Loudoun Now for Dec. 24, 2020

n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 6, NO. 4

Pg. 6 | n PUBLIC SAFETY

Pg. 12 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 17 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

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

Pg. 26

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Supervisors Ask to Change Names; Launch Inventory of Racist Symbols

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

A UPS delivery driver drops packages to businesses amid a busy holiday season along King Street in downtown Leesburg.

This Year’s Holiday Heroes

Local Delivery Workers Bring the Season Home

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

With the COVID-19 pandemic changing almost everything about the holiday season—from shopping to family gatherings—residents and local businesses are relying more than ever on delivery workers this year.

Like many businesses, Leesburg furniture and home goods boutique 27 South started offering online ordering when the pandemic began, said co-owner Carolyn McCarter.

“That was a huge thing for us back then, and during that time frame, we offered free delivery, which was hard.” McCarter said. “It was literally myself pack-

HOLIDAY HEROES continues on page 35

SYMBOLS continues on page 35

PROPANE COSTS COSTS TOO MUCH! PROPANE TOO MUCH! PROPANE COSTS TOO MUCH! This Winter is theWinter Ideal Time Make the to Switch.

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ECRWSS Postal Customer

PROPANE COSTS TOO MUCH! This Winter is the Ideal Time to Make the Switch.

“So very happy we switched to Hunt Country. My only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner. How much money we would have saved…However, we finally made the right choice about our propane.

For years I have been receiving offers from other companies offering low rates, only to find out you have to enter a contract with them. It never made sense to me that you could drive around town and shop for fuel for your car, but not for your home. It’s nice to see that a business owner understands this and caters to the customer. We received our first delivery this past Saturday and the owner himself brought it out. The service was excellent. Of course, I’m not surprised,

ing up my car with like all these small deliveries to do across Northern Virginia.

But I mean, people, just right now, they definitely want the luxury of having stuff sent to their home.”

For 27 South, business has been steady

County supervisors will ask the state to change the names of Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 where they honor segregationists, and will gather an inventory of other places in Loudoun that are named for racist figures.

Supervisors voted 7-0-1, with Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent and Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) off the dais, in favor of Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines’ (D-Sterling) motion to start the process of renaming those two highways where they are named for lawmaker Harry Byrd, known for leading “massive resistance” to integration in Virginia, and Confederate cavalry commander John Mosby. County staff members were directed to report back to supervisors with a process and cost estimate for changing those names no later than May. As primary routes, the state has the authority to change those names.

Saines said naming those roads “sends a message to both our residents and non-residents who use these roads about what kind of place Loudoun is.”

“Confederates were individuals who willingly took up arms against the United States in order to preserve slavery. We should not be honoring these traitors,”

previous propane provider was much higher priced. The staff was rude and didn’t seem to care if you gave them business or not. When I was shopping around for a new company, thankfully I found Hunt Country. The staff is friendly, professional, knowledgeable and genuinely cared that you gave them your business. Hunt Country prices are consistently lower than their competitors. I highly recommend that you call Hunt Country Propane, if you

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School Board Looks for New Metrics to Evaluate Classroom COVID Threats

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Loudoun school administrators are slated to decide this week whether to move forward with plans to expand hybrid learning to middle and high school students when the second semester begins Jan. 21.

To get those programs in place, the school division’s plan calls for the staff supporting the hybrid classes to return to their schools starting Jan. 4. They were expected to be notified Dec. 23 whether to report to work for those preparations.

With the number of new COVID-19 cases and average daily positivity rates of coronavirus cases both exceeding thresholds established by the School Board to require 100% distance learning, hybrid classes have been suspended since Dec. 15.

As of this week, the average positivi-

ty rate remains above 10%—running at 12.3%—and the number new cases per 100,000 residents during the past 14 days remains above 200, at 498.7. Those were the thresholds the School Board set for automatically suspending in-person classes.

Public health authorities expect cases to increase even more after the holidays.

That trend makes it unlikely that levels of community spread will decline enough to meet the conditions for reestablishing in-person classes immediately following the winter break that ends Jan. 4, and uncertain whether cases will decline sufficiently in the 14 days leading up to the Jan. 21 target launch date for the secondary school hybrid learning expansion.

That situation has several School Board members pressing for better ways to assess the in-school threat of COVID-19 with the goal of getting more students in classrooms.

Jeff Morse (Dulles), among the most vocal proponents of increasing in-person classes, said the School Board erred in selecting the case growth and positivity rates as the factors to determine when to close campuses. Those metrics, he said, were irrelevant in assessing the threat to students and staff in school buildings.

During the board’s Dec. 15 meeting, he was joined by other board members in calling for measurements that will allow leaders to track cases and outbreaks at a school level and to provide flexibility to halt in-person classes at on a more targeted basis.

“I think it is time for us to get in front of this instead of behind this, where we’ve been for the past four months,” Morse said.

Efforts to get more students in class are being tempered by concerns expressed by other board members that teachers and other staff members could be at increased

risk because of the potential exposure to infected, but asymptomatic, students.

According the school division reporting, as of Dec. 22, a total of 237 staff members and 131 students have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. It is not known how many of the infections occurred as the result of on-campus contacts. This week, 16 active staff cases and 10 active student cases were reported, with 54 staff members and 22 students at home quarantining. According to the state health department, there has been only one outbreak at a Loudoun public school, that was at Dominion High School in August with few than five cases involved.

The board is expected to discuss new options for evaluating the in-school transmission threat, and whether to move away from an automatic trigger to halt hybrid learning, at its annual organizational meeting Jan. 4. n

Santa’s Helpers Get Busy at The Ampersand Pantry Project

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Volunteers search through piles of gifts prepared for distribution to families at The Ampersand Pantry Project last Saturday.

The community outreach and support of The Ampersand Pantry Project continues to expand, with volunteers last weekend providing gifts to hundreds of families.

Since March, the organization has been providing daily lunches—more than 66,000 to date—to residents who line up at its drive-through food pantry on East Market Street in Leesburg.

For Christmas, the volunteer organization teamed up with Burnett & Williams and Dunlap and Bennett & Ludwig, to solicit, collect and distribute unwrapped presents to help fill the wish lists of families who were surveyed about which gifts their children had requested.

Gifts were purchased by community members to meet the needs of specific families. More the 400 children will receive gifts as part of the outreach that was undertaken by more than 100 volunteers. n

PAGE 4

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Loudoun

ON THE Agenda

Supervisors Look to Raise Wealth Caps on Elderly, Disabled Tax Relief

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County is looking into slightly expanding allowances for elderly and disabled residents to qualify for total real estate tax relief.

Supervisors Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) and Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) asked the board to start work looking into raising the income cap for eligibility for 100% real estate tax relief.

Currently, to qualify for a total exemption to real estate tax, a permanently or totally disabled or elderly person must have an annual gross household income of no more than $72,000, and a financial net worth of not more than $440,000. A new initiative, passed 8-0-1 on Dec. 15, with Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent, will look into raising the income cap by up to $10,000

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd.

That will be based in part on changes in the Consumer Price Index in the DC area since 2015. According to. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the region’s CPI has increased by 6.9% between November 2015 and November 2020.

However, Loudoun’s real estate costs

have far outpaced the regional Consumer Price Index. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, in Loudoun, the House Prince Index—a measure of the changes in prices of single-family homes— grew by 15% from 2015 to 2019.

Loudoun also offers a 50% real estate tax exemption for elderly and disabled people on a sliding scale of income and net worth, ranging from up to $46,000 income and up to $920,000 net worth, to up to $65,000 income and up to $560,000 net worth. The tax exemptions were created during supervisors’ most recent revisions to that tax exemption, in 2017. Although they were seen as an imperfect solution, the board adopted the new tax relief provisions by an 8-1 vote on Dec. 13, 2017, with Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) opposed.

Learn more about the Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled and apply for tax relief at Loudoun.gov/1609/TaxRelief-for-the-Elderly-Disabled. n

Goodfriend Addresses COVID-19 Vaccine Questions

BY KRISTEN MARTWINSKI Special to Loudoun Now

The day the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Loudoun County, Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend laid out the path for getting the population immunized against the novel coronavirus.

On Thursday, Dec. 17, Loudoun County held a virtual COVID-19 question-and-answer session with Goodfriend. During the stream, Goodfriend gave updates on the county’s expectations regarding the effects of the virus and the new vaccine. He also identified those who are first in line to get the vaccine, including healthcare workers and those living in long-term care facilities.

Pfizer’s vaccine has already arrived at Loudoun hospitals, Goodfriend said, and Moderna’s vaccine is scheduled to arrive sometime next week. He explained that for the vaccines to be effective, people must get two doses. After the first dose, people will get reminders of when to get the booster.

There will be 480,000 doses given to the region initially.

Facebook.com/Loudoun County VA

Dr. David Goodfriend answers questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

There were many questions around who is a part of the high priority group that is first to get the vaccine. Goodfriend explained that those in long-term care facilities are eligible, while seniors who are in independent living facilities are not. Home healthcare workers, Medical Reserve Corps workers and teachers also came up—both home healthcare workers and Medical Reserve Corps workers have been deemed eligible for the vaccine, while teachers have

DECEMBER 24, 2020

not been labeled as high priority yet.

Goodfriend also reassured viewers of the safety of the vaccine.

“The Moderna vaccine is safe. The Pfizer vaccine so far looks like it is safe,” Goodfriend said “There are risks with all vaccines.” He also warned the public against getting information on the vaccine from unreliable sources, and against falling victim to conspiracy theories.

Until the vaccine is available to everyone, Goodfriend said the public must continue to do its part in flattening the curve, and that everyone must treat the threat of the virus seriously.

“The beginning of 2021 is probably going to be a dark time,” Goodfriend said.

“We expect increased transition [of the virus], but we have control over it because of the vaccine and the steps we take.”

He also said of the importance of masks: “If you see someone not wearing a mask or not social distancing, speak up and let them know.”

More questions or concerns on the vaccine can be addressed by calling 703-7378300, or going to loudoun.gov/health. n

Opioid Overdoses Virtual Trainings Set for January Loudoun County has scheduled several virtual training sessions for January 2021 on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose.

The next REVIVE! sessions are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 14 at noon; and Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

More training dates are expected to be scheduled in January and will be posted at loudoun.gov/revive.

The free, one-hour training covers signs of opioid overdose and how to respond to an opioid overdose with naloxone, a drug that can be used to treat narcotic overdoses in emergencies. Any registered participant completing the training will be eligible to receive a free naloxone nasal spray.

Anyone who uses opioids or knows someone who is using opioids is encouraged to sign up for the training. Pre-registration is required and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those interested in attending may register online at loudoun.gov/revive.

The training is part of the REVIVE! program, which is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Loudoun County Community Services Board, the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services and the Virginia Department of Health sponsor the local training sessions.

More information about the opioid overdose reversal training is available at loudoun.gov/revive or by contacting the MHSADS Prevention and Intervention Program at 571-258-3365 or by email at LCMHFirstAid@loudoun.gov.

Free COVID-19 Testing Offered Tuesday Loudoun County will hold another free drive-thru COVID-19 testing event Tuesday, Dec. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Franklin Park in Purcellville.

As always, the testing event is open to all, with no age or residency requirements and no prescriptions or appointments necessary. A perON THE AGENDA continues on page 5

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

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A map of the area around the new Temple Baptist Church site.

Congregation Asks for Permission to Build Ball Fields in Flood Plains

BY KRISTEN MARTWINSKI Special to Loudoun Now

The congregants at Temple Baptist Church are asking county supervisors to let them build athletic fields in a flood plain next to their new church building in Kincora.

During a Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on Dec. 9, the church’s representatives asked the supervisors to consider applications for a Zoning Concept Plan Amendment and Special Exception to construct baseball and soccer fields in an area that is considered to be a part of a major floodplain. The 2019 General Plan does not support active recreation uses, such as a baseball field, on major floodplains.

A total of 16 members from the community spoke at the hearing, largely in support of the recreational fields being built.

“Building the ballfields is very important—the sports programs have been a blessing to me and my family,” said congregant Drew Gardner.

But there are environmental concerns around these fields, which David Durham acknowledged when he noted that the fields were “an ideal location for our church with a less than ideal footprint.”

Evan McCarthy, speaking on behalf

ON THE Agenda continued from page 4

son does not have to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested. A PCR test, which tests for the novel coronavirus, will be administered via nasal swab. No antibody or rapid tests will be offered.

To help reduce wait times, people who

of the Piedmont Environmental Council, urged the board to reconsider ball field locations because of potential pollutants in run-off water and contamination of surface water.

Although the board will not vote on the request until its next meeting on Jan. 19, at least two supervisors, Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn), and Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Leesburg), have made it clear they are in support of the fields being built.

“Are we bending the rules? Yes, we are bending the rules, but I am pleased to support this application,” Turner said.

Not all board members were convinced, though.

“I am leery of anything that elevates outside of a flood plain. I don’t want to see more pollution,” said Supervisor Kristen C. Umstatdd (D-Leesburg).

Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) raised concerns over the possibility this could become an issue of choosing either to support the church or the environment.

“We are not against the church. We have put policies in place, and we have to follow them,” Briskman said. “I worry about the slippery slope, that [we] are allowing the rules to be broken.” n plan to attend the testing event are encouraged to complete a registration form for each person who will be receiving a test prior to arriving at the testing site. The form is available in English and Spanish at loudoun.gov/COVID19testing.

Forms will also be available at the testing site for individuals who do not have access to a printer or otherwise are unable to complete the forms in advance.

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

Leesburg

AROUND town

Campbell Leaves Council, But Not Public Service

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Leesburg Town Councilman Ron Campbell will say goodbye to his Town Council duties come Jan. 1, but don’t expect him to leave public service altogether.

Campbell joined the council in January 2017 and went on to run three campaigns in a matter of four years. During his term on council, he twice challenged Mayor Kelly Burk for her seat, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. The second time around, in November’s election, he chose to forgo a re-election bid for his own seat, and instead ran for mayor.

“Whatever I thought my path was going to be, I didn’t plan on running three campaigns,” he said with a laugh. “I got my energy from my spiritual nature. To put myself in harm’s way of poking the bear, I did so willingly because of what’s at stake.”

The word he chooses to describe his four years of service? Proud.

Campbell pointed out that he was only the third African American elected to serve on the Town Council since 1757, and said the votes that brought him to the dais came from “a very diverse and inclusive voting base.”

