In this Issue
From Supervisor Briskman
More Information About Phase 2
Cascades Marketplace Development
Traffic Updates
Parks & Trails
Board Passes Proclamation Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Supervisor Briskman Hosts Spanish Language Virtual Town Hall
Nonprofits Eligible for CARES Act Funding
Bicycle Thefts on the Rise
Online Initiative to Develop Fatherhood Skills
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BOS Meetings
The Board of Supervisors meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Public Hearings are held the Wednesday after the 1st Board meeting.
Check out the
Want to speak?
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QUICK TIPS
Can't find time to get to DMV? No problem. They will come to you with DMV2Go!!!
Apply for or renew your ID or driver's license, take road and knowledge tests and much more.
Check the DMV2Go
calendar
for upcoming dates and locations
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Loudoun County Health Department hotline
(703) 737-8300
SCAMS
The Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations are warning taxpayers to be alert about possible scams relating to
COVID-19 economic impact payments
.
Eastern Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Email Kaitlin F. Cooke
or 804-819-5416.
To report a COVID-19 fraud scheme or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or
send an email
.
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From Supervisor Briskman
Dear Neighbors,
Last month the Board passed my first legislative item, a Board Member Initiative to have county staff report on the potential impact of three new gun safety laws that passed this year by the Virginia General Assembly. These laws go into effect on July 1 and it is incumbent upon the Board to make sure the county follows the new regulations, including the use of Emergency Risk Protective Orders (ERPO) that allow for a judicial process to remove firearms from those deemed a threat to themselves or others; and adding private and religious schools and licensed day care centers to the list of establishments that prohibit firearms on school property or buses. These are not optional.
I am proud Virginia is joining 19 other states and the District of Columbia in enacting the ERPO regulations and I believe every child has a right to feel safe at school. Virginia loses 1,000 residents to gun violence every year, while the country loses 100 a day. I fully support Virginia’s historic legislation that aims to end this epidemic.
The third law we have asked staff to study gives counties the ability to regulate firearms in public buildings, parks, recreation centers and permitted events. One of the most notable ramifications of using this option may mean prohibiting firearms in our Government Center and our Board room. Many Loudoun and Algonkian residents have expressed safety concerns with armed citizens coming into the Board Room and I fully agree with their sentiment.
I look forward to the staff information item on these laws, which is expected in September. Meanwhile, I am arranging a virtual town hall with our Commonwealth’s Attorney, Buta Biberaj, in July to give Algonkian and Loudoun residents an opportunity to learn more and ask questions.
With George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis Police Officers and our society’s massive failure to recognize so many before him, it is even more urgent that we begin to review state and local regulations to ensure equitable and just treatment of all citizens by all departments regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual preference, place of residence or socioeconomic status. At our last Board meeting and in
a statement published last week
, I committed to being an ally to our African American brothers and sisters and laid out three ways in which I intend to begin moving forward to affect change within my authority and ability as a Supervisor. I look forward to continued community conversations on these issues and learning more ways that Loudoun County can do better.
The first of these will likely be removing the Confederate Monument that sits on our courthouse grounds. Chairwoman Phyllis Randall has committed to putting this on the agenda for our July 7 Business Meeting. If you would like to submit public comment on this or any other subject, email my staff at
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
. You may also signup to comment at the July 7 Business Meeting by contacting the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. Meanwhile, you can see statements from myself and all Board Members in this
Loudoun Times Mirror article
.
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More Information About Phase 2
Northern Virginia has officially moved into Phase 2 of the Forward Virginia reopening plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2 is the next step in gradually easing public health restrictions designed to slow the spread of the disease. This week, Governor Ralph Northam indicated Virginia’s health metrics overall are “looking positive,” citing the downward trend in the percent of positive tests and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 over 14 days, sufficient hospital capacity and personal protection equipment (PPE) and increasing testing capacity. The governor’s temporary stay-at-home order expired on June 4, 2020.
Phase Two of the plan:
- Increases the number of people allowed to gather in groups from 10 to 50 people; the restrictions do not apply to people performing functions of their employment.
