A new "Indie" community newspaper debuted yesterday, taking the place of the familiar Loudoun Independent that was "merged" with the Loudoun Times-Mirror last month.
The challenge of maintaining two community newspapers using the leadership and staff of both papers is to maintain reader interest in both.
Keeping the Times-Mirror as a weekly Wednesday publication and shifting the Independent to Friday publication, as was announced along with the merger, could have relegated the Independent to simply publishing the community news already reported in the Times-Mirror, possibly with updates or a late-breaking story.
But the Indie is not at all "your buyer's newspaper." It's a brand new newpaper aiming at a separate readership from that of Times-Mirror (as well as the old Independent).
Most newspaper readers go to the sections that interest them most. Editors try to offer a mix of what the business calls "hard" and "soft" news in an effort to make the newspaper attractive to everyone. "Hard" is the "important" news about government and crime and development -- the information that the editor believes readers need to be contributing citizens in the community.
But most readers are more interested in "soft" news about kids, schools, health, sports and their own neighborhoods.
Because the Times-Mirror (as well as the competing Leesburg and Ashburn Today newspapers) do a good job of covering the community news -- the "hard" civic news as well as some of the "soft" news -- the Indie has choosen to focus on news that is more interesting to more readers than simply a repeat of what county supervisors did Tuesday and the recent actions of the Sheriff's Department.
The first issue of the new Indie includes an eye-catching design plus a bang-up lead story spread over the front six pages. The story is about the use of the drug Adderall (I'd never heard of it) in our public schools!
Adderall (a prescription drug for treating ADHD, says the Indie) apparently is being used by healthy local high school students to sharpen their attention spans while taking tests or "cramming" for tomorrow's test. Students told the Indie that it definitely improves test scores!
Writers Alex Withrow and Christie Boyden did a bang-up job on the story, interviewing students to learn about how the drug is used (or mis-used), and interviewing school officials who clearly had little knowledge about the drug's use in the schools they administer.
Well they do now! And so do parents.
For me, that was reporting worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.
I doubt that the Indie can come up next week with another story of so much interest to so many readers, but I'll be watching my driveway for my copy of the Indie to see what it does offer.
Welcome Indie!
(If you didn't see a copy of the Indie in your driveway on Friday, there still may be copies at your local library.)
-- martin casey
(Note: The author served as editor of the Loudoun Times-Mirror, 1996-2003, and as editor of the Loudoun Easterner, 2005-2009. The Independent was founded in 2005 following the sale of the Easterner to new owners. The new owners closed the Easterner in June, 2009.)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The issue is Free Speech
After scheduling itself to decide Tuesday how the courthouse grounds will be used for expression in the future, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors instead put its decision off until September.
The board had a good reason: Chief Judge Thomas Horne had sent the Board a formal request that he be allowed time to consult with his fellow judges at the courthouse on the issue of how the courthouse grounds might be used in the future.
Although supervisors and the membership of the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee have attempted, through several amended versions, to draw up rules for public use of the Courthouse grounds, the real stumbling block is the First Amendment.
The courthouse grounds traditionally have been used as a staging area for marches down Market Street, a location for honoring veterans and local heritage, and, at Christmas time, a site for one or more Christmas trees and traditionally a manger scene.
Last year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, applied for and was granted space for its Christmas display featuring a sign reading "Solstice is the Reason for the Season." Many expressed horror about the latter and the need to "Save Christmas." Those calls are now being repeated.
Freedom of speech often comes under attack when what is said is judged blasphemy by some.
The strength of America, however, has time and again proved strong enough to allow for robust debate, and our founding fathers recognized the importance of free speech even when what is said is unpopular.
Fortunately, our county government also is well aware of free speech issues.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, and Christmas is celebrated in varying ways by not only Christians but also by many people who do not consider themselves to be of that faith or any other faith.
Meanwhile Americans see freedom of speech as a critical tenant. The freedom is in the speaking. The speech may be ignored or it may be carefully considered. But under our First Amendment, it may not be prohibited.
-- martin casey
The board had a good reason: Chief Judge Thomas Horne had sent the Board a formal request that he be allowed time to consult with his fellow judges at the courthouse on the issue of how the courthouse grounds might be used in the future.
Although supervisors and the membership of the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee have attempted, through several amended versions, to draw up rules for public use of the Courthouse grounds, the real stumbling block is the First Amendment.
The courthouse grounds traditionally have been used as a staging area for marches down Market Street, a location for honoring veterans and local heritage, and, at Christmas time, a site for one or more Christmas trees and traditionally a manger scene.
Last year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, applied for and was granted space for its Christmas display featuring a sign reading "Solstice is the Reason for the Season." Many expressed horror about the latter and the need to "Save Christmas." Those calls are now being repeated.
Freedom of speech often comes under attack when what is said is judged blasphemy by some.
The strength of America, however, has time and again proved strong enough to allow for robust debate, and our founding fathers recognized the importance of free speech even when what is said is unpopular.
Fortunately, our county government also is well aware of free speech issues.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, and Christmas is celebrated in varying ways by not only Christians but also by many people who do not consider themselves to be of that faith or any other faith.
Meanwhile Americans see freedom of speech as a critical tenant. The freedom is in the speaking. The speech may be ignored or it may be carefully considered. But under our First Amendment, it may not be prohibited.
-- martin casey
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Host a young ballplayer
I'm glad to see that Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth will again host a World Series here next month. This year, Loudoun hosts the series for 14-year-old boys.
Loudoun normally hosts one of these about every four years at Fireman's Field in Purcellville, and families across the county can help by hosting a visiting player or two in their homes for that week. This year, the series is be played Aug. 18-28.
I can remember our first experience hosting this event in 1998 when I was editor of the Times-Mirror. Dale Myers, then chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was the lead cheerleader and organizer who pulled the county together to not only host some fine visiting ballplayers, but also to assure that they wanted to come back.
At the Times-Mirror, we published a special daily edition during the series that was passed out at Fireman's Field. It not only reported on the games played in the series, but also offered other information of interest to the visiting players and host families.
Supervisors Chairman Scott York has also been a strong promoter of the series and he also is urging residents who can to host a visiting ballplayer in their homes during the coming series.
Babe Ruth relies on host families to house visiting ballplayers in their homes. Players come from across the country and offer host families opportunities not only to show Loudoun and the Washington, D.C. area to a visitor, but also to learn about the visitor's hometown area.
We still need about 20 more families willing to host a ballplayer or two in their homes for those 10 days. Local Babe Ruth families normally are the first to volunteer, but there are about 130 boys coming to play in the series and additional housing is always needed.
