lafayette to come to Leesburg. The first time they tried to get him to come his schedule was full but later … after deciding to come see Monroe he decided he would accept the invitation.” n

permits duplexes as well as single family homes. They then worked to find a design that would fit in with the scale of other homes in the neighborhood, settling on a two-story modular structure that will be assembled on the site in four pieces. They plan to build a detached garage to provide the families additional storage space.

Cashen said the families selected for the new homes have been participating in a year-long training program to prepare them for homeownership—including managing the mortgage that comes with the keys. They’ve also invested at least 200 hours of sweat-equity, working on other Habitat projects and volunteer opportunities.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity. I can’t praise Habitat enough,” Mayor Kelly Burk said, adding the programs will help build generational wealth for the families.

Learn more about Loudoun Habitat, including how to volunteer and donate, at loudounhabitat.org. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Members of the Sons of the American Revolution color guard presented the colors at a ceremony to commemorate the an 1825 visit by the Marquis de Lafayette to Temple Hall near Leesburg.

New Schools Superintendent Holds First Listening Session

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

About 30 parents showed up for Superintendent Aaron Spence’s first listening session at Broad Run High School on Sept 20 to share their thoughts on what the division was doing right, ways it could improve, and what they wanted to see done for their children.

Several senior administrators were also there to listen and facilitate discussions at tables with parents.

During his first three weeks on the job, Spence said he had heard about the need to prioritize student safety, build trust, and continue to focus on creating great experiences for all students. He referenced the six-month entry plan he presented to the School Board on Sept. 12 and said the three phases of that plan—engage, empower and enrich—boil down to listening, learning and acting. Wednesday night was for listening.

Parents talked with each other for about 20 minutes in groups and wrote their thoughts on each of the three questions given to them by Spence then shared a summarized statement from all three areas with the entire group.

Some of the suggested ways the division could improve were: finding ways to fix chronic absenteeism; introducing students to foreign languages, music and instruments earlier; building trust; increasing staff for special education; assess the costs of advanced placement tests; providing more support for English learners in the classroom; implement “radical” intervention for kids who were not taught phonics; addressing learning loss; dealing with bullying and discrimination better; increasing positive communication to the public; consolidating parent apps; bringing back vocational and trade programs, establishing dress codes for students and teachers; getting rid of “propaganda” in school; increasing academic standards; improving bathroom safety; decreasing teacher workloads; improved teacher training; and challenging every student.

When it came to what the division was doing well, parents said they liked the mental health support for students, plans

to establish a Health and Medical Sciences Academy and other special programs, and the relationships between staff and students. Parents said they felt their voices were being heard more and that the division had great teachers.

Parents also were asked to share their hopes and dreams for their children as they attend school in the division. They said they wanted their children to have a “trusting and safe environment to learn in” and to have an “excellent education and develop their full potential.” Others said they wanted their children to have more opportunities to learn trades, to feel included and safe, to be challenged and to leave being able to make a difference in the world.

At the end the program parents were given a few minutes to ask questions and share their thoughts.

Mital Gandhi, a father of two students, said the division “over assesses and underreports” when it comes to testing and

asked that results like MAP tests be made available. He said his children have to take the Virginia Growth Assessment and MAP tests multiple times this year and yet results aren’t given to parents right away. He said test data is available to teachers the next day and asked why that information couldn’t be sent home with students so parents could see how their child did and if they needed help.

In addition to parents not having access to results, he said he couldn’t access the results of his child’s school or see how other division schools did. He said he has had to file a Freedom of Information Act request and pay money to get that information.

“What they have done, unfortunately, is they have locked up the results in a vault. I have had to FOIA, spend $100 to FOIA results from my specific school,” he

LISTENING SESSION

continues on page 12

High Schools Ranked Among Best by U.S. News

Sixteen Loudoun County high schools are ranked among U.S. News and World Report’s Best High Schools in the nation, including four that were ranked in the top 20 in the state of Virginia.

Two Loudoun high schools, Lightridge and W.O. Robey, are listed as unranked in the report.

The rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia including 322 in Virginia. Their rankings were based on six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.

Equinix

Equinix data center lit up in Broad Run and Stone Bridge High School colors. The data center will be lighting up its walls for various holidays and local celebrations this year.

Equinix to Light Up Data Center for Broad Run Homecoming

Data center giant Equinix lit up the walls of one of its Ashburn data centers for the first time Sept. 22 in maroon and gold to celebrate Broad Run High School’s homecoming game.

The lighting is the first of many the company plans for various holiday and Loudoun County events throughout the year, including Oct. 13 to mark Stone Bridge High School’s homecoming game.

“We have deep roots in Loudoun County. Beyond providing hundreds of jobs, through

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 13

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Superintendent Aaron Spence pauses to listen during a group discussion on Sept. 20 at Broad Run High School. Parents discussed in groups then shared ways the division could do better, what it was already doing well and what their hopes and dreams were for their students during the superintendent’s first listening session.

Listening session

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said. “I want to know how my school is doing. I want to know how other schools are doing. I want to see where my school relates to other schools in LCPS. That is transparency. I am not asking for much, but when I have to spend money to FOIA those results, I think that is ridiculous.”

He said when data and results aren’t shared, parents get disappointed and frustrated.

“Hiring [Spence] has been one big step in the right direction for trust. However, he has a big job in front of him. We can trust him, but we need to trust the people under him,” Gandhi said. “In order to instill that trust he needs to make sure he has the right team. That was the most important thing to me as a dad, if we can trust. We don’t always have to agree, but if we can trust our administrators and we can trust our superintendent then I’m happy to put my kid in middle school and elementary school. So, I think it’s really important that the School Board hired Dr. Spence, but what he does in the next little bit here is what really matters.”

Suzanne Satterfield said she was concerned about the division entering into collective bargaining and that she believed it would silence the board and decrease the teacher pool.

Karen Miller suggested having a person or a website that can list all the different programs that are available to students that enrich their education. She spoke of the hours she spends finding programs like the Virginia Page Program her now ninth grade child participated in last year. She said she wanted to see more time and communication from the division on programs that give students a leg up in the real world.

After the event, Spence talked with parents and members of the media.

He said he thought the night went well and they received candid feedback including things he hadn’t heard before.

“We heard a lot about special education. I have talked about that in my entry plan and the need for me to understand that and assess it. We also heard a lot about concerns for our English language learners and so I think there were some very student specific concerns that came up and all of that information is important,” he said.

Spence said he planned to talk with his staff to better understand how data in the division is shared.

“My expectation though on a broad

level is if we are collecting data and it is driving our decision making than we should be sharing that info with our School Board and with our community. That is part of transparency. Here’s how we are doing. Here’s what we are learning. Here’s what we are doing about it. That is the purpose of data,” he said. “I think there are ways for us to create a data landing page where it’s really easy for people to find the information that they are looking for and those are the kinds of conversations that will come out of these listing sessions.”

Asked about what some described as a low turnout for the session, Spence said, “when people tell you they don’t trust you as an organization than maybe they are less likely to come and to share what they are thinking because perhaps they are worried or wondering if we are going to take that seriously.”

He said he wanted people to know he takes it seriously and wants people to come out and communicate their concerns.

“I am really deeply interested in understanding again kind of where are our strengths that we need to build on where are any gaps that we need to focus on and we will take that info and we will come back with a plan to say ‘these are our next steps, this is what we’ve heard, this is what we need to do and here’s how we are going to move forward together,” he said.

The next listening session is Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Independence High School. For the full list of listening session dates go to lcps.org/suptcls. Sessions will be held at every high school in the division between now and April.

Division staff member are gathering all written feedback as well as online feedback submitted online. Spence plans to use the information to develop a post entry plan next spring. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Parent Mital Gandhi talks with Superintendent Aaron Spence on Sept. 20 during the first listening session at Broad Run High School.

Ashburn Student Donates Food, Money to Local Shelters After Breakfast Food Drive

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Ashburn resident and high school junior Abhi Badia donated more than $1,000 in food donations and $1,000 in money to two local shelters following a six-week breakfast food drive he started Aug. 3.

Badia, a volunteer at Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston and the Loudoun Homeless Services Shelter in Leesburg, wanted to provide breakfast food items to about 30-40 students who live at the shelters.

His original goal was to help the two shelters but thanks to the generous donations of community members, including an $800 check from Sterling based HVAC and plumbing company SNELL and family and friends, he was able to donate additional money to Cornerstones, the nonprofit organization over Embry Rucker.

Cornerstones helps by promoting selfsufficiency and helps provide food, shelter, quality childcare and other needs to those struggling to make ends meet in Northern Virginia, according to its website.

Badia said he was grateful for all the support and said it felt amazing to deliver the items and money on Wednesday.

“This is only my second time doing a big fundraiser and it gained a lot of attention,” he said. “That $800 donation from SNELL made my day. My goal was around $1,000 but we raised double that, and it was amazing.”

Badia donated a check in the amount

SCHOOL notebook

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our long-standing employee engagement volunteering with local nonprofits, the scholarships we sponsor at Northern Virginia Community College, and our industry-leading sustainability efforts, we take immense pride how we’ve helped the community thrive,” stated SVP Global Customer Care & Experience at Equinix Chris Kimm. “We live here, we work here, and we know that sometimes data centers, as vital as they are to the digital lives we all lead, can look like big, boring boxes. By lighting up our walls, we hope to bring a bit of joy to our neighbors while sparking interest in events and celebrations that matter to members of our community.”

of $1,000 to Cornerstones, $1,000 worth of food to Embry Rucker and about $300 worth of food to Loudoun Homeless Services Shelter, according to Badia’s mom Priya Dodla.

Badia hopes the donations help the students for a while.

“Cornerstones will be putting the money toward helping people in need,” Badia said. “Helping people, that is what matters.”

Badia, an avid swimmer and third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do volunteers his time with Nest4US, a nonprofit volunteer organization that gives students opportunities to serve by tutoring, mentoring and organizing food drives. He also teaches kids Tae Kwon Do.

He is a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and plans to pursue a career in computer science. n

School Board Approves Anti-Bullying and Disability Awareness Month

The School Board on Tuesday approved proclamations making October Bullying Prevention and Disability History and Awareness Month.

The proclamation supports the General Assembly’s 2009 joint resolution designating October as Disability History and Awareness month in the commonwealth. The school division currently serves more than 9,500 students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Additionally, October is National Bullying Prevention month. All administrators, mental health team members, teachers and students play a role in preventing bullying and creating a climate where it is not tolerated. n

Wheatland Farm Presents: A Night of Hope and Healing at the 2023 Gala Dinner

An Evening of Generosity to Support Wheatland Farm’s Riding Program for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Wheatland Farm is excited to announce its annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the farm inPurcellville, Virginia. The event promises to be a special evening of elegance and giving, benefiting WheatlandFarm’s core mission: providing therapeutic riding and para equestrian for children and adults with disabilities.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: 5:30 PM onwards

Location: Wheatland Farm 15158 Berlin Turnpike, Purcellville, VA 20132

Gourmet, multi-course dinner showcasing the finest seasonal fare. Inspirational Presentations | Live Entertainment | Live & Silent Auctions

All proceeds directly support Wheatland Farm’s therapeutic and para dressage riding program

wheatlandgala@gmail.com 703-574-0511

Priya Dodla

Ashburn resident and high school junior Abhi Badia stands behind food he collected for two local shelters.

Ellis, Kershner Meet in Hillsboro Debate

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Incumbent Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner (R) and independent challenger John Ellis debated their competing visions for preserving the county’s rural west during a debate Sept. 21 at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School.

Ellis and Kershner fielded questions on a wide variety of topics, but their answers returned to competing visions for protecting Loudoun’s farms and green spaces. With the potential for thousands more homes in western Loudoun under current zoning, Ellis argues that the county board should use its zoning authority to restrict development in the west, while Kershner argues for encouraging conservation easements and programs to allow rural landowners to sever and sell the development rights from their land, either to the county government or to eastern developers.

“The main difference between us, between your two candidates here, is that I think the only way that we can ensure that we preserve this area the way we want it— that we keep the traffic from overwhelming our rural roads, that we make it safe, that we preserve our gravel road system, we preserve our farms and things like that—the only way to do that is to reduce the number of houses that you put in new rural subdivisions in western Loudoun,” Ellis said. He pointed to rural zoning in Loudoun which allows more houses than surrounding jurisdictions—“you are allowed to put three times more houses in a cluster subdivision than you can if you’re in the Middleburg area, or in Fauquier, or in Clarke, or in Prince William in their rural areas. Why on earth does Loudoun say, ‘’come here because we’ll give you three times more houses for the same acreage?’”

Kershner said a potentially years-long process to change zoning would take too long, and pointed out that a future board could change zoning to allow more development again. He pointed to a recent decision by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors to eliminate its 80,000 acre “rural crescent,” clearing the way for tens of thousands more homes and new commercial development.

“What happened in Prince William should wake every single person in this room, it should shake you to your knees,” Kershner said. “… There is incredible pres-

School Board Candidates Talk Issues at Forum

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Thirteen of the county’s 18 candidates vying for seats in the November School Board election gathered in South Riding last night for a candidate forum hosted by the Loudoun League of Women Voters, Delta Sigma Theta and the Loudoun NAACP.

sure right now to build anywhere and everywhere. So the only way we are going to permanently preserve western Loudoun is not to say, ‘oh, let’s use our zoning ordinance’ and these sorts of things, it is to accelerate preservation programs.”

But those programs may rely on the market value of the property, which is typically higher if the land can be sold to a developer to build up. On conservation easements in particular, land buyers have said limiting residential development through zoning, including the push to restrict development on prime agricultural soils, would undermine the tax benefits of setting up conservation easements.

“When Caleb talks about preserving easements, it’s important to be aware that when he’s talking about is maintaining the highest possible development density in western Loudoun in order to incentivize easements,” Ellis said. “The thing about that is it also incentivizes development, which is the problem.”

But both agreed the county should pursue both Purchase of Development Rights and Transfer of Development Rights programs. The first would allow the county to buy and retire development rights from landowners—both agreed revenues from taxes on data centers should fund that. The second would allow landowners to sell the development potential to residential or potentially commercial or data center developers in other, targeted areas of the county. That may allow increased development density without going through a legislative zoning process.

“Our eastern supervisors have been really resistant to that, because they lose a certain level of control over how data centers are developed,” Kershner said.

“This has been portrayed as a favor that eastern Loudoun does for western Loudoun. It is not,” Ellis said. “It’s something that’s beneficial to the entire county. It helps to reduce our future tax burdens. It preserves an area that lots of people in eastern Loudoun value extremely much.”

Both also agreed that trucks over some length should be restricted on Rt. 9. But the two displayed sharp contrast on plans to widen Rt. 15 north of Leesburg and build a bypass around Lucketts.

“This decision is not going to get reversed, I’m just going to tell you that,” Kershner said. “This project is well down the road. We have spent millions and millions of dollars on this project. I have championed this project. This project was onboard when I came on, and I have accelerated this project.”

“I still don’t get how speeding up traffic through a rural area, onto an area that then narrows to two lanes, or opens from two lanes to four lanes, is going to improve traffic safety,” Ellis said. “… I would like to see safety improvements like signage and pull-outs for enforcement and roundabouts that will keep traffic moving safely. The cost is really significant, too.”

The debate was organized by the Coalition of Loudoun Towns in partnership with Loudoun Now and the Loudoun Times-Mirror. Early voting began Friday. n

Moderated by Robin Reeves Burke, the candidates had the opportunity to share why they were running and what they would focus on as school board members in opening and closing comments. Burke also asked the candidates questions that were pre-submitted by community members and questions from audience members.

Candidates that attended included Michael Rivera and Anne P. Donahue for the At Large seat, Viktoria Hunyadi for the Algonkian seat, Harris Mahedavi for the Ashburn seat, Linda W. Deans and Christopher J. Hodges for the Broad Run seat, Megan E. Lockwood for the Catoctin seat, Melinda M. Mansfield for the Dulles seat, Erika R. Ogedegbe for the Leesburg seat, Sumera Rashid and Joseph J. Smith for the Little River seat, and Arben Istrefi and Amy M. Riccardi for the Sterling district. Sarath Kolla’s campaign manager was also given the opportunity say a few remarks on Kolla’s behalf during opening statements.

Many candidates said safety for students and teachers was their top priority.

“For someone who lost a child in the past, I think it’s really important that we don’t have our children come home in a body bag,” Sumera said. “So, safety for me is the utmost concern.”

“We must ensure that our teachers and kids feel safe and feel included,” Mansfield said.

“I believe in order for our kids to take full advantage of the excellent CANDIDATE FORUM continues on page 15

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Incumbent Supervisor Caleb E. Kershner and Independent John Ellis debate at Hillsborso’s Old Stone School.

Candidate forum

continued from page 14

education that LCPS provides, all of our students and all of our staff need to be physically mentally and emotionally safe and secure in our school communities,” Donahue said.

“All students should have a safe environment to learn,” Rivera said. “All students should be protected, but we have to be conscious about not usurping someone else’s rights and creating protected classes.”

Lockwood said she has personally heard “very ugly things” from children to each other at school.

