Summer Hangover

As with most summers, the sex scandals (Larry Craig, David Vitter et al) from our nation's capital ensures that some of us (If we ever admit to doing so) continue to follow the news through the slow summer news cycle, perhaps not as intense as we normally do.

This summer definitely will be remembered because of the specifics of the Larry Craig scandal, will spare you the details, as if the cable channels and You-Tube have not provided enough analysis and reenactments to last a life time.

We have shared the vacation stories with neighbors and anyone that cares to listen, kids have started school, so the waiting at the bus-stop or the daily school runs are back, traffic on Route 7 is gradually returning to the usual snail speed, so it is taking longer to get to work - with the construction around Rt7/River Creek Intersection the traffic may get worse for some of us. Some say the construction traffic is worth the trouble - the Wegmans effect, I guess.

So as we wean ourselves from summer, how do we keep the summer spirit going?. My way of keeping it going - think about upcoming holidays - Halloween (for some of us), Thanksgiving and even Christmas. How are you handling your summer hangover, if any?

Low Marks for Loudoun Economic Development Website

Loudoun County Department of Economic Development’s website ranked very poorly in a recent evaluation of the websites of all D.C. area economic development agencies and departments commissioned by the Washington Business Journal

One of comments about the Loudoun ED site is that “it does not reflect the wealth and sophistication of the county. Little Opportunity for use interaction; site navigation challenging” The site scored very low marks in most areas: Appearance, Navigation and Usability

First impression matters, this department is the face of the county to the business community, and it will be the first port of call for most t businesspeople when considering relocating or setting up their business in Loudoun. We must put our best foot forward.

I hope Larry Rosenstrauch, Director of Loudoun County Economic Development will react by addressing the challenges identified in the report.

New Site Launched to Sharpen Illegal Immigration Message in Loudoun

The illegal immigration discourse in Loudoun is moving to the next level. A new site - HelpSaveLoudoun has been launched by "a grassroots citizen group to address community improvement and development issues, and to assist residents and the local and state governments with ensuring the neighborhoods of Loudoun County remain safe, secure and prosperous for legal residents, legitimate businesses and the American worker."

Another translation of the objectives of the movement can be found on a sister site, and I quote - "HelpSaveManassas is a recently established chapter within the HelpSaveVirginia network, and joins residents in the greater Manassas area including Prince William County, the City of Manassas Park and the City of Manassas together in a grassroots organization dedicated to helping preserve our communities and protect them from the effects related to the presence of illegal aliens in our community. Help Save Manassas fosters public awareness of the negative effects of illegal aliens on our community, facilitates effective engagement by citizens in the legislative process on issues which regard illegal aliens, as well as providing an effective voice for citizens."

Both sites are offshoots of the HelpSaveVirginia network, other movements within the same network include HelpSaveHerndon and HelpSaveVirginiaBeach. I do not think we are about to see activities similar to what the Minuteman Border Fence Volunteers are doing at the US borders, but the bar is definitely being raised, i.e., I don't expect to see volunteers at major points of entry inquiring about the immigration status of people driving into the county, or will it come to that?

How will local politicians handle this new angle in the illegal immigration debate? Will they be lining up to join this new grassroots movement as evidence of their unflinching support for the cause? This discussion is definitely going to remain on the front pages for a while.

Loudoun Illegal Immigration Measure- Crass Political Opportunism or Economic Necessity

I received quite a few emails in response to my previous posting on the possibility of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopting an Illegal Immigration resolution similar to the one passed recently by Prince William County Board of Supervisors, which they did the very next day. Some were wondering if I had been tipped off, here is the truth - I was not tipped off - I just knew it was too good of an opportunity for politicians to ignore and someone was going to take advantage of it, and they did.

Yesterday afternoon, Loudoun County BOS Chairman Scott York (I) at a press conference indicated that Loudoun BOS will study the plan very carefully. I guess that will buy the board more time, as I am sure no one on the board has a clue how the resolution will be implemented. Why would they adopt a resolution without considering the implications? Why the rush to adopt what some has described as a "toothless" resolution that would be impossible to implement? Did they seek the input of local law enforcement agencies?

Is this a vote fishing move by jittery politicians eager to take advantage of the media attention this issue will bring? Crass Political Opportunism or Economic Necessity? The jury is out.

WaPo's New Local Site

Washington Post has launched a new site - "Loudoun Extra" focused on Loudoun County. Pretty good looking and comprehensive with a lot of local information.

WaPo's Local Blog - "Living in Loco" has also been moved to the new site. With this new development by WaPo, which I believe is the first in the metro area, Loudoun is getting the recognition it deserves, no doubt this is the best place to live and work in the metro DC area, and the number of people moving their businesses here on a daily basis reflects that.

Also I am sure our local newspapers - Loudoun Times, Leesburg Today etc are monitoring this development closely. Will WaPo bring the best out of these newspapers or is this a non-event for them?

Crosstrails CPAM Public Hearing Tomorrow

Do you have thoughts you would like to share on the Crosstrails mixed-use development proposed by the developer, Peterson Cos for the huge parcel of land next to Leesburg Executive Airport.