“I’m proud that I used my voice to speak for those who were not as entitled as others, to speak to a proud set of issues from education to health care. I’m proud of the work we tried to do in terms of de-

Loudoun Now file photo

After four years serving on the Town Council, Ron Campbell will relinquish his seat Dec. 31.

velopment. I’m most proud that I served.

I raised issues, but it still takes three other people to vote for [it]. I’m extremely proud that I listened to other people, that I voted in ways that were inclusive of oth-

er people’s issues and not just my own. I fully represented every area of the town CAMPBELL continues on page 8

The Town Council has unanimously adopted design guidelines for the new Gateway District.

The design guidelines contain guidelines regulations on both site and building design for the district.

The new Gateway District rules replace those of the H-2 Historic Corridor Overlay District, which was created in the early 1990s.

Five segments make up the new Gateway District: West Market Street, East Market Street, North King Street, South King Street, and Edwards Ferry Road. Edwards Ferry was not previously a part of the H-2 District. A total of 415 properties, many residential lots, that were included in the H-2 will not be a part of the new overlay district.

According to town planners, the Gateway District is designed to provide clearer direction to users about the approval process and what is required, and is streamlined to provide more administrative review than was possible under the H-2 District.

The adoption of the design guidelines comes on the heels of November’s council adoption of the Gateway District streetscape plan. Both will be incorporated into the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan re-write, which is expected to begin legislative review in 2021.

New Student Art Display Exhibited at Town Hall The Commission on Public Art has installed a new art display on the first floor of Leesburg Town Hall.

Mixed Media by Deborah Tripp features 55 pieces of artwork created by students from the Academies of Loudoun.

“During this time of the pandemic students were creative,” said Tripp, who teaches the Academies’ graphic communications class. Students either sketched, photographed, or created their artwork through Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

The Town Hall exhibit will run through February. The public is encouraged to stop by and see the art during normal business hours. For more information email Deborah.

Design Contract Awarded for Veterans Park

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A recent design contract award by the Leesburg Town Council will get work moving on a long-awaited town park.

The council has awarded a $377,000 design contract to Alpha Corporation for design and engineering services for Veterans Park at Balls Bluff.

VETERANS PARK continues on page 7

Gateway Design Guidelines Adopted

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

After two decades of planning, the town is moving closer to construction of amenities at Veterans Park.

AROUND TOWN continues on page 8

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

Town Council Approves Kiosk Operations at Outlet Mall

Here to help you find your forever home!

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Leesburg Premium Outlets has received the approval to operate—or to continue operating— retail kiosks on the Leesburg Premium Outlets mall property.

By a 4-1-1 vote Dec. 8, the Town Council approved a series of zoning text amendments to allow retail kiosks in developments of at least 500,000 square feet.

Essentially the large square footage minimum attached to the amendments means the outlets are the only commercial development in town that can qualify to operate kiosks. Currently, the outlet mall has eight such kiosks, but only six are in operation. Next month the property owner is set to come to the Town Council for an unrelated rezoning, and has already indicated a desire to have 10 kiosks. According to a staff report, the first kiosks appeared at the outlets in 2005, although no approval was sought or received for their development.

Last week, the council wrestled over how many kiosks to allow. Planning Commission members had recommended a maximum of five, but some council members said they found that number to be arbitrary. If the council had gone forward with the commission’s recommended five-kiosk maximum, the outlet mall would have had to remove others beyond that number, Zoning Administrator Mi1503 chael Watkins said.

Mayor Kelly Burk said the council was

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AROUND town continued from page 6

tripp@lcps.org.

The first-floor lobby and hallway of Town Hall features rotating exhibits by Leesburg and Loudoun artists. Those interested in having their work considered for a future exhibit should contact Leah Kosin, staff liaison to the Commission on Public Art, at lkosin@leesburgva.gov.

Nominations Sought for Environmental Award The Environmental Advisory Commission is seeking nominations for the 2020 Tolbert Environmental Achievement Award.

The award recognizes students, community groups and individuals who conduct or participate in activities that ben-

Campbell continued from page 6 and the community and that doesn’t often happen,” he said.

Campbell also pointed to his somewhat controversial decision in the first few weeks of his term to nominate Councilwoman Suzanne Fox to be vice mayor.

Campbell, who in his first bid for office had been supported by the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, drew the ire of some in his party for nominating a Loudoun County Republican Committee-endorsed candidate.

“It may have been unpopular politically, but it was necessary. I believe Suzanne demonstrated what we wanted to see—us working better together as a council,” he said.

Political divisiveness, unfortunately, was all too common during the entirety of

efit the town’s environment. Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 17.

Activities that benefit the town’s environment include: innovative use of recycled materials (including composting, collection programs for materials that are recyclable or reusable); pollution prevention; waste reduction; protection of the natural environment; habitat improvement; beautification of the environment; environmental education; and/or monitoring the condition of Leesburg’s environment.

To make a nomination, go to leesburgva.gov/eac.

The 2020 Tolbert Environmental Achievement Award will be presented at a future Town Council meeting.

Financial Report Released

Campbell’s council tenure.

“I’m disappointed that the council became so hostile, personally hostile that they couldn’t listen to the issues because of the person” who raised them, he said.

He said he wished this council could’ve seen through an update to the Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the Loudoun County chapter of the NAACP. Campbell also said the town’s handling of its CARES funding could have been better managed to get more money to residents and businesses. He also wishes the council would have supported moving the conversation of a law enforcement civilian review committee forward.

Although he will no longer be a presence on the dais, Campbell is insistent that he will not fade away, and will remain a voice in the community. He points to his creation of the Citizens for a Better Leesburg advocacy group as an example.

“I’m not going away because we have

deepened ourselves in a good way into our community. [Some] politicians seem to disappear when they lose because all of their platforms allowed them to disappear.

That won’t ever be me. I’m a community member. Now as a community member, Citizens for a Better Leesburg has a lot of work to continue to do,” he said.

First up on that list is the establishment of a citizen-led committee working in concert with the Leesburg Police Department, Campbell said.

“The town won’t be involved and that’s OK. The town had an opportunity to show some leadership. Because it’s citizen driven like it is in most major cities, that is something we will still drive forward as an immediate issue,” he said.

Campbell also was recently elected as first vice president of the Loudoun NAACP, serves on the Board of Directors of the Waterford Foundation, and is Executive Director of the Loudoun Free-

The Town of Leesburg has released its first-ever Popular Annual Financial Report. The new report, which covers fiscal year 2020, presents key information about the town’s General Fund finances in a concise format in easily understandable language.

“The Popular Annual Financial Report is part of our continuing efforts to increase transparency about government operations for our residents and taxpayers,” stated Clark Case, Leesburg’s director of Finance and Administrative Services.

“The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is the audited account of the past year’s finances which we are legally required to produce. However, the

CAFR is nearly 200 pages of dense text and financial tables. In contrast, the PAFR is eight pages of charts and infographics and is written in plain English.”

The new report is available at leesburgva.gov/pafr.

Leaf Collection Ending Leesburg’s annual bulk leaf collection will end the week of Dec. 28. Leaves must be in the street no later than 6 a.m. that Monday as town crews make their final run through the neighborhoods.

After then, any new leaves must be set out in covered trash cans or placed in bags for collection by Patriot Disposal, Inc., the town’s trash and recycling contractor.

dom Center. Expect him to stay busy, and heard, he said.

“I don’t have time to go away. I just have more time to do other things that don’t require a vote,” he said. “I’m quite satisfied where I am. I want to give more time and attention to my family and the community. I want to support more candidates running for offices whose voices need to be heard,” he said.

Campbell pointed out that it wasn’t until his early 60s, following two bouts with cancer, that he was elected to office.

“One of the things I’ve learned is I don’t have to be elected to be effective. I’ve been effective before. I’ve been a leader my whole life,” he said. “This didn’t make me. This allowed me to use my skills that I’ve generated but politicians don’t make change in our community, people do. My work as a community activist right now is more powerful than any elected position that could be held by anybody.” n

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Education

SCHOOL notebook

Board Punts on Tweaks to Busing Policies

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

An effort led by School Board member Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) to improve bus service for hundreds of students was derailed last week by a familiar problem: Loudoun doesn’t have enough bus drivers.

The Student Support & Services Committee, chaired by Serotkin, had proposed: • reducing student walk zones from 1 mile to 0.8 miles, allowing 732 more students to qualify for bus transportation; • ensuring that student bus rides are one hour or less, shortening the ride for 169 students; and • limiting middle and high school buses to two students per seat, giving 542 students more elbow room.

Most School Board members said they agreed with many of those goals, but the measure died on a 2-6 vote, with only John Beatty (Catoctin) supporting the plan.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

A proposal to eliminate hour-long bus rides and reduce the distances some students walk to school failed to find enough support on the School Board last week.

According to a staff report, implementation would require 34 new buses and 34 more bus drivers, with a projected $6.7 million price tag.

A key problem is that the school division already has 56 unfilled driver po-

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sitions, and a years-long struggle of hiring enough staffers to keep the fleet fully operational. Serotkin said school leaders shouldn’t lower service standards, but should focus on putting needed resources in place.

“The drivers shortage has existed for years,” he said, noting the previous board made progress closing the vacancy gap.

Serotkin said he supports options such as increasing driver pay to improve recruitment.

The board also nixed another element of the committee’s recommendation: to require students to opt-in to bus transportation each year. The proposal was aimed at increasing efficiency and improving route design by planning bus stops only where students would be using them.

Members opposing that change worried the system would be too confusing during a time of extreme change and could be difficult for families with poor technology connections or language barriers. n

School Board Briefed on Collective Bargaining The School Board last week was presented its first overview of the opportunities and implications of formally recognizing employee unions or entering into collective bargaining programs.

Under a new state law taking effect in May, Virginia localities for the first time may elect to recognize collective bargaining representatives, allowing unions to negotiate on behalf of employees. Virginia is among only three states nationwide that prohibit collective bargaining with public sector employees.

Currently, association dues are deducted from paychecks of 30% of the school division’s 12,459 employees.

While School Board members peppered division counsel Stephen DeVita during the Dec. 17 briefing, members largely came to the conclusion that whether to pursue such a program would be a budget question— one best answered in talks with the Board of Supervisors, which controls the division’s funding.

The county government has about one SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 11

DECEMBER 24, 2020

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PAGE 11

Schools Wrestle with Parents’ Role in Gender Expression

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The School Board is planning to add “gender expression” to the list of characteristics to be protected from demeaning or harmful actions in the division’s educational and work environments.

Questions remain, however, about how that will be implemented on school campuses.

The issue was sent to the School Board from its Equity Committee, which also proposed a proclamation of No Name-Calling Week, a national anti-bullying campaign that runs Jan. 18-22.

“One of the things I love about the Equity Committee is the ability of that committee and the space that we’ve created within that committee to have some really difficult and challenging conversations. This was also an emotional discussion,” said School Board Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling), who also chairs the Equity Committee.

Under the recommendation, gender expression would be added to the list of protected characteristics that currently includes socioeconomic level, sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

While the measure is intended to address concerns about student mental health, including suicide prevention, School Board members are wrestling with how to implement the protection.

A draft policy states that: “All persons have the right to be addressed by the names and pronouns that correspond to their gender identity without any substantiating evidence. School staff shall, at the request of an

SCHOOL notebook continued from page 10

quarter the number of employees as the school division. During a briefing to supervisors in October, the county staff estimated the cost of staffing a union negotiating unit would be between $500,000 and $1.5 million annually for the general county government, not including school employees.

Mercer Named Hovatter Elementary’s First Principal The School Board on Dec. 15 set the boundaries to determine which students will attend Hovatter Elementary School

adult student or parent/guardian, address the student using the asserted name and pronoun. The school principal/designee, in collaboration with the students who are minors and a member of the school Unified Mental Health Team, should meet with the parent/guardian of the student to develop a plan to support the student’s needs related to gender expression requests.”

School leaders are debating whether parents should be notified of—or required to approve—a student’s request to be called by a different name or pronoun. Some board members, and several speakers during the board’s public input session, raised worries about increasing or causing conflicts with families where a student’s identity preference isn’t accepted or isn’t known. Others worried about excluding parents, potentially resulting in students having one identity at home and a different one at school.

Ian Serotkin (Blue Run) proposed sending the issue to a committee for more detailed review, but a majority opposed.

“When we rush, we make bad decisions and we have to get out of the habit of doing that,” Serotkin said. “This is too important to get wrong:” The policy could come to a vote at the board’s Jan. 18 meeting.

The final version is expected to be shaped by a still-not-finalized model policy on the issue under development by the Virginia Department of Education.

Division Counsel Stephen DeVita said the state leaders appear to be coming down on the side of students, with the school staff focusing on the safety and wellbeing of the students and having some role in helping families find a successful outcome.

“I think we’re locked into whatever VDoE puts in this policy,” he said. n

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

Public Safety

Man Sentenced to Probation for Sexual Assault of Minor

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

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

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

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

Kevin O’Connor, the 65-year-old former deacon of Calvary Temple Ministries in Sterling, will get no jail time after facing seven felony charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a teen girl 17 years ago.

Circuit Court Judge Jeanette A. Irby Dec. 17 accepted O’Connor’s Alford Plea to two amended charges of misdemeanor sexual battery. A grand jury had indicted him on seven felonies—forcible sodomy, four counts of aggravated sexual battery, and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

O’Connor didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged that he understood prosecutors would present substantial incriminating evidence against him.

Under the plea—which O’Connor’s defense counsel Renee Berard made with Fauquier County Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jamey Cook—O’Connor was sentenced to 12 months in jail with all of that time suspended. The deal also stipulates that O’Connor will be placed on supervised probation for 12 months, register as a sex offender and participate in therapy with a registered sex offender treatment provider.

Berard said registering as a sex offender would impose “significant restrictions” and “significant stigma” on O’Connor for the rest of his life.

The case surrounds incidents that took place between April and May 2003, after O’Connor and his wife brought their niece, a then-14-year-old, into their

O'Connor

home. According to prosecutors’ proffer of facts, O’Connor during that time would go into his niece’s room at night and commit sexual acts. The incidents came to light when the girl’s friend noticed a mark on her breast while changing for gym. The girl’s friend informed O’Connor’s brotherin-law, who then informed police in May 2003. After an initial investigation, prosecutors declined to pursue charges.

The case was reactivated in 2013. A recorded phone call between O’Connor and his niece in January 2016 led to charges filed when O’Connor said “… I don’t know what to tell you. Like I’ve said before, to just ask you for forgiveness for that, you know, for what happened.”