“I’ve had children crying in my classrooms because of things, my children included, based on things that people have said to them in the hallways,” she said. “… Our kids don’t need that there. They need to feel safe and welcome there. And I don’t believe it’s making a protected class to try and treat everyone equally.”

Another main topic of conversation was the role parents should have in public education and how candidates view the relationship between parents, teachers and the School Board.

“I think we’ve made our teachers

invisible in the last few years,” Istrefi said. “I think we really need to listen to them and involve them as stakeholders in the process.”

“Our parents [must] have the tools and understanding to be on a level playing field so that they may work together with our educators to make informed decisions about their children’s education,” Mansfield said.

“Everyone needs to be able to feel included and our staff needs to be supported and respected and receive a living wage,” Donahue said.

“Teachers don’t go into this profession because they want to be rich. They go because they want to pass on a legacy of a great education to the next generation,” Hunyadi said. “And as parents, when it comes to parental rights, I’m talking about parental responsibilities as well. We must work together. Our children are our responsibility and if you go into teaching, you’re taking on all those children. And these teachers are really trying their best. So, we must put good policies in place that support a thriving classroom environment.”

“When I think about parental rights, and I know that this is a very contentious issue, but when you talk about policy 8040 and if a child comes out as a transgender

child, should we or should we not notify the parents, I think there’s love coming from both sides. Both sides want what’s best for their child, but I believe that a parent should be notified,” Hodges said. “… Parents should be able to opt out of certain classes.”

“I believe that as a parent, I have never felt that my rights were infringed upon,” Ogedegbe said. “In fact, I felt like my role as a parent was to work with the teachers and they work with me.”

Several candidates said they believed the school board should be focused more on literacy and ensuring student graduates are ready to enter the world and less on “political” issues or “personal ideologies.”

“For me literacy is the foundation and the gateway for all learning. And I know that when kids struggle with reading it affects their mental health, which we didn’t even really speak about today, tonight. But mental health, academic achievement access to additional education and future employment,” Mansfield said. “And that for me is the most important thing in the world – is to be kid, child and student focused.”

“I think the schools have lost their focus a little bit and have lost a bit of their mission and their core and what their supposed to

be doing. It doesn’t mean that everything that has been included has been bad it just means we’ve lost a little bit of that focus and we need to come back,” Smith said. “… We need to focus more on the core education and academic excellence. Yes, we need safety in schools, yes, we need to have that triangle of trust between parents, teachers and students.”

Mahedavi said he has spent his time on the board working on policies to promote literacy.

“One of the key things that came out from improving excellence [in the board’s strategic plan] was to make sure that we do our literacy assessment and that was one of the things, this current board did,” he said. “There’s been many actual recommendations that we’ve actually been working on to implement that. We’re waiting for the VDOE and the governor’s office to make sure that the program we’ll be implementing is aligned with that.”

“Loudoun County is already a wonderful school district,” Deans said. “We are number five out of 131 in the state. It’s okay, we’ll move up to number one. By electing this new School Board you will have the opportunity to support us as we move Loudoun from number five to number one.” n

Trial Continues in Dulles Town Center Mall Shooting

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The trial is underway for a Leesburg man charged with the April shooting of a video prankster at the Dulles Town Center Mall.

After a full day of jury selection on Monday, what is expected to be a weeklong trial began Tuesday with opening arguments and witness testimony.

Prosecutors said during opening statements that Alan W. Colie, 31, shot Tanner Cook as he and one of his associates were pranking him for Cook’s YouTube video channel by holding a phone in his face that repeatedly played a sentence from Google Translate that stated, “Hey dips—, quit thinking about my twinkle.”

“It was stupid. It was silly. You may

Community Campaign Seeks Support for Truck Driver Critically Injured in Crash

As the driver who was pulled from the cab of his burning semi-truck following a Sept. 18 crash on Rt. 28 continues treatment for life-threatening injuries, a donor campaign is seeking to raise $100,000 to support him and his family.

As of Sept. 26, Cesar Yepez remains in a coma on life support while he is treated at Medstar Hospital for third-degree burns covering his body, according to the Go Fund Me page set up to support Yepez, his wife Brianna and their two children. So far, more than 800 donors have contributed nearly $70,000 to the effort.

Sheriff ’s Office investigators determined that Yepez’s truck was struck by a car that caused the semi to go off the side of the road and overturn. Yepez was pulled from the cab by other motorists

even think it was offensive,” Deputy Commonwealth‘s Attorney Pamela Jones told the jury. “But that’s all it was.”

Defense attorneys focused their opening statement on stating that Colie did not know at the time that the in-

teraction was a prank and said that he told Cook to stop multiple times, tried to walk away from him, and told him he would call the police if he did not stop.

The harassment continued until Colie pulled out a handgun and fired a shot. Cook ran out of the mall and received treatment from the rescue squad on a sidewalk outside. Colie remained in the food court until deputies arrived.

Colie is charged with aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm within a building.

Cook was the first witness brought to the stand before a video was played that showed Cook conducting the prank in the mall’s food court until Colie shoots at him with a firearm.

Cook said during his testimony that his sole source of income is generated

SAFETY briefs

from his YouTube channel. He said he thought about stopping the prank before he knew Colie had a gun but decided not to. When asked why, he said it was something that he had to feel out in each pranking encounter. He said at the time he did not feel that Colie was angry or scared.

When asked by public defender Adam Pouilliard if he agreed that his pranks often cause his subjects to feel scared or angry even if that is not his desired result, Cook said yes.

Prosecutors concluded the presentation of their evidence Tuesday afternoon. Circuit Court Judge Matthew P. Snow was expected to rule Wednesday on a motion by the defense to strike all three charges based on the evidence presented. Barring that, the trial is expected to continue through Friday. n

Ashburn Man Killed in Fairfax County Hit-and-Run

The Virginia State Police is investigating a pedestrian hit-and-run crash in Fairfax County that took the life of an Ashburn man Sunday night.

According to the report, the crash happened at 9:14 p.m. Sept. 24 on the northbound I-495 service road for the exit to Rt. 50. The pedestrian, Douglas C. Haskett II, 55, of Ashburn, Va., was struck by a Chevrolet Traverse, which then fled the scene. Haskett died at the scene.

who stopped at the scene.

The driver of the car believed to have caused the crash, 18-year-old Jose A. Padilla Espinosa, has been charged with

having forged tags and driving without insurance, both misdemeanors. He is scheduled to appear in Loudoun County District Court on Oct. 6.

While investigating the crash, troopers were notified by Fairfax County Police that they had received a call from the driver of the Chevrolet. State Police met the driver, Brian C. Diffell, 46, of Falls Church, in a parking garage in the Mosaic District and charged him with felony hit-and-run.

The case remains under investigation. n

Family Photo

A photo of Cesar Yepez and his family.

“It was stupid. It was silly. You may even think it was offensive, but that’s all it was.”

— Pamela Jones, Deputy Commonwealth Attorney

Giving Back

Free Clinic Celebrates 25 Years

The Loudoun Free Clinic is celebrating 25 years of providing free healthcare to people who otherwise might not be able to afford to see a doctor.

The nonprofit clinic provides low-income people in the community with both primary care and specialist healthcare including diagnostic testing, prescription medication, and referrals to outside specialists. It was founded in 1998 with weekly clinics in space provided by the Loudoun County Health Department; today the clinic operates in Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Cornwall campus in Leesburg.

The clinic celebrated with a Sept. 12 ribbon cutting and tours of its newly renovated space, joined by town and business leaders.

“I have long believed that our greatest economic asset is our quality of life, and quality of life is represented in so many different ways, but healthcare— quality healthcare—for folks at all income levels is absolutely essential to a strong and prosperous community,” Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Howard said.

“Loudoun Free Clinic, for 25 years, has been providing that really outstanding, stellar care to those folks who need it. I want to thank you for that service that you provide to our community.”

“We couldn’t do all of our work without volunteers, and we couldn’t do it without donors,” Interim Executive Director Ashley Hunnicutt said. “The clinic has grown a lot over the years, and that growth is due to the support of some loyal sponsors such as Inova Health System, the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, a wonderful anonymous foundation donor, and others. I want to thank all of the donors that got us to this moment today.”

The nonprofit is also preparing for its annual Boots, Beer, & BBQ Fundraising Dinner on Nov. 12 at Riverside on the Potomac; tickets, tables, sponsorships and more information are online at loudounfreeclinic.org/boots.

The Loudoun Free Clinic is located at 224-A Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. More information is online at loudounfreeclinic.org. n

Wheatland Farm Plans Gala Fundraiser

Wheatland Farm will hold an Oct. 7 gala to support its mission of providing therapeutic riding and para-equestrian activities for children and adults with disabilities.

In addition to dinner and dancing, the event includes a fox hunt review, featuring horses, riders, and The Goshen Foxhounds; live entertainment including a guest appearance by Irish Tenor Mark Forrest; and a silent and live auction by auctioneer Brian Damewood and sports commentator

Conor Forrest.

“We believe in the power of horses to change lives,” Co-Founder and Executive Director Muriel Forrest said. “The Gala Dinner is not just a celebration but an opportunity to unite in our commitment to making a difference. Together, we can open new horizons for individuals with disabilities, empowering them to overcome challenges and thrive.”

Tickets are available at wheatlandfarm/gala or by texting wheatlandgala to 76278. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Inside the waiting room at the Loudoun Free Clinic.

Business

Virginia First Lady, Cana Vineyards Unveil Fundraising Wine

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin visited Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg on Tuesday for the unveiling of Cornus Virginicus II, the second in a series of wines produced for her office by winners of the annual Governor’s Cup.

Last year, Cana’s 2019 Unité Reserve, an estate red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, won the annual Governor’s Cup from among 615 wines submitted by more than 100 Virginia wineries. Later that year, Cana winemaker Melanie Natoli was named Winemaker of the Year at the annual Loudoun Wine Awards.

The winner of the Governor’s Cup produces the following year’s Cornus Virginicus, this year a blend of 2021 Merlot and Petit Verdot grapes from Cana and Silver Creek Orchard in Nelson County. Proceeds from sales of Cornus Virginicus II will benefit the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

“I think what’s so special about this wine is it’s this beautiful, harmonious

Chamber Announces Small Business Award Finalists

The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce has announced 23 finalists in the 29th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards and opened public voting for the People’s Choice Award.

The finalists announced Thursday are competing in six industry categories. The winner in each category will be a finalist for the chamber’s 2023 Loudoun Small Business of the Year. Finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced Friday, Sept. 22.

“I am proud to congratulate our 23 finalists for the 29th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards,” Loudoun Chamber President & CEO Tony Howard stated. “These finalists represent the special qualities that all small businesses and entrepreneurs possess: tenacity,

blend of both Northern Virginia and Central Virginia fruit, so I think it’s a great representation of what we can do here in

Virginia,” Natoli said. “This wine, coming from ‘21, it’s just beautiful, and it has some nice depth and structure to it, but there’s

The Finalists:

Superior Service Business of the Year

CEO Consulting Group

Dogtopia of Purcellville

Fleur de Cuisine

Fuel & Tire Saver Systems Company

Destination Business of the Year

Bear Chase Brewing Company

Elite Formation Studio of Dance

Hidden View Bed and Breakfast

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

a soft side, which is our signature here at Cana.”

She said the project reflects her husband’s priorities.

“Glenn talks a lot about excellence. Excellence is something that we work toward and can’t do by ourselves. We need scaffolding for excellence, but I think what this wine really represents is an industry that is aspiring to be best in class,” Youngkin said.

Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Executive Director Tammy Maxey said the foundation supports programs that teach students across the commonwealth about the importance of agriculture and how it can integrate into their daily lives.

“It is our job to connect the next generation with an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from, and where their basic needs come from, and we thank you all for supporting us in this,” she said.

The name, Cornus Virginicus, pays homage to Virginia’s state tree and state flower, the flowering dogwood, or Cornus florida. n

The Williams Center for Wellness and Recovery

Homebased Business of the Year

BB Insurance

Essay Cure

Mama’s Canine Mix

MAVENTRI

Nonprofit Organization of the Year

Loudoun Coalition for Women and Girls

Legacy Farms

Loudoun Literacy Council

Renss

Health & Wellness Business of the Year

Beckner Counseling

Function-N-Fitness

Sunstone Counseling

vision, work ethic, and an unrelenting faith in themselves, and in Loudoun. We look forward to celebrating them, and the entire Loudoun small business community, on Nov. 10th.”

The 2023 finalists were chosen by chamber committees from among nearly 100 applications.

Winners will be announced at the

Tree of Life Ministries

Main Street Business of the Year

Birch Tree Books

Casa De Avila Tacos

Crimson Wealth Strategies

awards gala Friday, Nov. 10 at Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Fairfax. Sponsorships, tickets and more information are online at loudounchamber.org/sba. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lohr, First Lady Suzanna Youngkin and Cana Vineyards winemaker Melanie Natoli raise a toast with Cornus Virginicus II.

Greene/Loudoun Now Insight Into Action Therapy founders Craig James and Cyndi Turner are showered with confetti after their business was named Small Business of the Year at the 2022 Loudoun Chamber’s 28th annual Small Business Awards. The business was also named Health and Wellness Business of the Year.

Towns AROUND towns

Purcellville Town Council Hears Possible Alternative to Vineyard Square Project

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

There may be a new plan for the Vineyard Square, a controversial 21st Street redevelopment project approved more than a decade ago.

The Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday heard from brothers Sam and Casey Chapman about a possible alternative to the approved plan, which includes 30,000 square feet of commercial space, and 40 condominiums in a 65-foot-tall building.

Sam Chapman presented the council with conceptual plan that included slightly fewer condominiums and lower buildings. He said they had received feedback from the community saying the project was too big and especially too tall.

“This project has been controversial, right? … I’m raising my family here, too. I don’t want to build a building that I’m not proud to drive by or walk by with my kids,” he said.

He said the new plan focused on three points—reducing building heights, decreasing size of the commercial building, lowering the number of residential units, and modifying the architecture to be more in line with downtown Purcellville.

He said the conceptual plan reduces the footprint of the project to be the same

size as the existing buildings and reduces the height of the building by 20 feet.

“This is a conceptual site plan that we would like to present to you, to open discussion about this evening on what the town might be interested in and have a discussion moving forward,” Sam Chapman said.

He said while pursuing this plan, they would be offering the retail spaces

currently on the site as short-term leases below market value for business owners looking to start out and see if their businesses are viable in Purcellville.

Some council members said the conceptual plan was better than the original Vineyard Square project, but concerns about the new plan were voiced as well.

Council member Erin Rayner said she thought the plan was an improvement and that she especially appreciated the height reduction.

Council member Mary F. “Boo” Bennett asked when the permits for the original project expired. Critics of the project have argued that not enough progress had been made on the project to retain the past approvals.

Casey Chapman said the permits would not expire as long as the company was actively pursuing efforts to develop the property, and that if the Town Council wanted to pursue a new plan forward, it would be in parallel with their current permits.

“We would not be vacating or abandoning our existing site plan,” he said.

“Tagging this concept onto the current one so as to avoid going through the whole process again and submitting an entirely new concept, you’re kind of piggy backing.

VINEYARD SQUARE continues on page 20

Planning Commission Considers Allowing Bed and Breakfast

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

A request by a resident looking to open a bed and breakfast in town spurred a Sept. 14 Purcellville Planning Commission public hearing on whether to rezone the property.

The property located at 200 S. 20th Street is owned by William Hombach and contains a carriage house that would serve as the bed and breakfast. The land is zoned R3, duplex residential, and the request is to rezone it to R-3A, historic office and residential.

A bed and breakfast is a permitted use in the R-3A district with some limitations, according to a staff report. The staff recommended approval of the change and stated that the plans submitted by Hom-

bach complied with those limitations.

Hombach said he and his wife bought the property over 20 years ago and that the building built in 1900 has undergone extensive renovations since then.

“We’ve really loved Purcellville,” he said. “And we’ve been here and enjoying it. And I’ve had this idea for a long time, and when R-3A came out it looked like a perfect fit because it’s historical. It advocates to the use of historical property to make it functional.”

Hombach said he had spoken with his neighbors and businesses in town who indicated support for his endeavor.

Planning Manager Boyd Lawrence said that the only other R-3A-zoned properties in town were located just south of the property at 210 and 214 S. 20th Street and that the property lies outside of but along

the boundary of the Downtown South Focus Area listed in the town’s comprehensive plan.

“[That area] calls for maintaining historical architecture, a mixed used of buildings and areas that transition from commercial in the downtown C4 district to residential in the south,” he said.

Council member Nedim Ogleman said the focus area boundaries outlined in the comprehensive plan were designated purposefully.

“Would you say the same thing then if someone wanted to put, or we had medium scale commercial areas that are right next to R3 areas?” Ogleman asked. “Would that same principle apply?”

BED AND BREAKFAST continues on page 20

MIDDLEBURG

Town Plans Meeting on R-2 Zoning Regs

The Town of Middleburg plans an Oct. 16 community workshop to discuss recent construction trends within older, established neighborhoods, including the Ridgeview area.

Residents are invited to participate in the group workshop and share thoughts about residential construction in the R-2 Zoning District. The Town Council is reviewing the development rules with a goal of keeping new construction in scale with the existing neighborhood.

