LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE
[ Vol. 2, No. 41 ]
[ loudounnow.com ]
[ Aug. 24 – 30, 2017 ]
Health & Medical Guide
18
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
George Stone III takes in the solar eclipse with special viewing glasses at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Sterling.
F
or a few moments Monday afternoon, typically the hottest part of the day, the sunshine dimmed and the temperature cooled—and the nation looked up, captivated. Viewers with eyes toward the sky from Loudoun saw the moon covering more than three-fourths of the sun at the Great American Eclipse’s peak. The largest local gathering of sun watchers was at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport, where a cheer went up as the moon started crossing into the sun’s path. In Loudoun, the eclipse could be viewed from 1:15 p.m. until 4 p.m., with the peak at 2:40 p.m. The solar eclipse drew an estimated audience of 220 million people in the United States, the largest crowd to ever witness an eclipse. Monday’s total eclipse was exceptionally rare. It is the first to traverse coast to coast in nearly a century. There will be 69 solar eclipses visible from somewhere on the planet in the next 100 years, but only a few will be visible from North America.
Vandals Hit War Memorial Amid Debate Over its Future BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ & NORMAN K. STYER Following the violent demonstrations in Charlottesville last week, the future of Loudoun’s Confederate war memorial— like thousands of others across the nation—is a focus of concern. So is its protection after the monument was vandalized early Thursday morning. Four days after a protester and two state troopers died in Charlottesville and hours before the vandalism occurred, County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) called for a community dialogue on the future of the Loudoun monument, and Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued a statement urging localities and the General Assembly to remove all Confederate monuments. “As we attempt to heal and learn from the tragic events in Charlottesville, I encourage Virginia’s localities and the General Assembly—which are vested with the legal authority—to take down these mon-
uments and relocate them to museums or more appropriate settings. I hope we can all now agree that these symbols are a barrier to progress, inclusion and equality in Virginia and, while the decision may not be mine to make, I believe the path forward is clear,” McAuliffe said. “For nearly a decade the question of the appropriateness of the Confederate Statue at the Leesburg Courthouse has arisen,” Randall wrote in a press release. “Following the events in Charlottesville that resulted in the tragic death of three people, I know and appreciate that emotions around these issues are high. This is why it is important to have an open, respectful, inclusive dialogue.” Randall pointed out that a Virginia law restricts localities’ ability to taking down war monuments. Charlottesville’s own attempt to remove its statue is currently hung up in court over that law. “This fall it is my intention to place in
! LE W A O S N N O
Loudoun’s Legislative Agenda an item that allows a locality greater discretion over Monuments and Memorials in its individual jurisdiction,” Randall wrote, pointing out that that would need approval from the full Board of Supervisors. State Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33) said she would “absolutely” carry a bill that would give local jurisdictions the right to take down war monuments, if they so desire. “I always feel it’s better to give more discretion and power to localities,” she said. She added that it is “hypocritical” that Republicans in control of the state legislature often say they want government closer to the people, but don’t follow through when a local government makes a decision they disagree with. However, Del. J. Randell Minchew (R10) said a new law isn’t required, in light of a 2015 Danville Circuit Court ruling that the commonwealth’s prohibition on
moving or altering war memorials applies only to those erected after 1998. Loudoun’s monument was installed in 1908. In 2016, the General Assembly sought to undercut the Circuit Court ruling by amending the law to protect all memorials, but McAuliffe vetoed the bill. The ruling will be tested in a current case pending in Charlottesville, which, regardless of the outcome, is expected to go to the Supreme Court of Virginia. “The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors currently has this power and no further legislation is needed,” Minchew said. The county board will next meet Sept. 5.
Competing Rallies Called Off Addressing concerns that a Charlottesville-type conflict could happen in Leesburg amid the prospect of competing rallies next month, Mayor Kelly Burk an-
Where will you purchase your next mattress?
STATUE DEBATE >> 1
BAER’S Before you head to a large chain, MATTRESS DEN can we suggest another destination? www.baersmattressden.com
There’s a reason we’ve been family owned for over 30 years. Ask your neighbors or visit us and find out why?
Leesburg, VA
next to Ledo Pizza across from Target & Costco
703-777-1600
ECRWSS Postal Customer
Permit #131 Leesburg, VA
PAID
U.S. Postage PRESRT STD