The Sheriff ’s Office arrested O’Connor in August 2018. He has been free on a $10,000 secured bond since then. n

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

PAGE 13

Teen Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison Following Fatal Shooting

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming, Jr. Dec. 17 sentenced 19-yearold Bryce Thomas to three years in prison for charges stemming from a March shooting death.

On March 8, according to statements made by Thomas’ defense counsel Bruce McLaughlin, Thomas was lured to a drug deal in the area of Rusty Blackhaw Square in Sterling by Jeremiah D. Gray’s girlfriend. But, McLaughlin said, neither Gray nor his girlfriend intended to sell Thomas anything and instead were “simply out to rob Bryce.”

Thomas was attacked and subsequently shot at Gray, who died from his injuries. According to McLaughlin, Thomas was acting in self-defense and used the gun he brought along that night to save his own life.

“He was able to protect himself so that he didn’t die,” McLaughlin said.

Thomas suffered stab wounds to

Thomas

his face, neck and back and a gunshot wound to his arm, according to testimony from his mother last Thursday.

“The doctors said it was a miracle he survived,” she said.

Thomas was charged with felony

possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In July, General District Court Judge Deborah C. Welsh agreed to amend Thomas’ charges, most notably by reducing the marijuana charge to a civil penalty.

In August, Fleming found Thomas guilty of felony possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and deferred finding on the marijuana charge.

Last week, Fleming sentenced Thomas to five years in prison with two years suspended for the charge of felony possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent. For the possession of marijuana charge, Fleming sentenced Thomas to 30 days in jail with all of that time suspended. Once released from prison in 2023, Thomas will be placed on supervised probation for four years.

“It’s an extremely sad case,” Fleming said. “… [I]t’s tragic that this occurred.”

No murder charges were filed in the case.

Before sentencing last Thursday,

Thomas’ mother said her son is mild mannered and slow to anger. His sister said “he is peaceful.” “I don’t know my brother to be violent,” she said.

But Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alexis Downing said it was difficult to see how Thomas could be labeled that way, since he had been charged on three separate occasions in juvenile court—for armed robbery, for disorderly conduct and for shoplifting.

Fleming noted that he didn’t feel that Thomas was a bad person, but that he was simply engaged in “extremely concerning behavior.”

Thomas, before being sentenced, said that, although he knew he was not walking in an entirely straight line at the time of the shooting, he was doing more right than wrong in his life. He apologized to Gray’s family and said that when he is released from prison, he wants to be a positive role model for his younger family members.

“This experience has changed my life forever,” he said. n

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Nonprofit

DECEMBER 24, 2020

GIVING back

Impact Fund Provides $100K to Charities The Loudoun Impact Fund has awarded $100,000 in grants to 12 nonprofit organizations serving the county.

This year, the fund’s giving circle voted to focus on funding initiatives serving atrisk children and youth through the following grants: • $10,000 grant to Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter to support individual counseling and support for child victims of abuse, • $10,000 grant to Loudoun Hunger Relief to support purchase of diapers, wipes, and supplies to families in need, • $10,000 grant to INMED Partnerships for Children to support academic support and enrichment addressing COVID-19 challenges for vulnerable children and parents, • $8,500 grant to Loudoun Literacy Council to support the Family Literacy STEP Project providing literacy enrichment for 320 at-risk preschool children, • $5,000 grant to Mobile Hope to support struggling families and at-risk youth access healthy food and supplies, • $7,685 grant to HealthWorks for Northern Virginia to support expanded access to food through Loudoun Hunger Relief satellite pantry at HealthWorks, • $5,000 grant to The Arc of Loudoun to support emergency financial assistance program for people with disabilities, • $10,000 grant to A Farm Less Ordinary

to support an Assistant Farm Manager position who will manage young volunteers and outreach to schools, • $10,000 grant to Legacy Farms to support increasing employment success in neurodiverse individuals at Legacy Farms & A Place To Be through mentoring and music therapy, • $5,000 grant to Northern Virginia Family Service to support delivery of educational materials to homes of 94 children in Loudoun’s Early Head Start program, • $10,000 grant to Ryan Bartel Foundation to support the delivery of workshops based on mindfulness and positive psychology to youth in Loudoun, and • $8,815 grant to Windy Hill Foundation to support increased after school programs and supports to high school students.

Amy Owen, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, noted the long-term impact of the giving circle’s grantmaking.

“Since 2014, the Loudoun Impact Fund has granted $694,725 into the community,” she said. “We’re very grateful for the tremendous generosity of this year’s donors who showed up in a big way for our community in a particularly challenging year.”

This year’s grants were made possible by about 50 people and businesses that pooled their charitable gifts. The Loudoun Impact

Fund brings together individuals and businesses interested in grantmaking, administering the fund through a joint effort of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

Participants make a gift of $1,000 per individual or $5,000 per business to join the giving circle. Members then review proposals from local nonprofits and decide together which charities to support. This year, more than $287,000 in grant requests were received from 28 organizations, highlighting significant community needs this year in light of COVID-19.

In addition to 45 individual members, this year’s corporate donors to the Loudoun Impact Fund included AHT Insurance, AllTransPack, ILM Capital LLC, Integrus Holdings, parent company of Sterling Restaurant Supply and Fortessa, Madison Wealth Management, and Tony Nerantzis and Associates at Raymond James.

“Madison Wealth Management has supported the Loudoun Impact Fund for several years and find it’s a great way to help organize and prioritize giving in our community. Collaborating with other like-minded members to support our local nonprofits is also very rewarding,” said Jim McDermott, the president of Madison Wealth Management. “Unfortunately, our community’s needs have never been greater. So we hope more even businesses and families will join the Loudoun Impact Fund next year in this worthy endeavor.” n

A Very Different Empty Bowls Event Raises Over $35K LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Loudoun Empty Bowls this year raised more than $35,000 to support Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter and the Dulles South Food Pantry amid a drastically changed fundraising atmosphere.

“The Fortunate Bowl,” this year’s version of the annual fundraising even, was a drive-through bowl pick-up event on Sept. 16 and 17 at Stone Tower Winery, the venue sponsor for a seventh year. The event brings together artists, who donate one-of-a-kind handmade bowls, and people who care about eliminating hunger and injustice in the community, and this year sold out despite of the changes made for COVID-19 prevention. Stone Tower Winery also donated a portion of its wine

Loudoun Empty Bowls

The Loudoun Empty Bowls Committee, including Magen Morse, Christine Kalchthaler, Christi Palacios, Jenny Wolfer, Kristen Swanson, Kaarin Nelson, Amy Berringer.

sales.

Loudoun Hunger Relief Executive Director Jennifer Montgomery, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter Executive Director Judy Hanley, and Dulles South Food Pantry Executive Director Meg Phillips praised the effort for persevering through

unusual circumstances to deliver help for people in need. They said the Empty Bowls team of Jenny Wolfer, Magen Morse, Amy Berringer, Kaarin Nelson, Kristen Swanson, Christine Kalchthaler, and Christi Palacios put together “a warm, welcoming, unique and beautiful event against all odds.”

Loudoun Empty Bowls was founded in 2014 as a local expression of the Empty Bowls movement. Ceramic artists, students and community members come together to produce handmade bowls and donate them to a fundraising event. In exchange for a donation, a donor receives a bowl and a meal. Those donations support local non-profits, primarily assisting those with food insecurity.

Learn more about Loudoun Empty Bowls at loudounemptybowls.org. n

Contributed

Laura Kowalczyk poses with gifts collected and wrapped for delivery to Lucketts families on Christmas Eve.

Goodie Giveaway Campaign Offers Christmas Cheer Sixteen families, including 44 children, living in a Lucketts mobile home neighborhood will receive a delivery of gifts, clothes, shoes, toys, books, treats for moms, dads and grandparents, as well as stuffed personalized stockings and food on Christmas eve.

EXP Realtor Laura Kowalczyk and Jim Evans of Potomac Trust Mortgage collaborated with donations from the Quirk and Stertz families of Purcellville to provide the Christmas goodies. Kowalczyk began the “Goodie Giveaway Campaigns” in March when schools suddenly closed because of COVID-19. She provided school supplies, art supplies, books, toys and other treats to more than 600 children. She followed that with special gifts during Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation, Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.

In July, a family from the mobile home park reached out to Kowalczyk, seeking help when the father, pregnant mother and their three children were stricken with the coronavirus.

Kowalczyk helped by providing food and then helped another neighbor in need, sparking the Christmas outreach effort.

USDA program Farmers to Families provided family-sized boxes of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, yogurt and cheese for each family, Monique Hermon of Harmonia Body and Home in Purcellville donated homemade soaps and body products for their Christmas goodie bags.

Kowalczyk and Evans hope to make the program a Christmas tradition going forward.

Contact her at laura.kowalczyk@ exprealty.com GIVING BACK continues on page 15

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

GIVING back

front to donate toys and meals to military families around the region. RI&S employees helped purchase more than 300 toys for children and donate family meals kits to 250 military and veteran families.

The Metro DC area toy drive and meal distributions have been taking place across the region this month serving military service members primarily from Aberdeen

continued from page 14

Proving Ground, Fort Meade, Andrews Air Force Base, Fort Belvoir, Quantico, D.C. & Baltimore Armories, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Operation Homefront Village. Through Operation Homefront, these events are taking place across the country and will provide 15,000 meals and 220,000 toys to military families this holiday season.

PAGE 15

Contributed

Employees of Raytheon Intelligence & Space pose with gifts collected for families in the region.

Contributed

DryHome Roofing installed a new roof on the Herndon home of a Navy veteran.

Navy Vet Receives Free Roof Sterling-based DryHome Roofing and Siding selected Michelle Robinson—a Herndon resident, Navy veteran, and founder of Summit Dog, a nonprofit providing animal therapy to people with special needs and disabilities in the DC region—to receive a free roof this holiday season.

She was selected through the company’s 18th annual Free Roof for the Holidays program after a colleague nominated her.

“Michelle is helping so many people in our community heal. I am so pleased we can reduce her burden so she can focus on serving those in need. She’s a hero, and we are honored to support her with a roof,” said DryHome President Steve Gotschi.

Throughout November, DryHome accepted nominations from customers and the community to identify a Northern Virginia individual, family or nonprofit in need. Robinson was selected based on her needs, the condition of her roof and the heartfelt nomination from her work colleague Kris Campesi.

“Michelle is a veteran and the CEO of a nonprofit Summit Dog that has therapy dogs that engage with homeless, special needs children and adults, veterans, and juveniles in the DC correctional system,” wrote Campesi. “She has been attempting to keep the nonprofit going despite most jobs being shut down due to the pandemic.

She has been in the house since 2006 and has missing and ripped shingles. She has been spraying rubber stuff on her roof to keep it from leaking. It would take a load off her shoulders to know she and her three therapy dogs have a solid roof over their heads.”

Raytheon Team Supports Military Families Dulles-based Raytheon Intelligence & Space partnered with Operation Home-

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

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

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Controller

Finance

$79,227-$135,636 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Inspector II

Utilities

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities

$41,353-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Supervisor

Utilities

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

Open until filled

Zoning Analyst

Planning and Zoning

$56,956-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

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

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

NHLEmployerCard2.pdf 1 9/3/19 All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel10:58 35. AM

NOW HIRING FLAGGERS Full time, to provide traffic control & safety around construction sites. A valid driver license & clean driving record a must.

Star ting $13/hr & scheduled raises & bonuses.

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PAGE 16

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Business

Ashburn Ice House Launches POD Skate Amid Pandemic

BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com

Skaters in Loudoun usually have five ice rinks to visit—two at the Ion International Training Center, two at the Ashburn Ice House and a one-third-size rink at Loudoun Ice Centre. Now, they have seven.

The Ashburn Ice House has launched what it’s calling POD Skate, in which the staff uses foam bumpers to divide one of its rinks into three, 6,000-square-foot sections and rent those out to groups of up to 10 for $95 for an hour, with skate rentals included.

Ice House General Manager Rob Lorenzen said POD Skate is a way for families to enjoy public ice skating in a setting that’s safe from the rampant spread of COVID-19, since groups of 10 are skating around only their group members. Lorenzen said his team decided 10 people per section would be best, since any more people would crowd the area.

“It’s what we felt was safe,” he said. “It’s really an opportunity for families to come and skate in the safety of their POD.” Groups may bring their own equipment, too, such as hockey sticks and foam pucks, but hard pucks are not allowed. If a group requests, the Ice House staff will provide a hockey net. Groups may also hire an instructor for ice skating lessons.

The first POD Skate was Dec. 19. From now through Jan. 1, during the holiday

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Pre-COVID, hundreds of ice skaters, young and old, visited the Ashburn Ice House daily. Now, groups of up to 10 may reserve a POD on one of the complex’s rinks.

break, the Ice House is offering POD Skate twice per day—once at noon and another at 4 p.m. Lorenzen said the Ice House would continue offering POD Skate in the new year depending on rink availability.

Face masks are required at all times at all locations in the complex. Although the Ice House can normally host almost 3,000 people at any given time, COVID-19 restrictions allow for only 50 spectators in

the building at a time, not including skaters on the ice.

Learn more about POD Skate, or ICE HOUSE continues on page 17

Chamber Announces Community Leadership Award Finalists LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Loudoun Chamber has announced the 2021 Loudoun Community Leadership Awards finalists. The awards honor businesses and community leaders who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to support the strength and vitality of the Loudoun community.

In its eighth year, the program this year will place a special emphasis on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Early in the COVID pandemic, the Loudoun Chamber understood that our community needed to work together, with strength, selflessness and unity, in order to endure this public health crisis. The response we have seen from our businesses, nonprofits and residents to this crisis has been nothing short of extraordinary, as

Loudouners responded with remarkable generosity and sacrifice. That is the spirit that define the Loudoun Community Leadership Awards,” Chamber President & CEO Tony Howard said.

Top honorees for the 2021 Community Leadership Awards will be announced at the Chamber’s 53rd Annual Meeting & Community Leadership Awards, which will be held as a virtual event Jan. 27, starting at noon. The event will be streamed live on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

The finalists were chosen in five categories. The Chamber also created the #StrongerTogether Award to a group of five community initiatives, campaigns and projects created to alleviate the human and economic suffering caused by the pandemic and its associated impacts.