There is an opportunity for public comment on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) tomorrow, July 17th at 9.30am at the Government Center in Leesburg. An opportunity to vent our spleen. Some think the new development with destroy all the small businesses in Leesburg downtown (quoting a colleague - "Crosstrails will turn Leesburg town into a ghost town"), some others think it will complement the small businesses in downtown Leesburg. What do you think?

PW County Immigration Crackdown - Will Loudoun Follow Suit?

Prince William County Board of Supervisors recently unanimously approved a measure aimed at discouraging illegal immigrants from settling in the county. This measure requires the police to check on the immigration status of anyone they detain if there is probable cause to believe the person is undocumented. The Supervisors voted to approve the measure despite the objections of the county's police chief who claims that the measure would diminish cooperation with law enforcement and put further strain on very limited resources.

The immigration discussion is a difficult one and there are no right answers. At some point down the road, I expect the issue to come before the Loudoun County BOS. The challenges are enormous and until we all agree there are no perfect solutions, we will continue to go around in circles. As long as there is an appetite for cheaper sources of labor, and there are people willing to do certain categories of work for less than an average legal resident will be willing to be paid for the same job, this problem would remain.

We can not eat our cake and have it, the illegal immigrants are in plain view, we all can see them - if they are doing the sometimes dangerous work in our communities that we do not want to do, we have no problems - as long as they do not live in our own backyard (NIMBY) thereby increasing the strain on the public services that we use.

The easy and popular view is to propose that all illegal immigrants be deported over a period of time or even immediately, but that is simplistic and impractical. They are here, and again, as difficult as this may sound, the majority of them will remain as long as there are willing employers. I dare say that even our government indirectly hires illegal immigrants through contractors, though I do not have any facts to substantiate this, but I know that contractors often have problems finding workers to pave our roads, clean windows of high rise government buildings, anytime there is a crackdown by Immigration officials.

So what should we do - some of the proposals in the failed senate immigration bill makes sense at the national level, as a matter of urgency, using technology and other means available, immediately secure our northern and southern borders, if necessary use state guards and other appropriate law enforcement agencies, upon payment of a fine - grant a special 5 year visa for these illegal immigrants as long as there is a verifiable US based employer that has paid US taxes for at least 3 years, and the applicant must have no criminal record and be able to speak English. After a 5 year period, the visa recipients can apply for an extension. Also individuals on this visa cannot apply for US citizenship under any circumstances.

At the local level, enforce or enact residential overcrowding and anti-loitering laws, create one or two designated areas for day laborers, and the laborers must register with the county, i.e., fingerprints etc. We need to get these individuals out of the shadows, and let them pay taxes and share the cost of the services they enjoy, though some of them already do.

If you disagree with me, you probably have very good reasons too and I would like to hear them. I understand this is a very sensitive topic and my view as stated above is extremely unpopular. I have read articles such as this, and I do not see solutions, we all know the issues, we need solutions.

New Cellphone Rules for Teens - Too harsh?

The new Virginia highway safety law that went into effect on the 1st of July prohibits the use of cellular telephones or any other wireless telecommunication devices, whether or not they are hand-held, by drivers under 18-years-old while operating a motor vehicle.

Is this law too harsh or should the law be further strengthened by making it unlawful for anyone to use hand-held cellphones while operating a motor vehicle?

Route 7 and River Creek Pkwy Interchange Construction Kicked Off

Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd led town staff members to the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed Route7 and River Creek Parkway Interchange which is being funded by Kettler, the developer of the Village at Leesburg. This planned mixed-use development is dependent on the successful completion of the interchange.

Kettler official, Eddie Byrne said the "The interchange will take three construction seasons to complete". Representatives of Wegmans, the anchor of the proposed mixed-used development were also at the ceremony. The mixed-use development is being called the "Gateway to Leesburg" by virtue of its location, so the town government through the Architectural Review Board for the interchange has been very involved in the design of the development.

Village at Leesburg will transform Leesburg town and the county in many ways, perhaps the same effect the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets had when it opened. A destination shopping and entertainment center with residential units that is alive 24 hours a day? Possibly.

River Creek Village Complex Coming to Edwards Ferry

River Creek developer, Marc Montgomery and his partners The Tower Companies, are planning to build a mixed-used development of about 70,000 square feet of retail and 55,000 square feet of office space on Edwards Ferry Road in Leesburg, next to Costco.

Residents of River Creek, Lansdowne, Potomac Station and the Lakes at Red Rock developments would definitely benefit from the additional retail and dining conveniences that River Creek Village will offer. No doubt things have improved dramatically for these residents with the opening of Lansdowne Town Center and Potomac Station shopping complex.

We can only hope that Edwards Ferry Road will be fixed before the new complex opens, otherwise get ready for heavy traffic on that road.

2006 American Idol Winner Coming to Loudoun Summer Music Fest

Guess who is coming to town? Taylor Hicks, the silver haired winner of the fifth edition of American Idol is set to sing at the Loudoun Summer Music Fest on Sunday, July 8. How cool is that? Which Idol contestant would you like to see after Taylor Hicks if you had a choice? Carrie Underwood? Rueben Studdard?

Gravel Portion of Edwards Ferry Road

The unpaved portion of Edwards Ferry Road where it intersects with River Creek Parkway in Leesburg is becoming extremely busy. I often see school buses and police cruisers maneuvering the pot-holes on this road. Residents of Lansdowne, River Creek and Potomac Falls neighborhoods also use this road to avoid route 7 traffic.