- Allows restaurants, breweries, wineries, etc., to offer indoor service in accordance with a number of guidelines, including seating patrons six feet apart, not exceeding 50% capacity of the establishment, and limiting total number of patrons to 50.
- Allows fitness centers, gymnasiums, etc., to reopen in accordance with a number of guidelines, including keeping patrons at least ten feet apart and limiting the total number of attendees to 30% of the facility’s occupancy capacity.
- Allows brick and mortar retail stores and personal grooming businesses to continue to operate in accordance with a number of guidelines, including limiting the total number of patrons to 50% of the facility’s occupancy capacity.
- Allows outdoor and indoor swimming pools to open for lap swimming, diving, exercise, and instruction only and must be limited to no more than three persons per lane with ten feet of physical distance per swimmer.
- Allows people to attend religious services in accordance with a number of guidelines, including limiting the total number of attendees to 50% of the facility’s occupancy capacity, seating attendees six feet apart (except for family members), and disinfecting frequently-contacted surfaces before and after religious services.
Some recreational businesses must remain closed in Phase Two, including indoor theaters, performing arts centers, and concert venues, as well as businesses and events, such as bowling alleys, amusement parks and fairs/carnivals.
While Northern Virginia will move into Phase Two, Governor Northam’s
Executive Order 63 (PDF)
, which requires the use of face coverings in most public indoor locations, remains in effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order.
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Cascades Marketplace Development
Many of you have noticed and commented on the demise of establishments in Cascades Marketplace. This once thriving shopping center has experienced some of the same financial challenges that are facing the country. The latest casualties include the Noodles and Co., Senior Tequilas and Pier One. The good news is that there is a lot of interest from potential developers to revitalize Cascades. This presents an exciting opportunity engage in a comprehensive plan that best fits the needs of Algonkian and attracts visitors to our wonderful district.
What I have heard from you is that you want a modern, walkable, vibrant gathering place that includes retail, housing, commercial and recreational space, and public amenities. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy live music, close to home, while shopping, dining, or just strolling along with friends and family? My office has been in conversations with the Department of Planning and Zoning to envision and develop such a comprehensive plan. Be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in this dialogue as this process unfolds. Email your thoughts and ideas to
[email protected]
.
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Traffic Updates
As part of its 2020 paving schedule, the Virginia Department of Transportation will be implementing a road diet on Whitewater Drive. A road diet is a technique in transportation planning where the width of the road is reduced in order to achieve traffic improvements. This particular road diet will include the creation of a bike lane. There are several advantages of road diets such as:
- Reductions in vehicle speeds
- Mobility for cyclists and pedestrians
- Low cost
- Greater visibility at intersections
The project has also been changed to accommodate feedback from constituents who attended the virtual town hall. Some of the changes include 1) a high visibility crossing at Bank Way, 2) left turn lane extension by Lowes Island Elementary School, 3) keeping the crosswalk at the intersection of Whitewater and Algonkian and 4) dashed lines for the right turn lane into Lowes Island Elementary School. The Loudoun County School Board also expressed its support for the Whitewater Drive road diet. You can find more information about the project by clicking
here
.
Furthermore, the Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (DTCI) continues to work on improvements to the intersection of Algonkian Parkway and Lowes Island Boulevard. The project has been assigned to a consultant and county staff is currently negotiating the contract. This stage in the process should be completed in the coming weeks with work on the intersection beginning soon thereafter.
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Parks and Trails
My office had a productive call with NOVA Parks in late May that resulted in trash pickup from the bird sanctuary trail along Lollipop Loop and a commitment from NOVA Parks to survey Sugarland Run trail for potential improvements. They are expected to report back on their findings in the coming weeks. The organization is always
looking for volunteers
to assist with trail maintenance and cleanup.
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Board Passes Proclamation Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
At the June 2 Board meeting, we passed a long overdue proclamation recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. Loudoun County prides itself on being a welcoming and diverse community that is committed to ensuring all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, feel valued, empowered, and accepted among community members, leaders, and educators alike.
You can view the proclamation
here
.