Winners in each category will have the

opportunity to select a nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 grant, courtesy of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

The finalists are: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: Solitaire Carroll, One Sparrow; Kindra Dionne Harvey, Purpose WorX, LLC; Erin Lombardi, EL Strategic; and Mahsa Riar, Limitless Limb LLC. EXECUTIVE LEADER: Deborah Addo, Inova Loudoun Hospital; Dario Campolatarro, Hilb Group Mid-Atlantic; Allison Shannon, 37 Media & Marketing Group; and Brigitta Toruño, UNO Translations and Communications.

SMALL BUSINESS (less than 100 employees): Bear Chase Brewing Company; Toth Financial Advisory Corporation;

Visit Loudoun; and 37 Media & Marketing Group.

LARGE BUSINESS (100 employees or more): The National Conference Center; Northwest Federal Credit Union; Stryker Spine; and Wells Fargo.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE: Nikki Daruwala, Loudoun Literacy; Donna M. Fortier, Mobile Hope; Judith Hanley, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter; and Valerie Pisierra, Loudoun Cares. #STRONGERTOGETHER HONOREES: Ampersand Pantry Project; Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties; Loudoun Business Interruption Fund; Loudoun Hunger Relief; and Women Giving Back.

To purchase sponsorships or for more information about the awards, go to LoudounChamber.org n

DECEMBER 24, 2020

ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Google, Kaiser Permanente Fund Minority-Owned Business Grants The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties announced its new Minority Owned Small Business Grant Program, launched

by Google and added to by Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States.

Google gifted $50,000 to the Community Foundation with the goal of supporting minority-owned small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Kaiser Permanente contributed another $25,000.

“Google is committed to supporting minority owned small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19,” stated Laurel Brown, Google’s head of Community Development US-East. “Through this partnership with the Community Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, Google will help local, Loudoun County businesses receive critical funding and support during this difficult time.”

“Small businesses provide social and economic benefits to communities which strengthens the health of the people in those communities, especially in communities that experience inequities and injustice,” said Kaiser Permanente Region President Ruth Williams-Brinkley.

“We’re proud to partner with Google and support the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties because the health of small businesses is essential to creating living-wage jobs and career opportunities for many people, especially those who have been hard-hit by the pandemic.”

The Community Foundation invites minority-owned small businesses to apply for grants of $5,000 to $10,000. Organizations eligible to apply will demonstrate 51% ownership identifying as African American, Asian American, His-

Ice House continued from page 16 reserve a POD, at ashburnice.com /publicskating.

Aside from the new initiative, the Ice House is also continuing to offer its learnto-skate classes at 50% capacity, with five lanes of instruction at eight kids per lane.

The staff at the Ashburn Ice House has been hard at work since Gov. Ralph Northam issued his since-expired March 23 order requiring all non-essential businesses to close to the public.

In spring, the staff performed thousands

panic American, or Native American and residents of Loudoun County. Eligible businesses also must demonstrate that they are located in Loudoun County with annual net revenues less than $250,000, or less than $500,000 for businesses with three or more full-time employees.

The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will partner with the Community Foundation to serve as an application review committee. Businesses hit hardest by COVID-19 will be prioritized for funding.

“We know that small businesses have struggled throughout the pandemic. We also know that businesses owned by people of color have been disproportionately impacted in so many ways,” said Amy Owen, president of the Community Foundation. “We’re grateful for Google and Kaiser Permanente for their leadership to help create equitable opportunities in the Loudoun business community.”

Funds are expected to be distributed no later than Feb. 1. Eligible businesses may apply at funding.communityfoundationlf.org. Applications are due by Jan. 19.

Those interested in applying are invited to attend an online pre-application workshop on Jan. 5. A secondary pre-application workshop will also be held on Jan. 5 with access to Spanish-language interpretation.

Direct questions to Nicole Acosta, Director of Grants, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties at 703-779-3505 X3 or Nicole@CommunityFoundationLF.org. n of dollars of renovations while the complex’s doors were shut to the public. Those renovations included refurbishing all eight locker rooms, repainting and re-icing the west rink, replacing carpeting and stair treads, reconditioning the rubber floor, cleaning and repairing the player benches, upgrading the fitness center with two new treadmills and three new multi-purpose squat racks and sharpening all 780 pairs of rental skates.

The staff also refurbished the Pomodoro Pizza, Pasta & More restaurant that’s attached to the building by installing four, 50-inch television screens with new menu boards. n

PAGE 17

Obituaries William “Bill” Caison, Jr. Age 82, of Fairfax, VA

Departed this life on December 15, 2020 at the Sibley Hospital, Washington, DC. He was born on December 8, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA to the late William Caison, Sr. and Alease Johnson Caison. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Etta Caison; his children, Michael Caison of Alexandria, VA and Sonja Caison of Alexandria, VA.

Funeral Services will be streamed at First A. M. E. Church of Manassas VA on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:00 am. The website is https://famechurch.com/ In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the “Valerie Bell” scholarship fund at the First A.M.E. Church of Manassas.

Interment will be held at the Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA. Arrangements by: LYLES FUNERAL SERVICE, Serving N. Virginia. Eric S. Lyles, Director.

Lic. VA/MD/DC. 800-3881913.

Margaret Dragon Krysiak ASHBURN, VA. – Margaret Dragon Krysiak, one of 10 children of parents who immigrated to this country from Austria, grew up on a farm in Albion, NY. Besides being an excellent student and basketball player on her high school team, she helped harvest fruits and vegetables on the family farm and was known as a champion cherry picker. She was the first woman to be awarded a men’s scholarship to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where she received a degree in psychology. Margaret met her future husband, F. Bruce Krysiak, at Cornell. After marriage, she helped lead the Cornell University scholarship program in Western New York and suburban Chicago.

In 1971, she co-founded Vermont Originals, a wool hat company based in East Hardwick, Vermont. She grew and ran the company, whose wool and fleece hats became a mainstay in ski shops and outdoor stores, until her retirement at age 85.

In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margaret passed away peacefully of natural causes on December 16, 2020 at her home in Ashburn, Virginia.

She is survived by her children, Bruce W. Krysiak of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey A. Krysiak of Ashburn, Virginia and Jane Krysiak Kirchner of Sterling, Virginia; her grandchildren, Bruce R. Krysiak of Venice California, Ben Krysiak of Ladera Ranch, California, Rob Kirchner of Richmond, Virginia, Bill Kirchner of Reston, Virginia, Dave Krysiak of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania and Andrew Krysiak of Ladera Ranch, California; and her great-grandchildren Hailey Krysiak, Emmy Krysiak, Bennet Krysiak, Liv Krysiak, Clark Krysiak and Anderson Kirchner.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in her name to the Cornell University Botanic Gardens Future Forests Initiative, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Attn: Lynn Swain, 40 Cayuga Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886, which will go towards restoring forests across the Cornell campus.

A graveside service to celebrate Margaret’s life was held at Mt. Albion Cemetery on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 9 a.m.

Margaret’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. Albion, NY. To share a special memory of Margaret, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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

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

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PAGE 18

OAKFIELD**

UPPERVILLE | $4,495,000 | SOLD PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

35359 CREEK RIDGE LN**

MIDDLEBURG | $2,400,000 | SOLD PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

TRAPPE HILL FARM**

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

ANNE W. MCINTOSH 703.509.4499

KERRIE JENKINS 302.463.5547

35387 CREEK RIDGE LN

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

WHITE POST | $3,200,000 | SOLD

MIDDLEBURG | $3,200,000 | SOLD

OLD TAKARO FARM

MIDDLEBURG| $2,250,000 | SOLD SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

MONTANA HALL

6499 WALNUTDALE LN*

UPPERVILLE | $4,400,000 | SOLD PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

DECEMBER 24, 2020

1276 DELAPLANE GRADE RD*

MIDDLEBURG| $1,995,000 | SOLD EMILY JOHNSON 703.401.7993

UPPERVILLE| $1,825,000 | SOLD

KERRIE JENKINS 302.463.5547

MIDDLEBURG 221 N KING ST*

LEESBURG | $1,495,000 | SOLD

24117 GRAND ELLISON CT* ALDIE | $1,400,000 | SOLD

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SUZANNE AGER 540.454.0107

REAL

MARIA ELDREDGE 540.454.3829

ESTATE

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

AT OK A

PROPERTIES

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

19862 ANNENBERG DR ASHBURN | $1,125,000 | SOLD

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

230 LIME MARL RD BOYCE | $699,000 |SOLD

ANNE W. MCINTOSH 703.509.4499

MARIA ELDREDGE 540.454.3829

16855 YORKFIELD CT

10594 CARR LN**

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

SUZANNE AGER 540.454.0107

586 BERRYS FERRY RD*

MIDDLEBURG | 540.687.6321

MIDDLEBURG | $898,000 | SOLD

ALANNA NICHOLS 571.258.7962

PURCELLVILLE | 540. 338 .7770

MARIA ELDREDGE 540.454.3829

LEESBURG | 703.777.1170

Sampling of homes sold by MRE | AP from 11/30/2019 through 12/1/2020. Original List Price included. *Represented Buyer Only

**Represented Buyer & Seller

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

BERRYVILLE | $439,000 | SOLD

MIDDLEBURG | $525,000 | SOLD ANNE W. MCINTOSH 703.509.4499

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

433 CATHER RD*

8 MEADOWBROOK CT

WHITE POST | $540,000 | SOLD

KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

23443 MELMORE PL

PURCELLVILLE | $899,000 | SOLD

DELAPLANE | $1,060,000 | SOLD

KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

ASHBURN | 703.436 .0077 |

Corporate Office: 10 E Washington St, Middleburg, VA 20117

ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM

DECEMBER 24, 2020

WEST RIDING*

OATLANDS RD

THE PLAINS | $2,850,000 | SOLD

ALDIE | $2,999,000 | SOLD SUZANNE AGER 540.454.0107

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

20544 BEAVERDAM BRIDGE RD PHILOMONT | $1,750,000 | SOLD

KERRIE JENKINS 302.463.5547

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

8398 LEES RIDGE RD*

WARRENTON | $1,700,000 | SOLD SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

PAGE 19

MOUNT AIRY**

UPPERVILLE | $2,775,000 | SOLD PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

NARNIA**

PURCELLVILLE | $1,575,000 | SOLD Rep’d Seller KERRIE JENKINS EMILY JOHNSON

Rep’d Buyer PAUL SMITH PAMELA SMITH

22492 CREIGHTON FARMS DR* LEESBURG | $2,400,000 | SOLD

KERRIE JENKINS 540.270.3835

MICHELE NOEL 540.878.8635

LILY OF THE VALLEY COTTAGE UPPERVILLE | $1,500,000 | SOLD

MARY ROTH 540.535.6854

Through all the uncertainty, you trusted us to help make your goals a reality in 2020.

We are grateful for your confidence in us.

10012 CARR LN**

DELAPLANE | $1,320,000 | SOLD PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

776 KENNEL RD

14699 CLOVER HILL RD**

BOYCE | $845,000 | SOLD

WATERFORD | $889,500 | SOLD

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

ANNE W. MCINTOSH 703.509.4499

320 HOPKINS DR

219 ACADEMY ST

BOYCE | $414,999 | SOLD

BERRYVILLE | $424,000 | SOLD ANNE W. MCINTOSH 703.509.4499

MARIA ELDREDGE 540.454.3829

MARIA ELDREDGE 540.454.3829

KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

|

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

15433 WOODGROVE RD

PURCELLVILLE | $824,999 | SOLD KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

110 WILSON AVE NW* LEESBURG | $279,000 | SOLD

KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

MIDDLEBURGREALESTATE .COM

HICKORY GROVE

PURCELLVILLE | $1,199,999 | SOLD KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

2299 SCUFFLEBURG RD DELAPLANE | $799,000 | SOLD

PETER PEJACSEVICH 540.270.3835

SCOTT BUZZELLI 540.454.1399

268 GUN CLUB RD*

STEPHENSON | $189,900 | SOLD KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON 703.673.6920

PAGE 20

ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Our Towns

TOWN notes

Purcellville Honors Legacy of Chief Smith Purcellville.

Smith began his stint in Purcellville in January 2006. During his nine years there, the force received the Virginia Municipal League Achievement Award and was named by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a semifinalist for the Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement. Smith stepped down in Purcellville in April 2015, making way for current Police Chief Cynthia McAlister.

Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser last week said “you must make this life suc-

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Eight months after former Purcellville police chief Darryl C. Smith’s death, close to 60 people last week convened in a virtual celebration of his, and two other local public servants’, lives.

State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-33) and Del. Ibraheem Samirah (D-86) last Tuesday night hosted the event to honor Smith’s legacy, who served as Purcellville’s police chief from 2006 to 2015 and died April 26 this year at the age of 70. In virtual attendance were Smith’s family and multiple town leaders from Herndon and

Contributed

Former Purcellville Police Chief Darryl C. Smith.

CHIEF SMITH continues on page 22

HAMILTON Council Awards Town Staff Bonuses Ahead of Holiday The Hamilton Town Council voted Dec. 14 to direct Town Treasurer Tina Staples to award bonuses to the town staff.

The amount of the bonuses was not disclosed; the council discussed the matter in a closed session Dec. 14.

HILLSBORO Decorating, Lighting Winners Announced The Town of Hillsboro recently announced the winners of the Deck the Porches holiday decorating and lighting competition.

Winning in the most creative category was the porch of Town Councilwoman Laney Oxman and architect Michael Oxman. The winner in the most traditional category was the porch of Inez and Steve Morgart. And the people’s choice award went to the porch of Patti Caruthers and Jim Sprague.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

M&F Construction will return to Hamilton to install another 800-foot stretch of sidewalk along Colonial Highway from Reid Street to Ivandale Street.

Hamilton Still Improving Safety with More Sidewalks

BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com

Colonial Highway through Hamilton is quickly becoming a safer stretch for pedestrians.

The Town Council voted unanimously Dec. 14 to award a $339,404 contract to M&F Construction to complete the town’s Pedestrian Improvement Drainage Project, which will improve a close to 800foot stretch of sidewalk along the north side of Colonial Highway from Ivandale Street toward the Reid Street intersection where Lowry’s Crab Shack is located. That

stretch of sidewalk is currently level with the highway and narrow.

M&F also will install a stormwater management system from Lowry’s to Sydnor Street, about 1,000 feet away. There, the system will meet another that VDOT previously installed.

Mayor Dave Simpson said M&F, which installed ADA-accessible ramps in town through a VDOT contract and handled a separate sidewalk project in town earlier this year, will begin work as soon as the weather permits. Simpson said the project should take a couple months to complete.