Just before you get to the unpaved portion, there is a sign with the inscription – End Town of Leesburg Maintenance. This road is slowly becoming a major thoroughfare, which arm of our government is responsible for paving this road? Is there a busy unpaved road in your neighborhood in need of attention?

Loudoun Times Blog Launches

Loudoun Blogosphere continues to expand with the Loudoun Times Mirror launching a new multi-author blog. Loudoun Times Web Editor, Robin Earl is the coordinator of this blog. The blog will focus on all things Loudoun - Politics, Entertainment, Business and life in the county in general.

We are definitely going to see a wider range of view points in the coming weeks and months with the arrival of new blogs in our community. Here is a link to the blog.

The Value of Independent Candidates

Quite a few races in Loudoun will have independent candidates on the ballot this fall. There are two major types of independent candidates, there are some that have always been independents, never been a registered member of any party, and some that leave just before an election because they lost in the primaries, or they know that they may not be able to get the support of the party establishment. Whilst some people, especially party activists tend to see candidates that leave the party to run as independents after losing in the primaries as traitors and perhaps selfish individuals.

I feel differently about this, and please feel free to disagree with me - the fact of the matter is that if an individual is so sure of his or her achievements or qualifications for public office and feels he or she can run for office by taking their case directly to the voters without the backing of a political party, I think they deserve our respect. This is by no means an endorsement of ANY independent candidate. You may disagree with the views of a candidate but respect their actions.

In some instances, there are entrenched interests in the big political parties, and more often than not those interests do not align with the interests of the general public. Again, I am not referring to any particular candidate or party. Also, sometimes in primaries, what we see is a vote against a candidate who may not have toed the party line, rather than a vote for his/her opponent - then the party ends up with a weak candidate which is a disservice to the public.

A perfect example of that scenario was what happened in the Democratic primary for US senate in the State of Connecticut, which was won by a less experienced, and perhaps less prepared candidate, Ned Lamont simply because the primary voters were casting their vote against Senator Joe Lieberman, rather than voting for Lamont. Connecticut general elections voters saw through this and returned Lieberman to the senate as an Independent candidate.

In summary, Independent candidates may not win but I believe they nurture the vibrancy of our democratic system of governance by going through the trouble of running. Politics should not be about winning alone, it should also be about leadership, vision and practical ideas for the development of a community. Independent candidates ensure that the candidates nominated by the parties do not have a free ride, and also gives the public more options. I believe it is good for democracy and good for the general public.

Incumbent Supervisors Win Republican Primaries

Supervisors Lori Waters, Eugene Delgaudio and Steve Snow defeated their opponents in the Republican primaries that was held today, but incumbent Sheriff Steve Simpson lost to Greg Ahleman. I must confess that I am little bit surprised that Ms. Waters won, because it appeared that the tide was moving in Jack Ryan’s favor, despite what most agree was a well-run and well-financed campaign by Ms. Waters.

Rumor has it that Sheriff Simpson may be running as an independent candidate this fall. Will the results of this election help or hurt Republicans this fall? This is a tough year to be a Republican, would be interesting to see if Loudoun voters agree with the Republican primary voters that the incumbents deserve another term. What do you think?

Dulles Greenway Toll Increase

Starting July 1st, we are going to start paying more to use the Dulles Greenway. Though it is a scheduled increase, it still feels like one is being priced out of using this highway every time there is an increase. The owners of the highway, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (TRIP II), have already filed an application with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for further increases through January 1, 2012. The next increase is scheduled for January 1, 2009, what a nice way to ring in the New Year!

This increase does not include further increases that may be necessary to finance the Dulles Metro project. For most of us driving two-axle cars, we may be on our way to spending ten dollars, if not more on toll one-way from Leesburg to Tysons Corner. I believe continued increase of tolls on the Greenway will drive more traffic to already crowded Route 7, though there has been significant improvements on Route 7, such as the installation of synchronized lights, flyovers at busy intersections, but more still needs to be done to ease the pressure on Route 7 especially during rush hour. Are our elected representatives doing enough? Any thoughts on what could be done without crippling road users financially?

No Show at Jail Opening

Fellow blogger, Living in LoCo has an interesting story about the opening of the new county jail. Apparently no member of the BOS or county administrator's staff was present at this event. Quite unusual, were they waiting to be invited to this function?

I have been waiting to hear reasons why they did not show up, but the silence is deafening. What do you think? Does this underscore the leadership crisis or lack of leadership in the county at the moment as some people claim, or is this a non-issue?

National Hunger Awareness Day

Today, June 5 is National Hunger Awareness Day, so it is provides an excellent opportunity to applaud the Directors and Staff of Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Inc (LIR) for the critically important work they are doing in our community.

LIR provides emergency food assistance to those in need in our community, i.e., "Making Sure No One Goes Hungry in Loudoun County" - LIR slogan. It may interest you to know that half of the individuals served in 2006 by LIR were children. LIR is supported by several local organizations and citizens of the county.

