MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE

On Monday, May 27th, please join us on the lawn of the Old Courthouse for the Town of Leesburg's annual Memorial Day event.

This annual observance will commemorate and honor those who have lost their lives in battle serving the United States. This ceremony includes the reverent laying of the wreaths at several war memorials.

PDRs: Do Costs Matter?

I often get good questions from our residents. Recently, I received an email from a strong supporter of the “Purchase of Development Rights” or “PDR” program. He was not happy that I had voted against spending about $340,000.00 in taxpayer money to add County staff to set up a County PDR program. A PDR program would use tax dollars to purchase development rights from landowners (usually, but not exclusively, in the more rural areas). For a good description of this issue, visit the Loudoun Times Mirror article here: 

loudountimes.com

The property owner would get a check from the County, and, in return, the property owner would give up the right to develop his or her property. As one of my eastern Loudoun colleagues has pointed out, the use of her constituents’ money to pay for this program would not result in any direct benefit to her constituents, because the individual’s PDR property, although non-developable, would remain in private hands and not be accessible to the taxpayers whose taxes were used to purchase the property and eliminate the development rights. Rightly or wrongly, under a PDR program, a common perception is that public funds are being used exclusively for private benefit. This is partly why a previous Board discontinued an earlier PDR program.

The gentleman who wrote in felt that I paid too much attention to the financial cost of programs and too little to other benefits, like preserving open space. Below is my response to him:

“I appreciate your willingness to engage on an issue you care deeply about. The reason you perceive me as boiling everything down to dollars, is because higher taxes make life less affordable for the middle and working classes - less good food on the table, less time with family, less of an ability to maintain and repair and live in one’s home, less time off from work, etc. Money isn’t just money; it’s how we survive in modern society. Taking away from someone their ability to easily survive and flourish and have things and experiences they enjoy is not fair to them. So, in order for me to vote for a program, I have to weigh its impact on the lives of the people I represent.”

Since 1899, six peace officers have died in the line of duty in Loudoun County: Middleburg Town Sergeant Seaton, Inspector Lambert, Inspector Belt, Corporal McClary, Deputy Barton, and Crossing Guard Kitty Via. All were honored by those who continue to risk their lives in service to the community, including members of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Town of Leesburg Police, City of Alexandria Police, and the Metropolitan Airports Authority Police.

The Arc of Loudoun is a 501(c)3 full-service organization with five integrated, comprehensive, and direct-service programs for adults and children that together provide a lifetime of opportunities for people with disabilities. Their Open Door Learning Center is an inclusive preschool serving children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities with a focus on building social skills, learning developmentally appropriate academics.

Lisa Soiland speaks to a crowd of supporters, including Sheriff Mike Chapman, and School Board members, Lauren Shernoff, Deana Griffiths, and Linda Deans, about the invaluable rehabilitative work done for her husband Mark and her family by therapists at the Arc of Loudoun's Ability Fitness Center in Leesburg. For more information, go here: thearcofloudoun.org

There have been inquiries from members of the public about the condition of the Westpark property that the county purchased for a future passive park. The following is an overview of the activities that have recently occurred on the property, accurate information regarding the status of the property, and the County’s maintenance practices prior to construction of the new park.

The County opened the property to the public for the purpose of walking, jogging and biking on existing paths. Until the project is constructed, the public is encouraged to stay on the paths when using the property. Currently, users should expect to see the property in a state that is different from the former actively managed golf course.

Property Maintenance

The maintenance schedule for the Westpark property is posted on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/westparkproperty.

In summary, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) follows this schedule:

1.     April – October: Weekly mowing next to trails and around the property lines.

2.     July and October (twice a year): Mowing the areas beyond the trails as allowed by the conservation easement.

3.     As needed: Fixing potholes, removing debris that impacts homes and trails, and general maintenance on the trails.

PRCS conducts weekly reviews of the property to identify any additional, unexpected maintenance that may be required as the result of stormy weather or vandals.

Recently, county staff have completed a number of modifications to address concerns that have been raised, such as making temporary changes to flag potential hazards on the paths and removal of debris. Through the weekly assessments performed by PRCS, essential repairs are completed to keep the use of the trails safe for public access. To date, the County has addressed the concerns raised by area residents as appropriate.