In all, with the town already having

paid J2 Engineers about $10,000 to draw up the schematics, the project is costing the town about $350,000. The entire project is being covered by a close-to $500,000 Capital Improvement Project grant the county government awarded the town a few years ago.

The new stretch of sidewalk will complement the sidewalks M&F installed along both sides of Colonial Highway earlier this year from Laycock Street to St. Paul Street. M&F handled that work for $457,931. In all, that project cost $768,342, of which VDOT paid $602,349 and the town paid $165,993. n

Town Seeks Table Sponsors in New Café The Town of Hillsboro will debut the Radish Café in the Old Stone School this spring. The area will feature 12 tabletops hand-painted by area artists.

The café is being made possible through individual donations of at least $300 to the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation made as table sponsorships. To sponsor a table, go to oldstoneschool.org. Sponsors’ names will be permanently TOWN NOTES continues on page 21

DECEMBER 24, 2020

TOWN notes

continued from page 20 displayed on each table in the café.

The Hillsboro Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve, protect and honor the legacy of the greater Hillsboro region and community through the preservation of historic buildings, landscapes and the people that inhabit them.

LOVETTSVILLE Game Club, Historical Society Donate to Food Pantry The Lovettsville Game Protective Association recently donated 40, $25 gift cards to the Western Loudoun Food Pantry, which is operated by New Jerusalem Lutheran Church. The Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum also donated $500 to the pantry.

Game Club President Fred George said the pantry reached out because it had lots of green beans, but not everyone was in need of that vegetable. The Game Club’s and Historical Society’s donations will help the pantry purchase additional types of food to help those in need, especially during the Christmas season.

Light Up Lovettsville, Coloring Contest Winners Announced The Town of Lovettsville recently announced the winners of the 2020 Light Up Lovettsville holiday decorating contest, with 17 winners across six categories, and the Color Lovettsville Bright Coloring Contest, with 11 winners across six age groups.

In the holiday lighting contest, the Chevy Chase Award went to 17

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Stocks St. and 20 Black Forest Ln. The Juniper Award went to Stone Jail Street, William Albert Way and Black Forest Lane.

The Rudolph Award went to 65 Eisentown Dr., 13 S. Locust St. and 2 Tritapoe Pl. The Business Award went to Willows Vintage Charm, Minuteman Arms and the Lovettsville Community Center. The Bing Crosby Award went to 30 Tritapoe Pl., 6 S. Loudoun St. and 33 Harpers Mill Way. And the Kinkade Award went to 13 Lovett Dr., 8 Daniel Keys Lane and 13 Cooper Run St. In the coloring contest, the winners in the 0-3 age group were Thea K. and Maxwell Needham. The winners in the 4-6 age group were Charlotte Huggler and Molly. The winners in the 7-9 age group were Easton McPherron and Caden. The winners in the 10-12 age group were Cody Moore and Breanna McPherron. The winners in the 13-15 age group were Hailey McPherron and Danica Moore. And the adult winner was Valerie Fox. Winners of the coloring contest should email lovewinter@lovettsvilleva.gov to arrange pick-up of their awards, which were donated by 1836 Kitchen & Taproom, Backstreet Brews, Edmonston Studios, American Legion Post 1836, Minuteman Arms, Thirty One Gifts - Lizzy Fontaine and Willow’s Vintage Charm.

Town Cancels 2021 Berserkle on the Squirkle The Town of Lovettsville has canceled the annual Berserkle on the Squirkle family 5K and fun run, which it typically holds every New Year’s Day on the Town Square.

The cancellation of the 27-lap race comes in response to Gov. Ralph Northam’s latest restrictive order, which went into effect Dec. 14 and lowers the limit on social gatherings from 25 people to 10 people.

For more information, call the town office at 540-822-5788.

Lions Club Members Pack 125 Bags of Food for Community Members of the Lovettsville Lions Club packed 125 bags of food at the Lovettsville Elementary School for local families last week.

The Leesburg Wegmans and Purcellville Giant Food helped to support the cause by contributing food. Elementary school staffers also helped out. The club is always looking for volunteers to help serve others in need.

To volunteer, contact the club by going to facebook.com/pg/Lovettsville.Lions.

MIDDLEBURG MBPA Launches Digital Gift Card Program The Middleburg Business and Professional Association last week launched a community-based, digital gift card program to support in-town businesses.

People can purchase gift cards to send to someone to use at one of 16 businesses, like Common Grounds, Journeyman Saddlers, The Byrne Gallery or The Fun Shop.

Once purchased, the intended recipient’s email or phone number can be entered so that person receives an email or text message with the gift card included therein.

There is a $1 processing cost per card, and 5% of the total value of the gift amount will also be deducted from the purchase.

The initial launch of the program will include 16 businesses, but could grow in the future, according to Town Councilman Chris Bernard, who also serves as the council liaison to the Strategic Finance Committee. Bernard credited the MBPA and Northwest Federal Credit Union

PAGE 21

Branch Manager Samia Salmon with the creation of the gift card initiative. The MBPA is encouraging more businesses to apply to participate in the program.

For more information, and to purchase a gift card, go to app.yiftee.com/gift-card/ middleburg--va.

PURCELLVILLE Franklin Park to Host Puppet Showing of “The Nutcracker” Madcap Puppets will put on a showing of “The Nutcracker” at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the Franklin Park Arts Center.

Madcap will turn the classic Christmastime story into a fantastically funny tale, filled with giant puppets, comical characters and audience participation.

The show is suitable for kids aged 2 and above. Face coverings are required.

Buy tickets at franklinparkartscenter. org. Learn more about Madcap Puppets at madcappuppets.com/the-nutcracker.

Park’s Winter Lights Walk Continues Through Jan. 2 Franklin Park Arts Center’s Winter Lights Walk continues through Jan. 2 with 12 more time slots.

The center is hosting an indoor gallery exhibit of Stars, Night and Winter Sky and an outdoor display of lighted sculptures.

Timeslots for visitors are 5:30-7 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 26-28, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1-2. Some timeslots are sold out, but those wishing to visit during those times can add their names to the waiting list.

There is a Girl Scout night on Dec. 29.

For more information, go to franklinparkartscenter.org.

e v o l e m o s n u o d u o L w o Sh

Spend your dollars locally this holiday season.

Visit Loudoun Now’s Virtual Mall at www.loudounnow.com/virtualmall

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PAGE 22

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Thank you to the musicians, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and all who supported our 2020 Hope for the Holidays music special!

Screenshot

Close to 60 people tuned into a Dec. 15 virtual event to honor the legacy of former Purcellville police chief Darryl C. Smith.

Chief Smith continued from page 20

Watch it again at...

www.BENEFIT.Live

cessful from the cradle to the grave” and that Smith did just that, by impacting the community.

“He basically was the epitome of community policing and he has left us with a template, or a framework, or a foundation, for community policing. And for that we are eternally grateful,” Fraser said.

Before heading to Purcellville, Smith began his law-enforcement career with the Herndon Police Department in 1973 at the age of 22, making him the first black officer hired by the Department. There, he served as the first youth crime prevention officer, held supervisory and command-level positions for more than two decades and rose to the rank of captain. He remained there for 31 years.

In 2004, Smith also became the first black person to be elected to the Herndon Town Council.

Herndon Vice Mayor Sheila Olem, too, said Smith was the epitome of community policing and that she campaigned for him when he ran for his spot on the Town Council.

“Everyone loved Darryl,” she said. “…

He’s always in my heart.”

Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel said she knew Smith for 15 years and that he was “one of a kind” and “everybody’s friend, everybody’s dad.”

Boysko, a Herndon resident, said Smith “was active in every possible way” in the community, and that he was an inspiration to everyone and was the “epitome of what we want in a police officer and a leader.”

Larry Presgrave, a former 42-year Herndon police officer who worked alongside Smith, said he met Smith at the age of 16 before either of them joined the police force. Presgrave said the two became great

friends who were promoted through the ranks together.

“We just had a wonderful, wonderful time,” he said. “… He was a class act.”

Smith’s commitment to helping youth led him in 1997 to found Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United—a volunteer after-school program that provides students with homework assistance.

He also served on the board of directors of the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation from 2007 to 2016.

To honor Smith’s legacy, the Virginia Senate passed a resolution commemorating his many community contributions on Aug. 19.

Maria Smith, Darryl’s wife, said her husband would have been honored to receive the resolution.

Boysko and Samirah last Tuesday also honored longtime Herndon community contributors Barbara Hicks Harding and Lester Zidel.

Harding in 1951 founded Harding Hall, which operated as a preschool, kindergarten and daycare out of her home until 2003. She also served as a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Herndon and was named the Herndon Citizen of the Year in 1970. To honor Harding’s life, the Virginia Senate passed a joint resolution for her on March 7.

Harding died Dec. 6, 2019.

Zidel served on the Herndon Planning Commission and helped author the “Think Village” concept, which helped to shape the town’s local village streets policy and cultivated “a more beautiful and neighborly Herndon,” according to the resolution the Virginia House of Delegates passed Nov. 9 in his honor. Zidel also was a member of the executive committee of the Herndon Festival and oversaw the event’s growth and development into a four-day community gathering.

Zidel died Oct. 9 this year. n

DECEMBER 24, 2020

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PAGE 24

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Courtesy of Marissa Gahafer

With a volunteer Santa from the Philomont Fire Department, parents at Woodgrove High School set up a drive-through holiday breakfast for seniors Dec. 21.

Tiny Miracles: Winter Holidays in a Year Like No Other

BY JAN MERCKER

jmercker@loudounnow.com

The holidays have definitely been weird this year. But it’s not all bad.

Loudoun had its first ever menorah car parade for Hanukkah last week, and families around the county are celebrating Christmas in innovative ways, with driveway gift exchanges and cousin Zooms.

Throughout this most unusual holiday season, the running themes have been slowing down, getting creative and celebrating small joys.

“It’s definitely a very different year,” said Rabbi Chaim Cohen, founder of Chabad of Loudoun County. “Holiday is all about coming together. It’s about spending time with family. It’s about literally people congregating.

“From Passover and throughout the other holidays, the high holidays—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—and Sukkot, it’s all been adjusted,” he said. “But I think it’s important that we constantly adjust and figure out how we can thrive in the current times. ... It seems like there’s a light at the end of this tunnel with the vaccine ... that’s exciting. But regardless, it’s important— and it’s a very maybe Hanukkah message— to prevail, to push, to figure it out.”

For Cohen, that meant working with

Courtesy of Shannon Wilt

Instead of the usual Christmas party with dozens of relatives, Shannon Wilt of Lovettsville organized the Christmas Express, a drive-by gift drop, to protect vulnerable family members.

members to organize Chabad of Loudoun’s first-ever menorah car parade. Cohen says menorah parades are a tradition in the international Chabad community, which focuses on outreach. In the past, he’s been focused on in-person gatherings for the

Loudoun Chabad community. But as in other spheres, 2020 was the year to shake things up. Chabad of Loudoun’s inaugural menorah car parade took to the streets Dec. 13, the fourth night of Hanukkah.

In a normal year, Cohen and his wife Yehudis, who launched Chabad of Loudoun in 2018, would have hosted out of town family members for Hanukkah. This year, the couple focused on their broader Chabad community with everything from Zoom cocoa bomb-making classes to delivering special Hanukkah packages to members’ doorsteps.

For Cohen, with hopeful news on the horizon as frontline workers in Loudoun received COVID vaccinations during the eight days of Hanukkah last week. And the holiday’s celebration of perseverance and faith is especially resonant this year.

“There are times in life where we’re stuck—there’s no way it’s going to work out.

It looks like it’s doomsday,” Cohen said.

“Hanukkah’s message is an inspiration to say, ‘Hey there is a God out there. Miracles happen.’ Sometimes they’re very tiny miracles.”

For many Loudouners, celebrating Christmas is also a very different expeTINY MIRACLES continues on page 25

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

THINGS to do LOCO LIVE Live Music: The Bone Show

Thursday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Chris Bowen returns to Vanish for a fun afternoon of holiday favorites.

Live Music: Rowdy Ace

Saturday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Rowdy Ace returns to Vanish with country, rock, blues, Americana and pop for a fun brewery afternoon.

Matthews tribute band, Crowded Streets.

DC Improv Comedy

Saturday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Comedy night returns to the Tally Ho with social distancing in place. This show features Josie Marcellino, Matt Deakins, Josh Kuderna, Paris Sashay and Sean Savoy. Tickets are $20-$30.

Live Music: Don Chapman

Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Chapman returns to Breaux with covers from the Beatles to the Gin Blossoms and plenty of fun.

Live Music: Ken Wenzel

Saturday, Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m.

Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com Acoustic fun from the vocalist for the DMV’s top Dave

Tiny miracles continued from page 24 rience this year, with gatherings shrinking and traditions changing. Parents at Woodgrove High School organized a drivethrough holiday breakfast for seniors in the Franklin Park parking lot near Purcellville, preserving a cherished tradition for a graduating class that has missed milestone after milestone.

And for two Lovettsville moms, chronic health conditions have meant giving up a lot this year. But they’re finding creative ways to celebrate and find hope in the holiday season.

In a normal year, Annee Olden and her family would celebrate with her husband’s family in Montgomery County, MD, with several stops on Christmas Day. But Olden’s autoimmune conditions and compromised immunity have led her to dramatically limit activities and social events this year, especially as COVID cases rise this fall.

“It’s lonely. We miss seeing everybody.

We haven’t seen family since March,” she said. “We just want to get back to normal life.”

The Art of Cocktail Making

Saturday, Dec. 26, noon-2 p.m.

The Conche, 1605 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: the-conche.com Learn the history of cocktails and prepare and create three classic drinks. Tickets are $75 and include a welcome drink, snacks, fun and an amazing cocktail education. Advance purchase is required.

Sunday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m.-noon Henway Hard Cider, 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: facebook.com/henwayhardcider Enjoy a yummy breakfast board including pancakes and artisan toppings. Special add-ons of bacon, sausage, mixed fruit and yogurt parfaits are available for purchase on site. Reservations are strongly recommended to allow for social distancing. Tickets are $10 per person and include all-you-can-eat pancakes.

Saturday, Dec. 26, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards This acoustic duo covers James Taylor, Colbie Caillat, Stevie Nicks and other mellow favorites.

Live Music: Gabe Matthews

LIBATIONS

PJs and Pancakes at Henway Hard Cider

Live Music: Tyme and Lace

Saturday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Wenzel’s following continues to grow thanks to his roots-rock, country-jazz take on love, learning and life in America.