Tulloch in the News again

Supervisor Tulloch has been in the news lately, perhaps more often than any other supervisor. Since most of the publicity is negative, pundits are often wary of negative publicity directed at politicians as we get closer to the elections and as would be expected there has been a lot of reaction from fellow local bloggers in response to the front page article in yesterday’s edition of the Washington Post.

I agree some sections of the article had some “old news” that had already been published before, but there was significant new information regarding Tulloch’s relationship with philanthropist and Managing Partner of Washington Mystics, Sheila Johnson and developer Hobie Mitchell which I believe is relevant to the on-going investigation and should be in the public domain. I am not saying any wrongdoing has been established, but it is important to put the facts out there and let the citizens of Loudoun, most especially the constituents of Tulloch in the Potomac district determine if they are satisfied with the conduct of their representative.

I also agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a politician leveraging contacts developed in his official capacity for personal business, but politicians are elected to office to serve the general public, consequently when the interest of the public is at variance with their personal interest or the interest of their friends, the interest of the public should prevail, that is the oath they took when they assumed office. Also leveraging contacts with individuals or organizations who have on-going cases before the Board of Supervisors should be avoided, except the supervisor has recused himself or herself from the case brought by the individual. I must quickly add that the current salary of the supervisors is grossly inadequate and makes a mockery of the enormity of the responsibilities of the supervisors, and should be revised as soon as possible.

The allegation that the Washington Post has a liberal agenda to tarnish the image of conservative politicians as we approach the election season is baseless and without any merit. Tulloch’s conservative credentials are shaky, at best average. Sheila Johnson who was also mentioned in the article is well-known in Democratic circles. Our focus and the energy of every well-meaning Loudoun resident should be directed at the on-going investigation to ensure that justice is done to Loudoun taxpayers.

HHMI Tax Exempt Status

Loudoun politicians often talk about replicating the biotech success of the I-270 corridor. Yet some of them are working very hard to make life difficult for an organization that can make this happen. Some politicians are currently challenging the tax exempt status of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

It may take some time, but the presence of HHMI in Loudoun will eventually create a cluster of biotech companies and other small research institutions which will benefit all of us. Why aren't we looking long term, it does not make economic sense to single out HHMI out of over 460 tax exempt organizations in the County.

What kind of message are we sending to similar organizations that may want to relocate or set- up in Loudoun? It is time to stop playing politics with this organization that may soon become a major economic driving force for the county, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, expanding our tax base by bringing similar organizations, consequently eliminating the need to further increase property taxes in the near future.

I am totally in support of the tax-exempt status; I believe it is in our long-term economic interest. What do you think?

Loudoun Summer Music Fest 2007

The dog days of summer are here and so is the annual Loudoun Summer Music Fest. The event kicks off on Sunday June 3 with Sugar Ray and runs through Sunday, August 26. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit these local non-profit organizations:

• Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers is a community of volunteers helping frail elderly and adults with disabilities to maintain independence and quality of life.


• Special Love run programs that offer children with cancer the chance to jump, play, explore, laugh, swim and make friends.


• The Loudoun Foundation brings together community residents, businesses and charities for musical enrichment events and student mentoring programs.

See you there..

Potomac Falls High School Came First in Loudoun...

The 2007 annual survey of the best public high schools in the country conducted by Newsweek Magazine placed Potomac Falls High School ahead of all other public high schools in the county. Potomac Falls High School was at a respectable position of 183rd out of 1200 top schools nationwide.

As would be expected Fairfax County Public Schools dominated the top tier of the list for Virginia Schools. I think Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) did pretty well, considering the fact that most of our schools are relatively new. Also there was no Loudoun High School in the top 200 bracket in the 2006 Survey, Potomac Falls High School came 354th last year.

Loudoun Valley in Purcellville and Loudoun County in Leesburg were at 247th and 373rd positions respectively on the 2007 list. Do these surveys matter and do they really reflect how good these schools are? I wonder what Dr. Hatrick, the Superintendent of LCPS thinks about this survey.

Surprise Win for Phillips - 33rd Senatorial District Primary

The results of the Republican primary for the 33rd senatorial district surprised many. Patricia Phillips won. I can say without any doubt that I did not see a single ad posted anywhere in the county by the Phillips camp, whereas the well-funded Andrews camp had quite a few. And I would say, Andrews had more name recognition. Does this tell us anything about the electorate? From all accounts including fellow blogger - Gateway to Loudoun , turnout was relatively low, that leads me to the question why is voter participation in elections dropping?

According to a recent news report, many people in our county are not even aware that a major election season is upon us. Quite a few elected officials are returning unopposed or with very weak opposition. In my opinion, that is not democracy. These elected officials are going to be making decisions that will affect us and our families. Are we making sure that we are selecting from the best pool of resources? We need a vibrant primary system, we need more people to come out and challenge the political establishment – Loudoun is filled with professionals, highly educated individuals with vast experience in different areas. People who understand the importance of having the right representatives at all levels of government, so why are people disenchanted with the electoral system?

Red-Light Cameras, How effective?

Our local law enforcement agencies are pushing hard for red-light cameras to be installed at major intersections in the county as early as next year. Our neighbors (Maryland & District of Columbia) have had red-light cameras for some time.