Host families say the experience is a good one, normally making family friends who keep in contact for years to come. And families who have hosted a ballplayer or two in their homes during the series, often volunteer to repeat the experience.
If you can host a visiting 14-year-old Babe Ruth ballplayer or two, please call Joe Robillard at 703-282-7410, or e-mail president@glbr.org.
You'll enjoy the experience.
Loudoun normally hosts one of these about every four years at Fireman's Field in Purcellville, and families across the county can help by hosting a visiting player or two in their homes for that week. This year, the series is be played Aug. 18-28.
I can remember our first experience hosting this event in 1998 when I was editor of the Times-Mirror. Dale Myers, then chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was the lead cheerleader and organizer who pulled the county together to not only host some fine visiting ballplayers, but also to assure that they wanted to come back.
At the Times-Mirror, we published a special daily edition during the series that was passed out at Fireman's Field. It not only reported on the games played in the series, but also offered other information of interest to the visiting players and host families.
Supervisors Chairman Scott York has also been a strong promoter of the series and he also is urging residents who can to host a visiting ballplayer in their homes during the coming series.
Babe Ruth relies on host families to house visiting ballplayers in their homes. Players come from across the country and offer host families opportunities not only to show Loudoun and the Washington, D.C. area to a visitor, but also to learn about the visitor's hometown area.
We still need about 20 more families willing to host a ballplayer or two in their homes for those 10 days. Local Babe Ruth families normally are the first to volunteer, but there are about 130 boys coming to play in the series and additional housing is always needed.
Host families say the experience is a good one, normally making family friends who keep in contact for years to come. And families who have hosted a ballplayer or two in their homes during the series, often volunteer to repeat the experience.
If you can host a visiting 14-year-old Babe Ruth ballplayer or two, please call Joe Robillard at 703-282-7410, or e-mail president@glbr.org.
You'll enjoy the experience.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Kincora Project Approved
Loudoun County supervisors Monday night approved a hugh new multiuse development at Routes 7 and 28 known as the Kincora Village Center.
At buildout, the project on the 334.6-acre site is expected to include 2.7 million square feet of office space, almost 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, and some 1,400 multi-family housing units.
County supervisors in an earlier meeting had already approved construction of a baseball stadium within the Kincora development.
Among incentives for the board's approval Monday, developers proffered completion of Gloucester Parkway and Pacific Blvd., as well as a new fire-rescue station at Nokes and Pacific.
Moving approval of the project, Ashburn Supervisor Lori Waters said "The real question is not when this parcel will be developed, because it will be;" adding, "if you envision more people working in Loudoun, you will vote to approve. ... This project will also provide relief," she added, for residential taxpayers.
"Growth is going to happen; it's a matter of what kind of growth," Waters said. "This is the right project in the right place.".
Potomac Supervisor Andrea McGimsey noted that the Kinkora project far exceeds the limits allowed by the county's Comprehensive Plan.
"It's simply wrong to put 1400 residential units into this complex and ignore our comp plan," McGimsey said. "This is too much residential and too much overdevelopment."
She urged her colleagues to "stand by our plan and vote 'no'."
Board Chairman Scott York admitted that the project "doesn't match our comprehensive plan," but added, "I have supported this for a number of reasons including much-needed transportation.
"This does a lot better job than we have seen in the past," which was an apparent reference to the increased proffers that Kincora's developers offered in recent days to get the project approved.
The final vote approved the project 5-4, with York, Susan Buckley, Waters, Eugene Delgaudio and Stevens Miller voting "aye," and McGimsey, joined by Jim Burton, Sally Kurtz, and Kelly Burk, voting "no."
-- martin casey
At buildout, the project on the 334.6-acre site is expected to include 2.7 million square feet of office space, almost 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, and some 1,400 multi-family housing units.
County supervisors in an earlier meeting had already approved construction of a baseball stadium within the Kincora development.
Among incentives for the board's approval Monday, developers proffered completion of Gloucester Parkway and Pacific Blvd., as well as a new fire-rescue station at Nokes and Pacific.
Moving approval of the project, Ashburn Supervisor Lori Waters said "The real question is not when this parcel will be developed, because it will be;" adding, "if you envision more people working in Loudoun, you will vote to approve. ... This project will also provide relief," she added, for residential taxpayers.
"Growth is going to happen; it's a matter of what kind of growth," Waters said. "This is the right project in the right place.".
Potomac Supervisor Andrea McGimsey noted that the Kinkora project far exceeds the limits allowed by the county's Comprehensive Plan.
"It's simply wrong to put 1400 residential units into this complex and ignore our comp plan," McGimsey said. "This is too much residential and too much overdevelopment."
She urged her colleagues to "stand by our plan and vote 'no'."
Board Chairman Scott York admitted that the project "doesn't match our comprehensive plan," but added, "I have supported this for a number of reasons including much-needed transportation.
"This does a lot better job than we have seen in the past," which was an apparent reference to the increased proffers that Kincora's developers offered in recent days to get the project approved.
The final vote approved the project 5-4, with York, Susan Buckley, Waters, Eugene Delgaudio and Stevens Miller voting "aye," and McGimsey, joined by Jim Burton, Sally Kurtz, and Kelly Burk, voting "no."
-- martin casey
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Christmas is coming!
It was only just after Independence Day, but Loudoun County Supervisors Wednesday were already wrestling with how to avoid Christmas/free speech issues involving public use of the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds in Leesburg.
The courthouse grounds traditionally have been a space for expression of opinion and viewpoint. If any group wants to put up a temporary display there, or schedule a public gathering, the approval of the chief judge traditionally has been required to assure that the courthouse grounds are protected during such exercises.
But last year, seasonal Christmas decorations, traditionally including a manger scene put up by residents and a Christmas tree annually erected by Rotarians, were challenged on secular and free speech grounds.
According to press reports, Edward Myers of Sterling sought space last year on the courthouse grounds for what the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee (appointed by supervisors) described "as a parody on the 12 days of Christmas," and which Myers described as a celebration of the Dec. 15 anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, which took effect on that date in 1791.
Myers, according to the Loudoun Times-Mirror, said that he had intended for his proposal to be offensive "so people would talk about the issue of free speech."
He added, "If it's not offensive, people are going to like it. You're not going to spark a debate unless you can offend a large number of people."
The Rotarians did not want to be drawn into a free speech debate and withdrew their Christmas tree proposal. That action spawned a public outcry that Christmas was being "stolen" in Loudoun County.