Details: tallyhotheater.com New Year’s Eve with the Reagan Years will be a little different this year, with assigned seating and social distancing. But all the fun and your favorite ’80s tunes haven’t changed. Tickets are $40-$65.

Loudoun Now file photo

Live Music: Juliana MacDowell and Mike Ault

Sunday, Dec. 27, 2-5 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville Details: creeksedgewinery.com MacDowell and Ault serve up earthy, folksy tunes as part of Creek’s Edge’s bi-weekly Acoustic Sunday series.

Tarot Readings at Fabbioli Cellars

Sunday, Dec. 27, noon-4p.m.

Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg Details: fabbioliwines.com Have some post-holiday fun with personal tarot card readings by Gail. Face masks are required for readings. Tickets are $25. No reservations are required.

PAGE 25

Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com This adults-only happy hour features fire pits and food specials. Reservations are recommended for fireside seating.

British New Year’s Eve Party

Thursday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Vanish’s annual NYE celebration takes place in UK time, so the ball drop s at 7 p.m. This year, the brewery celebrates the city of Birmingham, England.

New Year’ Eve Trivia at Solace

Thursday, Dec. 31, 7-9 p.m.

Solace Brewing Company, 42615 Trade West Drive, Dulles Details: solacebrewing.com See what you’ve learned in quarantine and kick out 2020 with Pour House Trivia.

LOCO CULTURE Central Loudoun Christmas Bird Count

Monday, Dec. 28, all day Details: loudounwildlife.org Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count.

The count covers 177 square miles of Loudoun’s countryside: north to Waterford, south to Aldie, east to Ashburn, and west to Purcellville. Everyone is welcome, and amateurs are teamed with experienced birders. Sign up on the Conservancy’s website.

Madcap Puppets: The Nutcracker

Dirt Farm Fireside Happy Hour

Thursday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 4-6 p.m.

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Madcap Puppets turn the classic holiday story of the Nutcracker into a fantastically funny tale, filled with giant puppets and comical characters. Tickets are $5 and seating is limited.

For Christmas, her family will replicate their modified approach to Thanksgiving: Olden’s husband Stephen will drop off pies to his mom in Rockville and pick up family favorite sides, along with a front porch gift swap. On Christmas day, the family plans a Zoom call with Stephen’s family, including a breakout room for the kids so they can celebrate with beloved cousins, along with a Zoom meet with Annee’s family in New England. And while there’s a sense of loss, there’s also a silver lining in the idea of keeping things low-key.

“It’s going to be nice to not have to rush around all day,” Olden said. “Like everything else, this year, it’s kind of had us slow down.”

Olden will also miss the New Year’s Eve party the couple has hosted for the past decade. The couple has done Zoom game nights with friends this year and will probably organize a virtual celebration to ring in 2021.

“We’re very social in general. It’s been a very hard year,” she said. “I’m still in denial that we can’t do [New Year’s Eve]. We’ve had it every year since we moved here. ...

It’s such a fun way to ring in the new year” Christmas usually means a huge, fes-

tive overnight party for Shannon Wilt and her tight-knit extended family, with multiple generations and tons of cousins. But her son’s chronic respiratory condition has meant a hard core 10-month lockdown for her family. And as she and her family discussed Christmas, protecting the seniors in the mix took priority.

“You want to see everybody, but you don’t want to take the risk,” she said. “We take it all very seriously.”

For Christmas, that’s meant changing things up and creating fun in different ways. Last Saturday, Wilt and her three kids decorated their car, put on their Santa hats and made an all-day road trip across Northern Virginia from their Lovettsville home to Winchester to Fairfax and Prince William counties to drop off gifts from a distance and spread some Christmas cheer.

“We’ve been quarantining so hard, I thought it would be nice to get out of the house and go do something,” Wilt said. “We won’t get to hang out with anybody, but I thought dropping things on the doorstep and decorating the car would be fun—just seeing everyone—even if it’s at the end of the driveway” The family will also be celebrating with

Zoom meetups for the cousins, taking photos in matching holiday T-shirts and having a special photo blanket with those photos made for the grandparents.

Wilt says that while things won’t likely get back to semi-normal for her family until late spring or summer, she felt a sense of hope and “huge relief ” when a frontline healthcare worker friend was vaccinated last week.

“I feel like I can see the end in sight now,” she said. “Our biggest thing right now is we just don’t want to let our guard down too soon. We’re so close.”

During a time of challenges, Rabbi Cohen sees the secular new year as a good time for people of all faiths to reflect and take stock.

“Whenever we hit a milestone or a cycle ending and a cycle starting, it’s a time that we have to sit down with a pen and paper and jot down what happened in the last 12 months and what we would like for the next 12 months,” Cohen said. “We need these milestones and days on the calendar that make us think. That’s how we grow in our own journeys.” n

Live Music: The Reagan Years

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PAGE 26

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Politics

Clemente Announces Campaign for 10th District Delegate

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A 32-year-old Leesburg resident has his eyes set on the 10th District House of Delegates seat on the ballot in the November 2021 elections.

Nick Clemente has announced he will run as a Republican, challenging two-term incumbent Democrat Wendy Gooditis. The 10th district covers portions of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick counties.

Clemente While it will be Clemente’s first time on a ballot, it will not be his first time running for elected office.

Clemente was one of 18 Leesburg residents who expressed interest in a vacant Town Council seat last summer. And it was Clemente who was the only candidate to receive the support of all five participating council members in polling leading up to the meeting where the selection was to be

made. However, during that meeting, three of those council members who initially selected him as a top five finalist —Mayor Kelly Burk, Vice Mayor Marty Martinez and Councilman Neil Steinberg—voted against his appointment. Clemente said that the snub, which he attributed to the influence of pro-union special interests, lit a fire under him. Professionally, Clemente serves as the membership director of the Virginia chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

“I was never one to pick a fight, but I was also never one to back down from one,” he said.

After speaking before the Town Council expressing his disappointment about the apparent backpedaling, Clemente said he was contacted by the local Republican Party to gauge his interest in being a candidate next November. Running for public office had always been a dream of his, Clemente said, and, after taking some time to consider the opportunity, he realized the timing was right.

He hearkens back to his childhood and young adult life, when he struggled with

dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, and said he hopes his campaign serves as an inspiration to those with similar struggles.

“My whole life growing up with dyslexia and ADD, I always had to work 10 times as hard as my peers, and still I was just the average B student. In grad school I became a B+ student and it was by working even harder,” he said. “I want to run a campaign based on positivity. I think it’s what the voters of the 10th District deserve.”

“One of my biggest issues is a lot of politicians in America are kind of like robots,” Clemente said. “I want to be a human. I want to inspire folks to overcome and be an example that regardless of your hurdle if you really believe in yourself you can really achieve anything. I hope my message of inspiration and believing in what you can achieve will resonate with voters. I believe in positivity and if you have a positive outlook and you’re willing to work hard, anything’s possible.”

Clemente said he believes Gooditis is beholden to special interests and party-line voting, and he thinks the district deserves a representative who will listen to the people.

“A lot of her donors are billionaires, the [liberal activist and philanthropist] Tom Steyers of the world. I struggle with that because we have a lot of people struggling and she’s taking money from trade unions and billionaires who are out of state,” he said. “She’s kowtowing, in my opinion, to special interests and what we really need is someone who knows and understands us and wants to be a part of us.”

Gooditis, like many politicians, he said, has become a “transactional politician.”

“It’s an issue with politics in general in America, it requires money. You have to go do transactions, so you’re beholden by your donor base, or party. I really think if you make an effort with donors or other colleagues to build relationships, if something comes up that’s not good for your district you can say to your colleagues ‘look I have to vote this way because this is what the people want’,” he said.

Clemente also criticizes Gooditis of voting along party lines “99% of the time” and not making herself available to CLEMENTE continues on page 33

Legal Notices Project-Based Vouchers Proposals. The Loudoun County Office of Housing is accepting proposals from the owners of rental property to contract with the County for Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). The Loudoun County Office of Housing may award a contract for up to eight vouchers for newly constructed or rehabilitated housing that address special housing needs such as providing fully accessible, 504 compliant housing units. Proposals will be evaluated based on owner experience and capability to manage or build rental housing as identified in the proposal on a first-come, first-served basis. Loudoun County Office of Housing reserves the right to not award PBV. For more information about the application procedures and proposal review process are online at www.loudoun.gov/pbv or by contacting Janelle Beverly at 703-737-8213 or janelle.beverly@loudoun.gov.

12/10, 12/17 & 12/24/20

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

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

YR.

MAKE

MODEL

VIN

STORAGE

PHONE#

1989 2007 2014 1999

JEEP HONDA DODGE DODGE

WRANGLER CIVIC RAM CARAVAN

2J4FY29T5KJ163255 2HGFA555X7H710720 1C6RR6TT4ES205586 2B4GP44G1XR161575

BLAIR’S TOWING AL’S TOWING AL’S TOWING ROADRUNNER

703-661-8200 703-435-8888 703-435-8888 703-450-7555

12/24 & 12/31/20

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

JJ044669-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother; Lucas Ixcotoyac Iztep, putative father and Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro, and; hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Iztep, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before Adjudication, January 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm, and Dispositional, February 8, 2021 at 10:00 am.

12/24, 12/31, 01/07, & 01/14/21

A message to elderly and disabled Loudoun County residents from Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Residents 65 and older or totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2020 Real Property Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the December 31, 2020 filing deadline.

Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor Sterling Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 100 Internet: www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Phone: 703-737-8557 Email: trcor@loudoun.gov Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, & 12/31/20

LoudounNow.com

ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM

DECEMBER 24, 2020

PAGE 27

Legal Notices 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, January 13, 2021 in order to consider:

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE AND INTERIM LEASE OF COUNTY PROPERTY Conveyance of Real Property and Interim Lease to Aldie Community Development Company, LLC 39469, 39483, & 39491 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, Virginia 20105 Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider conveying three parcels of County property, consisting together of approximately 6.31 acres and all improvements thereon, to Aldie Community Development Company, LLC (ACDC) as part of a real estate sale, exchange, and contribution agreement negotiated between the County, Mojax, LLC, and ACDC. The Board of Supervisors shall also consider granting an interim lease of the same property to ACDC until closing on the property occurs. The subject property is located on the south side of John Mosby Highway (Route 50), east of Meetinghouse Lane (Route 732) and west of New Mountain Road (Route 631) at 39469, 39483, and 39491 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PINs: 361-45-5744, 361-45-8246, and 361-45-9838, respectively.

Copies of exhibits showing the location(s) of the above-listed conveyance(s) and associated documents are available for review and 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 (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

244-37-6561

N/A

244-38-2031

N/A

244-38-2661

N/A

244-47-7397

N/A

245-15-3140

N/A

245-15-4099

N/A

245-26-5476

N/A

245-45-9645

N/A

246-45-1654

41226 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, Virginia

246-45-2778

N/A

285-10-4331

N/A

285-10-8373

23930 Lenah Farm Lane, Aldie Virginia

285-19-9317

N/A

285-29-6818

41038 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, Virginia

285-30-4849

N/A

285-39-5280

23620 & 23651 Lenah Farm Lane, Aldie Virginia

285-48-7020

N/A

244-47-8789

N/A

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 840.14 Calculation of Tax, and 840.11 Exclusions; Deductions, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments would conform Chapter 840.14 with the requirements of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) and Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA), which prohibits taxation of internet access. Chapter 840.11 will also be updated to include internet access as an exclusion from the calculation of taxes assessed for the Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) tax.

244-47-7684

N/A

244-47-6578

N/A

244-37-5471

N/A

244-37-4563

N/A

244-37-3853

N/A

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments is on file and available for review and 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 (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

244-37-3243

N/A

244-37-2415

N/A

244-37-2503

N/A

244-37-2392

N/A

244-37-2081

N/A

SIDP-2020-0004 HARTLAND SIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN

244-27-1670

N/A

244-27-1160

N/A

244-27-0849

N/A

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 840 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) Tax

(Sign Development Plan) HEDR Hartland LP of Washington, District of Columbia, and Hartland Community Association of Ashburn, Virginia, have submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to modify regulations in regard to the total aggregate sign area, maximum number of signs, maximum area of any one sign, maximum area of mounted background structure, illumination permitted, minimum setback from right-of-way, maximum height, sign type permitted, and allowance for double-sided signage. The subject property is being developed by-right in the Transitional Residential-1 Upper Broad Run and Upper Foley (TR-1UBF), Transitional Residential-3 Upper Broad Run and Upper Foley (TR-3UBF), Transitional Residential-2 (TR-2) and Rural Commercial (RC) zoning districts under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 aircraft noise contour, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 791 acres in size and is located on the west side of Fleetwood Road (Route 616), north of Route 50 in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows:

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Transition Policy Area (Transition Large Lot Neighborhood Place Type and Transition Community Center)), which designate this area for low-density Residential uses with substantial open space with target densities of 1 dwelling unit (du) per acre or 1 du/3 acres and pedestrian-focused Retail Centers with small footprint Retail uses with a recommended floor area ratio (FAR) of up to 0.3.

ZMOD-2020-0033 TUSCARORA CROSSING PARKING REDUCTION (Zoning Ordinance Modification) Wellington Development, LLC of McLean, Virginia, has submitted an application to request the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §5-1102(B)(1)(b), Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION Reduce the required parking spaces for 180 multifamily Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Land Bay 6 of Tuscarora Crossing from 338 to 271

PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

244-27-2454

N/A

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

244-27-3072

N/A

244-36-8224

23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie, Virginia

The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZCPA-2019-0010, Tuscarora Crossing in the PDH4 (Planned Development-Housing) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The

244-37-0788

N/A

244-37-3597

N/A

244-37-5249

N/A

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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PAGE 28

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Legal Notices subject property is located within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District-Luck Quarry and Luck Note Area. The subject property is also partially in the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject properties are approximately 83.24 and 77.42 acres in size and are south of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and east of Sycolin Road (Route 643) in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 150-45-6472 and PIN: 150-47-9920. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Leesburg Joint Land Management Area Policy Area Employment Place Type), which designate this area for flex space, manufacturing warehousing, contractor services, and other productive uses up to a 1.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) uses.