We all probably knew this was coming since Governor Kaine (D) signed House Bill 1778 into law in March. The bill which was introduced by Del. John Cosgrove (R), permits counties, cities or towns statewide to adopt ordinances to install cameras at intersections, effective July 1. It limits localities use of the cameras to one per 10,000 residents. Violators would face $50 fines. No demerit points would be tacked on to drivers' licenses. It also requires that localities post signs within 500 feet of intersections with cameras.

Whilst studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claim that red-light cameras tend to reduce accidents, there are other independent studies out there claiming that the cameras have not contributed to the reduction of accidents, there are also concerns that the red-light camera is an invasion of the privacy of citizens by the government.

I do not think there is a privacy issue here. What do you think the BOS should do - allow or disallow? Will red-light cameras reduce accidents, or is this just a revenue generating opportunity for the county?

Loudoun Blogosphere Expanding

Loudoun Blogosphere is expanding very fast with new blogs coming online every other week, and many more in the development stages. Well known local newspaper, Loudoun Times-Mirror will be launching a blog in the June timeframe.

Loudoun Chamber of Commerce has one up already, though in beta mode. The media landscape as we know it today is changing for good, and I believe for the better. Would you agree? By the way, Loudoun Talk may be making "guest appearances" on the Loudoun Times-Mirror blog. Stay tuned.

Capital Newsreel - Military Appreciation Month, High Risk Investments

Governor Kaine (D) has proclaimed the month of May as "Military Appreciation Month" in Virginia. Bravo to all our men and women in Uniform and their families. Feel free to give a shout to any neighbor or family member in the military..

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) warns consumers about high risk and fraudulent investment opportunities by investigating before they invest. Due Diligence guys... con artists are on the prowl..

Road Rage Ranking

I came across this news report that Washington DC ranked 5th nationwide in the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey. Well some DC bloggers are suggesting that DC surburbia drivers may be worse than DC residents, and they are somewhat implying that DC suburbia may be responsible for this rating. Remember the missile incidents.

The argument is that there are too many lights and stop signs in the city, so there is no room to cut other drivers off in traffic. Interesting argument, but I am not buying it. Have you ever experienced road rage on Loudoun roads? I have not and I actually think Loudoun drivers are the most courteous in the DC metro area. Would you agree?

Bloomberg Sting Operation Causing Outrage

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) has been sending private investigators into Virginia (at this time there no confirmed reports of any operation in Loudoun) to look for illegal gun sales by conducting undercover sting operations.

Bloomberg's actions are based on his belief that out-of-state guns are responsible for most gun crimes in New York. Both Governor Kaine (D) and State Attorney General McDonnell (R) have expressed reservations about the way the undercover sting operations were conducted.

At this time, Bloomberg has not run foul of any laws, but come July - Bloomberg will be breaking a Virginia State law - HB 2653. That legislation makes it a felony "for any person, except for a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties or other person under the direct supervision of the law enforcement officer, to attempt to solicit or otherwise entice a firearms dealer to transfer or otherwise convey a firearm other than to an actual buyer."

Should we be outraged or just bite the bullet and work to fix the issues that made him target Virginia in the first instance, or both? What's your take on the Mayor's actions? By the way there are news reports that Bloomberg is getting ready to run for President. He definitely has a lot of fence mending to do here in Virginia...

Lansdowne Home Daycare Battle

I have been following the Lansdowne Home Daycare Battle with utmost interest. I keep wondering why it took the HOA so long to act if this is against their rules and regulations. In my community which is very close to Lansdowne, it is an absolute No-No, and it is spelt out clearly in the rules & regulations book that is provided to you before you move into the community.

It got more interesting when The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, came out with a press release requesting that Lansdowne HOA reconsider its decision to disallow home-based businesses, specifically day care centers in their community.

Maybe during the planning phase of planned communities like Lansdowne, the developers should designate a section of the community where home daycare businesses will be permissible. So only people comfortable with the hustle and bustle of the daycare centers will move into that section of the community. I know there are people out there that would not have a problem with this, and will enjoy walking their children to the neighborhood daycare center during the summer months.

A lot of people I have spoken to think a main area of concern is the fact that home day care centers appear to depress property values. What's your take?

Fire! Fire!! Everywhere....

With fire incidents keeping firefighters busy all over the country and in our county as well, I would think everyone would support legislation designed to ensure that cigarettes sold within our communities are fire-safe.

Fire-safe cigarettes are self-extinguishing, they are designed to go out if dropped or kept aside. Fire-safe cigarette law has been passed or is being deliberated upon by lawmakers in about 32 states nationwide. It is happening at the state level, because there is very little support at the Federal level. Some people including tobacco industry officials are vehemently opposed to this legislation, despite the fact that it is supported by the National Association of State Fire Marshalls and studies have shown that fire-safe cigarettes are less likely to ignite household items.

According to the Coalition of Fire Safe Cigarettes, "Cigarettes are the leading cause of home fire fatalities in the United States, killing 700 to 900 people - smokers and nonsmokers alike - per year". What do you think? Should Virginia follow suit? What do the candidates campaigning to represent us in Richmond think about this? Which is more important - the cost to the tobacco industry or lives that may be saved with the enactment of this law?

Loudoun Public Schools - New Security Measures

Intercom Systems will be installed in all Loudoun County Public Schools. Telephone and Camera devices will also be installed. See news report. I think it is a step in the right direction, what do you think?