The session will be held starting at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 295, 111 The Plains Road.

PURCELLVILLE

Fiber Guild Arts Show Debuts at Town Hall

The Purcellville Arts Council unveiled its most recent art display in Town Hall featuring fiber artists from the Waterford Quilters Guild and the Fiber Guild of the Blue Ridge.

More than 80 pieces of art that include quilting, sewing, cross stitch, embroidery, felted wool, knitting, crochet, weaving, and hand spinning are on display through the end of November.

An opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. will feature a talk on the history of quilting by Pricilla Godfrey of the Waterford Quilters Guild. Artists discuss their works and what inspires them.

The Fiber Guild of the Blue Ridge is a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational opportunities for its members and the public about all facets of the fiber arts. Learn more at fiberguildbr.org.

AROUND TOWN continues on page 20

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Sam Chapman speaks about his conceptual plans to replace the approved Vineyard Square project during Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

Nancy Deely of Purcellville, VA, and Jon Moore of Piqua, OH. He is survived by ve grandchildren: Claire Deely, Connor Deely, Sutter Moore, Stephanie Moore, and Chloe Moore.

In lieu of owers, please make a donation to the Red Cross or the humanitarian organization of your choice.

Dorothy “Dot” M. Gogliormella, 89, passed away peacefully September 14, 2023. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Golio-lannetti and Sue Lutman (Tom). Her brother Frank lanneti Jr. Her sisters Marge Daunt (Richie), and Annette Leonhard.

Bed and Breakfast

continued from page 19

Lawrence said the transition areas were designed to be a gradual change, not an intense change, and said that bed and breakfasts are allowed in the R3 district with a special use permit. Ogleman said in the draft zoning ordinance under review by the commission the R-3A district would be eliminated.

Lawrence said he and the town’s former interim Zoning Administrator Martha Mason Semmes had decided with Hombach in June that a rezoning application would be the best path forward and switching to a special use permit would be more costly and take more time.

James L. Vogel Leesburg

October 8, 1951 – August 28, 2023

James (Jimmy V) L. Vogel died peacefully at home August 28, 2023. He was at home with his loving partner Barbara Shea-Kutt and their dog Mysty. He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence Willard Vogel and Rosemarie (McDaniel) Vogel. He lived in Leesburg and was an involved member of the community. Jimmy was an avid music lover. He was a devoted Hokie since his days at Virginia Tech. He enjoyed baseball, football and some basketball. His hobbies included baseball card collections, glass bottles and stamps. He loved animals, the great outdoors, walks in nature and road trips. Jimmy had a great sense of humor. He rarely met a person he didn’t love. He was an active and enthusiastic member of AA. He is survived by Barbara Shea-Kutt, his son Jesse Vogel, his daughter Jordan Vogel Young (Allen), his brother Ron Vogel (Barbara Hallman) Vogel; grandsons Corey and Chase Vogel and Arlo Young. He has loving cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as a special Aunt Margie (Vogel) Massa and Uncle Dick Vogel. Beloved by many, he will not be forgotten. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Jimmy’s name is welcome to consider loudounclub12.org or any charity of choice. ere will be a Celebration of Life at the Hillsboro Pavilion in Franklin Park in Purcellville on October 8, 2023 at 2pm

Death Notices

She was predeceased in death by her parents, her loving husband Tony Sr., their son Tony Jr., her sister Terry.

Funeral services are scheduled for Sept. 29th at Hall’s Funeral Home, Purcellville, Va. with visitation at 10:00am; service @ 11:00am; followed by graveside service @ Hillsboro Cemetery) @12:00pm.

Please join us at the Lovettsville Game Club following the funeral. In lieu of owers we ask that donations be made in her memory to:

Capital Caring Health

24419 Millstream Drive

Aldie, Va. 20105

Sardar Gurcharan Singh Atwal, 90, passed awayon Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Gurcharan is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sardarni Inderjit Kaur Atwal, three children, Reena Mahal, Sheena Deol, and Varinder Pal Atwal, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren

Dorothy “Jean” Dodson, 84,passed away on ursday, September 7, 2023.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Lawrence “Larry” Dodson Sr., her daughter Tamela “Tammy” Dodson-Baldwin, her son Lawrence “Reed’’ Dodson, Jr., daughter-in-law Lynn Dodson, and her ve siblings; George, Claude, Elsie, Katherine, and Charles.

Jean is survived by her son-in-law Robert Baldwin, her grandchildren, Paul Moore, Leah Veeris (Moore), Krystal Whitehead (Ian Whitehead), Lawrence Dodson III (Jana Dodson), Rosanna Dodson, and her 9 great-grandchildren; James, Michael, Gabrielle, Kaylin, Wesley, Aiden, Liam, Taylor, and Owen.

Dan

e family receives friendson Friday, September 22, 2023, at Loudoun Funeral Chapel.

But Commissioner Ed Neham said if most of the information was already gathered it should not be a big administrative lift.

Hombach added that the language included with R-3A district allowed the Town Council to approve existing buildings that did not meet setback standards, as his home does not.

“That’s not in any other [district’s] lan-

Vineyard Square

continued from page 19

It just seems a little, I’m going to use the word ‘slick,’” Bennett said.

Casey Chapman said they would be required to pursue the process for a new site plan from the beginning stages because of how different the two plans were.

Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut said that he did not feel that a reduction of condominiums from 40 to 36 was significant and that he was worried about the traffic impacts in downtown.

Council members Carol Luke and Mary

AROUND towns

continued from page 19

ROUND HILL

Town Conducts Lead Line Inventory

Round Hill’s Utility Department is conducting a Lead Service Line Inventory to identify any water service lines that may contain lead components within its service area. This inventory seeks to include lines owned by the Town of Round Hill as well as the

guage,” he said.

“It’s hard for me to imagine the same language wouldn’t be in an SUP [Special Use Permit] or something like that because these are all grandfathered situations,” Ogleman said adding that he was concerned that making this change would have consequences on a larger scale because it was not in line with the comprehensive plan. Lawrence said he would review that issue.

Randy Broadas was the only speaker at the public hearing and said his property is directly next to Hombach’s, and that he supports the rezoning.

“Mr. Hombach has been nothing but an excellent neighbor to us. He’s been upfront with us regarding his plans for his property,” Broadas said. “And he’s even had me over to view the excellent job he’s done in renovating his carriage house.”

Chair Nan Forbes also read a letter by Lee Corey and Justine Vonrunnen voicing their support for the application.

The rezoning application was also on the commission’s agenda as an action item, but the panel decided to move the matter to a future meeting for further discussion. n

Jane Williams agreed with Rayner that the plan was an improvement from the previous one, but said she wished the current historic buildings could be restored.

Williams said she appreciated the proposed low rent opportunities for businesses in the meantime.

“It’s much better than what we have currently,” Mayor Stanley J. Milan said.

He asked why the brothers had not started the existing project.

Casey Chapman said that they had done a lot of work behind the scenes.

“There’s been many buildings that’s been demolished,” he said. “There’s been numerous efforts that’s been undertaken.” n

customer.

This year, the town has use available records to identify customers who can be confirmed as having lead service lines. Currently, there are 210 customers whose homes were built after 1986 and cannot be completely verified as not containing lead material based on those records. The town is asking residents to help with the process by participating in a survey that will be used to complete the records.

Affected customers have been notified by mail with information about the survey. n

Breckinridge Moore, of Purcellville, VA, passed away on Sept. 14, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife in 2004 and is survived by their two children,

LOCO By the Numbers:

520 square miles County

Per

$153,506

83,061

TOP

According to the county government’s annual financial report, Loudoun County Public Schools represented 7.55% of the county’s total employment in 2022. School staffing has increased by 35% over the past decade; general county government staffing increase 30% during that same period.

Per capital personal income among county increased 34% over the past decade as Loudoun continues to rank among the highest income jurisdictions in the nation.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors has nine members, all serving fouryear terms and all elected for office in the same year. They represent eight election districts, and a chair at-large elected by voters countywide. All nine seats will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Supervisors hire two county staff members directly: the county administrator, currently Tim Hemstreet, and the County Attorney, currently Leo Rogers. The county’s staff members and legal team are hired by and serve under them.

Meetings of the Board of Supervisors are held in the boardroom at the County Government Center at 1 Harrison St. in downtown Leesburg and are open to the public. The county also televises board meetings on Comcast government channel 23, Verizon FiOS channel 40, and open band channel 40, and livestreams meetings at loudoun.gov/webcasts.

The board has three standing committees. Board members serve as appointed by the chair on the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee, the Transportation and Land Use Committee, and the Joint Board/ School Board Committee.

Supervisors are also paid for their time. In 2023, the chair is paid $86,063.97, the vice chair is paid $77,853.40, and the seven other supervisors are paid $70,916.29.

The board also voted in January to give next board raises, starting with a $5,000 raise for each position next year, then 3% raises every year after that.

CHAIR PHYLLIS J. RANDALL (D-At Large)

Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) began public service with volunteer work in Loudoun County Public Schools.

She worked for more than 15 years as a mental health therapist working with substance abusing offenders in an adult detention center. She was the first Black person elected chair of a county Board of Supervisors in Virginia, and is in her second term as chair.

Randall serves on both the finance

2023 Board of Supervisors

and land use board committees, as well as chairing the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the NVTA’s Governance and Personnel Committee. She also serves on the National Association of Counties Health and Human Resources Committee and Economic Mobility Leadership Network, the Virginia Association of Counties Health and Human Resources sub-committee, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments Board of Directors’ Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee, and the Regional Forward Coalition’s DC Statehood sub-committee.

She and her husband T.W. have two sons and live in Lansdowne. phyllis.randall@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES:

Matt Rogers matt.rogers@loudoun.gov

Laura TeKroney laura.tekroney@loudoun.gov

Ruth Immanuel ruth.immanuel@loudoun.gov

Timothy Faircloth timothy.faircloth@loudoun.gov

Justin Hennessey justin.hennessey@loudoun.gov

VICE CHAIR KORAN T. SAINES (D-Sterling)

Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) in his second term was selected to serve as vice chairman of the board.

He serves on the board’s finance committee and chairs the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee and represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Northern Virginia Manpower Consortium Workforce Investment Board.

He works as a senior recruiter for the Washington Post. He has previously served as an election officer, including as chief election officer in 2014. Saines was born in Fairfax, grew up in Sterling and

attended Broad Run High School in Ashburn, and today lives with his wife and son in Sterling. koran.saines@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDE:

Tianni Ivey tianni.ivey@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR JULI E. BRISKMAN (D-Algonkian) Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) began her career as a reporter, writing for the Winchester Star and the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. She went on to work as a federal contractor and in communications. She serves on the finance committee and the Joint Board and School Board Committee. She also represents Loudoun on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors and the Potomac Watershed Roundtable and is one of the county board’s representatives on the Loudoun County Family Services Board and the Dulles Town Center Community Development Authority.

She lives with her two children in the Algonkian District. juli.briskman@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES:

Ethan Gardner ethan.gardner@loudoun.gov

Aman Ardalan aman.ardalan@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR MICHAEL R. TURNER (D-Ashburn)

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Supervisor Michael R. Turner graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1973 and served on U.S. Central Command during Operation Desert Storm. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Air Medal. His final assignment was on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon

in support of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he worked in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate.

Since retiring from the Air Force in 1997 he has worked mainly in nonprofit development and as a military commentator on cable news, radio and in Newsweek.

He chairs the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee and represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and serves on the county’s Fiscal Impact Committee. He lives in Lansdowne. mike.turner@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES: Rachael Mai rachael.mai@loudoun.gov

Joel Gicker joel.gicker@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR TONY R. BUFFINGTON JR. (R-Blue Ridge)

Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), now in his second term, serves on Transportation and Land Use Committee. He previously served as Loudoun’s representative on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and as the board’s representative on the Coalition of Loudoun Towns. He also led efforts to expand broadband in western Loudoun and to resurrect the county’s Purchase of Development Rights conservation program.

A former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, Buffington retired after 20 years as Capitol Police officer and now works outside of law enforcement. Buffington grew up in Berryville and lives in Purcellville with his wife and their six children. tony.buffington@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES: Robin Bartok robin.w.bartok@loudoun.gov

Christi Maple christi.maple@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISORS continues on page 4

Randall

Saines

Turner

Buffington

Briskman

703-669-6118

www.FiveStonesWellness.com

Functional & Integrative Medicine

SUPERVISORS

continued from page 3

SUPERVISOR

SYLVIA R. GLASS (D-Broad Run)

Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) is an elementary special education teacher’s assistant with Virtual Loudoun, having worked previously as a special education teacher and cafeteria monitor in Loudoun County Public Schools.

She co-chairs the Joint Board and School Board Committee and serves on the Transportation and Land Use Committee. She represents Loudoun on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Air Quality Committee, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Planning Coordination Advisory Committee and the Route 28 Transportation Improvement District Commission and represents the board on the county Disability Services Board.

She is also a member of the Loudoun NAACP Education Committee, active with the school system’s Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee, and a member of the Loudoun Education Association.

She and her husband live in Ashburn Village where they raised their four sons. sylvia.glass@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES:

Kent Erwin kent.erwin@loudoun.gov

Yolanda Pensmith yolanda.pensmith@loudoun.gov

Abigail Rivas abigail.rivas@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR CALEB A. KERSHNER (R-Catoctin)

Simms Showers

LLP partner and attorney Supervisor

Caleb E. Kershner is a native of Frederick, MD, and moved to Loudoun in 1995, working as director of federal relations at the Home

School Legal Defense Association in Purcellville. He served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Loudoun under then-Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman from 2005 to 2009.

He serves on the board’s finance committee and county’s Economic Development Committee. He represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Loudoun County Agricultural District Advisory Committee, the Coalition of Loudoun Towns and the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee. He is also an officer on the board of directors for the Loudoun County Fair and Associates.

He lives near Hamilton with his wife and their four children. caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov

Staff aides:

Stacy Carey stacy.carey@loudoun.gov

Jonathan Bales jonathan.bales@loudoun.gov

Arlee Harris arlee.harris@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR MATTHEW F. LETOURNEAU (R-Dulles)

Supervisor

Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) is in his third term, making him the longestserving supervisor currently on the county board. He is one of Virginia’s two principal directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or Metro, where he chairs the board’s Finance and Capital Committee, and represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. He is the first Loudoun supervisor to serve on either the Metro board or as an officer at the NVTC.

He also serves on the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and the Route 28 Transportation Improvement District Commission. He is Managing Director of Communications and Media for the Global Energy Institute at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and coaches for Loudoun South Little League and for South Loudoun Basketball. He

SUPERVISORS

continues on page 6

SINCE 1871, NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR

Loudoun County is a great place to visit and an even better place to live and work.

Glass

Kershner

Letourneau

Cats - Coffee - Cookies

116 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA 703-944-4158 | cattycornercafe.com

SUPERVISORS

continued from page 4

lives with his wife and four children in Little River Commons in Chantilly. He serves on the finance committee, which he chaired since its reorganization in 2015 until last year, and from 2011 chaired the economic development committee that was absorbed into the finance committee. matt.letourneau@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES:

Tom Parker tom.parker@loudoun.gov

Jared Midwood jared.midwood@loudoun.gov

SUPERVISOR KRISTEN C. UMSTATTD (D-Leesburg)

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), now in her second term, chairs the board’s finance committee and serves on the Joint Board and School Board Committee.

She is also one of the board’s representatives on the Annexation Area Development Policy Committee and the Family Services Board. She represents Loudoun on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee.

A longtime elected official, she previously served on the Leesburg Town Council from 1992 to 2016, and as Mayor from 2002 to 2016 when she joined the Board of Supervisors.

She led a long career in the U.S. Naval Reserve and later the CIA working in intelligence around the Soviet navy. Since 1987 she and her husband have lived in Leesburg where they have a law practice, and their daughter currently attends Yale University.

kristen.umstattd@loudoun.gov

STAFF AIDES:

Valerie Suzdak valerie.suzdak@loudoun.gov

Laura Tekrony laura.tekrony@loudoun.gov

Loudoun’s Constitutional Offices

In addition to the nine-member Board of Supervisors and School Board, there are five elected constitutional officers who also have a big impact on the county’s quality of life.

They are elected by voters countywide and serve somewhat independently of the general county government, although their office staffing, expenditures and revenues are included in the general county budget. Each officer serves a four-year term, except for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who serves an eightyear term. All five offices will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

A place where cat lovers can come together, spend time in our cozy lounge, drink coffee, and get the chance to meet our amazing rescue cats and kittens. With the option of even being able to adopt and give them their forever home.

Umstattd

Gary Clemens Clerk of the Circuit Court

Robert Wertz Commissioner of the Revenue

Buta Biberaj Commonwealth’s Attorney

Mike Chapman Sheriff

H. Roger Zurn Treasurer

Loudoun County School Board

The nine-member elected School Board directs a $2.99 billion total budget and oversees Loudoun’s 98 schools that educate 81,992 students and employ over 12,804 full and part-time staff, with a total of 16,000 employees.

Board members are paid $27,456 per year, and the chair is paid $30,201 per year. The School Board voted in February to increase the board’s compensation, the first raise since 2008. State law does not allow School Board members to raise their own salaries during their terms, so the raise will go into effect in January when the next School Board takes office.