ZMAP-2020-0005, ZCPA-2020-0008, ZMOD-2020-0020 & ZMOD-2020-0026 GOOSE CREEK OVERLOOK (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment &, Zoning Modifications) Goose Creek Overlook LLC of Reston, Virginia, and Good Works Development, LP of Middleburg, Virginia, have submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 46.06 acres from the R-1 (Single Family Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4) administered as R-8 (Single Family Residential) and R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a maximum of 136 single family attached residential units and 40 stacked multifamily units, and 75 multifamily affordable housing units; and 2) to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) for approximately 9.2 acres that are currently subject to ZMAP-2003-0009, Goose Creek Village South, in order to revise open space tabulations and allow for development of a parking area and trail access.

The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§5-1102, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required, Table 5-1102, Parking Spaces Required.

To reduce the parking space requirements for Multi Family Dwelling Units from 2 spaces per dwelling unit for 2- and 3-bedroom units to 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit.

§1-205(A), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms, Lot Access Requirements.

To permit frontage of single family attached and multifamily units on open space rather than the required frontage on a Class I, Class II, Class III road, or private access easement as specified in the individual district regulations.

The subject property is located partially within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District – Luck Note Area and partially within the Reservoir Protection Area. The subject property is approximately 55.26 acres in size and located south of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), on the east side of Goose Creek, and on the northern and southern side of Sycolin Road (Route 625), in the Ashburn and Blue Ridge Election Districts. The subject property is more particularly described as follows:

PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

154-45-5373

20776 Sycolin Road, Ashburn, Virginia

154-45-1833

N/A

154-45-3829

N/A

154-45-9680

N/A

154-35-8154

N/A

153-16-3488 (portion of)

20810 Sycolin Road, Ashburn, Virginia

154-45-5980

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)), which support primarily Single-Family Residential uses with limited supportive Retail and Service uses at recommended densities of four dwelling units per acre (du/ ac), up to six du/ac for infill development, and FAR of up to 1.0 for Non-Residential uses.

ZRTD-2020-0006 KINCORA VILLAGE CENTER (Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District) NA Dulles Real Estate Investor LLC of East Setauket, New York, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 22.72 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, at maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception). The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contour, and is also located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 27.22 acres in size and is located in the southwest quadrant of the Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and Sully Road (Route 28) interchange, on the west side of the Sully Road (Route 28), Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150)/Nokes Boulevard (Route 1793) interchange, and north of West Severn Way (Route 1748), in the Broad Run Election District.

The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

041-19-4573

21391 Pacific Boulevard, Ashburn, Virginia

040-19-3991

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)) and Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for Light Production and Office uses at a recommended floor to area ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mond`ay through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703777-0246 (option 5).

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing.

Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/ webcast. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on December 31, 2020, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on January 13, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens 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.

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. 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 12/24 & 12/31/20

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Notice of Hearing Seizure of one chicken In accordance with the authority set forth in §3.2-6569 of the Code of Virginia, Saturday December 19, 2020, the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services seized one adult, red, female chicken that was found abandoned at 42040 Village Center Plaza, Aldie, VA 20105. A hearing to determine whether the chicken has been abandoned, cruelly treated or has not been provided with adequate care will be held on Wednesday January 6, 2021 at 10:00AM in the General District Court of Loudoun County, located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.

12/24/20

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Case No.: JJ044085-03-00 VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Isaac William McClure Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Edwin Ernesto Ortiz, father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Isaac William McClure.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Edwin Ernesto Ortiz, father appear at the above-named Court to protect his interests on or before February 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

12/24, 12/31, 01/07, & 01/14/21

ALWAYS ONLINE AT LOUDOUNNOW.COM

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Legal Notices

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR: CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR BELMONT RIDGE ROAD FROM TRURO PARISH DRIVE TO CROSON LANE, RFP No. 352782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, February 1, 2021.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PROFESSIONAL AIRPORT PLANNING, ENGINEERING, AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT RFP NO. 320830-FY21-11 The Town of Leesburg is requesting sealed proposals from qualified firms with substantial professional experience in professional airport planning, engineering and architectural services. Proposals must be submitted to the Town of Leesburg, Procurement Division, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, no later than 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 21, 2021. All proposals must indicate RFP title, number and submittal date on the external shipping material.

All questions regarding this RFP must be received in writing by email at CapitalBidQuestions@leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

Interested offerors may download a copy of the RFP from the bid board on the Town’s website at http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard. Contact Cindy Steyer at 703-737-2302 or csteyer@ leesburgva.gov with questions about obtaining these documents. All addenda issued for this project will only be posted on the Town’s bid board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov).

Renée M. LaFollette, P.E., Director Department of Public Works & Capital Projects 12/24/20

A virtual Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on January 4, 2021 at 10 a.m. via GoToMeeting for clarification of any questions on the solicitation. Offerors should pre-register to participate in the PreProposal Conference by sending an email to PROCUREMENT@loudoun.gov.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

JUNK VEHICLES USE FOR FIRE AND RESCUE TRAINING, IFB No. 349783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, January 14, 2021.

Case No.:

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

JJ040484-07-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

PAGE 29

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Carter Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, David Craig Johnson, putative father, appear at the above named Court and protect his interests on or before January 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

12/10, 12/17, 12/24, & 12/31/20

ABC LICENSE

Lansdowne Ventures LLC, trading as Brambleton Filling Co., 42315 Soave Dr., Brambleton, Loudoun, Virginia 20148 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Stephen M Rubino, Member John R Rubino, Member David J Rubino, Member 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.

12/17 & 12/24/20

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 12/24/20

ORDER OF PUBLICATION Case No.:

JJ044339-02-00; JJ044339-03-00; JJ044339-04-00 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Mateo Alexander Parada Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Chelsea M. Deleon, mother; Melvin Parada, father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Mateo Alexander Parada, and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Melvin Parada, father and Chelsea M. Deleon, mother, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1283 for Mateo Alexander Parada. Melvin Parada, father and Chelsea M. Deleon, mother are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Mateo Alexander Parada. Melvin Parada, father and Chelsea M. Deleon, mother are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Mateo Alexander Parada; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Mateo Alexander Parada; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Mateo Alexander Parada. Further, Melvin Parada, father and Chelsea M. Deleon, mother will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Mateo Alexander Parada, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Mateo Alexander Parada for adoption and consent to the adoption of Mateo Alexander Parada.

It is ORDERED that the defendants, Melvin Parada, father and Chelsea M. Deleon, mother, appear at the above named Court and protect their interests on or before January 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

12/10, 12/17, 12/24, & 12/31/20

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

JJ044071-09-00

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

Nelson Bismarck Rivera Espinoza, putative father and Rosibel Hernandez Zepeda, mother

ABC LICENSE

Lansdowne Ventures LLC, trading as Brambleton Corner Filling Co., 42175 Shapiro Dr., Brambleton, Loudoun, Virginia 20148 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Stephen M Rubino, Member 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.

12/17 & 12/24/20

ABC LICENSE

Beta Burger Inc, trading as Burger 21, 21305 Windill Parc Dr, Ste 160 Sterling, VA 20166-7041 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Joseph Yu, Partner 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.

12/17 & 12/24/20

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

The object of this suit is to hold a 4th permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Abigail Rivera Hernandez.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Nelson Bismarck Rivera Espinoza, putative father and Rosibel Hernandez Zepeda, mother appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before February 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

12/24, 12/31, 01/07, & 01/14/21

Kevin Lemieux (SBN: 225886) The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux APC 2221 Camino del Rio South, Suite 308 San Diego, CA 92108 619-488-6767 Kevin@lawyerkevin.com Case No.: 20FL004402C Superior Court of California, Central Family Division County of San Diego 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Mounika Dadireddy v.

Vijay Kamar Reddy Banda The court finds that the respondent cannot be served in any other manner specified in the California Code of Civil Procedure. The court orders that the documents listed in item 6 be served by publication at least once per week for four successive weeks in Loudoun Now newspaper.

Documents to be served by publication or posting: Summons (Family Law) (form FL-110) Other: Notice of Hearing, Notice of Case Assignment, D049, FL105, FL150, FL100, FL300, Declaration in suppott of RFO. 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, & 12/31/20

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PAGE 30

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Legal Notices Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Town Council The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on January 7, 2020. Pursuant to and in compliance with Town of Lovettsville Ordinance 2020-03-0006 (adopted by the Lovettsville Town Council on March 26, 2020) this meeting will be held electronically. The Town Council and staff will be participating remotely.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting.

Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically.

Proposed General Fund & Utility Fund Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2022-2026 The purpose of the public hearing is to review the proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

ABC LICENSE

Goldstone LLC, trading as Gateway Exxon, 45601 Falke Plz., Sterling, VA 20166 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Ather Choudhry 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.

12/24 & 12/31/20

ABC LICENSE

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Ather Choudhry 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.

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

Opinion Extra Effort Loudoun is always a giving community during the holidays, but in the most challenging of years residents and businesses have responded to the needs as never before.

It has been a season without seeing Toys for Tots collection boxes in office lobbies. Fewer Salvation Army red kettle bell ringers were posted outside the grocery store doors. Those activities proved impractical during a time that demands we limit our public travels and contact with strangers. And many who would typically be making donations to our food pantries now find themselves in the receiving line.

Residents and businesses have stepped up in remarkable ways. Some made special efforts to care for a neighbor down the street. Some worked to ensure whole neighborhoods would share in the holiday spirit.

Our bedrock nonprofits, like Loudoun Hunger Relief, have never worked harder. The volunteers at The Ampersand Pantry Project, who started providing free lunches in the earliest days of the pandemic, could

LETTERS to the Editor

not have imagined they would be doing it every day for the rest of the year. (Yes, they’ll be out there Christmas Day, too.)

Typically, this is the time of year that we remind readers that the needs we worked to meet during the holiday season won’t end in January. We all know that this year.

Let’s make the extra effort to keep the shelves well-stocked, watch out for our neighbors, make a point to support our restaurants and small business, and contribute to the local impact funds and giving circles that are channeling resources where the need is greatest.

We’ll get through this together.

n

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

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

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

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

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

An Inspiration Editor: At our November meeting of the Leesburg Diversity Commission (where I serve as chair), a graduate of Douglass High School expressed concerns regarding the proposed renovations to the original portion of the building, constructed in 1941. Of particular concern were the proposals to convert two of the original classroom areas into a child play area/ family break room and a catering kitchen.

It was the opinion of the alumna that, as an historic site, the interior of the building should be kept as close to its original appearance as possible. I concur.

Based on my conversations with the speaker, review of the blueprints, and visits to the building, it appears that the school cafeteria and kitchen (which were added in later years) will be divided into several classrooms as part of a proposed English Learning Center. The cafeteria kitchen in this wing would be removed, and a catering kitchen, located on the southeast side of the historic school, would be constructed, replacing a classroom. Another original classroom on the opposite northwest corner of the historic building also is slated to be converted into a combined play area, wellness room and family break room with restaurant-style booth seating.

Given the monumental efforts spent

by Black and other residents of Loudoun County in the early 20th century to purchase land and construct the school, I believe that its historic preservation designation should apply to both the interior as well as the exterior of the building. This was done successfully with the conversion of the George Washington Carver Elementary School in Purcellville, which was constructed in 1948 and converted into a community center in 2007. Despite changes to the functional use of this structure, its renovated interior and exterior have both remained intact and recognizable as an historic educational building.

If the School Board and facilities staff maintain that the catering kitchen, play area, wellness room and family break room are essential for the success of the new community center, then I would propose that certain classes for English Learning, Head Start and/or STEP be moved into the original structure in such a way that it may continue to look and operate as a “school,” swapping out those areas with spaces freed up in the newer wing of the building.

Too many monuments to Black history in Loudoun have been either razed or lost to the ravages of time. Let’s maintain Northern Virginia’s first county high school for Black students in the form it LETTERS continues on page 33

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

Readers’ Poll

PAGE 33

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

Should Loudoun’s local governments pursue collective bargaining with public employees?

Winter is off to a snowy start, are you ready for more?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 32 was intended as an inspiration for future leaders of every race and color.

— Pamela Butler, Leesburg

Invaluable Support Editor: The Blossom & Bloom Thrift Store on West Market Street in Leesburg wishes to extend our appreciation to our generous community.

You have donated wonderful goods to us to sell, which supports our mission to raise funds for charities as we reuse, recycle and repurpose. You have been loyal customers. Many of you have given your time by volunteering countless hours in our shop, allowing us to serve our local community during difficult times.

The proceeds from our efforts are allocated to Loudoun County organizations that provide support to children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental needs. These

Clemente continued from page 26 constituents.

He said the top issue facing the 10th district now is how to get kids back into schools in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Young children not being able to attend school in person can have a negative impact on parents’ jobs, he said.

“We need to have solutions and opportunities for kids to be in school but we also have to be respectful of the teachers. The longer kids aren’t in school, the longer it’s going to be a drag on our economy,” he said.

Another top issue for Clemente is the

beneficiaries include ARC of Loudoun, ECHO Ventures, A Place to Be, ARTS for All Loudoun, Sprout Therapeutic Riding, Wheatland Farms, Legacy Farms, Heeling House, A Farm Less Ordinary and Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. We also support the Lion’s Club, Interfaith Relief, Fredrick Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

Thank you to each donor, customer and invaluable volunteer for your continuing support that allows us to assist others in our community, as we have for the past 40 years.

Happy holidays to all.

— Blossom & Bloom Board of Directors

Editor: It just didn’t seem so in the year 2020. But alas, the video of the Board of Supervisors’ meeting this past week on the segment regarding name changes to local roads was very telling.

Supervisor Buffington shirks his representative job by denying his constituents a chance to view his position

on removing the names of those who fought and defended racism, segregation, and the ugliest part of our American history. He likely believes this will negate any accountability to those on either side of the issue, but rest assured that the action of cowardly leaving the dais for that stated purpose spoke volumes. This is no surprise since a military-style vehicle, during a 2015 parade, emblazoned with Buffington’s campaign regalia also had a Confederate flag hanging from it. Now might be a good time to retrieve the photo from my old, stored hard drive or perhaps during his next campaign.

Supervisor Umstattd stating concern that “peoples’ mail will get lost” for a year is beyond tone deaf and callous. Ask a Black person if that matters most to them or if it matters at all.

It has been said, “it is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt.” In this case, her actions and statements show veiled support for the status quo of revering those who fought against the ancestors of a large segment of Loudouners. It shows an inability to

understand how hurtful it is to drive on a road that gives honor to someone who would deny a Black person today of every right they’ve fought and gained since the conclusion of the Civil War. In a time where racist Americans are seeping back out of the sewer, they both missed a chance to be 100% on the right side of history.