Currently, PRCS and DGS are responsible for maintenance. Specifically, DGS will oversee the drainage and paved paths and PRCS will oversee the park amenities and landscape.

Environmental Health Investigation

The County did not purchase the 8-acre property on which the former Westpark Hotel is located. This property is owned by Clubhouse Dr LLC. Following receipt of the April 22, 2024, complaint, on which the Board was copied, the Health Department conducted an investigation to determine if any public health violations existed. No such violations within the purview of the Health Department were found. The Leesburg Zoning Administrator is responsible for enforcing Section 22-12, which states anything that is not intended to be located outside is considered “clutter,” if outside.

In addition, County staff have communicated with representatives of the property owner regarding the complaint.

Project Status

The Westpark passive park project is currently in design. The County will share the 50% design plans with members of the public upon completion. The design phase is estimated to be completed in fall 2025 with construction beginning in summer 2026. The project is estimated to be completed in the spring 2028.

Loudoun County held two public information meetings in April 2023 and June 2023. During those meetings interested residents were given an update on the interim maintenance that the county will conduct until the future park improvements are complete, an update on the future park improvements and current concept development, a preview of the upcoming improvement project schedule, next steps, and how members of the public can provide comments.

More Information

The Westpark Project webpage is: loudoun.gov/westparkproperty. On the County’s website is the opportunity for interested members of the public to sign up to receive email and text updates regarding the project, as well as an online form to submit any questions or feedback at any time. DTCI is coordinating responses to constituent inquiries with partner departments and County Administration as necessary.

I want to thank Loudoun County High School Band Director Darron Young, his students, and Ms. Nimitz for allowing me to attend a truly amazing series of concerts: Jazz Lab, Morning Jazz, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. To be honest, these students could perform the score for a movie and the audience would be convinced they were listening to seasoned professionals.

Paula Callaghan (third from right) won the Loudoun Cares Leesburg District award for her tremendous work volunteering in the community.

Custom Software Systems: This Leesburg business started out small and grew, hiring employees with no initial experience and helping them get to the point where the employees are now making salaries in the six figures. For more information, go here: https://www.customsoftwaresystems.com/

Clegg Chiropractic, a longstanding Leesburg business, crosses multiple generations. Mayor Kelly Burk prepares to do a ribbon cutting, while the member of the youngest generation of Cleggs runs off camera. https://www.cleggchiro.com/

Mayor Kelly Burk and I were able to meet the great staff and tour the immaculate facilities at AllCare near the Wegmans in Leesburg.

https://allcarefamilymed.com/locations/leesburg/

The mission of the Leesburg Farmer's Market is to promote local, sustainable and organic agriculture, increase economic opportunities for farmers and small food businesses, to offer experiential learning about and access to healthy local foods, and to build a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors.

You can get an amazing variety of what you see here, and more, including wines, meats, flowers and locally roasted beans from Catoctin Coffee Company at the Leesburg Farmers Market.

For more information, go here: https://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/

State of the Town Address: Please join me for my annual State of the Town address on Wednesday, May 29 beginning at 6 p.m. The event will take place in the Council Chambers, at Leesburg Town Hall (25 West Market Street), in addition to being streamed live on the Town’s Facebook page, webcast, and our cable access channels (Comcast Channel 67 and Verizon Channel 35). The address will focus on recent accomplishments, current projects, and upcoming initiatives in Leesburg.

Hi Leesburg! We are heading towards the end of the school year! Here is a little bit of what is going on with the School Board. 