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Supervisor Briskman Hosts Spanish Language Virtual Town Hall
On May 28, I hosted a virtual town hall with New Virginia Majority that addressed how COVID-19 is affecting the Spanish speaking community. Joined by Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend, I fielded questions from NVM members about ways to stay safe and available county resources to help those financially impacted by the pandemic. Thank you to Hannah Recht, Isamar Ortega, Luzelena Rosa, Amrry Gonzalez, Paula Callaghan, and Norma Vergara for providing translation services.
You can watch a recording of the town hall by clicking
here
.
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Nonprofits Eligible for CARES Act Funding
Loudoun County is allocating $2 million for eligible nonprofit and faith-based organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The allocation is part of the federal funding made available to the county through the Commonwealth of Virginia from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
These funds will be available to Loudoun nonprofits and faith-based organizations who meet this criteria:
- Are in good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
- Can provide proof of nonprofit status.
- Can provide copies of IRS Form 990 for the past three years.
- Can demonstrate their services have been affected by COVID-19.
The county will accept funding requests for three programs:
- Emergency Food Assistance Program: This program is an extension of the Food Assistance Program that began in April. Organizations may request funding for the purchase of food and food delivery expenses.
- COVID-19 Service Expansion Program: This program will provide funds to organizations that demonstrate they have significantly expanded their services due to COVID-19.
- Nonprofit Service Interruption Program: This program will provide funds to organizations that can demonstrate they have had to interrupt their services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications will be available online Monday, June 15, 2020, at
loudoun.gov/GrantOpportunities
. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 19, 2020.
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Bicycle Thefts on the Rise
Used bikes are a hot commodity. This is evident from the frequency of bicycle theft reports on the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office’s Daily Incident Report. In Loudoun, bikes are being stolen from backyards, front yards, and garages left open. Two were stolen while leaning against a mobile bike tech’s service van sitting in the customer’s driveway while the technician was working on another bike. Most of the thefts seem to be in the Ashburn, Dulles South, and Sterling areas.
No bicycle seems immune from theft. All types and sizes of adult and child bikes are disappearing. Consider having that conversation with your children about the possible consequences of leaving their bikes outside when they have finished riding. Secure your bicycle immediately after a ride. Bring it in the house, a closed and locked garage, or a locked shed. If a bike must be kept outside, use a U-lock to secure it out of sight.
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Online Initiative to Develop Fatherhood Skills
Area fathers are invited to register for the National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad® program to strengthen their relationships with their children. The virtual workshops will take place weekly on Thursdays, beginning June 25, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Developed by fathering and parenting experts, the 24/7 Dad program focuses on key fathering characteristics, providing fathers with support, guidance and an opportunity to discover their own parenting strengths.
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School Board Snippets
While school just ended, the School Board is working every week to prepare for next year. We take our responsibility to educate our students AND keep them safe very seriously. The school division continues with scenario planning, including the feedback from stakeholder input groups with hundreds of parent, teacher, and staff volunteers into its plan. You can add our voice by giving public comment (see below).
I am going to continue meeting with the Algonkian stakeholders, even after the scenario planning is finished, so I can keep in touch with needs throughout our community. Currently, the group consists of a mix of volunteers from both school clusters in our district (those that feed into Dominion HS and Potomac Falls HS).
At this point, none of the options for the fall are the ideal, which we all agree is 100% in-person learning, but we will do our best to maximize learning within those options allowed. Every school in Virginia, public and private, is required to submit to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) a plan outlining their strategies for mitigating public health risk of COVID-19 and complying with CDC and VDH recommendations, to open in the fall. Additionally, public school divisions will be required to submit to the VDOE, and make publicly available, a plan for providing new instruction to all students in the 2020-2021 academic year, regardless of phase or the operational status of the school at the time. You can see the Order of Public Health Emergency
here
.
The Superintendent’s “
Return to School
” presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 16 and can be viewed on the School Board webcast channel. Please tune in to hear about the new learning management program, Schoology, which will help make distance learning better, as well as what in-person options may look like.
Thank you,
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Atoosa Reaser
Vice Chair and Algonkian District Member
Loudoun County School Board
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Juli E. Briskman, Algonkian District Supervisor
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