Ask any Jew how they would feel if they had no choice but to drive down Adolf Hitler Highway or enter a courtroom as they pass a Nazi statue or symbol. Put yourself in another person’s shoes who hasn’t lived the privileged and insulated world that both of these white electeds have.

Confidence and honor in our elected officials has been seriously eroded these past few years and more so by actions and statements like these. It is a very sad day for progress. It’s is even worse that they do this and will no doubt claim to respect their Black colleagues when they disrespected them and their humanity without saying a word and by saying some.

Do better. Be better.

— Karen Jimmerson, Aldie

General Assembly’s challenge to Virginia’s status as a right-to-work state.

“I don’t have an issue with people joining unions, but I don’t think someone’s employment should be based on whether or not they are a part of a union. The biggest misconception is people think [being a right-to-work state] is anti-union. It’s just a way to give somebody their individual liberty to decide whether or not to join a union,” he said.

Clemente also said project labor agreements, which are when a government awards a construction contract exclusively to unionized firms, can be a burden on taxpayers.

A Leesburg resident for the past three

years, Clemente has lived in the 10th district for much of his life. Prior to his work with ABC-VA, he also did legislative outreach on Capitol Hill. He has served on the Leesburg Planning Commission, and on a working group studying changes to the town’s former H-2 Overlay District.

He hopes that he will have the opportunity to reach as many constituents as possible during his campaign, whether in person or virtually. Clemente is also hopeful that those same constituents will feel comfortable reaching back out to him.

“I don’t want anyone to think that just because on the campaign trail I may be campaigning on an issue they don’t believe in that I won’t want to hear from them. Re-

gardless of where you are on the political spectrum there might be one or two things I have in common with you. I think we need to find a way to find common ground.

At the end of the day it all gets back to the children.

As adults we have to set good examples and be polite even if we agree or agree to disagree in a respectable fashion. I want to run a positive campaign, not be dragged down in the mud. I want to set a good example for the next generation of Americans,” he said.

More information on Clemente and his campaign can be found at nickclemente.com. n

Disrespected

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PAGE 34

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Enjoy the Outdoors Safely

BY LARRY MALONE

Inexperienced people do not bring enough water. Dehydration can quickly cloud one’s thinking, leading to bad decisions, making bad decisions worse. It can also quickly lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal. Interestingly, one does not always feel thirsty as one becomes increasingly dehydrated. Drink water on a regular schedule regardless of whether you are thirsty.

According to the website MomGoesCamping, for every hour of hiking, adults should carry two cups (about ½ liter) of water; children, 1 to 2 cups of water. So, for a planned 5-hour hike, carry at least 10 cups (2.3 liters) of water per person. This is just a general rule. On a hot, humid day, everyone will need more. Only plain water provides this level of hydration; soda, tea, coffee, juice and other drinks do not count.

Some people do not wear appropriate shoes. For hiking over rough terrain, you should wear protective, lightweight, comfortable, treaded boots; sneakers are suitable only for walking on smooth paths.

Inexperienced people commonly fail to recognize the walk back will take longer and be more tiring than the walk out. Incorporate this information in your hike duration calculation.

Inexperienced people do not have adequate respect for steep slopes—both up and down. Tread extremely carefully in these areas.

Inexperienced people do not recognize the sun sets earlier on the east side of the mountain than on the west. If you are watching a beautiful sunset at the Bear’s

YARD

Precautions

O UR

BACK

Did you find yourself spending more time walking, hiking and biking on our beautiful mountain trails, our historic unpaved roads, and our charming natural parks the past several months? Good for you, and many of your neighbors. That is the good news. The bad news is that the increased activity has resulted in more 911 calls, according to Battalion Chief Justin Green of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department. Apparently, people have overextended themselves a bit on their adventures.

While it is not hard to imagine dramatic reasons motivating 911 calls for assistance in the forests, mountains and parks in our area— bears, snakes, cliffs, fog, rain, fallen trees, getting lost—the vast majority of calls are for mundane problems that easily could have been avoided with a little forethought and preparation.

• IN

Part 1 of a 2-part series

The walking trail at Loudoun County's Bles Park in Ashburn.

Den overlook, your car at the Rt. 7 parking lot is already in the dark. Did you bring a flashlight? Your cell phone light won’t last long enough, or be bright enough, for you to walk safely back to your car.

People who hike alone should alert someone where they are going and when they expect to return, and notify that person of their safe return.

People may encounter potentially dangerous wildlife. To avoid animal surprises, stay on the trail and make noise as you hike.

Simply talking to your partner is sufficient to let animals know you are there; they want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them.

A bear is the most worrisome animal you may encounter in this area. Should you see one, stand and face the bear directly.

Never run from or approach a bear. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms, or better yet, a coat. Make noise by yelling and banging on objects. However, if a bear appears to charge you, hold your ground and stay calm. Slowly retreat, maintain eye contact, and let the bear know you are a human by speaking continuously in a calm voice.

Do not ever approach any “baby” wild animal—bear or otherwise. Even if you don’t see her, the baby’s mother will be close by, and momma always will view you as a threat.

Finally, never try to “rescue” an apparently injured animal. You have neither the training nor equipment to be of help, and by intervening, you risk serious injury to yourself and the animal. If you feel compelled to act, call the animal control department, in Loudoun 703-777-0406.

Call 911 If you are on the mountains, in a park, on a back road, or anywhere you feel unsafe—for any reason—the first and most important thing is to call 911. Professionals

In case of total communications failure or a lost device, Loudoun Fire and Rescue suggests STOP—Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. Stop where you are and do not continue to travel, think about where you are, and the last place you can confirm you were, observe the area around you for clues to your location, and plan on how to signal for help.

Carrying a whistle, a compact (inexpensive) emergency space blanket, a simple mechanical compass, a mirror, a signal flag/panel, and a trail map, or at least two or three of these items, can help here. If you are injured and on a known trail with an adult, send someone who knows your location for help.

in the Sheriff ’s Office, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the State Police stress the same advice: One should call 911 as soon as they feel unsafe. You should not wait for the situation to get “bad enough” to request assistance. Rescue personnel would rather respond to a dozen minor situations, even false alarms, than to have one situation where they were too late. They emphasized that one should never feel embarrassed or awkward calling for help.

From your vantage point, your initial request for assistance is a simple three-digit phone call, but it triggers action by a large and complex network of organizations and well-trained professionals and volunteers ready to respond immediately and with an array of specialized equipment as needed.

In Virginia, search and rescue functions are handled by the local police/sheriff (responsible for searches) and the fire/rescue department (responsible for rescues). They coordinate closely, often responding to the same incident.

In Loudoun, most 911 calls for assistance are handled by the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS).

Response to calls involving a ground and/ or aerial (sUAS) search, such as a lost hiker on the Appalachian Trail, will include members of the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office Search and Rescue Team. The team is trained in land navigation, grid, spiral, and line search. The sUAS (drone) pilots also are trained in line/grid searches and locating heat sources. Often, specially trained dogs also are involved in search and rescue operations.

There may be situations in which you don’t have phone service or a working phone. If you think phone service is absent, the experts advise sending a text message anyway. Many area jurisdictions now have text to 911 capability. Often, when cell service is not apparent or you cannot make a call, a text message will go through.

The Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group If necessary, there are several organizations a local government can call immediately, particularly for mountain, and difficult terrain, searches and rescues. For Loudoun, Clarke, Warren and Fauquier Counties, SMRG, based in Vienna, Virginia, is geographically closest. SMRG is a professional volunteer wilderness search and rescue organization established to assist people lost or injured outdoors. It responds to emergencies anywhere in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to search for missing persons or aircraft, and in wilderness areas, to carry out rescue operations requiring specialized equipment and techniques.

SMRG has over 100 active members with expertise in wilderness medicine, land navigation, search and tracking techniques, land/air evacuation methods, and emergency incident management. It is brought into a situation by a state, county, or local law enforcement agency, and works under their command. In Virginia, the Department of Emergency Management is the initial coordinator of resources for wilderness search emergencies.

The Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains encourage you to experience our area’s beautiful outdoors. Enhance your enjoyment by hiking or walking through it safely.

Know that if you need help, a truly impressive network is in place to assist you. n In Part 2: The Nightmare Situation Larry Malone is Communications Director for Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007. For more information, go to friendsofblueridge. org. He also is a member of the executive committee of the Loudoun County Rural Economic Development Commission. In Our Backyard is compiled by the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. For more information about the organization, go to loudouncoalition.org

DECEMBER 24, 2020

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PAGE 35

Symbols continued from page 1 Saines said. “If they had their way, myself, Chair Randall, Supervisor Glass—we would most likely would not be sitting in front of you here today.”

In 2015, Saines and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) were the first two Black people ever elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. After the 2019 election, Loudoun’s third-ever black supervisor, Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) joined them on the dais.

Glass recalled her own family’s historic role in desegregating Virginia Schools. Her family went to court to allow her sister to enroll in Prince William County public schools.

“She would be very happy to see that we are doing something, that we are not glorifying someone who tried to keep my family and other families that look like me from going to public school,” Glass said.

Mosby has already lost some namesakes in Loudoun; earlier this year, the Loudoun County School Board voted to remove the “Raider” mascot at Loudoun County High School, which was named for Mosby’s Confederate cavalry battalion he led in the area.

The school’s new mascot is the Captain.

Similarly, the former Mosby Heritage Area Association, which this year marked a quarter century of preservation advocacy

Holiday heroes continued from page 1 during the pandemic—it’s a good time to redecorate while people are stuck at home.

Now, they partner with Bungii—like Uber for delivery trucks—and recently, with Oscar Arevalo, who just started his new business, Now Movers.

“He’s kind of our saving grace, because it is logistically difficult,” McCarter said.

“And he’s helpful in the fact that he has good pricing.”

And, she said, they can trust Arevalo to know how to handle furniture, and to go to people’s homes.

Arevalo said it’s one of a few furniture stores for which he does delivery, along with moving. He said he does the best he can to make the customer happy, and, so far, they have been.

“I’m happy with my job, and I hope I can stay busy in the future,” Arevalo said.

And in some neighborhoods, delivery workers can be local heroes.

Eric Dunn, a delivery driver for UPS, has had the same route around Belmont Greene in Ashburn for almost 20 years.

He has seen newborns grow up into teen-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

J.E.B. Stuart Road passes through Philomont.

and American history education, also adopted a new name, the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association.

Supervisors also launched work to inventory public Confederate and segregationist symbols in the county, with an eye toward possibly renaming those as well.

That vote passed 8-0-1, Kershner absent.

That inventory is expected back by May or June.

“Our residents, especially those of color,

shouldn’t have to drive on, walk by, play in or pay taxes to support public infrastructure that glorifies those who would tear apart our nation and continue a system of racism and oppression well beyond the end of the Civil War,” Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said. “These symbols only serve to hold up the infrastructure and even confirm false legitimacy of white supremacy to the benefit of populations and to the certain detriment of others.”

agers on his route. He even moved into the area where he delivers.

And there, he is a familiar face. He has helped out with the local Pinewood Derby. He has played for two different faculty basketball teams at local elementary schools—where he delivers baskets while the students chant “UPS!” And even with the miles he already puts in, Dunn, who described himself as “a hillbilly, a country boy,” goes the extra mile with his deliveries.

For example, if he thinks he’s delivering a Christmas present, he tries not to let the kids get a look at it—”before I take the package out of the car, I look up at the windows to make sure they ain’t peeking, because they will peek,” Dunn said.

And over the weekend, his neighborhood surprised him with a parade and a shower of gifts.

“It was probably about 40 cars, 50 cars, they had signs, tooting horns—it was overwhelming, man,” Dunn said. “It definitely touched me in the right spot.”

That was organized by someone else who saw him go the extra mile, Bre Khanbalinov. She and her family only moved into the neighborhood a few months ago, and one day she wasn’t home when Dunn

came to deliver a new iPhone. So Dunn called her to make sure it got to her.

When she shared that story with the neighborhood Facebook group, she said, “everybody had a little story to tell.”

“Once I started hearing all of these stories and getting to know how special he was, I was like, maybe this could be something for him,” she said. She pitched the idea of doing something for Dunn, and it quickly grew—more than 120 people took part, she said, also giving Dunn small gifts, gift cards, and a money gift for the holidays.

“I really hope that he gets the recognition at work for everything that he’s done,” Khanbalinov said.

Dunn brought his young son, Aiden, too.

“He saw how much love I got for the first time, because he’s a little older now, and he saw it, so he was impressed,” Dunn said. “He was enjoying it.”

Business Delivery Backups For small businesses, if anything, the difficulty has been getting new stock delivered to the store.

“There’s a global shortage of every-

“I will say it again: we should learn history, we should know it, we should study it, we should appreciate it, but every part of history should not be celebrated,” Randall said. “And when you name things—streets, buildings, schools—after segregationists and people who supported the Confederacy, it is a celebration. It’s not an acknowledgement of history, it is a celebration of that person, and they should not be celebrated.”

There will be practical considerations in that work, as Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) pointed out. While supportive of the initiative, she said she had found more than 200 homes or businesses with addresses with Byrd or Mosby in the name.

“Even though I think it’s a slap in the face to too many people to continue to celebrate Mosby and Byrd in this county, it is a big thing when you ask someone to accept a change of street address, because what it means is your package is in your mail will probably get lost for about a year,” Umstattd said. She urged working closely with the United State Postal Service and delivery companies to ease that transition.

And Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), also supportive, suggested working with neighboring counties to achieve some consistency in names. Rt. 7, for example, is named Harry Byrd Highway from the Shenandoah River crossing in Clark County to Fairfax County. n thing—of materials and shipping containers too,” McCarter said. “So, things coming over from overseas, there’s a huge price gouging going on, because there’s just not enough space because there’s such a demand in the U.S.” “Some of our merchandise does come from overseas, so there’s been a lot of issues with customs, and things getting stuck in customs and they’re sitting in ports right now,” said Leesburg women’s clothing boutique Misguided Angels owner Kim Hutchings. “Accessories, mainly, and clothing that’s for whatever reason not being produced.”

Better to support the small business, Hutchings said, than Amazon—“they don’t need it.”

“I would love it if … they would understand how badly these local businesses do need it, especially this year,” she said.

Like 27 South, Misguided Angels offers shopping online, along with private appointments and the spacious shop on King Street.

Browse and order online from 27 South at 27-South.com, and from Misguided Angels at ShopMisguidedAngels.com. n

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