The School Board is the official policy-making body of the school division and operates under the laws adopted by the General Assembly and regulations adopted by the Virginia Board of Education. The board conducts business meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday, at the district’s administration office 21000 Education Court in Ashburn.

The 2023 election marks the first time board members will run on staggered terms. Board members in the Algonkian, Broad Run, Dulles,

Leesburg and Sterling serve two-year terms, while members in the Ashburn, Catoctin, Little River and the At-Large member serve four year terms. Terms begin Jan. 1, 2024. School Board races are non-partisan, although some candidates campaign with political party endorsements.

The board has 11 committees that collaborate with school division staff and members of the community to guide policy.

School Board meetings can be accessed through LCPS-TV on Comcast channel 18 and Verizon FIOS channel 43. To watch the livestream of the meeting go to lcps.org/webcast.

The board also hires the superintendent. On June 2, the School Board named Aaron Spence as the new superintendent after a six-month search began after the board fired Scott A. Ziegler December 2022. Ziegler was fired after a report by a special grand jury was unsealed that looked into how the division handled two sexual assaults by the same student months apart in 2021. Chief of Staff Daniel Smith was hired as interim superintendent while the division conducted a nationwide search for a replacement.

IAN SEROTKIN, Chairman

Blue Ridge District

Residence: Purcellville

Phone: 571-420-1628

Ian.serotkin@lcps.org

Ian Serotkin is serving his first term on the board. He grew up in New York and holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in information systems and technology from Johns Hopkins University. He works as the senior IT director for PDRI, a private government contractor based in Chantilly. He was a leader in the More Recess for Virginians statewide advocacy group, and served for two years on the Aldie Heritage Association Board of Directors. He has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind coach, judge, and school coordinator since 2014. He and his wife, Caitlin, have two school-aged children.

Serotkin chairs the board’s Curriculum & Instruction Committee and co-chairs the Joint Committee with the Board of Supervisors. He serves on the Legislative & Policy Committee and the Equity Committee. He also serves as the liaison to the Gifted Advisory Committee.

His term expires Dec. 31, 2023. He is not seeking re-election.

HARRIS MAHEDAVI, Vice Chairman

Ashburn District

Residence: Belmont Greene Phone: 571-420-9312

Harris.mahedavi@lcps.org

Harris Mahedavi is serving his first term on the board. He holds a degree in computer science from Drexel University and has been a small business owner for 10 years and serves as the president of Harris Grant Consulting. Prior to that he worked with the Big 4 consulting companies. He has served as a Loudoun Soccer coach, a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, and as a member of the Loudoun County Family Services Advisory Board. He and his wife, Sadia, have two school-aged children and are part of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society.

Mahedavi chairs the Student Services Committee and Audit Committee and serves on the Communications & Outreach, Student Behavior & Accountability and Finance & Operations Committees. He also serves as the liaison to the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee.

SCHOOL BOARD continues on page 9

His term expires Dec. 31, 2023. He is seeking re-election to a second fouryear term.

JOHN BEATTY

Catoctin District

Residence: Lovettsville

Phone: 571-440-1410

John.beatty@lcps.org

John Beatty is serving his first term on the board.

He was born in Portsmouth and grew up in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He has a degree in computer science from Virginia Tech and has worked at a several startups in Northern Virginia, focusing on iOS, Android, and Ruby on Rails software development. He works as the IT director at a private school where he also teaches Python and Java to high school students. He lives on a farm between Lovettsville and Waterford with his wife, Katie, and their five children.

Beatty chairs the Technology Steering Committee and serves on the Human Resources & Talent Development, Legislative & Policy, Audit and the Specialized Programs & Centers Committees. He also serves as the liaison to the School Business Partnership Executive Council.

His term expires Dec. 31, 2023. He is not seeking re-election.

DENISE CORBO

At Large Residence: The Preserve at Goose Creek

Phone: 571-246-3766

denise.corbo@lcps.org

Denise Corbo is serving her first term on the board. As the At-Large member she represents all schools in the division. She has lived in Loudoun County for the past 34 years. After receiving a degree in business psychology and a master’s in education from Marymount University, she taught kindergarten and first grade, and served as a technology resource teacher. She holds a National Board Teacher Certification, in addition to a gifted and talented and provisional administration endorsement through the University of Virginia. In addition to 33 years of teaching experience, she is president and founder of StoryBook Treasures, a literacy nonprofit.

Corbo serves on the Finance & Operations, Technology Steering, and the Equity Committees. She also serves on the Joint Committee with the Board of Supervisors. She is the liaison to the Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee.

Her term expires Dec. 31, 2023. She is not seeking re-election.

JEFF

MORSE

Dulles District

Residence: South Riding

Phone: 571-420-2243

Jeff.morse@lcps.org

Jeff Morse, the longest-tenured School Board member, was first elected in 2011 and is serving his third term. He served as School Board chairman for three years. He grew up in Vienna and attended Virginia Tech where he graduated with a bachelor’s in

science in business management. He also earned a master of science in business finance from the University of Maryland. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring as a commander in 2006. He works for Booz Allen Hamilton, managing and procuring technology and services for the federal government. He serves as a lector for Corpus Christi Catholic Church and is a past president of South Riding Home Owners Association. He and his wife, Karen, have three children. Morse chairs the Finance & Operations Committee and serves on the Communications &

Outreach, Human Resource & Talent Development and the Specialized Programs & Centers Committees. He also serves as the liaison the Loudoun Education Foundation.

His term expires Dec. 31, 2023. He is not seeking re-election.

ERIKA OGEDEGBE

Leesburg District

Residence: Leesburg

Phone: 571-252-2411

Erika.ogedegbe@lcps.org

SCHOOL BOARD continues on page 10

SCHOOL BOARD

continued from page 9

Erika Ogedegbe was elected to the seat during a special election Nov. 8, 2022, to replace Tom Marshall who was chosen by the School Board to fill the vacated Leesburg District seat after Beth Barts resigned Nov. 2, 2021. Ogedegbe won the seat against Lauren Shernoff and Michael Rivera.

Ogedegbe is a 20-year resident of Leesburg and parent of three division students. She has 30 years of experience working in higher education with a focus on access and outcomes for students and supporting enrollment. She is the inaugural Chief Data Architect at American University and previously was the AVP of Student Systems, Services and Analytics at George Washington University and a Technology Program Manager at IBM. She chairs both the Discipline Committee and the Human Resources & Talent Development Committees and serves on the Curriculum & Instruction, Audit, and the Student Services Committees. She is also the liaison to the Loudoun Education Alliance of Families.

Her term expires Dec. 31, 2023. She

is seeking election to a full term.

TIFFANY POLIFKO

Broad Run District

Residence: Broadlands

Phone: 571-252-2411

Tiffany.polifko@lcps.org

Tiffany Polifko was elected to the board during a special election Nov.8, 2022. She ran against Andrew Hoyler who had been selected by the board in Oct. 2021 to fill the vacant seat after member Leslee King died. Polifko is finishing King’s unexpired term.

She has worked in special education for over 20 years and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology form George Mason University and a graduate degree in special education from the University of Virginia. She is a licensed behavior analyst specializing in assessment development of behavioral treatment plans and the supervision of behavior therapists. Polifko has worked with students with emotional and learning disabilities and autism both in public and private schools. She is an advocate for students with special needs.

Polifko and her husband have two school aged children.

Dr.Charles Clegg & Dr. Brad Clegg

She chairs the Communications & Outreach Committee and serves on the Student Behavior and Accountability and Equity Committees. She also serves as the Liaison to the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Her term expires Dec. 31, 2023. She is not seeking election to a full term.

ATOOSA REASER

Algonkian District

Residence: Cascades

Phone: 571-291-5325

Atoose.reaser@lcps.org

Atoosa Reaser is serving in her first term on the board and has lived in Loudoun for nearly 20 years with her husband and son. She is a former teacher and is a practicing attorney. She has served as both a classroom volunteer, PTA leader and substitute teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools.

She practices law part-time and combines her interest in youth, government and law as a guardian ad litem and was unanimously appointed by the Board of Supervisors to a team that helps at-risk youth.

She chairs the Legislative & Policy Committee and serves on the Curriculum & Instruction Committee and the Joint Committee with the Board

of Supervisors. She also serves as the liaison to the Virginia School Boards Association.

Her term expires Dec. 31, 2023.

BRENDA SHERIDAN

Sterling District Residence: Sterling

Phone: (571) 233-0307

Brenda.sheridan@lcps.org

Brenda Sheridan is the secondlongest tenured board member and is serving her third term. She served as chair in 2021 and vice chair for four years prior.

The upstate New York native has lived in Sterling for over two decades and works for Perspecta as a security analyst. She worked as a substitute teacher from 2004-2011. She was appointed to her seat, and then went on to be elected to office. She and her husband, Keith, have two children who are alumni of Park View High School.

She chairs both the Equity Committee and the Specialized Programs & Centers Committee. She also a member of the Student Services Committee, the Technology Steering Committee and is the liaison to the School Health Advisory Board.

Her term expires Dec. 31, 2023.

of the Revenue

Commissioner, Bob will continue to:

•Provide the Excellent Taxpayer service Loudoun Citizens Expect and Demand

•Render Sound Decisions Based on Local and State Tax Code to Ensure Equity

•lmprove Efficiency through Automation Without Sacificing Personal Service

•Protect the Confidential Personal and Business Information Entrusted to the Office

The Town of Leesburg

KELLY BURK, MAYOR

Email: kburk@leesburgva.gov

Kelly Burk is serving her fourth term as Leesburg mayor.

Burk was first elected to the Town Council in 2004 and, three years later, she was elected as the Leesburg District representative to the county Board of Supervisors. She served on the county board from 2008 to 2011. She re-joined the Town Council following an April 2012 special election, and was re-elected to a new four-year term in 2014. She was elected to her first mayoral term in November 2016.

A Leesburg resident since 1979, Burk was a special education teacher with Loudoun County Public Schools until her retirement in 2014. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from George Washington University and a master’s degree in middle school curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech. She is a past president of the Loudoun Education Association and served on the board of directors of the Virginia Education Association from 1994 to 2000. In 2001, the Loudoun

Commission on Women honored her as the Woman of the Year for Education and Training. She and her husband, Larry, have two adult sons and two grandchildren.

NEIL STEINBERG, VICE MAYOR

Email: nsteinberg@leesburgva.gov

Neil Steinberg was elected to his first Town Council term in 2018.

A Fairfax County native, Steinberg attended Virginia Tech where he served one year in the Corps of Cadets Army ROTC and studied engineering, political science and theater. Steinberg and his wife, KD Kidder, moved to Loudoun County in 1975, and began their business, Photoworks, a photography, imaging services, and framing business, in 1979. They have operated it ever since at the same location on the corner of Loudoun and King Streets in downtown Leesburg. Neil and KD moved to Leesburg in 2008.

Steinberg has studied martial arts since the early 1980s and holds black belts in three disciplines, including a Master level in taekwondo. He has

been an instructor at the United States Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in Leesburg for more than 25 years.

ARA BAGDASARIAN

Email: abagdasarian@leesburgva.com

Ara Bagdasarian was elected to his first term starting in 2021.

Prior to being elected to Town Council, Bagdasarian served on the Leesburg Economic Development Commission from 2004 to 2012 and was the chair of the commission for six years.

Bagdasarian founded Omnilert, which pioneered the world’s first campus emergency notification system in 2004. He also founded RainedOut, the most widely used communication platform for sports organizations and Parks and Recreation departments. He co-authored and published The Lemonade Stand, a book on entrepreneurship. He has served as president of the The Arc of Loudoun Board of Directors, president of the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, vice chairman of The United Way Loudoun Regional Council, and board member at Loudoun Literacy Council. He is co-founder BENEFIT, an organization of musicians raise funds for area charities. Bagdasarian is a member at

St. James Episcopal Church and has lived in Leesburg since 2000 with his wife Patti and children Adrik and Ava.

TODD CIMINO-JOHNSON

Email: tciminojohnson@leesburgva.gov

Todd Cimino-Johnson was elected to his first term starting in 2023. He serves as the council liaison to the Economic Development Commission and the Tree Commission. He also represents Leesburg on the Virginia Municipal League Community & Economic Development Committee.

Prior to joining the Council, he served the Town of Leesburg on the Tree Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee. He also served the Loudoun County Communications Commission

Cimino-Johnson earned a degree in Economics from Shepherd University, a MBA from Shepherd University, a master’s degree in history from American Public University, and doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University.

Cimino-Johnson is the owner of impACT Tours and Travel. He lives in southeast Leesburg with his husband Tony.

ZACH CUMMINGS

Email: zcummings@leesburgva.gov

Zach Cummings was elected to his first term starting in 2021.

He serves as the council liaison to the Airport Commission and the Board of Architectural Review.

A residential Realtor by profession, Cummings is also involved with his son’s elementary school PTA and the Friends of Leesburg Public Arts.

Cummings lives with his wife, Jeanette, their son, Jackson, in southwest Leesburg.

KARI NACY

Email: kancy@leesburgva.gov

Kari Nacy was elected to her first term starting in 2021.

She serves as the council liaison to the Environmental Advisory Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission. She represents the town on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Advisory Committee and the NVTA’s Planning Coordination Advisory Committee.

Prior to being elected to Town Council, Nacy served on the Environmental Advisory Commission from 2018 to 2019 and on the Planning

Commission from 2019 to 2020.

Nacy is a native of Leesburg, and lives with her husband Matt, and daughter Savannah in the same neighborhood where she grew up in. Nacy works as director of Defense Intelligence Programs for EverWatch Corporation in Reston.

Nacy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Radford University, and a MBA from Shenandoah University.

PATRICK WILT

Email: pwilt@leesburgva.gov

Patrick Wilt was elected to his first time starting in 2023.

He serves as the council liaison Thomas Balch Library Commission.

Wilt began his professional career as an engineer with Ford Motor Company. Later, he worked in management consulting with Ernst & Young and other firms before specializing in financial services and leading organizations at USAA, Capital One, and Fannie Mae. After leaving the corporate world in 2016, he founded Black Walnut Brewery.

A Leesburg resident since 2014, he is married to Molly and has twin daughters and four teenage stepchildren.

Loudoun’s Western Towns

Loudoun County has seven incorporated towns. While Leesburg is the largest town in the commonwealth, western Loudoun’s six municipalities operate on a smaller scale. They chiefly provide water and sewer service, but also offer parks, trash service and in two cases police departments.

HAMILTON

Growing from a Colonial settlement known as Harmony, Hamilton was formally incorporated in 1874. Its location along the W&OD Railroad contributed to its growth as a central business hub and tourist destination and by the turn of the 20th century it was Loudoun’s second largest town with 400 residents. The town’s fortunes changed with the advent of the automobile, which slowed tourism, and then a 1926 fire that destroyed much of the downtown commercial district.

Today, the town is primarily a residential community. Primary issues coming before the Town Council typically focus on services such as the utility system, parks, community facilities such as sidewalks, and concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety along the town’s main street, Colonial Highway.

Population: 641

Households: 269

Median Age: 43

Approximate Size: 0.25 square miles

Mayor: Kenneth C. Wine

Council: Vice Mayor Rebecca Jones, Heather Beardsley, Craig Green, Cathy Salter, Greg Wilmoth, Chris Shumaker

Council Meetings: 7 p.m. second or third Monday of each month at the Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Hwy. Stipend: Mayor, $15,000 per annum, Councilmembers, $1,200 each per annum

Town Manager: None

On Nov. 7, the two council seats held by Beardsley and Shumaker will be on the ballot for a special election. Beardsley was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Wine’s election to

mayor and Shumaker was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Elizabeth Gaucher’s resignation.

Find more information at hamiltonva.gov.

HILLSBORO

Originally settled by German farmers and Quakers migrating south from Pennsylvania, the community was known as The Gap. The official name changed to Hillsborough when a post office was established there in 1802 and it was formally incorporated by the General Assembly. By 1880, the name was changed again, to present day Hillsboro.

The town grew to economic prominence through its mills and location on the important Vestal’s Gap Road. However, the arrival of the railroad, which provided a boost to other western Loudoun communities, resulted in the town’s economic decline. By the dawn of the 20th century, Hillsboro was primarily a residential community.

Recent years have been transformational for the town, as the Town Council worked to address two longstanding concerns—providing safe drinking water and slowing the commuter traffic that rumble through town on Rt. 9. Following a major annexation to extend the town boundaries in 2016, the town last year completed projects that brought new water lines, sidewalks, traffic calming features and even broadband conduits to town.

Population: 114

Households: 54

Median Age: 59

Approximate Size: 0.27 square miles

Mayor: Roger Vance

Council: Vice Mayor Paul Hrebenak, Lisa Franke, Stephen Moskal, Laney Oxman, David MacDuffee

Council Meetings: 7 p.m. third Tuesday of each month at the Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike

Stipend: None

Town Manager: None Find out more at hillsborova.gov.