Christmas last year was "saved," however, when, by unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors adopted a new set of rules to allow "all public displays" and defining 10 specific spaces on the courthouse grounds to be alotted by the Grounds Committee on a first come, first served basis without judgments on content.
The Christmas tree was erected on Dec. 11 and "Christmas was saved."
So now, supervisors are preparing early to avoid last year's near catastrophy.
At its July 7 meeting, supervisors listened to a presentation by Ben Lawrence, chairman of the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee, who presented draft rules for public uses of the courthouse grounds.
But supervisors were concerned when Lawrence said his committee's latest draft "allows traditional, but not religious displays."
Several supervisors forsaw difficulties in drawing a line between a "traditional" but not "religious" display. They turned yesterday to Jack Roberts, the county's in-house council, to work with Lawrence and his committee to find wording that might pass constitutional muster.
Supervisors expect to consider Roberts' recommendation at their July 20 board meeting.
-- martin casey
The courthouse grounds traditionally have been a space for expression of opinion and viewpoint. If any group wants to put up a temporary display there, or schedule a public gathering, the approval of the chief judge traditionally has been required to assure that the courthouse grounds are protected during such exercises.
But last year, seasonal Christmas decorations, traditionally including a manger scene put up by residents and a Christmas tree annually erected by Rotarians, were challenged on secular and free speech grounds.
According to press reports, Edward Myers of Sterling sought space last year on the courthouse grounds for what the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee (appointed by supervisors) described "as a parody on the 12 days of Christmas," and which Myers described as a celebration of the Dec. 15 anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, which took effect on that date in 1791.
Myers, according to the Loudoun Times-Mirror, said that he had intended for his proposal to be offensive "so people would talk about the issue of free speech."
He added, "If it's not offensive, people are going to like it. You're not going to spark a debate unless you can offend a large number of people."
The Rotarians did not want to be drawn into a free speech debate and withdrew their Christmas tree proposal. That action spawned a public outcry that Christmas was being "stolen" in Loudoun County.
Christmas last year was "saved," however, when, by unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors adopted a new set of rules to allow "all public displays" and defining 10 specific spaces on the courthouse grounds to be alotted by the Grounds Committee on a first come, first served basis without judgments on content.
The Christmas tree was erected on Dec. 11 and "Christmas was saved."
So now, supervisors are preparing early to avoid last year's near catastrophy.
At its July 7 meeting, supervisors listened to a presentation by Ben Lawrence, chairman of the Courts Grounds and Facilities Committee, who presented draft rules for public uses of the courthouse grounds.
But supervisors were concerned when Lawrence said his committee's latest draft "allows traditional, but not religious displays."
Several supervisors forsaw difficulties in drawing a line between a "traditional" but not "religious" display. They turned yesterday to Jack Roberts, the county's in-house council, to work with Lawrence and his committee to find wording that might pass constitutional muster.
Supervisors expect to consider Roberts' recommendation at their July 20 board meeting.
-- martin casey
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Best Fireworks!
There's no doubt about it: We have the best Fourth of July fireworks right here in the nation's capital.
And the best place to see the best fireworks is at the Lincoln Memorial where the colorful and noisy choreography bursts almost overhead!
My wife and I braved the crowds and the security last night because we hadn't seen this show in several years and we knew what we'd been missing.
We weren't disappointed.
While the show was creative and frequently surprising, much of the experience is the setting on the National Mall: sitting in front of Abe Lincoln, looking at the Washington Monument, with each display bursting over the Reflecting Pool, while also having the U.S. Capitol in view.
(A long time ago, my newspaper sent me to its Washington Bureau. I arrived at night and as I turned a corner at my hotel near the White House, the sight of the lit up U.S. Capitol at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue took my breath away! I've always liked the Capitol. It's literally a working monument to our representative government.)
When we had kids still in our household, we celebrated July 4 by packing a picnic, maybe even a small grill, going early onto Ohio Drive along the Potomac River not far from the Lincoln Memorial, and spending the day there. We'd throw a frisby and maybe hike up to the Jefferson Memorial and back, and maybe watch a pick-up softball game on the grass between Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue.
And at dusk, we'd walk over to the Lincoln Memorial and stake out our place facing the Washington Monument. It would get quit crowded, but everyone was doing the same thing and we seemed to make new friends (which we wouldn't see again) as we talked and waited for what we all knew would be the best fireworks anywhere. (Even once in the rain we weren't disappointed.)
One July 4th, we went to New York, and seeing the fireworks over the Statue of Liberty was quite a treat, but they weren't nearly as close as bursting over the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
We're also fortunate to have several very good fireworks displays annually right here in Northern Virginia and we have seen most of these in years when we didn't really want to brave the traffic and the crowds and the metro.
But last night reminded us that the fireworks on the Mall are worth the hassle -- even with the security put in place after 9/11!
Yesterday, our picnic spot along the Potomac of years ago was closed off. So were the parking places we had used before on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge. But with planning, and the help of the map of road closures in The Washington Post, we managed to plan our trip and we weren't disappointed.
Those overhead bursts of sound and light seemed wonderfully to go on and on and on! The show was wonderfully creative and it lived up to, and exceed, all our memories of earlier fireworks there.
We saw the best Independence Day fireworks anywhere!
-- martin casey
And the best place to see the best fireworks is at the Lincoln Memorial where the colorful and noisy choreography bursts almost overhead!
My wife and I braved the crowds and the security last night because we hadn't seen this show in several years and we knew what we'd been missing.
We weren't disappointed.
While the show was creative and frequently surprising, much of the experience is the setting on the National Mall: sitting in front of Abe Lincoln, looking at the Washington Monument, with each display bursting over the Reflecting Pool, while also having the U.S. Capitol in view.
(A long time ago, my newspaper sent me to its Washington Bureau. I arrived at night and as I turned a corner at my hotel near the White House, the sight of the lit up U.S. Capitol at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue took my breath away! I've always liked the Capitol. It's literally a working monument to our representative government.)
When we had kids still in our household, we celebrated July 4 by packing a picnic, maybe even a small grill, going early onto Ohio Drive along the Potomac River not far from the Lincoln Memorial, and spending the day there. We'd throw a frisby and maybe hike up to the Jefferson Memorial and back, and maybe watch a pick-up softball game on the grass between Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue.
And at dusk, we'd walk over to the Lincoln Memorial and stake out our place facing the Washington Monument. It would get quit crowded, but everyone was doing the same thing and we seemed to make new friends (which we wouldn't see again) as we talked and waited for what we all knew would be the best fireworks anywhere. (Even once in the rain we weren't disappointed.)