Fund to offset Carbon Emissions

Delta Airlines has partnered with the Conservation Fund to plant trees that will offset carbon emissions. Starting June 1, 2007, Delta customers will have the option to contribute towards the offset of carbon emissions through a donation to The Conservation Fund when they purchase a ticket online at delta.com. - 100% of your donation will be used for tree planting efforts.

Also famous local business AOL, is building a 19000 square foot environmentally friendly child care center. The new center will be located directly across from AOL’s current child-care center in Ashburn. According to AOL officials "this is the first green child care center in Virginia"

Hopefully the county will also be environmentally sensitive when it begins to explore design options for the new government center. It would be interesting to know what other local organizations are doing, protecting the environment is becoming a priority for many organizations and governments.

Feel free to give a shout out to any other local "environmentally sensitive" organization, elected official, or neighbor?

Bike to Work Day 2007

Feeling guilty about your carbon footprint? Yeah right. Anyway May 18 is “Bike to Work Day 2007”. This event is organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and it is a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Pre-registering by May 11 gets you a free T-shirt and a raffle for a bike. There are three “pit stops” in Loudoun County:

• AOL Campus, 7:00 to 10:00am (AOL Employees only)
  
• W&OD Trail at Raflo Park, 6:00 to 9:00am
  
• W&OD Trail at Orbital Sciences Corp, 6:30 to 9:00am

Do you think we, as a community, are doing enough to protect the environment?

New Movie Theatre Opening in June

Living in LoCo blog writes that "the Fox Cinema 16 is slated to open mid-June, right about the time the county schools let out for summer". The interior of the theatre looks really sleek... something to look forward to... Living in LoCo has done an exceptional job following the Brambleton movie theatre story...

The movie theatre is owned by Consolidated Theatres, a regional theatre circuit based in Charlotte, NC. Also, sources at AMC Entertainment tell me that the company continues to work on finding a suitable Leesburg location. Hopefully the Initial Public Offering (IPO) planned by AMC would not affect their current plans. I guess we are beginning to see a picture of what the entertainment landscape of the county will look like in 3-5 years.

250th Anniversary of Loudoun County

Two upcoming events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Loudoun County:

On May 4-5 (Friday/Saturday), 9 am – 2 pm both days, the French and Indian War Encampment will be held at Claude Moore Park in Sterling.

On Saturday, May 19, 10 am – 5 pm, at the historic courthouse in downtown Leesburg. The celebration includes live performances, historical displays, and antique fire engines and tractors. The official ceremony begins at noon with the United States Army Fife and Drum Corps. Congressman Wolf, Governor Kaine, and other state and local officials are expected to attend.

Happy Anniversary to all. Enjoy...

The Uninsured - Which Way Forward?

I happen to know quite a few small business owners, and a major area of concern for most of them is their ability to continue to provide affordable health insurance for their employees. According to the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF), over 1 million people are uninsured in the State of Virginia, which is roughly about 14 percent of the residents of the Commonwealth. I applaud the VHCF, the Virginia Association of Free Clinics, including our very own Loudoun Community Free Clinic for their continued commitment and service to the uninsured residents of this state.

In my opinion, access to good affordable healthcare should be one of the most important priorities for any government, be it Local, State or Federal. As we are getting ready to elect state senators later this year, I decided to check out the websites of the two leading candidates for my senatorial district, the incumbent, Democrat Mike Herring, and Republican John Andrews, I did not see any information on what plans they have to decrease the number of uninsured residents in our district.

At this time, California, Tennessee and Massachusetts are regarded nationally as leaders and innovators when it comes to "concrete plans" to decrease the number of the uninsured. In my humble opinion, I would recommend that our elected leaders consider the Tennessee plan called the CoverTN. CoverTN is designed to provide basic healthcare coverage to those who otherwise could not afford coverage. It is a limited–benefit health insurance plan that provides low-cost coverage for basic medical services. It is by no means perfect, but by all accounts, it is practical and much better than the status quo.

If you agree we need to act, please email our elected representatives and ask what he or she plans to do this year to assist the uninsured. It is our collective responsibility. The number of uninsured is predicted to grow significantly by 2010, as more employers reduce or completely terminate coverage. Please share your thoughts - how do you think we can reduce the increasing number of the uninsured in our community?

Dining Scene - LTC

Not too long ago, I had to drive towards or to Fairfax County to eat out if I wanted something different. There were very few dining options. Then came an avalanche of restaurants and life has indeed changed for the better. I personally enjoy hanging out at Lansdowne Town Center (LTC). It seems the goal was to meet all dining preferences - From The Docks to Emilio's to Not Your Average Joes... I sometimes feel walking on Promenade Drive at LTC makes me hungry, so weighwatchers beware..

By the way, my neighbor told me yesterday night that you get discounts from Not Your Average Joes for your first three take-out orders, not sure why only for take-out but "it is what it is"... and finally for the professional and casual food tasters out there...On Saturday, May 5, between 11am and 3pm, there is an event at LTC - the "Taste of Lansdowne". This event will feature free food tasting, live music - Get out there and have fun, and as usual please come back and share your experience...