LOVETTSVILLE

Lovettsville, also known as The German Settlement and Virginia’s northernmost town, is famous for its German roots dating back to the early 1730s. The town began to take shape in 1820, when David Lovett laid out his property in quarter-acre lots, giving rise to the development of Newtown. In 1928, the town was renamed to Lovettsville, which was established as a town in 1836 and formally incorporated in 1876.

Population: 2,694

Households: Total Housing Units 977

Median Age: 32.9% of population is under the age of 18, and 50.5% of population is age 20-59.

Approximate Size: 0.88 square miles

Mayor: Christopher Hornbaker

Council: Vice Mayor Joy Pritz, Tom Budnar, Brandon Davis, David Earl, Bobby Merhaut, Jennifer Reed

Council Meetings: Typically held at 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Ave.

Stipend: Mayor, $8,000 per annum; Councilmembers, $2,000 per annum

Town Manager: Jason L. Cournoyer

On Nov. 7, only one seat will be on the ballot, one held by Tom Budnar, who was appointed after Buchanan Smith resigned earlier this year. Budnar is running uncontested for the seat.

Find more information at lovettsvilleva.gov.

MIDDLEBURG

The Town of Middleburg is Loudoun’s southernmost town and is situated in the middle of wine and horse country. The town was established in 1787 by Leven Powell. The town grew to prominence because of its mills and the development of the flour trade. While the economy was devastated following the Civil War, the town gained new prominence in the early 1900s as a destination for fox hunting and steeple chasing.

Still known as the capital of Hunt Country, the town remains a tourist destination, anchored by its large and

eclectic retail offerings and lodging amenities at the Red Fox Inn and Salamander Resort & Spa.

Population: 669

Households: 347

Median Age: 53

Approximate Size: 1.04 square miles

Mayor: Bridge Littleton

Council: Vice Mayor Peter LeonardMorgan, Chris Bernard, J. Kevin Daly, Morris “Bud” Jacobs, Darlene Kirk, Philip Miller, Cindy C. Pearson

Council Meetings: 6 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall St.

Stipend: Mayor, $500 per month; Councilmembers $200 each per month

Town Manager: Danny Davis

In November, the seats held by of Littleton, Bernard, Daly, and Miller will be on the ballot. Miller is not seeking re-election. Pam A. Curran is running for a council seat, making the races for the four positions uncontested on the ballot.

Find more information at middleburgva.gov.

PURCELLVILLE

The Town of Purcellville is western Loudoun’s largest town. Its earliest settlement is credited to James Dillon in the 1760s. By the turn of the century, the village was known as Purcell’s Store. The name changed to Purcellville in 1852, although formal incorporation did not happen until 1908.

The town grew as a hub of the agricultural community, at first because of its location along the Great Road that connected Alexandria and Winchester and then the arrival of rail service in 1874. Although impacted by devastating fires in the early 20th century and the discontinuation of the railroad in 1968, the town continues to serve as the commercial hub of western Loudoun County.

Population: 8,929

Households: 2,678

WESTERN TOWNS

continues on page 15

WESTERN TOWNS

continued from page 14

Median Age: 35.3

Approximate Size: 3.42 square miles

Mayor: Stanley Milan

Council: Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Mary “Boo” Bennett, Carol Luke, Erin Rayner, Ron Rise Jr., Mary Jane Williams,

Council Meetings: 6 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Town Hall, 221 S. Nursery Ave.

Stipend: Mayor, $7,904 per annum; Councilmembers, $5,980 each per annum; Council member on Planning Commission $7,852

Town Manager: Rick Bremseth

Chris Reed and Caleb Stought will be on the Nov. 7 ballot, vying for the single seat held by Ron Rise Jr. Rise was appointed to the council following Milan’s election to mayor. Rise is not seeking election to complete the term. Stought ran for council in 2022 coming in fifth, behind Bennett, Luke, Rayner and

Rise. Find more information at purcellvilleva.gov.

ROUND HILL

Round Hill grew to prominence as a resort destination for residents escaping the unbearable Washington, DC, summer weather. Railroad service arrived in 1874 and the town was formally incorporated in 1900 with 319 residents.

A residential community today, the town is surrounded by larger housing subdivisions that are provided town utility service but are outside the town boundaries. That may change in coming years as the Town Council explores options for incremental annexations to bring those residents into town. One annexation to expand the western boundary to the Hill High Orchard complex was approved last year.

Population: 698

Households: 254

Median Age: 42

Approximate Size: 0.57 square miles

Mayor: Scott Ramsey

Council: Vice Mayor Mary Anne Graham, Dan Brzezynski, Paula James, Michael Hummel, Sean Lloyd, and Isaac Pacheco.

Council Meetings: 7:30 p.m. third Wednesday of each month (work sessions on the first Wednesday of each month) at the Town Office, 23 Main St.

Stipend: None

Town Administrator: Melissa Hynes

The terms of Ramsey, Graham,

Hummel, and Pacheco expire this year. Also, the seat held by Brzezynski, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, is subject to a special election on Nov. 7. Hummel is not seeking re-election, but Jim Maulfair is running for a council seat. Also on Nov. 7, town voters will select someone to fill a vacant council seat. Pacheco, who was appointed to fill the vacancy until the election, is the only name on the ballot. All five races are uncontested on the ballot.

Find out more at roundhillva.org.

Over 30 Years Experience

540-338-2424

www.purcellvilleelectric.com

Docent-led interior house tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays MarchDecember. Reserve a tour online at georgecmarshall.org/dodona.

Dodona Manor

Come stroll the gardens and stay for a visit of the historic home of General George C. Marshall, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who served as chief of staff of the Army, secretary of state, secretary of defense and president of the American Red Cross.

THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL INTERNATIONAL CENTER Inspiring Leadership

GETOUT

LIVE MUSIC

PETE LAPP

5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28

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

JUSTIN SUEDE

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28

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

HOLLY MONTGOMERY

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd. SE. Suite 125, Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg

LENNY’S GROOVE

5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

LUKE JOHNSON

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

DAN FISK

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

LENNY BURRIDGE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

TEXAS CHAINSAW HORNS

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

ZACH JONES

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

MOSTLY FAB

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. $25. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 22

Meditation and Passion

Jason Masi Plays Through the Changes

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Jason Masi isn’t hard to find.

Most any weekend, you can find two or three of his performances in Loudoun. He’ll be at wineries, breweries, restaurants—any place that would benefit from his soulful singing, murmuring, crooning, and strumming. And for all that his style can feel familiar, it can also be hard to pin down with genre conventions.

Music was a hobby for Masi when he was young. It was a way to unwind from his passion at the time, soccer.

“Because soccer was so competitive, I kind of looked at music as not being competitive and something that was just my meditation outside

of something competitive, to heal me, relax and connect with friends and be social,” he said. He was still focused on soccer in college, but he got his first taste of the performing life at a high school talent show.

“We weren’t very good, but it was one of the best times I had in my life, so I was like, I should do this some more,” he said.

In college, he kept playing soccer, but he got another taste of playing in a band, first stepping in to help out with a friend’s band.

He then assembled his first band, which became known as Jubeus. It brought together jam band musicians with Masi’s songwriting focus, and it worked—after college the band moved to Richmond

together, bought a van and a trailer, and traveled around playing shows. The band put out two albums, “Two Tone Circles” in 2004 and “Natural Mood” in 2007, while playing more than a hundred shows a year.

The band started to pull back around the time of the 2008 financial crisis—“I think some of the guys got nervous and they wanted to start other jobs,” he said. But, “I was like, ‘I’m not ready to stop playing music. I’m just going to keep on going.’”

He moved to the Washington, DC, area and continued with his solo career, where his style continued to evolve, both over years and from one

MASI continues on page 24

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Jason Masi performs a sunset concert at Harpers Ferry Brewing on Sept. 22.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 21

ON EASY STREET

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

GABE MATTHEWS

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

ZOSO: THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20 to $55. Tallyhotheater.com

COLIN THOMPSON

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29

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

THE LSHA BAND

8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 29

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

BRIAN FRANKE

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

CLIMB ON

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

STEVE GEORGE AND FRIENDS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

KEN WENZEL

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

PEBBLES TO PEARL

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

WILL SHEPARD

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

JASON TEACH

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

SHANE GAMBLE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

JOE DOWNER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

HILARY VELTRI

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

JASON MASI

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

ANNIE SIDLEY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavernwinery.com

DAVE MININBERG

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

WAYNE SNOW

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

KYLE WHELAN & BRAD BOOTH

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

CHRIS BOWEN

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

BRIAN+BACON: OKTOBERFEST

3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

BILGEWATER BLUEGRASS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

harpersferrybrewing.com

NEW LEGACY BLUES

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

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

ANDREW JANOSEK & FRIENDS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412

Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

MATT JOHNSON

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

JUST SOUTH OF 7

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

POINT OF ROCK

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com

TODD BROOKS AND POUR DECISIONS

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

BRITTON JAMES

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

THE NEW ROMANCE-THE ULTIMATE ’80S TRIBUTE BAND

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $20 tararaconcerts.com

THE CASSADAY CONCOCTION

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive. Suite 120, Sterling. crookedrunfermentation.com

THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW

8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $25. tallyhotheater.com

THE JUNIOR BRYCE BAND

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

A NEW DOMINION BAND

8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 30 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

DUELING PIANOS

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. ionarena.com

ZAC QUINTANA TRIO

9 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 30

Red Horse Tavern, 118 W. Washington St., Middleburg. redhorsetavern.net

ELIZABETH & PHIL KOMINSKI OF THE BREAKAWAYS

12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg, 38600 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

STEEL DRUMMIN’ ON THE BEACH

12 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macbeach.com

SUMMER & ERIC

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

HUGH & THE VAGABONDS

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

CHRIS BOWEN

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

2MB THE BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

SHANE CLICK

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

DEANE KERN AND ERIC SELBY

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

JASON MASI

1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

TOMMY BOUCH

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

SCOTT KURT

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. Flyingacefarm.com

MATT BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

KARAOKE WITH MICHELLE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

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

LENNY BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

MEISHA HERRON BAND

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

PALMYRA THE BAND

7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. franklinparkartscenter.com

JOSEY SCOTT’S SALIVA

8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com

MATT BURRIDGE

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd. SE. Suite 125, Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg

THE MOTET

8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $25 to $50. tallyhotheater.com

HAPPENINGS

LOUDOUN COUNTY

SENIOR CHAIR VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 Ashburn Senior Center, 20880 Marblehead Drive, Ashburn. loudoun.gov/5563/Ashburn-SeniorCenter

ANNUAL APPLE FESTIVAL

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. $10. heritagefarmmuseum.org

FAMILY ONE 5K WALK AND KID’S FUN RUN

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. Free. thefamilyone.com

LEESBUG AIRSHOW

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Leesburg Executive Airport, 1001 Sycolin Road, Leesburg. leesburgairshow.com

FORTUNATE FEW FUNDRAISER FOR VETERANS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

BOOTS & BBQ

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Heigh Torr Estate, 13656 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. $20 to $50. heightorrestate.com

HAPPENINGS

continues on page 23

GET OUT HAPPENINGS

continued from page 22

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY: FANFARE

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

St. David’s Episcopal Church and School, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. $35. loudounsymphony.org

WE’RE ALL HUMAN COLOR RUN (RESCHEDULED)

10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Oct. 1 Woodgrove High School, 36811 Allder School Road, Purcellville. $40. ryanbartelfoundation.org

BECOME A HAM RADIO OPERATOR

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Eastern Station, 46620 E. Frederick Drive, Sterling. qsl.net/sterling

HISTORY TALK: CLARKE COUNTY’S ARCHITECTURE

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Free. leesburgva.gov

SURVEY SLAM TRIVIA

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4

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

WRITING IN NATURE

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 Morven Park Grounds, 17339 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. loudounwidelife.org

FROM RAILS TO TRAILS: THE MAKING OF AMERICA’S ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

TEMPLE HALL FARM PUMPKIN PATCH & SUNFLOWER FIELDS

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, 15855 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. $15. novaparks.com

LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK’S PUMPKIN VILLAGE

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekdays (closed Tuesday)

9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekends Leesburg Animal Park, 19246 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. $14.95 to $22.95 pumpkinfestleesburg.com

Best Bets

Masi

ZOSO

Friday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Over the past three decades, ZOSO has built a reputation as the premier Led Zeppelin tribute band. The return to the Leesburg stage as part of a tour that will take them from

continued from page 21

song to the next.

“Every song is different. So, when I was pitching ‘New Sky,’ I was trying to pitch it to like adult contemporary, alt country, new Americana, so those are kind of the genres I was pitching for,” he said. “’This Moment’ and ‘In Color,’ those are the other two more recent songs, and those are kind of more indie rock, new indie, rock and pop, so they were completely different.”

Meanwhile, the modern world has also changed how musicians promote their music—people have playlists rather than albums, and Masi said musicians might only have 10 or 15 seconds to grab a new listener’s interest before they hit skip. It also means less time digging into what a particular musician is all about.

Conversely, getting deeper and deeper into the musical world meant educating himself about the roots of the music he loves. That led him from wide-ranging acts like Bob Marley, the Grateful Dead, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to a love for soul music of the ‘60s and ‘70s, created by predominantly Black musicians—“the music that I’d been listening to all my life was really coming from that.”

“If you’re listening to modern artists, find out what inspired them, and then what inspired the people that

THE NEW ROMANCE

Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

The Tarara Concert Series puts a wrap on summer with one final Saturday night party featuring the ‘80s hits performed by The New Romance.

they were inspired by, and then get back to those roots,” he said.

And sometimes he’ll be surprised by which songs people connect with—such as when an audience member asked him if he could play “Fire From Marushka”—a song he wrote in his Jubeus days starting on the day after his 21st birthday to remember the celebration. The title is based on the name of the one of the drinks he had.

“I think songs have their own personality. They have their own life. And once you’re done writing them and recording them, you kind of see where they go,” he said. “… I think from a writer’s perspective, you’ve just got to create, and people are going to take things the way they take them, and you’ve got to just keep on creating.”

Like most artists, he draws inspiration from his own life, and over almost 20 years playing professionally, life, too, can change. One example: marrying his high school sweetheart, Jennifer.

“I took her to my senior prom. Then she went to UVA. I went to Longwood. We grew up kind of in separate cites, but we always came back to each other,” he said. “She’s my school sweetheart, and she became a lot of the inspiration for a lot of songs.”

Like Jason, Jennifer Masi followed her passions into a career. She is now the pro bono director at the

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY: FANFARE

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 St. David’s Episcopal Church and School loudounsymphony.org

The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra opening concert of the season includes Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and two of the most stirring pieces of film music ever composed around the theme of Liberty—Hans Zimmer’s Now We are Free from Gladiator, and John Williams’s Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan.

nonprofit Children’s Law Center in Washington, DC.

“She’s just like a really passionate, generous, selfless person. She inspires me every day to do better, and I really admire the work that she does,” he said. And her job provides health insurance for the solo musician, for which Jason is also grateful—“we want to advocate more for artists having more access to cheaper, more affordable health benefits.”

Another change for live musicians: the COVID-19 pandemic. That led to more focus on getting his songs played on streaming platforms and releasing a new song every quarter. He’s got one new song already finished and waiting for release and is working on two more.

And perhaps the ultimate change for any career was becoming a father. His daughter is almost two years old.

“Since becoming a parent, I do think my perspective has changed, and I’m still kind of working out what my style as a parent will be,” he said. “I can’t stress how much my life has changed since having a kid, just mentally. I think looking after her and seeing the world that she’s going be in growing up, now I’m thinking more about songs I write and what she might think of them when she grows up, and the positive I’m putting out.”

He said overall he has a positive perspective on the world, and he wants her to have the same.

“The song I wrote right before she

was born was called ‘New Sky,’ about getting over this pandemic, keeping a positive perspective, kind of just looking forward to what’s ahead even though things have been challenging up to this point,” he said. “And I think we can all relate to that during what was a collective trauma for the whole world.”

He said being a musician is a humbling experience.

“There’s always going to be people that are better than me,” he said. “I need to learn from other people doing it, especially these young kids coming up—I’m like, jeeze, how are these people so good?”

But he returns again and again to the reflective roots of his songwriting and performing.

“Music really is like therapy, so you start playing and the music kind of takes you to another place,” he said.

And:

“There’s a meditative aspect to it. I think as individuals we have to kind of know our place in the world and understand how small we are in the world around us.”

And:

“I just try to dig into and enjoy every minute and be grateful, because I know I might not be able do to this one day.”

Find Jason Masi’s music and performance schedule at linktr.ee/jasonmasimusic. n

Town of Leesburg

Employment Opportunities

Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online.

Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.

Regular Full-Time Positions

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

Construction Project Manager/Project Engineer

Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to handle all aspects of construction project management. Duties include Preparing, scheduling, coordinating and monitoring the assigned projects. Monitoring compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards and specifications.

Interacting daily with the clients to interpret their needs and requirements and representing them in the field.