One July 4th, we went to New York, and seeing the fireworks over the Statue of Liberty was quite a treat, but they weren't nearly as close as bursting over the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
We're also fortunate to have several very good fireworks displays annually right here in Northern Virginia and we have seen most of these in years when we didn't really want to brave the traffic and the crowds and the metro.
But last night reminded us that the fireworks on the Mall are worth the hassle -- even with the security put in place after 9/11!
Yesterday, our picnic spot along the Potomac of years ago was closed off. So were the parking places we had used before on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge. But with planning, and the help of the map of road closures in The Washington Post, we managed to plan our trip and we weren't disappointed.
Those overhead bursts of sound and light seemed wonderfully to go on and on and on! The show was wonderfully creative and it lived up to, and exceed, all our memories of earlier fireworks there.
We saw the best Independence Day fireworks anywhere!
-- martin casey
Thursday, July 1, 2010
This historic structure should be saved
In colonial days, transportation was slow -- though it may seem to have been faster than the current commuting pace through Tysons Corner and the construction on I-66 and the connector to the Dulles Tollway. At least, with a SmartTag account, we don't have to stop to pay the tolls.
Loudoun has several reminders of transportation in colonial times and since. Route 7 generally follows the stagecoach route between Alexandria and Leesburg. Parts of Route 7 are named "Leesburg Pike," recalling the stagecouchs that stopped at "ordinaries" such as the one that has been preserved in Claude Moore Park. Another is the Belmont Plantation where Dolly Madison escaped from the British in 1812.
We also have "Snickersville Pike," originally a toll road, connecting Aldie and its historic mill to Bluemont on Loudoun's western edge along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (Bluemont changed its name from "Snickersville" when the town fathers were promoting it's pleasant weather to Washingtonians seeking summertime relief from the capital's hot, muggy weather before air conditioning. Wealthy Washingtonians then traveled to Bluemont by train.)
Those "pikes" of course are short for "turnpike," and yes, there was a toll to pay to use the road whether riding in a stagecoach or on horseback.
I learned last month in the Times-Mirror that there's what's left of a "Broad Run Bridge Tollhouse" on Leesburg Pike at the north end of what is now Route 28. The tollhouse was in operation in the 1800s and remains at the north end of what's left of a bridge over Broad Run.
The Broad Run Bridge Tollhouse apparently was Virginia's only combination bridge and tollhouse; it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970. Unfortunately, hurricane Agnes took out the bridge in 1972.
Yesterday, I walked down to see the tollhouse. Yes, it's still there; yes it's in poor condition. The tollhouse consists of three joined segments. I couldn't see any bridge remains; the dirt road doesn't go past the tollhouse.
The structure now is just inside the eastbound turn from Route 7 onto southbound Route 28.
The property is just north of the Kincora property where developers plan more space for businesses, commercial outlets and housing, if county supervisors approve. (A vote is expected the evening of Monday, July 12.)
Kincora developers reportedly are willing to buy the property if they can turn it over to a non-profit that would restore the tollhouse, but no nonprofit has come forward with funds for restoration. Yet, it would be a shame to let this opportunity to save the tollhouse pass by.
One temporary solution might be for Kincora to buy the property, then deed it to the county for $1. That would buy time for the county to locate a nonprofit organization willing to restore the tollhouse over time.
-- martin casey
Loudoun has several reminders of transportation in colonial times and since. Route 7 generally follows the stagecoach route between Alexandria and Leesburg. Parts of Route 7 are named "Leesburg Pike," recalling the stagecouchs that stopped at "ordinaries" such as the one that has been preserved in Claude Moore Park. Another is the Belmont Plantation where Dolly Madison escaped from the British in 1812.
We also have "Snickersville Pike," originally a toll road, connecting Aldie and its historic mill to Bluemont on Loudoun's western edge along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (Bluemont changed its name from "Snickersville" when the town fathers were promoting it's pleasant weather to Washingtonians seeking summertime relief from the capital's hot, muggy weather before air conditioning. Wealthy Washingtonians then traveled to Bluemont by train.)
Those "pikes" of course are short for "turnpike," and yes, there was a toll to pay to use the road whether riding in a stagecoach or on horseback.
I learned last month in the Times-Mirror that there's what's left of a "Broad Run Bridge Tollhouse" on Leesburg Pike at the north end of what is now Route 28. The tollhouse was in operation in the 1800s and remains at the north end of what's left of a bridge over Broad Run.
The Broad Run Bridge Tollhouse apparently was Virginia's only combination bridge and tollhouse; it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970. Unfortunately, hurricane Agnes took out the bridge in 1972.
Yesterday, I walked down to see the tollhouse. Yes, it's still there; yes it's in poor condition. The tollhouse consists of three joined segments. I couldn't see any bridge remains; the dirt road doesn't go past the tollhouse.
The structure now is just inside the eastbound turn from Route 7 onto southbound Route 28.
The property is just north of the Kincora property where developers plan more space for businesses, commercial outlets and housing, if county supervisors approve. (A vote is expected the evening of Monday, July 12.)
Kincora developers reportedly are willing to buy the property if they can turn it over to a non-profit that would restore the tollhouse, but no nonprofit has come forward with funds for restoration. Yet, it would be a shame to let this opportunity to save the tollhouse pass by.
One temporary solution might be for Kincora to buy the property, then deed it to the county for $1. That would buy time for the county to locate a nonprofit organization willing to restore the tollhouse over time.
-- martin casey
Monday, June 28, 2010
Loudoun population now more than 300,000
Loudoun County, once the nation's fastest growing county, is still growing fast.
The U.S. Census Bureau last week announced its 2009 population estimates, showing Loudoun County to now be home to 301,171 people.
Loudoun and Alexandria both grew about 3.8 percent during the past year, leading all other Washington suburbs, The Washington Post reported. Loudoun's population was up almost 78 percent during the decade, coming in as the nation's 5th fastest growing county.
Those of us who lived here in the 1980s and '90s can remember being the nation's fastest growing county for a string of years. No other area of the country could compete with the rapid growth that followed the opening of Dulles International Airport, leading to a continuing string of government contractors and other businesses relocating here, while the flat "Piedmont" eastern part of the county proved attractive to home developers and first-time homebuyers wanting space for children to play.
Loudoun's new population estimate is a 77.6 percent increase from the 169,599 people counted in the 2000 census. The Bureau reports the county's population now is 50.2 percent female, 30 percent under age 18, and 6.1 percent 65 years of age or older.