Early Start Times Update and Potential School Renaming :

The board asked that the work of addressing early start time for elementary go through the Finance and Operation committee. Staff presented a proposed timeline of next steps to evaluate start times and work toward a possible solution. The first step will be a “Thought Exchange,” interactive survey to gauge how early start times have impacted families and what they would like to see as potential solutions. I was able to share the summary of feedback that I have been receiving and I hope it will guide the survey to be responsive and productive. I will let you know when it comes out. Additionally, we discussed the topic of re-naming certain schools because of their ties to the Confederacy. I know this can be a tense conversation, but I welcome your feedback. This is a community discussion. To summarize, the previous board started this process by hiring History Matters LLC, to evaluate the schools and determine which ones could be recommended to change names based on a set of criteria. Community Town Halls were held for Francis Hazel Reid ES and Mercer MS by the previous board, but staff wanted to see if we, as a new board, wish to start the process there or proceed with a plan to re-name or not re-name. As of now, this was an information item with discussion on finances and other impacts. My understanding is that next steps will be discussed at the next meeting. 

Potential Calendar Adjustments for Professional Development for Teachers: 

At the school board meeting on May 14th, LCPS admin staff presented proposed calendar changes for next school year to include provision for teachers to complete new mandated training from the VDOE (Virginia Department of Education). This change would include approximately 2 Wednesdays a month that will follow a 2 hour delay schedule for students with teachers using those hours to complete professional development. 

This new training for teachers is unprecedented in its amount and doesn’t include the additional training on the implementation of a new K-5 reading program and the addition of new math and reading standards all at the same time. It is a heavy lift and comes at a time when we are facing a teacher shortage and burnout due to increased workload and expectations. 

In full transparency, I was inclined to support this plan as a way to support our teachers and avoid more full days off of school. However, after soliciting feedback on my Facebook Page, I received over 500 comments strongly opposed to this idea for various reasons. I want to thank everyone who reached out and gave feedback and offered suggestions for other possible solutions. I quickly realized that we need to continue to explore other options, and that is what we are doing. Your feedback illuminated things I had not considered, and it helped to change my original thinking. I want you to know that. When we know better, we can do better. So feedback will be analyzed and more options will be explored. The school board is scheduled to vote on this on May 28th. I will continue to update you through Facebook as we learn more. 

Collective Bargaining Update: 



The Joint Committee on Collective Bargaining that was established by the Legislative, Audit & Policy (“LA&P”) Committee met on March 20, 2024, April 15, 2024, and May 2, 2024. As you may recall, at its final meeting on December 12, 2023, the previous School Board referred the proposed LCPS Collective Bargaining Resolution to the LA&P Committee with the recommendation that it establish a joint committee to consider the 8 items LEA raised in a December 2023 communication to the School Board, with LEA representatives having an opportunity to have a seat at the table on the joint committee. The hope was for the Joint Committee to have an opportunity to come to a consensus and report recommendations to inform the LA&P’s decision-making on the proposed LCPS Collective Bargaining Resolution it ultimately votes on to recommend for the School Board’s adoption.

 While the Joint Committee provided LEA representatives, LCPS employees management, LCPS administrators, and School Board members to share their respective positions on the items LEA raised with the proposed LCPS Collective Bargaining Resolution, the members of the Joint Committee were ultimately unable to reach a consensus on recommendations to put forth to the LA&P Committee. The Joint Committee had an opportunity to engage a mediator, who has subject matter expertise on collective bargaining, from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, to continue their work in an endeavor to reach a compromise on the items LEA raised. At the conclusion of the May 2 Joint Committee meeting, members of the LEA expressed they were not in agreement with engaging the mediator and were willing to conclude the Joint Committee’s work at that time and subsequently pass the work back to the LA&P Committee. The LA&P Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for May 30, 2024. 

Up Next: 

On June 11th, 2024, from 9am-4pm the School Board will have a retreat. This meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Administrative Building. I want to invite you to come for any or all of it as we will be discussing various topics and Dr. Spence will share his Post-Entry plan with us. 



Lastly, I wanted to make you aware of my Facebook Page. I work very hard to give thorough recaps of the work I am doing each week, as well as highlight upcoming events and meetings. I would encourage you to follow that page for even more information and transparency about my decisions and work as the Leesburg Representative.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555402970421&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Community Town Hall on Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis

Thursday, May 30, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Lower Level

Mayor Kelly Burk, School Board Member Lauren Shernoff and I are co-hosting a town hall meeting focusing on the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis in our community. We have invited School, Town, and County staff to participate. All Leesburg residents are welcome to join us.