We are looking for an accountable project engineer/project manager to be responsible for all engineering and technical disciplines that projects involve. You will schedule, plan, forecast, resource and manage all the technical activities aiming at assuring project accuracy and quality from conception to completion.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering/Construction Management or relevant field

• Prior federal government project experience is preferred, but not required

• Entr y-level/mid-level Position

Contact Info:

Katherine Hicks 305 Harrison Street STE 100 Leesburg, VA 20175

Send Resume to: khicks@meridiengroupllc.com (703) 777-8285

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, October 11, 2023, in order to consider:

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 860 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN

COUNTY

Personal Property and Real Estate Tax

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage an amendment to Chapter 860.06, Exemption for Farm Animals, Certain Grains, Agricultural Products, Farm Machinery, Farm Implements and Equipment, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendment would modify Chapter 860.06, to add additional equipment to the list of exempt property:

• Motor vehicles that are used primarily for agricultural purposes where the owner is not required to obtain a registration certificate,

• Privately owned trailers primarily used by farmers for the transportation of farm animals or farm products,

• Season extending vegetable hoop houses used for in-field production of produce

A complete copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance amendment may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 878 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Transient Occupancy Tax

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 878 Transient Occupancy Tax., of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments are as follows:

• Update to the Definitions, adding the definition of “accommodations intermediary” as defined in §58.1-602 of the Code of Virginia.

• Updating Chapter 878.05 Reports and Remittance of Tax, to require that all entities collecting Transient Occupancy Tax to report and remit collections monthly by the 20th day of the following month to reflect updates to §58.1-3827 of the Virginia Code that require accommodations intermediaries to report Transient Occupancy Tax monthly by the 20th, and the Commissioner of the Revenue is proposing all entities collecting Transient Occupancy Tax report on that same schedule.

A complete copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance amendment may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/ bosdocuments

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1066 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-1427 and 15.2-958, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to amend Chapter 1066, Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments is to clarify the definition of “maintenance” in the Codified Ordinances and to establish the elements of onsite sewage systems that would require a permit issued by the Loudoun County Health Department to repair or correct.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 1066 will be effective upon adoption by the Board of Supervisors. A complete copy of the full text of proposed ordinance amendment may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

LEGI-2023-0035, Aligned Energy Data Center: ZMAP-2022-0008, SPEX2022-0024, SPMI-2022-0014, ZMOD-2022-0028, & ZMOD-2022-0083

Aligned Energy Data Center

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

Aligned Data Centers (Relo) PropCo., LLC has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, a special exception, a minor special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 10.14 acres in size located immediately west of Relocation Drive and north of Executive Drive and south of Loudoun Downs Lane in the Sterling Election District (the “Subject Property”) and more particularly described as 22715 Relocation Drive, PIN: 045-27-9612-000; Tax Map # /94////////10/. For ZMAP-20220008, the applicant seeks to rezone 10.14 acres from the R-1 (Single Family Residential-1) zoning district under the Zoning Ordinance to the PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) zoning district to

develop a data center. For SPEX-2022-0024, the applicant seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 0.6 to 1.13. For SPMI-2022-0014, the applicant seeks to reduce the building setback from 75 feet to 58 feet along the South Sterling Boulevard right of way and to reduce the parking setback from 35 feet to 15 feet from South Sterling Boulevard. For ZMOD-2022-0028 and ZMOD-2022-0083, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including: to permit a 99.5-foot building within the 58-foot setback from future South Sterling Boulevard, and by removing the required sidewalk along South Sterling Boulevard and by replacing the Road Corridor Buffer Type 3 and six-foot earthen berm required for Data Centers with the road corridor buffer types required under Section 5-1403(B) for South Sterling Boulevard (Type 2 Buffer) and Relocation Drive (Type 1 Buffer) and by providing plant types and percentages of plant units required under Section 5-1408(B)(2) in lieu of the required plant types and percentages of plant units specified for Data Centers.

LEGI-2023-0068, S&S Child Care Home:

SPMI-2023-0006

(Minor Special Exception)

Maria Giraldez, Director of Sunshine and Sprouts Home Day Care in Sterling, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Minor Special Exception for approximately 0.04 acres of land located north of Palisade Parkway (Route 1795) and west of Nerine Court (Route 1910) in the Algonkian Election District. (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as 20866 Derrydale Square, Sterling, Virginia, PIN: 019-49-0113-000; Tax Map # /81/S/1///108/. The minor special exception would permit a Child Care Home in the PDH-4 (Planned Development Housing – 4) zoning district administered as R-8 (Single Family Residential) under the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed use is listed as a permitted use under Section 3-503 of the Zoning Ordinance. The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modifications: permit a Child Care Home for up to 12 children in a single family attached dwelling to be located on a lot less than 5,000 square feet in size.

AGDT-2023-0002, AGDT-2023-0003, AGDT-2023-0004, INTERIM ADDITIONS TO AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICTS

Applications have been received by the Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning and referred to the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC) and the Planning Commission pursuant to Chapter 43, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia to amend the ordinances for the following Agricultural and Forestal Districts to add the following parcels:

Any owner of additional qualifying land may join the applications with consent of the Board of Supervisors, at any time before the public hearing that the Board of Supervisors must hold on the applications. Additional qualifying lands may be added to an already created District at any time upon separate application pursuant to Chapter 43, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Any owner who joined in the application may withdraw their land, in whole or in part, by written notice filed with the Board of Supervisors, at any time before the Board of Supervisors acts pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-4309.

The conditions and periods of the foregoing Agricultural and Forestal Districts to which parcels are being considered for addition are as follows:

Each of these Districts will be reviewed prior to its expiration date pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Legal Notices

Received applications were referred to the ADAC for review and recommendation. The ADAC held a public meeting on August 14, 2023, to consider the applications. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission at its public hearing on September 26, 2023. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (8-14-2023 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

LEGI-2023-0041, COMMONWEALTH CENTER RESIDENTIAL:

ZMAP-2022-0016, SPEX-2023-0018, ZMOD-2022-0058, ZMOD-2022-0059, ZMOD-2022-0061, ZMOD-2022-0062, ZMOD-2023-0033, ZMOD-2023-0034, & ZMOD-2023-0035

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

CWC Shops LC has submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment, special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 21.97 acres of land 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”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as:

Capretti Land, Inc. has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, special exceptions, a minor special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 31.67 acres of land 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 Ridge Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as:

For ZMAP-2022-0016, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property to the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district under the Zoning Ordinance in order to develop up to 625 residential units. For SPEX-2023-0018, the applicant seeks a special exception to modify the minimum yard requirements for the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district. For ZMOD-2022-0058, ZMOD-2022-0059, ZMOD-2022-0061, ZMOD-2022-0062, ZMOD-2023-0029, ZMOD-2023-0033, ZMOD-2023-0034, & ZMOD-2023-0035, the applicant seeks Zoning Ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property, including but not limited to: allow access from a private access easement for the remaining parcels located in the in the PD-CC (Planned Development – Commercial Center) zoning district; allow primary access to the remaining PD-CC zoning district through a residential street; reduce the minimum size of the remaining PD-CC zoning district; reduce the required open space for the remaining PD-CC zoning district; allow the required landscape buffer for the remaining PD-CC zoning district to be located on the outside perimeter of the remaining PD-CC zoning district and the proposed R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district, reduce the required parking for Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Affordable Housing Units (AHUs) to 1.2 parking spaces per ADU and AHU; eliminate the required landscape buffer between the remaining PD-CC zoning district and the proposed R-24 ADU zoning district; allow 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 for a height over 45 feet; and allow for a ten-foot building and parking setback along Commonwealth Center Drive.

LEGI-2023-0033, OLD ARCOLA RESIDENTIAL: ZMAP-2022-0005, SPEX2022-0017, SPEX-2022-0018, SPEX-2022-0019, SPEX-2023-0013, SPMI2022-0005, ZMOD-2022-0017, ZMOD-2022-0070, ZMOD-2022-0071, ZMOD2022-0084, ZMOD-2022-0085, ZMOD-2022-0086, ZMOD-2023-0018 and ZMOD-2023-0042

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Modifications)

For ZMAP-2022-0005, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the RC (Rural Commercial) and GB (General Business) zoning districts to the R8 (R-8-Single Family Residential) and R16 (R-16-Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 228 residential units at a density of 7.2. For SPEX-2022-0017, SPEX-2022-0018, SPEX2022-0019, and SPEX-2023-0013, the applicant seeks special exceptions to modify yard and lot requirements including but not limited to: allow parking in required yards, to allow a 20’ minimum rear yard for single family detached units, to allow a 10’ minimum front yard for multi-family units, and to allow for a public or private community or regional park in the R-16 zoning district. For SPMI-2022-0005, the applicant seeks a minor special exception to modify recycling container setbacks from 150 feet from residential dwellings to 60 feet. For ZMOD-2022-0017, ZMOD-2022-0070, ZMOD-2022-0071, ZMOD-2022-0084, ZMOD-2022-0085, ZMOD-2022-0086, ZMOD-2023-0018, and ZMOD-2023-0042, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: eliminate buffer yards and planting requirements, reduce the front yard requirement for corner lots from 25 feet minimum to 10 feet minimum, to allow single family attached units and multi-family 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 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 feet, and to remove the Type 2 Road Corridor Buffer.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

Board of Supervisors public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Meetings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Meetings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on September 29, 2023, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on October 11, 2023. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. 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/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

9/28 & 10/5/23

Legal Notices

PUBLIC AUCTION

This proceeding is for the judicial sale of real properties located in Loudoun County, Virginia, for payment of delinquent taxes pursuant to the provisions of Virginia Code §§ 58.1-3965, et seq. Pursuant to Orders entered by the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia, the undersigned Robert J. Sproul, Special Commissioner of Sale of said Court, will offer the real properties described below for sale at public auction to the highest bidder on the steps of the Historic Courthouse of Loudoun County, in Leesburg, Virginia on:

October 12, 2023

3:00 p.m.

RAIN OR SHINE

Registration Starts at 2:30 p.m.

TERMS OF SALE:

1. The sale of any real property is subject to the approval and confirmation by the Circuit Court of Loudoun County.

2. The Special Commissioner of Sale reserves the right to withdraw from sale any property listed and to reject any bid by declaring “NO SALE” after the last bid received on a property.

3. Any person who wishes to bid on any property during the auction must register with County staff before the start of bidding. As part of the registration process, potential bidders must: (i) have sufficient funds on hand to pay the Minimum Deposit required for each parcel on which they want to bid; and (ii) sign a form certifying that they do not own any property in Loudoun County for which any delinquent taxes are due, or for which there are zoning or other violations.

4. The Minimum Deposit required for each parcel is specified below, as part of the property description. The full amount of the Minimum Deposit must be paid by cashier’s or certified check made payable to Gary Clemens, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, at the time the auctioneer declares the sale

5. In lieu of attending the auction, bidders may submit written bids to Robert J. Sproul, Special Commissioner of Sale, at the address listed below. All written bids must be accompanied by the applicable Minimum Deposit, which shall be paid by cashier’s or certified check made payable to Gary Clemens, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County. Written bids must also be accompanied by a certification that the bidder is not the owner of any property in Loudoun County for which delinquent taxes are due, or for which there are zoning or other violations. A written bid form, which includes the required certification, can be obtained from the Special Commissioner of Sale or the Treasurer’s website.

6. Written bids (with the required deposit and certification) will be received by the Special Commissioner of Sale at any time prior to the date of auction and held under seal until the date of the auction. If a written bid exceeds the highest live bid received from the audience during the auction, the audience will have an opportunity to bid against the written bid. If a higher bid is not received from the audience, the Special Commissioner of Sale may declare the sale to the proponent of the highest written bid or may reject all bids by declaring “NO SALE.”

7. If either a written bid or a live auction bid is approved by the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, the balance of the purchase price must be paid in full within 30 days of Court approval.

8. Once a submitted written bid or a live bid has been accepted during the auction, it cannot be withdrawn except by leave of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County. Any bidder who attempts to withdraw his/ her bid after it has been accepted by the Special Commissioners of Sale may be required to forfeit his/her deposit.

9. Properties are offered “as is,” with all faults and without warranties or guarantees either expressed or implied. Prospective bidders should investigate the title on properties prior to bidding and are encouraged to review the case file for the civil actions in the Circuit Court. The sale of the properties is not subject to the successful bidders’ ability to obtain title insurance. The sale of the properties is made free and clear only of liens of defendant(s) named in the respective judicial proceeding, and of those liens recorded after the County filed a lis pendens with the Circuit Court of Loudoun County.

10. All recording costs (including but not limited to any grantor’s tax/fee) will be at the expense of the purchaser. All property will be conveyed by Special Warranty Deed from the Special Commissioner of Sale.

11. Announcements made on the day of sale take precedence over any prior verbal or written terms of sale.

12. The Special Commissioner of Sale represents that information regarding the property to be offered for sale, including acreage, type of improvements, etc., is taken from tax and/or land records, and is not guaranteed for either accuracy or completeness. Bidders are encouraged to make their own investigation to determine the title, condition of improvements, accessibility, and occupancy status of each property and to bid accordingly. The sale will be made subject to matters visible upon inspection, and to restrictions, conditions, rights-of-way and easements, if any, contained in the instruments constituting the chain of title. Any costs incurred by a bidder to inspect or investigate any property are the bidder’s responsibility and are not reimbursable.

13. The owner of any property listed below may redeem it at any time before the date of the auction by paying all taxes, penalties, interest, costs (including the pro rata costs of publishing this advertisement and attorney’s fees) incurred through the date before the auction.

Below is a brief description of each property to be offered for sale at the auction. More detailed information may be obtained by examining the files in the Clerk’s office of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, or by contacting Robert J. Sproul, Special Commissioner of Sale at (703) 777-0307; or N. Rebekah Long, Deputy Treasurer for Collections at (703) 771-5656.

THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN v. JAMES V. BARRETT, et al

CIVIL ACTION NO. CL 23-4219

LOUDOUN COUNTY TAX MAP NO. /48///215/338/ PIN 188-28-2869-024

Robert J. Sproul, Special Commissioner of Sale

Minimum Deposit Required: $24,055.00

The subject property is a residential condominium which contains 0.0 acres, more or less, with improvements, located at 79 Hancock Place NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 and is further described among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia as:

Unit 338, Phase 15, Block 2, HERITAGE SQUARE, a Condominium, TOGETHER WITH the undivided interest in the General Common Elements and Limited Common Elements which attach to said Unit as described in that certain Declaration with attached plats designating the relative location and identification of each Unit and General and Limited Common Elements located in the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, and recorded in Deed Book 642, at Page 183, as amended in Deed Book 668, Page 759, Deed Boole 683, Page 775, Deed Book 710, Page 85, Deed Book 727, page 785, Deed Book 740, Page 102, Deed Book 752, Page 599, Deed Book 756, Page 404, Deed Book 762, Page 92, Deed Book 768, Page 543, Deed Book BOO, Page 478, Deed Book 815, Page 1579, Deed Book 826, Page 29, Deed Book 836, Page 1191, Deed Book 836, Page 1761, Deed Book 858, Page 1634, Deed Book 865, Page 223, Deed Book 881, Page 1943, and any subsequent amendments thereto among the Land Records of Loudoun County, Virginia.

THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN v. MELISSA PHILLIPS, et al

CIVIL ACTION NO. CL 23-4171

LOUDOUN COUNTY TAX MAP NO. /82/J/1PE5424/

PIN 007-479-996-024

Robert J. Sproul, Special Commissioner of Sale

Minimum Deposit Required: $41,946.00

The subject property is a residential condominium unit which contains 0.0 acres, with improvements, located in the Central Parke at Lowes Island Condominium, with an address of 20804 Noble Terrace, Unit 424, Sterling, Virginia, 20165 and is further described in a Deed among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia, conveying the Property to Debra L. Phillips on May 5, 2015 as:

Condominium Unit 424, Land Unit 5, CENTRAL PARKE AT LOWES ISLAND CONDOMINIUM, together with an undivided interest in the common and Limited common elements and all other rights and privileges which attach or are appurtenant to said Unit, all as described in the Declaration of Central Park at Lowes Island Condominium, with Plats and Plans, and Exhibits attached thereto, , as Instrument Number 20030212-0012719, with Plats following as Instrument Number 20030212*0012720 and amended as Instrument Number 20050311-0025452 and the Condominium Plat as Instrument Number 20050311-0025453, among the Land Records of Loudoun County, Virginia, and any amendments thereto, whether now or existing or hereafter recorded as permitted by aforesaid Declaration.

AND BEING the same property conveyed to Lester Sablosky and Anne Sablosky, Trustees of the Revocable Living Trust of Lester Sablosky and Anne Sablosky by Virtue of a Deed dated March 30th, 2005 and recorded March 31, 2005 as Instrument Number 20050331-0033018 among the aforesaid land records.

Lester Sablosky departed this life on December 16, 2012, leaving Anne Sablosky as Surviving Trustee of the Revocable Living Trust of Lester Sablosky and Anne Sablosky.

Anne Sablosky departed this life on October 24, 2014. Per the Third Cumulative Amendment to Marital Trust under Living Trust of Lester Sablosky and Anne Sablosky, Richard G. Sablosky, Robin G. Sablosky and Craig S. Sablosky were appointed as Successor Co-Trustees of the Revocable Living Trust of Lester Sablosky and Anne Sablosky.