The Bureau estimates 104,261 occupied households here in Loudoun -- a 79 percent increase since 2000. Median 2008 household income is now estimated at $111,582. (The number of dual income households was not listed by the Census Bureau, but has been estimated by Forbes Magazine to be about two-thirds.)
-- martin casey
The U.S. Census Bureau last week announced its 2009 population estimates, showing Loudoun County to now be home to 301,171 people.
Loudoun and Alexandria both grew about 3.8 percent during the past year, leading all other Washington suburbs, The Washington Post reported. Loudoun's population was up almost 78 percent during the decade, coming in as the nation's 5th fastest growing county.
Those of us who lived here in the 1980s and '90s can remember being the nation's fastest growing county for a string of years. No other area of the country could compete with the rapid growth that followed the opening of Dulles International Airport, leading to a continuing string of government contractors and other businesses relocating here, while the flat "Piedmont" eastern part of the county proved attractive to home developers and first-time homebuyers wanting space for children to play.
Loudoun's new population estimate is a 77.6 percent increase from the 169,599 people counted in the 2000 census. The Bureau reports the county's population now is 50.2 percent female, 30 percent under age 18, and 6.1 percent 65 years of age or older.
The Bureau estimates 104,261 occupied households here in Loudoun -- a 79 percent increase since 2000. Median 2008 household income is now estimated at $111,582. (The number of dual income households was not listed by the Census Bureau, but has been estimated by Forbes Magazine to be about two-thirds.)
-- martin casey
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Here's some good news
The Loudoun Museum announced Friday (June 18) that it will re-open its main galleries at Loudoun and Wirt streets in Leesburg on Friday, July 2. The museum has been under rennovation since early this year.
The museum's new exhibition is "The Lure of Loudoun: Virginia's Emerald County," which focuses on the county's early "agricultural landscape and lifestyle."
We are living today in one of our nation's oldest counties. Loudoun was founded in 1757 when it was split from Fairfax County because western landowners found it too difficult to get to the Fairfax County courthouse. Loudoun was named for the Earl of Loudoun, who at that time was John Campbell. He served as titular governor of Virginia, although he never set foot on this side of the Atlantic.
The next year, the community then known as "George Town" was renamed "Leesburg." The town was a crossroads, with what became Leesburg Pike (an early toll road from Alexandria that is now Rt. 7) and a north-south Indian path along where the mountains meet the flat Piedmont. Leesburg sits directly on this geologic dividing line -- an enduring feature that lies at the root of the county's differences between "eastern" and "western" Loudoun.
The new museum exhibit highlights period clothing, photographs, postcards and artifacts, including needlework, quilts and coverlets, a tall case clock and a pump organ -- plus locally made cabinets and chairs, silver and porcelain tea service pieces, and a spinning wheel and butter churn, among other items.
The exhibit also focuses on the rapid growth of Ashburn from a small agricultural town along the W&OD railroad into a hugh residential suburb following the opening of Dulles Airport.
The new museum also hosts a "Children's Discovery Room," described as "a special hands-on space just made for the curious explorer."
The museum was founded in 1967 in the original "log cabin" on W. Loudoun Street.
The museum's re-opening coincides with Leesburg's "First Friday" shopping event in which shops stay open late into the evening on the first Friday of each month.
Museum tours will begin at 6 p.m. and will be open to the public free of charge that evening.
For more information, call 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.
-- martin casey
The museum's new exhibition is "The Lure of Loudoun: Virginia's Emerald County," which focuses on the county's early "agricultural landscape and lifestyle."
We are living today in one of our nation's oldest counties. Loudoun was founded in 1757 when it was split from Fairfax County because western landowners found it too difficult to get to the Fairfax County courthouse. Loudoun was named for the Earl of Loudoun, who at that time was John Campbell. He served as titular governor of Virginia, although he never set foot on this side of the Atlantic.
The next year, the community then known as "George Town" was renamed "Leesburg." The town was a crossroads, with what became Leesburg Pike (an early toll road from Alexandria that is now Rt. 7) and a north-south Indian path along where the mountains meet the flat Piedmont. Leesburg sits directly on this geologic dividing line -- an enduring feature that lies at the root of the county's differences between "eastern" and "western" Loudoun.
The new museum exhibit highlights period clothing, photographs, postcards and artifacts, including needlework, quilts and coverlets, a tall case clock and a pump organ -- plus locally made cabinets and chairs, silver and porcelain tea service pieces, and a spinning wheel and butter churn, among other items.
The exhibit also focuses on the rapid growth of Ashburn from a small agricultural town along the W&OD railroad into a hugh residential suburb following the opening of Dulles Airport.
The new museum also hosts a "Children's Discovery Room," described as "a special hands-on space just made for the curious explorer."
The museum was founded in 1967 in the original "log cabin" on W. Loudoun Street.
The museum's re-opening coincides with Leesburg's "First Friday" shopping event in which shops stay open late into the evening on the first Friday of each month.
Museum tours will begin at 6 p.m. and will be open to the public free of charge that evening.
For more information, call 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.
-- martin casey
Monday, June 14, 2010
What about Broad Run Farms?
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is scheduled tomorrow to consider whether to include here provisions of the Chesapeade Bay Preservation Act.
The act appears wise, but the topic of clean water brings to mind that last I heard the Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to be working to clean up Broad Run Farms, where the Hidden Lane Landfill was leaking toxic waste into that community's water wells.
Broad Run Farms is one of the earliest communities built in eastern Loudoun. It's the only development that was not built as a planned residential community. Instead, the landowner simply sold off lots to families who built their own homes and dug their own wells for water.
Unfortunately, the Hidden Lane Landfill, which lies on the east side of Broad Run Farms and the west side of the CountrySide homeowners association, began some time ago to leak toxic waste into many of the private wells in Broad Run Farms. (The CountrySide development was arranged at the outset to be served by the pipes of what is now Loudoun Water.)
By February of last year, the county and EPA were testing wells in Broad Run Farms and finding many of them to be contaminated. Last I heard, the EPA was working to clean up Broad Run Farms, located where Broad Run flows into the Potomac River, and on into the Chesapeake Bay. The Broad Run Farms community is generally the county's first location to flood during heavy rains, so it appears that Broad Run Farms might itself pose great danger to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay, let alone the Loudoun County residents who live there.
While we are thinking about preserving the Chesapeake Bay, our Loudoun County supervisors should be thinking first about Broad Run Farms, which, as far as I know, still contains a number of toxic wells.
-- martin casey
The act appears wise, but the topic of clean water brings to mind that last I heard the Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to be working to clean up Broad Run Farms, where the Hidden Lane Landfill was leaking toxic waste into that community's water wells.