Metro - Tysons Tunnel Battle

Though a decision has been made by Governor Kaine that metro would not be tunneled through Tysons, TysonsTunnel.org - a coalition of the McLean Chamber of Commerce, community and business leaders still continues to mobilize interested citizens of the area, with the hope of winning at the very minimum, the battle of public opinion as to what is best for the Tysons area. A tough order by any imagination, my guess is that most people are weary and will just be happy to see the metro come through the Dulles corridor as soon as possible.

This issue concerns us here in Loudoun since the rail from West Falls Church has to pass through Tysons to get to Loudoun, so it would be interesting to see how this plays out. By the way if you don't have any after-work plans for Tuesday, May 8th and you want to hear the latest events on the metro project, possibly with a little pro-tunnel bias, TysonsTunnel.org is hosting a happy hour (6.00pm-9.00pm) at Gordon Biersch, Tysons Corner Center (Tysons 1). Gordon Biersch is located near the movie theaters. If you do go, enjoy and please come back and share your experience with us.

Virginia Gun Laws

In the aftermath of the VA Tech tragedy, there is a lot of discussion going on around the country, indeed around the world about gun control laws in the United States. There have been at least 19 fatal school shootings in the country in the past decade. This is a very sensitive topic, especially in a southern state and I know our politicians would rather not touch this subject, but I believe we need to continue to discuss effective gun control measures in our communities. The stakes are simply too high, silence will not take the problems away.

The Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence website rates states based on how effective they think the state gun laws are. Virginia has a C- grade. Any thoughts on what can be done to make Virginia gun laws more effective? Here are some of my thoughts: Should we have a waiting period on all gun sales? Should registering guns with law enforcement agencies be mandatory? What about making background checks mandatory at gun shows?

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

Virginia Tech has established a memorial fund which will cover expenses associated with grief counseling, memorials, communication expenses, comfort expenses, and incidental needs, as a result of the April 16 tragedy. Please visit this Virginia Tech webpage for more information. Let's spread the word about this initiative by forwarding this VT link (above) to our friends and colleagues.

Firefighter Killed in Line of Duty

Just in case you missed this - A major tragedy like what we had yesterday would often eclipse other important news events happening around the same time. In neighboring Prince William County, a firefighter, Kyle Wilson lost his life whilst searching for residents of a home engulfed in flames.

According to NBC4 news reports, this is the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the 41-year history of the Prince William County Fire Department. I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the Wilson family, Prince William County firefighters, Loudoun County firefighters and other members of this noble and highly honorable profession around the country. May his soul rest in peace.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

It is with a deep sense of loss that I extend my condolences to the friends and families of the victims of today’s tragedy at Virginia Tech.

When things like this happen, we are at a loss; we are desperately looking for answers that often are not forthcoming. Many Loudoun residents have children, nephews, nieces or cousins at VA Tech, so I cannot imagine what today has been like for many of our neighbors and friends, and indeed for everyone. It is one of those events that you remember for a very long time where you were when it happened

Many questions are flowing through my mind, but today is not the day for questions. Today is a day of prayers to God, for him to grant the families and friends of the victims, the Virginia Tech community and indeed the entire country the strength to bear this loss of innocent lives.

Security Breach at ATM machine

Just in case you missed this – It appears criminals may have devised another way to steal money from our bank accounts. According to NBC4, a surveillance equipment was found attached to a bank ATM in Tysons Corner, quoting Fairfax county authorities.

Apparently the bank manager was performing a routine check when he noticed something unusual. This surveillance equipment can capture both your PIN number and the debit card number. Since this happened in a neighboring county, thought it made sense for all of us to be more vigilant when using ATM machines, and also to report suspicious activities at any ATM machine to the authorities, especially after business hours

Good deeds...

I came across this quote this morning - "It is nice to be important, but more important to be nice". I do not know the original author of this quote, but it gave me some food for thought. Being nice means doing good deeds; our actions must demonstrate fairness, justice and equity. I am sure we would all agree that our lives would be much better if only people with such traits end up in positions of leadership in our community.

Talking about good deeds, I just want to put in a quick plug for Loudoun Community Free Clinic on Cornwall Street in Leesburg. This organization is dedicated to assisting the vulnerable in our community. The clinic is staffed by health professionals and other volunteers from the community who help out at no cost to the clinic.

As you might expect for an organization involved in charitable work, they depend on gifts from the community, so any help you and I can render would go a long way. Every good deed, no matter how small from you and I makes our community a much better place. The county of our dreams is within reach, the journey begins now.

Catoctin County out of Western Loudoun?

I have been seeing Catoctin County bumper stickers on some cars in the county for a little while, so I decided to research this issue - (I know what you are thinking - I need to get a life, right?) Anyway, I spent some time on the website for the movement.

The group behind the stickers is seeking to carve out “Catoctin County" out of Western Loudoun as we know it today. The main driving issue here is the belief that the desires of residents of Western Loudoun cannot be attained within the current political structure of the county. I could not disagree more with that thought, resources that could be used for schools, healthcare, roads etc will now be used to create another bureaucracy.

Also I doubt very much that the proposed Catoctin county will be financial viable. One of the suggestions on the site as to how the proposed county can be financially viable include outsourcing correction centers to other counties - is this really a serious suggestion?

The goals of the group can be attained within the current political structure: A viable and sustainable rural economy, low taxes, protection of the environment etc. What do you think?