Robert J. Sproul Special Commissioner of Sale Assistant County Attorney Office of County Attorney

1 Harrison Street, S.E.

P.O. Box 7000

Leesburg, Virginia 20177-7000 (703) 777-0307

Legal Notices

Loudoun County to Accept Housing Choice Voucher Program Preliminary Applications

Starting October 5, 2023

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is opening the waitlist for the Loudoun County Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The HCV Program is a rental subsidy program funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Program pays a portion of participants’ monthly rent based on household income. Participants can choose where they want to live in Loudoun County, just like any other renter.

DHCD will accept preliminary applications starting at 8:30am on Thursday, October 5, 2023. An applicant can complete a preliminary application online or can submit the preliminary application in writing. Online preliminary applications can be completed by accessing the following website: https://interwapp22.loudoun.gov/DFS_Appspublic/HCVPreApp/appform.aspx. A paper copy of the preliminary application to be completed in writing can be found on the following website: http://www.loudoun.gov/ hcv. A paper copy of the preliminary application may be picked up in-person at DHCD, located at 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, from the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. A paper copy of the preliminary application may also be mailed to the applicant, upon written request to DHCD. Paper copies of preliminary applications can be submitted in two ways: if sending through the mail, please use the following address: Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, HCV Preliminary Application, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177; or, if submitting in-person, drop off at Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development’s office located at 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, from the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. DHCD will close the waitlist and stop accepting preliminary applications once it has been determined that applicants at the bottom of the list will have to wait at least three years before receiving subsidy, which is estimated to be 300 preliminary applications.

Preliminary applications are processed based on date and time received and qualification for one or all of DHCD-approved local preferences.

When applying for the HCV Program, an applicant may claim qualification for one or all of DHCD-approved local preferences. DHCD uses the following waiting list preferences for all HCV applicants on the waiting list in order of weight: 1) Applicants with a disability, older adults (over 62 head of household), families or homeless (using the HUD definition) and who meet all other qualifications for the HCV program and who live or work in Loudoun County; 2) All applicants (families, individuals with a disability, and older adults) who meet all other qualifications for the HCV Program who live or work in the Commonwealth of Virginia; 3) All other eligible applicants (families, individuals with a disability, and older adults) who are residents of the United States; and 4) single able bodied applicants who live or work in Loudoun County, then Virginia, then the United States and who otherwise meet all other qualifications for the HCV Program.

Eligibility for a preference does not automatically make an applicant eligible for the HCV Program. A preference affects how soon an applicant will be issued a voucher. An applicant with a preference will be selected to receive a voucher before an applicant without a preference, even if the applicant without a preference applied for the program first. The household must qualify under DHCD eligibility factors. Eligibility will be determined when applicants are selected from the waiting list for voucher issuance. Household income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income for an applicant to be eligible.

COUNTY OF LOUDOUN SECOND HALF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE

H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Treasurer

October 5, 2023

The deadline for payment of the second half personal property tax is October 5, 2023.

Please Note: Payments received or postmarked after October 5, 2023, will incur a 10 percent penalty and interest. Any such penalty, when assessed, shall become part of the tax with interest accruing on both the tax and penalty at a rate of 10% annually. Personal Property taxes remaining unpaid after 60 calendar days from the original due date will incur an additional 15% penalty. Taxpayers who are having financial difficulties should contact our Collections Team at 703-771-5656 who stand ready to assist.

For Your Convenience, please consider making payments online, by phone or mail.

CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS

Online: www.loudounportal.com/taxes

Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

By Telephone: 24-hour line 1-800-269-5971 703-777-0280 during regular business hours. Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Please note: There is a convenience fee added to a Credit Card transaction. There is no fee for electronic checks (e-check).

By Mail: County of Loudoun P.O. Box 1000 Leesburg, Virginia 20177-1000

TREASURER’S OFFICE LOCATIONS

Extended Hours: Wednesday, October 4 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Thursday, October 5 - 8:00AM to 5:00 PM

Regular Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

1 Harrison Street, S.E. 46000 Center Oak Plaza 1st Floor 1st Floor Leesburg, Virginia 20175 Sterling, Virginia 20166

A 24 hour drop box is located outside both the Sterling and Leesburg offices.

If you need assistance with accessing, obtaining, or completing a preliminary application form, please call (703) 771-5718 or email hcv@loudoun.gov.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in this preliminary application process, please call (703) 771-5718/TTY-711. Advance notice is requested.

For more information about the preliminary application process, visit loudoun.gov/hcv or contact Ms. Timi Myers at 703-737-8213 or timi.myers@loudoun.gov or Ms. Tandi Butler at 703-771-5204 or tandi. butler@loudoun.gov.

Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer's Office at 703-777-0280 or email taxes@loudoun.gov with questions or if you have not received your bill.

Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines.

For information regarding Real Property or Personal Property Tax Exemptions or Deferrals, please contact the Tax Exemptions Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at taxrelief@ loudoun.gov, by phone at 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief

9/21 & 9/28/23

Legal Notices

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046599-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Briston Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Shakita Love, Mother, Emanuel Cobb, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a second Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Briston Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Shakita Love, Mother, Emanuel Cobb, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 8, 2023 at 2:00pm

9/28, 10/5, 10/12 & 10/19/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046598-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Chloe Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Shakita Love, Mother, Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a second Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Chloe Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Shakita Love, Mother, Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 8, 2023 at 2:00pm

9/28, 10/5, 10/12 & 10/19/23

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) FOR THE FOOD SCRAP COLLECTION AND COMPOSTING SERVICES - REISSUE, RFQ 639816 until prior to 4:00 p.m. local “Atomic Time”, October 10, 2023.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement or by calling (703) 777-0403, M - F, 9:00 a.m.5:00 p.m.

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

9/28/23

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

A message

to

Loudoun County Property Owners regarding the Land Use Assessment Program

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue

The Land Use Assessment Program provides for the deferral of real estate taxes on property that meets certain agricultural, horticultural, forestry, or open space use criteria.

• First Time Applicants: must submit an application and the required fee no later than November 1, 2023. Applications are available online, in my office, or can be mailed directly to you.

• Existing Land Use Program Participants: if your property is currently enrolled in the program, you are only required to renew your land use status every 6th year. Existing Land Use Assessment Program participants must submit a renewal form, documentation supporting the bona fide production income for agricultural and horticultural land use, and the required fee, no later than November 1, 2023. Participants who are up for renewal will be mailed their forms the first week of September (you may check your renewal year at www.loudoun.gov/parceldatabase by entering the property’s address, or parcel identification number, and selecting the LAND USE STATUS tab). Properties showing a Reval/Recert Year of 2018 are up for renewal this year.

An additional deferral of taxes may be available to current Land Use Program participants if they sign, and record, an agreement to keep the property in its qualifying use for more than 5 years, but not exceeding 20 years. The commitment must be filed with my office no later than November 1, 2023, and recorded in the Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court´s office no later than December 15, 2023.

DEADLINES

Applications must be submitted no later than November 1, 2023, to avoid late filing fees.

Applications submitted between November 2, 2023, but prior to December 5, 2023, are subject to a $300 per parcel late filing fee in addition to the standard filing fee.

Applications will NOT be accepted after December 5, 2023.

FILING FEES

Received, or postmarked, by November 1, 2023

• $125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof

Received, or postmarked, between November 2 and December 5, 2023

• $125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof plus a $300 per parcel late filing fee

Online: www.loudoun.gov/landuse

Email: landuse@loudoun.gov

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Phone: (703) 737-8557

Mailing Address PO Box 8000 MSC 32

Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

Overnight Deliveries 1 Harrison Street, SE, MSC 32

Leesburg, VA 20175-3102

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street, SE 1st Floor

Leesburg, VA 20175

Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza

Sterling, VA 20166

9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 & 10/26/23

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will conduct a public hearing during its work session on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia. The items proposed for public hearing during this work session are as follows:

LEGI-2023-0044, 3 DOG FARM: SPEX-2022-0039

(Special Exception)

Gina Schaefer has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 23.02 acres of land located north of Shannondale Road, and west of Edgegrove Road, in the Catoctin Election District (the “Subject Property”). The subject property is more particularly described as 15268 Shannondale Road, PIN 550-46-7353-000, Tax Map # /24///2/////1/. For SPEX-2022-0039, the applicant seeks to permit a dog kennel use in the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) zoning district. The proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Table 2-102 in Section 2-102 of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance

LEGI-2023-0017, VILLAGE AT CLEAR SPRINGS: ZMAP-2021-0008, SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-2021-0029, SPEX-2021-0030, SPEX-2022-0044, ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-2021-0091, ZMOD-2022-0036 & ZMOD-2022-0037

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions & Zoning Modifications)

Clear Springs Development, LLC, has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 245.95 acres of land located east of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), west of Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and south of Battlefield Parkway (Route 654) in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:

restricted SFD dwelling units), 578 single family attached (SFA) dwelling units (including 157 SFA agerestricted dwelling units), and 360 multi-family attached (MF Attached) dwelling units (including 180 MF Attached age-restricted dwelling units). For SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-2021-0029, SPEX-2021-0030, and SPEX-2022-0044 the applicant seeks special exceptions to permit playing fields and courts with lights, a private club or lodge, and to modify the required yards within the portion of the property administered as R-8 and R-1. For ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-2021-0091, ZMOD-2022-0036, and ZMOD-2022-0037, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: allow single family detached dwellings to front and access from a private road, reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for single family attached residential, to reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for the townhouse/multi-family district, to eliminate the street tree requirement, to permit the calculation of minimum tree canopy to be tabulated overall for the entire development area, and to eliminate buffer yards.

LEGI-2023-0019, CEDAR TERRACE AT SOUTH RIDING: ZMAP-2021-0016, ZCPA-2021-0008, SPEX-2021-0042, SPEX-2022-0028, SPEX-2022-0029, SPEX-2022-0030, ZMOD-2021-0050, ZMOD-2021-0051, ZMOD-2021-0052, ZMOD-2021-0053, ZMOD-2021-0054, ZMOD-2021-0055, ZMOD-2023-0005, ZMOD-2023-0006, ZMOD-2023-0007, ZMOD-2023-0008, ZMOD-2023-0020, ZMOD-2023-0024, and ZMOD-2023-0025

(Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Special Exception & Zoning Modifications)

Toll VA II, LP has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, a zoning concept plan amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 55.94 acres of land located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606) and the east side of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200) in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as:

For ZMAP-2021-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 245.95 acres from the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural) zoning district to the PD-H6 (Planned Development – Housing), administered as R-1 (Residential), R-8 and R-16)) zoning district in order to develop 1,180 dwelling units consisting of 242 single-family detached (SFD) dwelling units (including one existing SFD dwelling unit and 131 age-

For ZMAP-2021-0016, the applicant seeks to rezone a 29.54-acre portion of the Subject Property from PD-CC(SC) (Planned Development - Commercial Center (Small Regional Center)), PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4), and CLI (Commercial Light Industry) zoning districts to the (R-16 ADU) Townhouse/Multifamily – 16 zoning district to develop a total of 393 dwelling units consisting of up to 211 single family attached units, 130 multifamily stacked units, and 52 multifamily attached units at a density of 13.30 dwelling units per acre. For ZCPA-2021-0008, the applicant is proposing to amend the proffers and Concept Development Plan (CDP) approved with ZMAP-2006-0018 to permit development of up to 222,200 square feet of commercial uses on 26.4 acres of the Subject Property currently zoned PD-CC(SC). For SPEX-2021-0042, the applicant seeks to reduce the front and rear yards from 15 feet to 5 feet for single-family attached units. For SPEX-2022-0028, SPEX-2022-0029, and SPEX-2022-0030, the applicant seeks special exceptions to permit an Animal Hospital, Veterinary Services, and Indoor Kennel uses, respectively, in the PD-CC(SC) zoning district. For ZMOD-2021-0050, ZMOD-2021-0051, ZMOD-2021-0052, ZMOD-2021-0053, ZMOD-2021-0054, ZMOD-2021-0055, ZMOD-2023-0005, ZMOD-2023-0006, ZMOD-2023-0007, ZMOD-2023-0008, ZMOD-2023-0020, ZMOD-2023-0024, and ZMOD-2023-0025, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: reduce the PD-CC zoned district yard adjacent to residential districts from 100 feet to 0 feet, reduce PD-CC district yards adjacent to non-residential districts from 35 feet to 0 feet for buildings and from 35 feet to 0 feet for parking, waive the requirement that Small Regional Centers must have controlled access to major collector roads to allow for right-in only access to the Subject Property from Loudoun County Parkway and Route 50, reduce the building and parking CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Legal Notices

setbacks from 75 feet to 35 feet along Tall Cedars Parkway, increase the R-16 district size from 25 acres to 29.54 acres, increase the maximum building height in the R-16 district to up to 60 feet with no additional setbacks in Land Bay 3 and up to 55 feet with no additional setbacks in Land Bay 2, reduce the affordable dwelling unit building parking requirement in Land Bay 3 to 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit, permit the Route 50 interchange reservation area to remain in its current vegetated state for up to 30 years due to the impending interchange construction, allow structures requiring a building permit to be erected upon a lot fronting on to open space, reduce the required parking for the proposed pool, clubhouse, and central recreation area to five parking spaces, reduce the required road corridor buffer from 10 feet to 9 feet on Street Types 2 and 3, and reduce from 10 feet to 0 feet on Street Type 4, as referenced in the Cedar Terrace Design Guidelines (this road corridor buffer width reduction includes the reduction of plant units within the buffer), increase the maximum building height in the PD-CC (SC) district to up to 60 feet with no additional setbacks in Land Bay 1, to permit a primary access point on a residential neighborhood street, for the access point at PIN 164-48-2842-000 and PIN 164-48-1914-000, and to allow commercial and service uses and structures and their parking areas to be oriented toward existing and planned minor streets in residential neighborhoods or from existing and planned adjacent residential neighborhoods not separated from the district by streets.

LEGI-2023-0040, CASCADES MARKETPLACE:

ZMAP-2022-0015, ZMOD-2022-0053, ZMOD2022-0054, ZMOD-2022-0055 & SPMI-2022-0017

(Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Modifications, and Minor Special Exception)

Cascades Marketplace LP and Cascades Park Place LP have submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, zoning modifications, and a minor special exception for approximately 34.48 acres of land 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”). The subject property is more particularly described as:

but not limited to: to reduce the size of the Town Center Core from 10 acres to approximately 6.80 acres in size; 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; to reduce the size of the required town green from 40,000 square feet to approximately 15,000 square feet; to increase the maximum total gross floor area devoted to residential use to from 50% to 80%; 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 increase the maximum perimeter of blocks from 1,600 feet to 1,900 feet in the Town Center Core; and to increase the maximum perimeter of blocks from 1,600 feet to 2,250 feet in the Town Center Fringe.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc 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 (option 5).

Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing portion of the work session. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the work session; however, speakers may also sign-up at the work session. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, 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 for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. 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 work session to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization. Regularly scheduled Planning Commission work sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month. In the event the work session cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event the work session may not be held on the third Tuesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the Thursday following the third Tuesday.

For ZMAP-2022-0015, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 34.48 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 to the PD-TC (Planned Development – Town Center) zoning district in order to develop a maximum of 755 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 22 dwelling units per acre. For SPMI-2022-0017, the applicant seeks 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, pursuant to Section 5-1409(B)(1) of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. For ZMOD-2022-0053, ZMOD-2022-0054, and ZMOD-2022-0055, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. 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 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.

BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 9/28 & 10/5/23

IAD Master Plan Public Open House Workshop

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott

45020 Aviation Drive

Dulles, VA 20166

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is preparing a Master Plan for the Washington Dulles International Airport. The Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive study that describes short-, medium- and long-term improvements proposed for the airport. It is designed to establish a roadmap for incremental development to meet future aviation demand and other airport needs for the next 25 years.

The Master Planning process is designed as an inclusive process that encourages citizen participation. A public open house workshop will be held to provide information on the preliminary development alternatives for the Airport. Representatives from the Airports Authority and the Consultant team will be available to answer questions and receive comments on the ongoing Master Planning analyses and tasks completed to date.

For additional information, please scan the QR code or visit us at the website below: https://www.flydulles.com/about-airport/master-plan/dulles-international-airport-master-plan

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Master Plan team can also be contacted at: IADMaster.Plan@mwaa.com

9/7 & 9/21/23

ABC LICENSE

Ford’s on Maine Catering LLC trading as Ford’s Wicked Catering, 44900 Acacia Lane #116, Sterling, VA 20166.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a restaurant with caterer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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.

9/21 & 9/28/23

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Laurels scholarships

continued from page 3

tions, Johnson built a performing arts center at the Hill School, where her children attended; provides scholarships for students to attend Harvard’s Kennedy School; and helped raise money to build the U.S. Park Police stable, where one of her horses serves.

“When I first envisioned Salamander Resort and Spa, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Back then I was initially viewed by so many as the outsider, the rabble rouser, and the one who just didn’t understand things on the ground,” said Johnson, who just released a book, “Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph,” that details her struggle to build the resort and for acceptance in the community.

“I love this place. It’s in my blood. It’ll always be a part of me, wherever life may lead me because Loudoun County is no longer the community that branded me so many years ago, and so resisted so many of the good things I was trying to accomplish here,” she said.