Broad Run Farms is one of the earliest communities built in eastern Loudoun. It's the only development that was not built as a planned residential community. Instead, the landowner simply sold off lots to families who built their own homes and dug their own wells for water.
Unfortunately, the Hidden Lane Landfill, which lies on the east side of Broad Run Farms and the west side of the CountrySide homeowners association, began some time ago to leak toxic waste into many of the private wells in Broad Run Farms. (The CountrySide development was arranged at the outset to be served by the pipes of what is now Loudoun Water.)
By February of last year, the county and EPA were testing wells in Broad Run Farms and finding many of them to be contaminated. Last I heard, the EPA was working to clean up Broad Run Farms, located where Broad Run flows into the Potomac River, and on into the Chesapeake Bay. The Broad Run Farms community is generally the county's first location to flood during heavy rains, so it appears that Broad Run Farms might itself pose great danger to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay, let alone the Loudoun County residents who live there.
While we are thinking about preserving the Chesapeake Bay, our Loudoun County supervisors should be thinking first about Broad Run Farms, which, as far as I know, still contains a number of toxic wells.
-- martin casey
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sterling welcomes Sheriff's sub-station
Several hundred residents of the populous portion of Loudoun County east of Route 28 welcomed the opening yesterday of the new Sheriff's sub-station on East Frederick Drive in Sterling Park.
The sub-station brings a physical presence to one of the oldest communities in eastern Loudoun, which frequently shows up in the Sheriff's daily crime log.
But the crowd included residents as well from Broad Run Farms, CountrySide, Cascades, Sugarland Run and many of the smaller area communities.
The main draw was not only to thank the Sheriff's Office and the county for the welcome new police presence, but also to get a look inside the new facility.
The building was open to visitors following a formal program of comments by elected officials and the standard ribbon-cutting.
The new facility is located on land given the county by the School Board. It sits between Rolling Ridge Elementary School and the pre-school playground on Sterling Boulevard.
Prior to construction, residents were assured that children using the school and playground would be safe, and yesterday's tour confirmed the promise.
The facility is walled, except for its one public entrance in the front where residents may visit, ask questions or report concerns.
Arrested persons are brought in police cars into a secure area behind the building.
Inside there are interogation rooms, evidence lockers, work area, and three modern jail cells -- not with bars but with thick metal sliding doors.
Suspects normally will not be kept overnight. Arrested persons can "appear" before a judge for arraignment by closed circuit video, and be released on bail in appropriate cases. Suspects to be held for trial will be taken to the county jail in Leesburg.
Although residents may be most interested in the increased police presence, taxpayers and Sheriff's deputies will see savings in cost and time because an arrest in Sterling will no longer require the 20-mile trip to Leesburg. Deputies will file paperwork from the new facility, saving gas and time.
During the opening ceremony, Sheriff Steve Simpson thanked the School Board "for allowing us to build here," and promised residents that "we will do the best we can to serve you," throuogh increased "community policing."
Virginia Delegate Tom Rust presented a certificate of appreciation to Capt. Rick Frye, the new station's commander. Frye, in turn, recognized the "53 men and 12 women who are working around the clock to keep Sterling safe. ... This station are these people," Frye added, gesturing to the his employees who stood in ranks to one side throughout the ceremony. This building is not just brick and morter. ... This is your building," Frye told residents.
Remarks also came from County Supervisors Scott York, Eugene Delgaudio, Susan Buckley, Andrea McGimsey and Stevens Miller. Maj. Robert Buckman, the Sheriff's Operations Division Commander served as host.
-- martin casey
The sub-station brings a physical presence to one of the oldest communities in eastern Loudoun, which frequently shows up in the Sheriff's daily crime log.
But the crowd included residents as well from Broad Run Farms, CountrySide, Cascades, Sugarland Run and many of the smaller area communities.
The main draw was not only to thank the Sheriff's Office and the county for the welcome new police presence, but also to get a look inside the new facility.
The building was open to visitors following a formal program of comments by elected officials and the standard ribbon-cutting.
The new facility is located on land given the county by the School Board. It sits between Rolling Ridge Elementary School and the pre-school playground on Sterling Boulevard.
Prior to construction, residents were assured that children using the school and playground would be safe, and yesterday's tour confirmed the promise.
The facility is walled, except for its one public entrance in the front where residents may visit, ask questions or report concerns.
Arrested persons are brought in police cars into a secure area behind the building.
Inside there are interogation rooms, evidence lockers, work area, and three modern jail cells -- not with bars but with thick metal sliding doors.
Suspects normally will not be kept overnight. Arrested persons can "appear" before a judge for arraignment by closed circuit video, and be released on bail in appropriate cases. Suspects to be held for trial will be taken to the county jail in Leesburg.
Although residents may be most interested in the increased police presence, taxpayers and Sheriff's deputies will see savings in cost and time because an arrest in Sterling will no longer require the 20-mile trip to Leesburg. Deputies will file paperwork from the new facility, saving gas and time.
During the opening ceremony, Sheriff Steve Simpson thanked the School Board "for allowing us to build here," and promised residents that "we will do the best we can to serve you," throuogh increased "community policing."
Virginia Delegate Tom Rust presented a certificate of appreciation to Capt. Rick Frye, the new station's commander. Frye, in turn, recognized the "53 men and 12 women who are working around the clock to keep Sterling safe. ... This station are these people," Frye added, gesturing to the his employees who stood in ranks to one side throughout the ceremony. This building is not just brick and morter. ... This is your building," Frye told residents.
Remarks also came from County Supervisors Scott York, Eugene Delgaudio, Susan Buckley, Andrea McGimsey and Stevens Miller. Maj. Robert Buckman, the Sheriff's Operations Division Commander served as host.
-- martin casey
Monday, June 7, 2010
Don't Tysons Dulles
Many of the folks who live in Loudoun County moved here from Fairfax County. Roughly half of new residents who moved into Loudoun after Dulles Airport opened in November, 1962, came from Fairfax County. Most were "young marrieds" with small children. They wanted a house they could afford, and a lifestyle similar to the hometowns they grew up in.
Loudouon has been fortunate to be able also to attract a significant number of businesses, including AOL, Orbital and others that contribute to our tax base and enable some residents to work near their homes.
But since Loudoun's rapid growth began, the cry "Don't Fairfax Loudoun" has been applied to first one and then another of many proposals for growth that residents don't want. Loudoun was the nation's fastest-growing county for a number of successive years -- until the county grew too large to maintain high growth percentages, even though substantial growth continued each year.
