LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE
[ Vol. 2, No. 5 ]
[ loudounnow.com ]
Teens get creative to stop distracted driving
4
Dec. 8 – 14, 2016 ]
Parents Sue Counselor Over Son’s Suicide BY DANIELLE NADLER
revocably damage the character of the community and undermine the success they have had over decades.” “Sometimes a good idea, which at its heart has good intentions, is not such a good idea when pushed to the limits of the law,” Diamond said. Jane Covington wondered if an application like Catesby couldn’t be denied— with its historic area, pristine property, and massive opposition—what applica-
The parents of a Loudoun County teen who took his own life in February are suing the school counselor who was warned that the student was considering suicide. Jay Gallagher, an outgoing senior at Potomac Falls High School, had told a friend in Colorado that he was depressed, struggling with high expectations at school and a strained relation- Gallagher ship with his parents, according to the lawsuit. Jay’s friend emailed Potomac Falls school counselor Richard Bader to see if he could reach out to Jay. On Jan. 11, she wrote that her friend “wants some help but isn’t sure how to initiate, so just thought I’d let you know.” Bader replied in an email, thanking her for the heads up and said that he had been in touch with Jay. A few days later, the 18-year-old took his life. Jay’s parents, Erin and Timothy Gallagher, are suing Bader—both as an employee of Loudoun County Public Schools and as an individual—in a $5 million wrongful death suit. The lawsuit filed in Loudoun Circuit Court on Friday asserts that Bader is required to report a student’s suicidal behavior to parents. In the case, Bader is represented by Julia Judkins, the school system’s attorney on retainer. Judkins told the Washington Post that the lawsuit does not tell the full story. She said Jay had told Bader to not tell his parents about their meeting. Loudoun County has seen a rise in teen suicides in the past year. It’s prompted a community-wide conversation about how to improve the safety net to help struggling teens before they make a fatal decision. Law enforcement leaders and mental health professionals have
CATESBY >> 42
GALLAGHER >> 42
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
Plans to open an events center at Catesby Farm near Unison drew vehement opposition from area residents concerned about the impacts it would have on the rural community.
The Battle of Catesby Farm Supervisors Approve Events Center in 8-1 Vote
BY RENSS GREENE
C
ounty supervisors on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the controversial application to operate an events center at Catesby Farm near Unison. At Catesby Farm, the LaRose family sought a minor special exception to allow them to hold up to 20 events a year with a maximum of 200 attendees at each on the 241-acre property. Family representatives—and most supervisors—noted that
they could open a county inn without any board approval and would be permitted to host an unlimited number of events with up to 100 people, and up to 20 events per year with more people. Nonetheless, many western Loudouners vehemently opposed the application, even after hearing that explanation from supervisors and staff. Nearly three dozen addressed the board Tuesday night. Mitch Diamond said opponents to the application had legitimate concerns that traffic, noise, and light that would “ir-
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