“Loudoun County is a different place now, just as I am a different woman. And our stories have almost paralleled each other those past 30 years. I am wiser now

Ziegler trial

continued from page 1

daily in their private parts by the student. She testified they reached out to Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School Principal Diane Mackey and other members of the school administration and the student’s school team members about it.

Brooks testified that she felt the behavior was indicative of something the student was experiencing or witnessing, and she was concerned for the student’s well-being. She also testified of instances in which she was concerned over hygiene, and an occasion on which she believed she saw evidence of a potential sexual assault on the student. She testified she reported her concerns to Child Protective Services as a mandatory reporter. She also testified that Mackey refused to report it and told her to do it.

She said that the measures suggested by superiors to help the teachers—a cardboard sign with a hand on it they could hold in front of their private parts; wearing two aprons, one in front and one in back to slow down the penetration of the touching; and encouraging words like “hang in there” weren’t working. And she said Vandermeulen was experiencing extreme

and not nearly as naive as I was when I first moved down here from DC and my head all stuck up in the clouds. The remarkable county that we’re celebrating here tonight is richer and far more reflective of this great country of ours than it’s ever been before,” Johnson said.

Parker is widely recognized at the pioneer of Loudoun’s wine industry, planting his first vines on Mt. Gilead west of Leesburg more than 40 years ago.

Parker’s interest in agriculture goes back to the family farm where he was born and raised in Washington, DC. His interest in scientific pursuits built over decades of work in companies developing medical innovations.

After earning degrees at Lehigh University and the Wharton School, he began a career in the medical instruments industry with Baxter Travenol and later at Hazelton Laboratory, where he worked as the chief of finance. After Hazelton was sold, Parker sought to stay in Virginia and formed his own company ProScience Corporation, providing rapid diagnostics for the dairy industry. He gained experience in the orthopedics business in 1991, joining Maryland-based Kirshner Medical Corporation as CFO and later president of its orthopedic operations until it was sold in 1994. With his son-in-law, Eric Major, Parker formed another medi-

stress and anxiety.

She also detailed her efforts to get help, including making multiple complaints to school administrators, filing multiple Title IX complaints, and forwarding email correspondence about what was happening to Vandermeulen’s Gmail account, because she said she was afraid her emails in her public schools account would be wiped or the situation would be swept under the rug.

Brooks said she learned on March 22, 2022, that Vandermeulen had contacted schools activist Ian Prior for help. Vandermeulen testified she thought at the time Prior was a lawyer and contacted him after a friend suggested it. Prior is the founder of political action committee Fight for Schools.

Prior spoke during a School Board meeting that day about the teacher’s situation and referenced the date of the Title IX inquiry so the board could look into it further.

Brooks said she reached out to Prior after googling his contact info to make sure he didn’t share information that would identify her, Vandermeulen or the student. Vandermeulen also testified she didn’t share any personally identifiable information about the student with Prior.

The next day Brooks said the student wasn’t in class and she and Vandermeu-

cal device company, American OsteoMedix, and then K2M, which was acquired by Stryker in 2018.

Like Johnson, Parker came to rural Loudoun because of his children. His daughters were active in 4-H and wanted to raise farm animals.

“The entrepreneurial side of me was asking what can I do with my small rocky farm that might have a high value crop?” Parker said.

He went with wine grapes.

The first vines he planted died.

But he replanted and found immediate proof of concept.

“In the first crop in the first year, I won a gold medal for the Riesling that I made. That was very encouraging,” he said.

Willowcroft became the first bonded winery in Loudoun County.

Parker took an active role in promoting and developing the wine industry—in Loudoun and across the commonwealth— serving as president and chief lobbyist of the Virginia Wineries Association.

His interest in promoting scientific innovation led to the creation of the Willowcroft Science Award, which, since 1991, has provided scholarships to students who participate in Loudoun County’s Regional Science Fair—and cash awards to their teachers. That effort is now supported by the Willowcroft Science Endowment

len received notice not long after from the school they were no longer to have contact with the student.

Brooks said relations with school administrations became strained and awkward from that point on and learned a few days later a human resources investigation had been opened about her possibly sharing personal information about the student.

Brooks said she was subpoenaed April 18 to testify before the special grand jury that was impaneled to investigate criminal activity in Loudoun County Public Schools.

On May 13, in a letter from Ziegler, Brooks was notified her contract would not be renewed.

Brooks’s nonrenewal was placed on the School Board’s June 7, 2022, consent agenda. Brooks spoke out at that meeting, calling it a “smear campaign.”

School Board member John Beatty (Catoctin) testified that personnel items on the consent agenda were normal, but said he learned after June 7 that the nonrenewal of Brooks’s contract was the first one in 18 months. He testified he had not heard her name before that night and said when he and other board members questioned Ziegler about it, the superintendent said she wasn’t renewed because she had released

Fund. “My way of giving back was trying to encourage the teaching and learning of science and to participate,” Parker said.

Also, during the Sept. 22 gala, Elizabeth Portillo Morejon and Josmar Hernandez Chavez were introduced as the 2023 Loudoun Laurels Scholars, joining a list of 25 others who have been awarded scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to attend college in Virginia. The program targets students who would be the first in their families to attend college who have demonstrated their potential through hard work and personal sacrifice.

Portillo Morejon graduated from Loudoun County High School and will study nursing at George Mason University. Hernandez Chavez is a graduate of Woodgrove High School who will study international business at the University of Mary Washington.

To date, the Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships. This year, the May Family Foundation has issued a challenge grant to build the organization’s scholarship endowment, offering to match donations up to a total of $500,000. n

confidential student information to Prior and to the special grand jury. Beatty testified Ziegler got defensive when questioned further and said he seemed “excited” to be done with Brooks. Beatty said he felt shocked and that it felt “underhanded.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Boland testified that she and then-division counsel Robert Falconi used the date Prior referenced in his speech, March 22, to look up who he was talking about. She said she instructed newly hired Title IX Coordinator Christopher Moy to follow up with Brooks to see if she wanted to file a formal complaint.

Boland said she received an email from Ziegler on April 6 asking if Brooks was a probationary teacher. Probationary teachers are typically newer teachers and move to continuing contract status after their third year of teaching, according to Boland. Probationary teachers are removed by being nonrenewed, while continuing contract teachers are dismissed. She also testified there were many conversations between herself and Ziegler about Brooks. Boland testified that a teacher cannot be fired based on a complaint about inappropriate touching.

Testimony was scheduled to resume Wednesday. Check loudounnow.com for updates. n

Private schools

continued from page 1

The division’s official count for the 202324 school year will be released in October, but numbers aren’t expected to increase by much over the preliminary enrollment count.

Some have speculated students are leaving public schools to attend private schools, in particular Christian private schools, several of which have opened or expanded in recent years.

The trend isn’t exclusive to Loudoun, its nationwide, according to the National Association of Independent Schools, a nonprofit membership association that gives trend analysis, leadership and governance guidance and professional development opportunities to over 2,000 schools and associations of schools in the United States.

According to NAIS traditional public schools have seen an overall decline in enrolment since 2019, meanwhile charter schools, private schools and homeschooling have seen growth in enrollment. In its 2023-2024 trend outlook it references a study done by the Urban Institute, Stanford University and the Associated Press that attempts to show where the students who left public education during the pandemic ended up. Although the study didn’t collect data from every state, its data helps in the analysis of where students went, according to the trend report. Public school enrollment fell by 2.9% between the 20192020 and 2021-2022 school years, according to the data. Of that, 26% can be attributed to homeschooling and 14% to students enrolling in private school.

Cornerstone Christian Academy, a ministry of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, is the latest private Christian school to open in Loudoun County, launching this fall with more than 540 students, already near capacity. Students come to the rural Middleburg-area campus, from Loudoun, Fairfax, Fauquier, and other Northern Virginia areas. as well as Maryland. One moved from California to attend the school, according to school officials.

The K-8 school, which also offers fulltime virtual classes for students in fifth through 12th grade, is located on the former Notre Dame Academy property and offers an education from a “Biblical worldview,” according to its website.

It joins others, including Providence Academy a 256-student pre-K through eighth grade school near Leesburg, St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly

that serves 1,186 students, and the Virginia Academy.

The Virginia Academy, a ministry of Community Church in Leesburg, started as a preschool in 1997 and has grown to serve 720 students from preschool to 12th grade, with a 60,000-square-foot expansion set to open fall 2024.

According to Marketing and Communications Coordinator Amber Landie, the school’s upper school, which consists of middle and high school students, has more than 330 students and has seen the biggest growth in the past few years.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in interest,” she said, especially since the pandemic which led to the decision to expand the campus. She said they have had wait lists for every grade for a several years.

“Right now, we are close to capacity. We can add a few upper schoolers based on what their schedule is, but for our lower school, we have the amount of desks that can fit in each class,” she said, noting that they try to keep class sizes at about 18 students per teacher.

She said the reasons vary from parent to parent when it comes to why they send their children to the school. Some like the smaller class sizes, others liked the family atmosphere and Christian values, and a small percentage just preferred private school over public, according to parent surveys.

“The biggest factor is word of mouth. They’ve heard positive things from other parents because kids thrive here and that experience makes them want to come,” she said. “Different parents are looking

for different things, but I would say there are definitely some parents that are looking for a Christian environment private school.”

St. Paul VI Director of Enrollment Management Kiersten Caputy said it has seen an increase in their enrollment as well.

“Faith plays a large roll. We are a Catholic school and I think in this day and age that is something that is very important to our Catholic families and our non-Catholic families,” she said.

Another reason for the increase was the 2020 move from Fairfax to a 68-acre campus in Loudoun County, according to Director of Communications and Marketing Irene Zazo.

“We adjusted where people are coming from and we also have a bigger building so we can handle more students,” she said.

The school is a college preparatory high school with a mission to give students the chance to develop spiritually, intellectually, personally, and socially according to the teachings of the Catholic church.

Since Pastor Gary Hamrick first announced plans for the Cornerstone Christian Academy in February 2020, parents looking for opportunities outside of public education have been excited about its opening.

Cornerstone Head of School Sam Botta has worked for over 24 years in both public and private Christian schools and universities and began attending Cornerstone Church remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic from Virginia Beach. He moved to the area for the job, to be closer to the

church, and to be closer to his family.

Botta said the school and its opening aren’t political, but young children and their future is something Cornerstone Chapel strongly believes in.

“Parents are facing lots of challenges and so we care about that and anyway we can help and support parents that is what we are doing, and we may differ on what they looks like,” he said, addressing a question about community members who might disagree with the school and its teachings. “You have convictions, so do we and we are doing it according to our convictions and what we believe is true and right and good for children and families so if you choose to think differently you certainly can do that but this is what we are called to do.”

Bethany Kozma, a Fairfax County mom of three, said it was the answer to prayer for her family.

Kozma has spoken out about the school policies on transgender students at School Board meetings in both Fairfax and Loudoun County since 2016. She pulled her kindergartner from public schools then and has either homeschooled or enrolled her children at private Christian schools.

“I really wanted a safe place for my children. By safe place I mean my children were not going to be exposed to things that I wasn’t ready for them to be exposed to,” she said.

She said she is happy with the school because it’s a partnership between parents and the school.

Kozma said she believes most parents who chose to send their kids to Cornerstone not only want the Christian aspect, but also want their children to thrive and to learn to read and write.

The school’s curriculum is provided by BJU Press, a Christian publisher that regularly reviews state and national standards. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International and is pursuing accreditation this year through ACSI.

The curriculum at the Academy of Virginia is Biblical integration, which means integrating Christian values into the curriculum, according to Landie.

Zazo said St. Paul’s curriculum is similar to that of a public school, but students are required to take a theology class all four years.

The schools are all tuition-based and offer various scholarship opportunities for students and accept students from outside of Loudoun. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Students at Cornerstone Christian Academy fill the hallways at dismissal. The school offers a “Biblical world view” in addition to classes like art, science and math.

15

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NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

EDITORIAL

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Opinion

The Cloud-Fueled Piggy Bank

An interesting theme emerged in recent Board of Supervisors candidate forums. It seems there may be no problem facing the county that can’t be solved with data centers.

Want to stand up a transfer of development rights program? We’ll get the data centers to buy them. Want extra money to spend on some initiative or another? Want to eliminate the car tax? We’ll get that money from the data centers. Heck, we might even increase the taxes on them if we need to—or simply want to.

These suggested raids on the cloud-fueled piggy bank usually come after promises to crack down on the spread of these facilities—widely viewed as noisy, unsightly behemoths—and the power infrastructure needed to feed them.

It’s an odd twist on campaign conversations

that once focused on prudent fiscal management, sometimes even cost cutting. “Cost cutting” is not a term used by county politicians much these days; perhaps “prudent fiscal management” isn’t a top concern either. When our political leaders develop a view that one sector of our tax base can provide a virtually unlimited supply of cash, where is their incentive to self-regulate spending?

Conveniently, the data center gambit fits well into the most universally popular approach to funding government: Don’t tax you. Don’t tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree.

That means it won’t be the public demanding accountability—until the day they realize that this years-long spending spree is digging deep into their wallets, as well. n

Support Victory

Editor:

I write to express my continuing support for supplying Ukraine with the weapons and other aid that it needs to win its war against Russia.

As the former director of project management for closure of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, I know the Ukrainian people, and as a retired Naval officer, I know what it takes to win this war. I have confidence in President Zelensky and the Ukrainian military, and I know that the Ukrainian people are solidly in support of victory, knowing that the alternative would be a brutal suppression by the Russian military.

It is absolutely in the interest of the United States and Europe to

ensure that Russia does not succeed in its illegal war. Russia has shown itself to be a brutal aggressor in Georgia, Syria, and even within its own borders. A victory for Russia in Ukraine puts all of Eastern Europe at risk and sends a message to China that Taiwan is not likely to be defended. Putin is confident that the United States and Europe will grow tired of the effort and expense of supporting Ukraine and that Russia simply needs to continue until Ukraine is exhausted and the flow of support stops.

Reports of slowness in Ukraine’s offensive fail to consider that a major reason it has not moved faster is that the West, in particular the United States, have failed to

provide the weapons it needs to succeed—ATACMS and other longrange artillery, fighters and attack aircraft. The U.S. military would never undertake offensive operations without air cover or the ability to strike deep within the enemy’s logistics chain, yet that is exactly what the Biden administration’s timidity in providing such weapons has constrained Ukraine to attempt. Zelensky has given assurances that these weapons would not be used to attack inside Russia, and we should believe him. He has shown himself to be a reliable and trustworthy partner.

Let’s get Ukraine what it needs to win.

— Oscar McNeil Jr. Waterford

CHIPshots

Local Businesses Sought for School Division’s Job for A Day

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun School Business Partnership Executive Council is looking for local businesses to participate in this year’s upcoming Job for a Day by hosting high school students Nov. 6.

Job for a Day is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn what a particular career cluster, field or specific job requires every day by shadowing a company.

The mission of the council is to make sure students are prepared to successfully contribute to the business world. It works to provide opportunities for partnerships between the school division and businesses like Job for a Day.

There are 17 industries represented on the council and members would love to see other industries and more local businesses come forward to host students, according to outgoing council chair Denise Rowell.

Rowell, who is also the owner of R Farms in Hamilton, said they want to provide as many opportunities for students to participate and learn from local businesses as they can. She said no business is too small or too big to participate.

“It can be one student, it can be 20,” she said. She said larger organizations like the Town of Leesburg have hosted multiple students by having them shadow workers within their various departments, giving more students the opportunity to be exposed to even more job opportunities.

She also suggested smaller businesses work with one or two other small business and host a panel of students.

“It’s a great way to hit on a little of what every level of career experience looks like,” she said. “Some kids will ask ‘how did you get where you are?’ or ‘what did it take to get where you are?’ Entrepreneurs will share with the kids that they failed sometimes and learned how to move forward, and kids need to hear that, it’s encouraging for them. This is an opportunity to show kids what is out there at an age where they are trying to figure

things out.”

She said they want to get the word out now to both businesses and high school juniors and seniors.

In the past, students have worked with businesses like Ford’s Fish Shack, where they learned from owner Tony Stafford about the hospitality industry and how it is more than just serving food or being a chef. She said Stafford taught students how to filet salmon among other things.

Other students have learned about marketing with Loud & Clear Marketing owner Sharon Wright, who ran students through marketing tools and used marketing examples from McDonalds before having lunch at the fast-food chain.

Wright is the incoming council chair.

Another popular one from last year saw students shadowing the forensics unit in the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Rowell said students were captivated by the forensic science and psychology of getting to the bottom of solving cases.

“The hands-on programs and activities really have given students insight into what a meaningful career would be like in today’s workforce. It’s things you don’t get to experience in school, not for lack of effort, but that there is just not enough time in the day,” she said.

Rowell and her husband also take on students participating in Job for a Day at their farm where they do agricultural production for restaurants.

She said there is always something to learn especially when it comes to owning a small business.

“We take the students through all the facets of what they need to know to be an entrepreneur like in big companies they have a human resources department and an accounting department, but in a small business you are it.”

If you are interested in hosting local high school students Nov. 6 email jobforaday@lcps.org or call 571-2911956. The deadline for businesses to sign up to participate is Oct. 13.

Students interested in participating in the program this year can sign up between Oct. 16 and Nov. 2. n