Now we have outgrown the "Don't Fairfax Loudoun" cry -- and its successor is "Don't Tysons Dulles."
Tysons Corner, at Route 7 and the I-495 Beltway, is a highrise congested city with extensive offices and numorous retailers.
I know people who say that the very best, high-end stores are there, among an extensive array of virtually all kinds of retailers from clothing to auto dealerships.
But I hear more of my friends saying, "I never go to Tyson's. It takes forever to drive through there and when you do want to shop there, you can't find a place to park."
Our Board of Supervisors is considering substantial additions to and around Dulles Town Center. In addition, there are plans for the "Kincora" development on the other side of Rt. 28 at Rt 7 extending toward Loudoun County Parkway, while the One Loudoun project has already been approved for the property west of the that parkway. There is even talk of building a minor league baseball stadium in or near the Kincora development.
Though passersby still don't see much of the One Loudoun development, it will offer office space, homes, apartments and retail shopping opportunities when it is complete. There has been talk of locating a World Trade Center there as well.
So it looks to me that our supervisors will soon be confronting a series of key decisions that will significantly impact the daily lives of folks like me who live in and around CountrySide, Cascades and Sterling Park -- an area so populous already that three of our nine supervisors represent these specific residents.
My cry is "Don't Tysons Dulles!"
I want to continue living here and I don't want to commit an hour to go from Loudoun County Parkway or Route 28 to the Fairfax County line down Rt. 7.
Maybe the first step our supervisors should take now -- before we start approving the Dulles Center and Kincora developments -- is to first expand the traffic capacities of Rt. 7.
And above all: Don't Tysons Dulles!
--martin casey
Loudouon has been fortunate to be able also to attract a significant number of businesses, including AOL, Orbital and others that contribute to our tax base and enable some residents to work near their homes.
But since Loudoun's rapid growth began, the cry "Don't Fairfax Loudoun" has been applied to first one and then another of many proposals for growth that residents don't want. Loudoun was the nation's fastest-growing county for a number of successive years -- until the county grew too large to maintain high growth percentages, even though substantial growth continued each year.
Now we have outgrown the "Don't Fairfax Loudoun" cry -- and its successor is "Don't Tysons Dulles."
Tysons Corner, at Route 7 and the I-495 Beltway, is a highrise congested city with extensive offices and numorous retailers.
I know people who say that the very best, high-end stores are there, among an extensive array of virtually all kinds of retailers from clothing to auto dealerships.
But I hear more of my friends saying, "I never go to Tyson's. It takes forever to drive through there and when you do want to shop there, you can't find a place to park."
Our Board of Supervisors is considering substantial additions to and around Dulles Town Center. In addition, there are plans for the "Kincora" development on the other side of Rt. 28 at Rt 7 extending toward Loudoun County Parkway, while the One Loudoun project has already been approved for the property west of the that parkway. There is even talk of building a minor league baseball stadium in or near the Kincora development.
Though passersby still don't see much of the One Loudoun development, it will offer office space, homes, apartments and retail shopping opportunities when it is complete. There has been talk of locating a World Trade Center there as well.
So it looks to me that our supervisors will soon be confronting a series of key decisions that will significantly impact the daily lives of folks like me who live in and around CountrySide, Cascades and Sterling Park -- an area so populous already that three of our nine supervisors represent these specific residents.
My cry is "Don't Tysons Dulles!"
I want to continue living here and I don't want to commit an hour to go from Loudoun County Parkway or Route 28 to the Fairfax County line down Rt. 7.
Maybe the first step our supervisors should take now -- before we start approving the Dulles Center and Kincora developments -- is to first expand the traffic capacities of Rt. 7.
And above all: Don't Tysons Dulles!
--martin casey
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Our national debt is really serious
Congressman Frank Wolf hosted one of his "Town Hall meetings" yesterday in Leesburg and not surprisingly he addressed the national debt in his opening remarks. Wolf is a lead sponsor on legislation that would offer a "SAFE solution" to our mounting federal debt, and has been pushing the legislation for some time now.
Wolf notes that the national debt has ballooned to more than $12 trillion, and that at the pace of current spending "could grow by a trillion dollars a year for the next 10 years." He's urging Congress to form a bi-partisan commission of experts who could recommend actions that would put the nation on track to bringing down the national debt, and keep it heading in that direction. His bill is "The Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act."
You and I have heard politicians rail against the increasing national debt as long as any of us can remember. Many congressmen (including Wolf) have attacked the national debt even as they work to secure government spending in their own districts. Wolf has been effective for us in helping with Northern Virginia's transportation problems, and others. And of course we all want even more help, whether or not the mounting national debt becomes more severe.
I've never worried much about the federal deficit until now, but recently I have become extremely worried! Here's why:
My introduction to the federal debt was during World War II when my mom and grandparents bought "War Bonds" to help fight the war, while my father and two uncles served overseas. The bonds earned interest at maturity; we could cash them and take the money, or we could buy more bonds.
This all worked very well because the government's debt was spread among its citizens.
But later -- while I certainly wasn't paying attention -- our federal legislators wanted to spend more than taxes and citizen bond-buying together could raise, and our government began selling bonds to others elsewhere in the world.
No problem. America was a safe investment. It wasn't going to default on its loans. Bankers and individuals and governments overseas were glad to buy U.S. bonds -- and our deficit continued to grow.
But recently I read that China owned what sounded to me like a substatial portion of our federal debt! CHINA! The nation that I think of as "Communist China" -- a nation that appears more than any other to be readying itself to challenge us as the world's acknowledged leading nation.
So I asked Wolf at his Town Hall meeting yesterday if that was correct. "What happens," I asked, "if China decides to call our loan?"
Wolf confirmed that we should all be concerned about having China as a lender. He didn't try to describe our national risk in detail -- but he noted that China could do that. And he noted a specific example in which the Eisenhower Administration threatened to call a foreign debt as successful leverage in international negotiations.
I wonder if today we could simply buy back the debt that we owe China.
What if we can't?
Maybe China sees our debt as simply a good investment, just as Swiss bankers do.
But I see a hugh difference between some of our national debt being held in Swiss bank accounts and having any of our debt held by the Chinese government.
Wolf notes that the national debt has ballooned to more than $12 trillion, and that at the pace of current spending "could grow by a trillion dollars a year for the next 10 years." He's urging Congress to form a bi-partisan commission of experts who could recommend actions that would put the nation on track to bringing down the national debt, and keep it heading in that direction. His bill is "The Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act."