The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (LCFR-FMO) is reminding residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms.

Residents are reminded to always use caution when using extension cords and surge protectors, for additional electrical Safety Information, please visit The National Fire Protection Association at https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/electrical.

The most important safety precaution residents can take against fire is having working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms function twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to provide precious moments needed to safely escape a fire and call 911. “The best chance for survival during an emergency is to be prepared and to have a plan – this plan includes checking your smoke alarms. It’s critical that these life-saving devices are checked and tested frequently to ensure they’re working properly,” said Deputy Chief Micah Kiger of the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office. “We recommend that smoke alarms are placed in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home. CO alarms should also be installed on each level and in hallways outside of sleeping areas. Early warning can provide the lifesaving seconds you may need to escape!” 



Remember, smoke alarms must be maintained! A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. To keep smoke and CO alarms in optimal condition:

•       Test smoke and CO alarms monthly.

•       Clean away any dust or debris from the alarm.

•       Replace batteries according to manufacturer’s recommendations (alkaline versus 10-year lithium).

•       Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years OR if the alarm does not respond properly when tested.

The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System’s Smoke Alarm Program offers free home safety inspections to all residents. If your smoke alarms are broken or outdated, we will replace them with battery powered alarms at no cost and install additional alarms as necessary. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the smoke alarm hotline 703-737-8093 or visit loudoun.gov/smokealarms.

Loudoun County residents struggling to pay their rent or facing eviction may be eligible for assistance through two new programs. The programs are funded by the Loudoun County government and administered by the nonprofit Loudoun Cares in association with Northern Virginia Family Service, Crossroads Jobs, and Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Assistance?

All applicants must:

1.    Live in Loudoun County;

2.   Have a current lease for which rent is more than 30% of household income;

3.   Have a total household income of no greater than 80% of the Area Median Income; and

4.   Be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. (This includes historically marginalized populations, adults who have complex needs, households who have lost wages during the pandemic, or those who have experienced challenges in accessing services.)

In addition, the applicant’s landlord must agree to participate in the program and provide documentation, including a current ledger, signed lease and an IRS W-9 form. Individuals seeking eviction prevention assistance must have an eviction summons for unlawful detainer.

While homeowners are not eligible for financial assistance with mortgage payments, they may be eligible for other programs offered by Loudoun Cares. Individuals who are delinquent on paying their mortgages may seek assistance from housing counselors that are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More information is posted on the HUD website here.

How to Apply for Assistance

All applicants will be required to submit a short, online pre-screening form to Loudoun Cares to determine eligibility for the programs. The online form is available at loudouncares.org/help, Any applicant who does not have access to the internet may call Loudoun Cares at 703-669-4636 for assistance in submitting an application.

Approved applicants may be required to work with staff at either Crossroads Jobs or Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) to determine the household’s ability to afford future rent payments without financial assistance. If the household is not able to do so, Crossroads Jobs and NVFS will assist families with job readiness to improve employment opportunities or assist families with finding and relocating to a more affordable home.

Program Funding

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved limited funding for the temporary rent assistance and eviction prevention programs as part of the county’s efforts to distribute available funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to address lingering economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of households that will receive rent assistance will vary based on several factors. Loudoun Cares will sign up and recommend financial assistance for as many households as possible. Loudoun Cares will make rent payments directly to landlords on behalf of approved applicants. The program will end by December 31, 2026, or sooner if funds are exhausted.

More Information

For more information about other rent assistance programs offered by Loudoun County, visit loudoun.gov/rentassistance. For information about all Loudoun County housing programs and services, visit loudoun.gov/housing.

BE IN THE KNOW

A wealth of information on your Loudoun County government can be found at https://www.loudoun.gov. For example, a schedule of the Board of Supervisors meetings is posted on the Loudoun County Government Master Calendar. 

Board of Supervisors’ business meetings, public hearings, and standing committee meetings are televised live on the Loudoun County Government cable channel: Comcast Government Channel 23, Verizon and FiOS Channel 40, or watch on your laptop or tablet. https://www.loudoun.gov/392/Cable-Channel-Webcast