Scouts say thanks to all in the community
We would like to thank all of the citizens of Loudoun County for their support Nov. 14 during our annual Scouting for Food Campaign. I am very excited to announce that the Goose Creek District Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing Crews shattered last year’s record by collecting over 114,000 ... | 0 comments
Loudoun Valley High is overcrowded too
I recently read Elizabeth Coe's article "Stone Bridge students face severe overcrowding." Stone Bridge High School is overcrowded, but there are other high schools that are overcrowded as well. You should have come out to Loudoun Valley to look at our school hallways, our cafeteria, etc. You say that there ... | 0 comments
It's not businesses that ultimately pay taxes
With the health-care takeover and the "cap-and-trade" energy legislation now being rammed through Congress, it's desirable to remind readers about who pays taxes. In a basic economics course, we all learned that, generally speaking, businesses don't pay taxes -- or have any other costs. Businesses actually bear only "cost risk." ... | 0 comments
'Real meaning of patriotism'
I was upset about your editorial last week [“No excuse for voter apathy”] because of the 36 percent voter turnout in the election for the governor's race. You are greatly mistaken about the purpose of civic duty. Just because there is an election doesn't necessarily mean you have to vote. ... | 0 comments
Public must speak out to retain crucial services
The budget battle has begun, even earlier than last year. The gloom and doom being spread by the tax cut zealots has even led the Board of Supervisors to try and cut the county budget before we know how bad the real property numbers will be in January.Citizens, taxpayers, parents, ... | 0 comments
Citizens can talk about 'need' issues
Earlier this month, Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power announced that their affiliates had asked the Virginia State Corporation Commission to modify the procedural schedule related to the Virginia portion of the Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project.As part of its motion, PATH proposed separating issues pertaining to the “need” ... | 0 comments
Why should we care about Veterans Day?
History has proven that freedom is not a right; human beings don't have the right to be free. If you doubt this, ask a North Korean. Freedom requires two things: People must first believe in the idea that they should be free, and second, people must be willing to sacrifice ... | 0 comments
Respect-the-U.S.-flag
Respect for our American flag equals respect for all the veterans who have fought for it.Having attended and marched in many local parades over the years, it is always discouraging to see parade spectators seated, or distracted as our American flag passes to their front. What they may not remember ... | 0 comments
More than 'not in my backyard'
Board of Supervisors chairman Scott York has reportedly said that the opposition to the proposed 11-story telecom tower in the Historic District of Bluemont is just more NIMBY (not in may backyard) whining. It is not.At the Oct. 13 Board of Supervisors public hearing on the proposed violation of county ... | 0 comments
Make Loudoun a 'community that cares'
The national economic downturn has affected every region of the United States -- some far more severely than others. Loudoun County, too, has felt a tremendous impact with many job losses and with increased foreclosures. Many more residents are struggling to get by in ways they had not imagined just ... | 0 comments
Workday language needs clarification
I would like the support of Loudoun County's residents in clarifying the language regarding workdays for teachers. Currently, the wording is that teachers will work no less than seven hours a day. I would appreciate that the regular workday be no more than seven and a half hours, with a ... | 0 comments
Limestone Overlay District plan is flawed
The county's Board of Supervisors continues to move forward with its Limestone Overlay District legislation, and as a resident of the county who would be directly impacted by this proposal, I want to share my strong opposition to this flawed plan.There are many issues that need to be addressed due ... | 0 comments
Leesburg encourages 'wannabe' cops
I think it is a disgrace that the Leesburg Police Department has stooped so low as to let untrained citizens run radar guns to monitor traffic in Leesburg. This is an embarrassment to our community -- a few hours of training does make one certified to operate a radar gun.This ... | 0 comments
Government health care is the newest oxymoron
On the morning of Oct. 31, we received an e-mail from Wayde Byard, of the Public Information Office at Loudoun County Public Schools. He has the unfortunate responsibility of alerting parents that the schools would not be administering the H1N1 vaccinations because of the "lack of adequate vaccine."The Department of ... | 0 comments
Energy plan a good start
I recently read the county's energy plan and attended one of the public input sessions. While it is not perfect, it is a great start.The plan is a key part of the process for the county to earn over $2 million in grants from the Department of Energy. It provides ... | 0 comments
Where's the respect and support for Valley cheerleaders?
Being a cheerleader at Loudoun Valley High School is a time-consuming commitment, one the girls and their families happily sign up for every year. During the fall season, the cheerleaders cheer at every football game and attend volleyball games to support their fellow Vikings, all while preparing for their own ... | 2 comments
Open letter to our county government
In our fast-growing county some bureaucratic impedance to sensible development might be expected, but there is no excuse for the current impasse on Allder School Road, where the Howell family has been trying for months to build a small “green” house on their 8-acre plot.Our zoning ordinance, implemented by the ... | 0 comments
Assessors 'uniformly unkind to residential property owners'
I find it interesting that the county's financial gurus have projected a modest 5 percent decline in Loudoun's “portfolio” of taxable real estate. If true, I am inclined to think the assessors have been uniformly unkind to residential property owners. This is probably based on the assumption that most owners, ... | 0 comments