You and I have heard politicians rail against the increasing national debt as long as any of us can remember. Many congressmen (including Wolf) have attacked the national debt even as they work to secure government spending in their own districts. Wolf has been effective for us in helping with Northern Virginia's transportation problems, and others. And of course we all want even more help, whether or not the mounting national debt becomes more severe.
I've never worried much about the federal deficit until now, but recently I have become extremely worried! Here's why:
My introduction to the federal debt was during World War II when my mom and grandparents bought "War Bonds" to help fight the war, while my father and two uncles served overseas. The bonds earned interest at maturity; we could cash them and take the money, or we could buy more bonds.
This all worked very well because the government's debt was spread among its citizens.
But later -- while I certainly wasn't paying attention -- our federal legislators wanted to spend more than taxes and citizen bond-buying together could raise, and our government began selling bonds to others elsewhere in the world.
No problem. America was a safe investment. It wasn't going to default on its loans. Bankers and individuals and governments overseas were glad to buy U.S. bonds -- and our deficit continued to grow.
But recently I read that China owned what sounded to me like a substatial portion of our federal debt! CHINA! The nation that I think of as "Communist China" -- a nation that appears more than any other to be readying itself to challenge us as the world's acknowledged leading nation.
So I asked Wolf at his Town Hall meeting yesterday if that was correct. "What happens," I asked, "if China decides to call our loan?"
Wolf confirmed that we should all be concerned about having China as a lender. He didn't try to describe our national risk in detail -- but he noted that China could do that. And he noted a specific example in which the Eisenhower Administration threatened to call a foreign debt as successful leverage in international negotiations.
I wonder if today we could simply buy back the debt that we owe China.
What if we can't?
Maybe China sees our debt as simply a good investment, just as Swiss bankers do.
But I see a hugh difference between some of our national debt being held in Swiss bank accounts and having any of our debt held by the Chinese government.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
A lesson for homeowners
Loudoun County has hundreds of homeowner associations. They are self-governed under corporate law. The developers of each HOA turn governance over to the homeowners as the houses are sold.
I happen to live in CountrySide -- now one of the older HOAs and and also among the larger ones with 2,570 households.
CountrySide was created by seven builders, each building and selling its homes in its own neighborhood. The goal was to sell homes; the builders left a few decades ago, leaving homeowners to govern themselves through a seven-member Board of Directors, one elected from each neighborhood.
But today, our board is wrestling with a set of residential bylaws that originally prohibited home-based businesses; yet, over the years, a number of homeowners have operated businesses from their homes without asking permission of the HOA. Many of them have registered with the county however.
If you live in an HOA, ask your management to be sure that your bylaws address the question of home-based businesses, and whether prohibitions have been actively enforced.
CountrySide's prohibition has not been enforced. But when a prospective homebuyer asked if she could operate a childcare business from her prospective home, she was told "no," CountrySide's covenants prohibit homebased businesses, with the sole exception of a "professional office" operated from one room of the home. That's what the developers wrote into the founding governing documents.
The prospective buyer did not buy a CountrySide home, but before she made her decision, she checked county records and found more that 20 home-based childcare businesses registered at CountrySide addresses. Lawyers were mentioned and CountrySide is now reviewing its covenants with an eye to adjusting its by-laws reguarding home-based businesses to enable home-based businesses in such a way as to also preserve the residential atmosphere of our seven neighborhoods.
With more people out of work, there are no doubt more home-based businesses starting up as homeowners seek to provide needed services and attract income.
CountrySide's experience is likely not unique, although newer home owner associations may have addressed the issue of home-based businesses in their bylaws. If not, they should.
-- martin casey
I happen to live in CountrySide -- now one of the older HOAs and and also among the larger ones with 2,570 households.
CountrySide was created by seven builders, each building and selling its homes in its own neighborhood. The goal was to sell homes; the builders left a few decades ago, leaving homeowners to govern themselves through a seven-member Board of Directors, one elected from each neighborhood.
But today, our board is wrestling with a set of residential bylaws that originally prohibited home-based businesses; yet, over the years, a number of homeowners have operated businesses from their homes without asking permission of the HOA. Many of them have registered with the county however.
If you live in an HOA, ask your management to be sure that your bylaws address the question of home-based businesses, and whether prohibitions have been actively enforced.
CountrySide's prohibition has not been enforced. But when a prospective homebuyer asked if she could operate a childcare business from her prospective home, she was told "no," CountrySide's covenants prohibit homebased businesses, with the sole exception of a "professional office" operated from one room of the home. That's what the developers wrote into the founding governing documents.
The prospective buyer did not buy a CountrySide home, but before she made her decision, she checked county records and found more that 20 home-based childcare businesses registered at CountrySide addresses. Lawyers were mentioned and CountrySide is now reviewing its covenants with an eye to adjusting its by-laws reguarding home-based businesses to enable home-based businesses in such a way as to also preserve the residential atmosphere of our seven neighborhoods.
With more people out of work, there are no doubt more home-based businesses starting up as homeowners seek to provide needed services and attract income.
CountrySide's experience is likely not unique, although newer home owner associations may have addressed the issue of home-based businesses in their bylaws. If not, they should.
-- martin casey
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Welcome to my new Life in Loudoun County blog
Welcome to my new blog about life here in Loudoun County, Va.
I'm Martin Casey, and I've been writing about life in Loudoun County as a community newspaper editor since 1996. I hope you will visit this site from time to time.
Loudoun is a wonderful place to live. In many ways it is like life elsewhere, but in many other ways Loudoun is unique -- and parts of Loudoun are really quite different from other parts.
For example, the county's geology actually divides the way people live in the mountains west of Leesburg from the way people live in the populous eastern part of Loudoun where housing developments have replaced the dairy farms that that once produced more milk than any other county in Virginia prior to construction of Dulles International Airport. Dulles hosted its first commercial landing in November, 1962.
The airport, of course, drew not only homes but many large businesses (and jobs) -- making Loudoun the nation's fastest growing county well into the new century.
This rapid growth came into a county with roots deep into our country's colonization period. The county is named for Lord Loudoun of England (who never visited here). Leesburg still cherishes its colonial roots; the town originally was the destination of "Leesburg Pike;" a toll road from Alexandria. Today, thousands of us drive on Route 7 from Alexandria west across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Route 7 roughly follows the route of the old Leesburg Pike.
Loudoun's history, from colonial times until the present, and especially the current context of life here in Loudoun County, will be a basis for this Life in Loudoun County blog.
I expect to report here on current activities and issue, maybe from a perspective that regular readers will find helpful.
Thanks for reading this first post -- and please come again.
-- martin casey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)