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.