Historic Morven Park hosts Polo Match

An International Polo Match to celebrate the birthplace of our nation and America’s 400th Anniversary is scheduled to take place at Morven Park in Leesburg on May 12. The Polo match will be between The Ritz Carlton England Polo team and the Cartier United States Polo Team

Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team.

There are also plans for an aerial demonstration by the US Navy F18s & BlackWater USA, additional entertainment by the Loudoun Symphony, No Speed Limit, Urban H.I.P, The Web Sisters, and Ten-time Grammy Award Winner – Claude McKnight of TAKE 6.

This event will benefit the Journey for the Cure, a non profit 501 (c) (3) Charitable Foundation, with net proceeds supporting the MS Society and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Tickets for this event are on sale on the event website

VA signs first phase of Dulles Metrorail extension

In the event you missed this - VA officials have signed a $1.6 billion contract with Dulles Transit partners for the design and construction of the first phase of Metro extension to Dulles airport. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2008. That's just a year away.

This contract I believe is based on the metro going above ground in the Tysons area rather than through a tunnel. Some residents and business groups (Tysonstunnel.org) in the Tysons area are actively pushing for a change of plans that would allow the metro to be "tunneled" in the Tysons area.

Though I totally understand why it may be better to have metro "tunneled" in Tysons, I do not want this issue to derail the construction schedule. I sincerely hope we can have a resolution very soon. Do you have any thoughts on how this issue can be resolved?

Fair Housing Month

April is Fair Housing Month. Housing is an issue very dear to my heart, because I strongly feel that every person should have equal access to housing of their choice. And I know there are still elements of housing discrimination in our society, though very subtle these days, we as residents of Loudoun county owe it to ourselves and our children to report all instances of housing discrimination to the authorities.


There are several laws and regulations designed to enforce fair housing, the Federal Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is responsible for enforcing federal laws, whilst the Virginia Fair Housing Office is responsible for enforcing state laws. There are also several other organizations such as the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) is dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, and educating the public about housing discrimination.

There is a common saying in the corporate world, which is "diversity strengthens a company", it is my view that “diversity also enriches a community”, and we should all embrace diversity and root out elements in our society that encourage covert or overt discrimination in all shapes and forms. Our children are going to live in a more diverse world than we are, exposing them to diversity early in life will help them to become well adjusted citizens.

Also our county benefits financially when we embrace diversity. Diversity makes economic sense.

I would end this post with two famous MLK quotes:

"We may have come on different boats, but we are all in one ship now"

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"

Salamander Middleburg Saga

It appears that the Salamander Resort and Spa saga is not going to end anytime soon. Recently Salamander Hospitality LLC requested to be allowed to build an additional 48 rooms to the 120 rooms already approved at the Salamander Resort and Spa by the Middleburg Council.

Some council members appear irritated by this additional request. And one probably can understand their irritation considering the intensity and the duration of the negotiations that have already taken place between the council and Salamander Hospitality LLC. It took a long time to get here. In fact, Councilwoman Bundles Murdock has already indicated that she would not consider this additional request.

Salamander Hospitality LLC claims that the additional rooms are necessary to make the project financially viable, citing increased construction costs. Apparently the council wants to know impact of adding 48 rooms on water and sewer systems, and also the impact on traffic.

What I find interesting, is that the Town of Middleburg is currently in the red, the town is struggling to stay afloat financially. Recently the town considered instituting a personal property tax. I do not understand why they are not jumping at Salamander Hospitality LLC. This resort will bring more jobs, broaden the tax base of the town. I have also heard some people complain that the resort will bring the big box retailers to Middleburg, which will destroy small businesses. That concern is unfounded, big box retailers don't follow hotels/spas, they follow homes. Most visitors to the resort will not be spending time looking for big box retailers.

Bottom line, the Middleburg council should ensure that the new water and waste-water treatment plants that Salamander is building is sufficient, work with Salamander to address traffic concerns - once this is done, the request should be approved without further delay. Many towns and cities all over the country would love to have the Salamander Resort in their community. Middleburg is lucky to have Salamander, the council should work with the developers.

Troubling experience with United Airlines

I am in San Diego, California this week on a business trip, and like most of us do when possible, I brought my family with me - Spring break! San Diego is a beautiful city, if you have not been here, make sure you add it to your "must-visit" list. If you have young kids, they will love these popular tourist sites - Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland California and the beautiful beaches.

Anyway, I had a very interesting experience with United Airlines staff. Some of the ladies I met appeared very angry, as if they have not been paid for weeks. Any question directed to them that day was met with a rude answer. We were treated as if they were given us a free ride or doing us a big favor.

Granted, the majority of United Airlines personnel I have met are very professional and pleasant. The pilot was very warm when we landed in San Diego, courteously greeting all passengers as we disembarked, that's why it is important to "weed out" the bad eggs. They are an embarrassment to their hardworking and professional colleagues. I was tempted to list the names of the "good" and the "bad" here, but changed my mind. Don't have time to deal with lawyers.

I hope Glenn Tilton, United Airlines CEO will do something about this, especially if it is a morale issue. Give them a raise, Glenn!

Update

On my way back from San Diego, another United Airlines Staff made up for the bad experience, by upgrading my ticket.